Carihuela beach

Thanks to the excellent situation of the Hotel Riu Puerto Marina Benalmadena, set between La Carihuela and the Benalmadena Marina, you can enjoy the very best the Costa del Sol has to offer. With large yachts and elegant buildings, this part of the beach stands out as a chick place to spend a holiday.
The marina facilities enable you to practise all kinds of water sports such as water skiing, sailing or windsurfing. There is also a diving school where you can receive initiation courses.
Because of its moderate waves, this stretch of sand of over 2km in length is an ideal bathing zone for both children and adults. Strolling along the fine sand you will come to the fishermen's quarter La Carihuela, after which the beach was named, where the excellent "pescaito frito" (fried fish) combines with the usual Andalusian revelry.

Tajo de la Soga beach

This beach is ideal for those who prefer quieter bathing. Set under a small cliff and with no large constructions, this beach is never crowded. It has a rocky area which is perfect for diving.

Benalmadena

Benalmádena Pueblo, with charming winding streets, has managed to preserve its white Andalusian houses. Amongst the most interesting sites is the church of Santo Domingo, with fantastic views of a large section of the coast.
The Plaza España, decorated with a lovely bronze statue designed local artist Jaime Pimentel, is another worthy stop.

Benalmádena Pueblo also has several recent monuments. Amongst them the Castillo de Colomares, finished in 1995. This original structure stands out for the large variety of materials used for its construction. Particularly outstanding on the inside are the beautiful stained glass windows. The viewpoint affords a spectacular panorama over the Mediterranean.

Another recent landmark is the Buddhist Stupa of Enlightenment, the largest in the Western World. Erected as a symbol of world peace, this beautiful monument is located at the top of the village and is visible from the whole of the coastline between Benalmádena and Fuengirola.

In Benalmádena Costa, your first stop here should be the fantastic marina. Recognised several times as the best marina in the world, its elegant buildings house luxury flats, exclusive boutiques and magnificent restaurants.

Very near is the Sea Life Aquarium. Very popular with families, this place has a wide variety tropical and Mediterranean fish species.

Another can’t miss site is the Castillo Bil Bil: a modern construction inspired by Arab architecture, with tiles and bas-reliefs following the Nazarí tradition. Situated beside the beach, it’s surrounded by gardens and fountains.

Arroyo de la Miel completes the puzzle. Without doubt, the highlight here is the Monte Calamorro mountain, accessible by cable car. The views from the top, at 2600 feet high, are quite spectacular.

Arroyo de la Miel also has Benalmadena’s most pleasant park, La Paloma. On the inside, apart from lovely gardens, you’ll find the Municipal Auditorium, the scene of many cultural events, and the Selwo Marina, Andalusia’s most important dolphinarium. Here you will be able to see different dolphin and seal shows, as well as the “Ice Penguinarium”, unique in the region, and where the natural habitats of different species of penguins are reproduced.

Benalmadena cable car

In just over ten minutes you will climb up 600m and reach the top of Monte Calamorro (735m). From here you can enjoy one of the most privileged views of the Costa del Sol. On clear days one can even make out the coast of Africa. Whatever you do, don't miss it and bring along your camera.

Malaga

Although many may believe otherwise, this city is not merely about sun and beaches. Its streets and avenues are a pleasure to discover. And its many parks, bars and terraces are perfect to rest your feet after a long day of visiting. Thanks to the improved promotion of its heritage over recent years, Malaga has also become a top cultural destination.

Cathedral: Without a doubt this is the city's most singular monument. Because of the protracted length of its construction time, the building reveals a harmonious combination of the Gothic, Baroque and Neoclassical styles. It is affectionately known as "la manquita" ("one-armed"), because it has only one tower. The other one was never completed due to lack of funds.

Picasso Museum: The most famous native of Malaga, at least on an artistic level, received the greatest possible tribute with the inauguration of this museum in 2003. Containing over 150 works from all the periods, the MPM (Museo Picasso de Málaga) is another illustrative example of the cultural boost the city has received over the last few years.

Alcazaba: This important small fortress with magnificent views of the city is one of the few vestiges that remain from the Muslim era. Its fountains and lush gardens are a faithful reflection of the Arab legacy.
A visit to the Alcazaba would be incomplete without seeing the castle, a 14th-century construction, with which it shares the hill of Gibralfaro.
The Roman theatre, located near the entrance and constructed in the 2nd century AD, demonstrates the importance of the region as a place of convergence of numerous civilisations.

Watersports

You will find nothing better on the Mediterranean coast. In the Benalmadena Marina, several times winner of the "Best Marina in the World" award, you will have the chance to practise a wide range of watersports: water scooters, water skiing, windsurfing and even a diving school.

The Hotel Riu Puerto Marina Benalmadena lies just a few metres from this excellent complex.

Golf

The so-called "Costa del golf" is a paradise for golfers, both for the variety and the beauty of the courses here:

Aymerich Golf Center Benalmadena: An extremely enjoyable, short course (just 9 holes), which is ideal for begginers. You will even be able to play at night thanks to the artificial lighting.

Benalmadena Golf: This municipal golf course runs between beautiful hills. Some of the holes are located on slopes. As with the former course, it is also recommended for beginners.

Lauro Golf: The olive trees, pine trees and holm-oaks that cover its 27 holes, and the views of the Guadalhorce Valley and the Mediterranean make it more than a simple sporting experience: this course is a small nature museum.

Torrequebrada: This course is located between the sea and the mountains, and has lush, subtropical vegetation and numerous birds. With strategically-situated bunkers and lakes, every single one of its 18 holes is an adventure.

Torrequebrada Casino

Venture into the spirit of Las Vegas for a night and play blackjack, poker or roulette. Sophistication and fun, mingle in this exclusive place which also offers flamenco and magic shows.

Walking

If you feel like escaping from civilisation for a few hours, a very short distance from Benalmadena there is a wide variety of easy walking routes. The hills of Castillejo (967m), Moro (959m) and Calamorro (771m)stand out for their fantastic views of the sea and wealth of fauna and flora: eagles, mountain goats, genets, stone pines and carob trees, amongst other species.

Going out

Benalmadena marina: Right in front of your Riu hotel is one ofAndalusia's best nightlife complexes. Sophistication, good taste and an even better atmosphere come together in the numerous bars and discotheques in this zone. You will find everything here: the best dance music DJs, the famous Spanish party mood and even excellent jazz bars. The hustle and bustle of the port during the day does not relent at night, so get ready to dance until dawn.

Shopping

As you will have realised, Benalmadena Marina is an indispensable place for any leisure activity. In its streets you will find select international fashion boutiques and delicate local craft items. The colourful, delicate ceramics are outstanding, as are the enamelled metals and extremely beautiful traditional forged metal creations.