Benalmádena Holidays: Colomares Castle, Caves and Beaches
Provincia de Málaga · Andalusia · Spain · 58,854 residents · on the coast
Castillo Monumento Colomares
Benalmádena Museum
Cueva de la Zorrera
Cueva de los Botijos
Playa de CarvajalBenalmádena is a coastal town of almost 59,000 people in the Provincia de Málaga, and it is one of the easiest places in Andalusia to reach from the UK: Málaga Airport is roughly 7 miles away, about ten minutes by car. The town's reference point sits some 240 metres above sea level, so the views run downhill to a string of beaches, among them Playa de Arroyo Hondo and Playa de Carvajal. Culture is the stronger draw here, with the Benalmádena Museum and the Castillo Monumento Colomares close to the centre, and a cluster of caves a little over a mile out. Summers peak at around 31°C, while winter days still reach 16°C.
Why go
- Castillo Monumento Colomares, the town's best-known sight, stands under half a mile from the centre.
- Málaga Airport, with direct flights from the UK, is only about ten minutes away by car.
- Dry, warm summers with around one rain day a month in July and August.
Top sights in Benalmádena
Castle, Museum, Caves and Beaches
The most notable sight is the Castillo Monumento Colomares, a castle about 0.4 miles from the town centre. Closer still, the Benalmádena Museum is barely 100 metres away and suits families as well as anyone keen on local culture.
A little further out, around 1.1 miles away, three caves sit close together: Cueva de la Zorrera and Cueva de los Botijos, both archaeological sites, and Cueva del Sahara. For time by the sea, Playa de Arroyo Hondo and Playa Malibu Palace are roughly 1.3 miles away, Playa Nudista Benalnatura (a naturist beach) about 1.5 miles, and Playa de Carvajal, shared with Fuengirola, around 1.9 miles.
Tours and tickets for Benalmádena and the surrounding area can be booked directly on this page, with 97 activities currently listed.
1castle- 2museum
- 3archaeological site
- 4archaeological site
- 7beach
Cueva del Sahara
cave · 1 mile from the centre
Playa Nudista Benalnatura
beach · 1 mile from the centre
Playa Malibu Palace
beach · 1 mile from the centre
Playa de Arroyo Hondo
beach · 1 mile from the centre
Q24024587
beach · 1 mile from the centre
Tours & tickets in Benalmádena
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around Benalmádena can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in Benalmádena
Choosing Between Hillside and Shore
Benalmádena's centre sits around 240 metres above sea level, and that shapes where you might base yourself. Staying near the centre puts the Benalmádena Museum and the Castillo Monumento Colomares within an easy walk, with the caves a short trip beyond.
If beach days are the priority, look closer to the shore, where Playa de Arroyo Hondo, Playa Malibu Palace and Playa de Carvajal lie between 1.3 and 1.9 miles from the centre. Arroyo de la Miel, about 2 miles away, is another option. Live hotel prices for the town are shown on this page.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach Benalmádena and the villages around it is a hire car from Málaga (AGP), about 10 min away.
Best time to visit Benalmádena
When the Weather Works Best
- 16°CJan27 mm
- 16°CFeb67 mm
- 19°CMar85 mm
- 21°CApr8 mm
- 23°CMay23 mm
- 27°CJun37 mm
- 31°CJul2 mm
- 31°CAug6 mm
- 26°CSept35 mm
- 23°COct117 mm
- 20°CNov44 mm
- 17°CDec14 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
The most pleasant months are April, May, June, August and September. April is notably dry, with about 8 mm of rain over three days and highs near 21°C, while May and June warm up to 23°C and 27°C.
July and August are the hottest, with daytime highs around 31°C and lows of 21°C, and barely any rain. October is the wettest month by some distance, with roughly 117 mm across ten rain days, and March can be damp too. Winter stays mild, with highs of 16°C to 17°C from December to February.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 16°C | 7°C | 27 mm | 8 h |
| Feb | 16°C | 8°C | 67 mm | 9 h |
| Mar | 19°C | 9°C | 85 mm | 10 h |
| Apr | 21°C | 11°C | 8 mm | 12 h |
| May | 23°C | 14°C | 23 mm | 12 h |
| Jun | 27°C | 17°C | 37 mm | 13 h |
| Jul | 31°C | 21°C | 2 mm | 13 h |
| Aug | 31°C | 21°C | 6 mm | 13 h |
| Sept | 26°C | 17°C | 35 mm | 11 h |
| Oct | 23°C | 14°C | 117 mm | 9 h |
| Nov | 20°C | 11°C | 44 mm | 9 h |
| Dec | 17°C | 7°C | 14 mm | 8 h |
Averages 2015–2024. Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getting there from the UK
Flights, Drives and Ferries
Málaga Airport (AGP) is the obvious choice: about 7 miles away, roughly a ten-minute drive, with direct flights from the UK. Gibraltar (GIB) also has direct UK flights and is around 53 miles away, about an hour and a quarter by car. Granada (GRX), likewise served directly from the UK, is about 60 miles away, roughly 85 minutes' drive.
The nearest ferry ports serve Morocco rather than Britain: Málaga, about 12 miles away, sails to Melilla; Algeciras, about 58 miles, to Tangier Med and Ceuta; and Motril, about 59 miles, to Melilla, Nador, Tangier Med and Al Hoceima. Driving the whole way from Calais takes around 24 hours at the wheel, so plan overnight stops.
By air
- Málaga (AGP)7 miles, about 10 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Gibraltar (GIB)53 miles, about 1 h 15 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Granada (GRX)60 miles, about 1 h 25 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
By car and ferry
Driving from Calais takes roughly 24 h 13 min without stops. Nearest ferry ports: Málaga (12 miles), Algeciras (58 miles), Motril (59 miles).
Benalmádena is good for
Around Benalmádena
Neighbouring Towns Within Easy Reach
Arroyo de la Miel is the closest, about 2 miles away. Mijas and Torremolinos are both around 4 miles off, and Fuengirola and Alhaurín de la Torre roughly 5 miles, so all make straightforward half-day outings.
Heading inland, Alhaurín el Grande is about 7 miles away, Estación de Cártama around 10 miles and Coín roughly 11 miles, a useful change of scene from the coast.
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Tips from Robin
Practical Points Before You Go
The town centre sits at about 240 metres, while the beaches are over a mile away, so the walk down is pleasant but the climb back in July or August heat, at around 31°C, is worth planning for with a bus or taxi.
If you are travelling in October, pack for rain: it is the wettest month, with about ten rain days. Families heading to the beach should note that Playa Nudista Benalnatura is a naturist beach, while Playa de Arroyo Hondo and Playa de Carvajal are the alternatives nearby.
Questions people ask
How far is Benalmádena from Málaga Airport?
Málaga Airport is about 7 miles from Benalmádena, roughly a ten-minute drive. It has direct flights from the UK, making it the most convenient arrival point. Gibraltar and Granada airports also have direct UK flights but are around 75 and 85 minutes away by car.
What is the best month to visit Benalmádena?
April, May, June, August and September offer the most pleasant conditions. April is dry with highs near 21°C, June reaches about 27°C, and September stays warm at around 26°C. July and August are the hottest at roughly 31°C, while October is the wettest month.
What is there to see in Benalmádena?
The headline sight is the Castillo Monumento Colomares, about 0.4 miles from the centre, alongside the Benalmádena Museum. Around 1.1 miles out are the caves of Cueva de la Zorrera, Cueva de los Botijos and Cueva del Sahara, plus several beaches within 2 miles.
Is Benalmádena good for a family holiday?
Yes, several sights suit families: the Benalmádena Museum, the caves just over a mile from the centre, and beaches such as Playa de Arroyo Hondo and Playa de Carvajal. Note that Playa Nudista Benalnatura is a naturist beach, so choose accordingly.
Can you drive to Benalmádena from the UK?
You can, but it is a long trip: the drive from Calais takes around 24 hours of driving time, so build in overnight stops. Most UK travellers fly instead, as Málaga Airport is only about ten minutes from the town by car.
Is Benalmádena warm in winter?
Winters are mild. From December to February daytime highs sit around 16°C to 17°C, with lows of 7°C to 8°C. February and March bring more rain than December or January, so bring a waterproof if you travel late in the winter.