Benalmádena Pueblo Spain Travel Guide
Benalmádena Pueblo is a really special place. I might be slightly bias because this is where I got married and continue to visit every winter. I know the area really well and am excited to share this travel guide with you. In my opinion, it’s truly a ‘can’t-miss’ Spanish village. This is my ultimate Benalmádena Pueblo Spain travel guide where I share places you can stay, things to do, and where to eat so you’ll have a starting point for your trip.
If you’re staying closer to the beach, Benalmádena Pueblo is a short bus ride and highly worth it.
Where To Stay In Benalmádena Pueblo
If you’d like to spend a night or two in this beautiful village, here are a few hotels to choose from including my absolute favourite choice – Hotel La Fonda.
Hotel La Fonda
I highly recommend Hotel La Fonda. It’s one of the nicest, if not the nicest, luxury hotels in Benalmádena Pueblo.
This is where my husband and I and a large group of our wedding guests stayed during our wedding and we’ve been back to stay there since. It’s truly one of our favourite hotels for so many reasons. You can read more about this hotel in my complete review of Hotel La Fonda (coming soon).
While exploring Benalmádena Pueblo, you will likely walk right past Hotel La Fonda. Even if you aren’t looking for a hotel to book, I recommend that you walk past it and admire the beautiful atrium with fountain. You’ll know what I mean when you see it. It’s absolutely stunning. I had admired this hotel from the street for so many years so when it came time to book a hotel for my wedding booking Hotel La Fonda this was a no brainer and it lived up to my expectations.
Hotel Pueblo
Hotel Pueblo is another popular choice for hotels in Benalmádena Pueblo. When you arrive in the Pueblo, you can’t miss it. It has the most beautiful and inviting exterior. The rooms are clean and bright and you can’t beat the central location. It’s within walking distance to everything.
Boutique X
Boutique X is another great option for hotels in the Pueblo. This boutique hotel is where a lot of our wedding guests stayed and we all enjoyed an evening at this hotel before our wedding. The rooms are modern and updated and there’s a pool, hot tub and BBQ for guests to use. The hotel isn’t big so it almost feels like your own personal backyard. It’s a great spot to hang out and relax.
A few things to note about Boutique X:
The location of Boutique X is a little higher up and there is a steep staircase to get to the gate. You’re able to access the hotel from the back as well but I just wanted to make a note of this in case you have an accessibility needs.
There is no front desk or staff on site. If you need something, you can call them but for the most part you are on your own. There is no restaurant on site and therefore, no breakfast included. Boutique X is more like having your own apartment.
Things To Do In Benalmádena Pueblo
Castillo de Colomares
You can’t go to Benalmádena Pueblo without visiting the Colomares Castle. Again, I’m slightly bias because Castillo de Colomares is where I got married but even before we decided to get married there, I would still recommend visiting it.
With a small entry fee (approximately 3 Euros), you can spend time exploring the castle and taking in the incredible architecture and learning about the history of the Castillo de Colomares. There are so many different sections and little nooks to check out. It’s also one of the best places to take in the views of the Mediterranean Sea.
Castillo Colomares Frequently Asked Questions:
Are there bathrooms at the castle?
- Yes, there are clean public washrooms to use at Castillo de Colomares.
Is Castillo de Colomares open on Mondays?
- No, Castillo de Colomares is not open on Mondays so make sure you plan your trip to Benalmádena Pueblo around this.
What are the hours of Castillo Monumento Colomares?
- Closed Mondays year round
- Winter open from 10am to 6pm
- Spring open from 10am to 8pm
- Summer open from 10am to 2pm and 5pm to 9pm
- Fall open from 10am to 6pm
Confession:
The very first time I visited Benalmádena Pueblo I didn’t visit the Castillo de Colomares because I had no idea it was there. A few of our friends did the same thing. When you’re in the Pueblo and looking out to the sea from the village, it can easily be missed if you don’t know to look for it because the castle it’s further down the hillside.
Hopefully you’re reading this Benalmádena Pueblo Spain travel guide before you visit so you don’t make the same mistake I did. It wasn’t until I started looking for wedding venues that I found it.
Wander The Streets
Wandering the streets of the Pueblo is definitely what I recommend in any Spanish village because you just never know what you’re going to find, and that’s part of the charm of this village. The cobblestone streets are beautiful and you’ll find traditional Spanish decor like flower pots hanging on the walls, white houses and more. It’s such a beautiful place to stroll and simply take it all in.
Plaza de España
Plaza de España is located in the centre of the old town village. It feels like almost all roads lead to this plaza so it’s hard to miss it. This is where the La Niña fountain is located (more on that below) and is home to some of our favourite restaurants and spots to sit for a drink.
There are also a few public benches in the plaza to sit and take in the Spanish charm of this village. If you’re lucky, you might even hear some music by local musicians that come to play outside the restaurants.
La Niña de Benalmádena Pueblo Fountain
The La Niña de Benalmádena fountain is located in the Plaza de España. It’s actually one of my favourite statues in the area. I like it because of the meaning behind it but also because of the place it’s located. It’s one of those ‘pinch me’ spots, in my opinion.
The bronze sculpture in the middle of the fountain was made by Jaime Fernández Pimentel. This sculpture of a young girl was inspired by a picture that a fisherman from Almayate, a town 50 minutes along the coast from Benalmádena gave to the artist to use as a reference point for his sculpture. It was added to the fountain in 1968.
Apparently 1968 was a busy year for artist Jaime Fernández Pimentel because he was also the artist who made a sculpture in the same year called ‘El Cenachero’ that’s in Málaga.
Anyways, back to the Pueblo. Sitting on a patio, drinking my favourite traditional Spanish drink – ‘Tinto de Verano’ – and looking out to the fountain along with the cute Spanish two storey buildings all around the plaza is my idea of the perfect afternoon.
Jardines del Muro
After you stroll through the Plaza de España, past the beautiful Hotel La Fonda’s entryway, you’ll eventually end up walking towards Jardines del Muro. This is another amazing spot to take in the beautiful views. There are benches to sit on and a little playground for kids to enjoy. It’s such a great spot to see the Pueblo from above and in all directions. The park loops around the back of the church and you can look up the hillside as well. It really gives you a feel for how big Benalmádena Pueblo is.
Santo Domingo de Guzmán Church
Right next to the Jardines del Muro is the Santo Domingo de Guzmán Church. If you’ve been in the Pueblo for any length of time you’ve likely already heard the church bells ringing.
It’s a beautiful church both inside and out and if you’re lucky, you might hear a choir practicing like my Mom and I did on our last trip.
Stupa de Enlightenment Benalmádena Pueblo
There is an incredible Buddhist temple called the Stupa de Enlightenment in Benalmádena Pueblo that’s definitely worth visiting. It’s a very grand building, and the tallest Buddhist temple in Europe, and has the most incredible views of the Mediterranean Sea and the surrounding areas.
Stupa de Enlightenment Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Benalmádena Stupa worth visiting?
Yes, it’s worth a visit. It’s such a unique building and is one of the best places to enjoy the views of the Mediterranean sea.
What’s the best way to get to the Benalmádena Stupa?
If you’re taking a public bus from Arroyo de la Miel or Benalmádena costa, I recommend staying on the bus past the main Pueblo village bus stops and head directly to the Stupa. You get off at the bus stop called ‘Estupa Tibetana’. Then you can hop on a bus back to the main village or walk to it if you’re feeling up to it.
Can you go inside the Stupa?
Yes, you can go inside the Benalmádena Stupa. I didn’t realize that most Buddhist Temples are ‘sealed structures’ but you can go inside and look around within the Benalmádena Stupa. They even host meditation sessions that are open to the public (more on that below).
Do they offer meditation sessions at the Stupa Benalmádena?
Yes, you can join a guided meditation session at the Stupa Benalmádena every Sunday at 7pm. They ask you to arrive early (around 6:15/6:30pm) to get prepared and ready for the session. These meditation sessions are free but they happily accept donations.
What are the opening hours of Stupa Benalmádena?
The Stupa Benalmádena in the Pueblo is open daily from 10am to 2pm and 5pm to 8pm. They do sometimes host private events and are closed so I recommend that you check their Facebook page for the most up-to-date hours before you make the trip. Even if they are closed, I predict that you’d still be able to visit the grounds and enjoy the view from the large viewing deck but I’m not positive.
Butterfly Park – Mariposario de Benalmádena
Mariposario de Benalmádena, the Butterly park/garden, is located right next to the Stupa de Enlightenment so it’s easy to see both during your visit to the Pueblo.
Here you can learn about exotic butterflies and see them flying freely within the garden. Visiting the Mariposario de Benalmádena is a great activity to do with kids.
Where To Eat, Drink & Grab A Coffee in Benalmádena Pueblo
El Parador Restaurante
El Parador is a great spot if you’re craving pizza on your trip to the Pueblo. The prices are reasonable, the pizza is awesome and the staff are so friendly. This is a great restaurant to sit outside and people watch along one of the main streets, if the weather allows.
They do have lots of indoor seating as well. Don’t be fooled if it looks too busy inside when you first arrive, they have a bigger dining room back behind the front room with lots of tables.
Plaza Restaurante
Sitting on the patio of the Plaza Restaurant under the orange trees and looking out to the La Niña fountain in the main plaza is my favourite thing.
I continue to visit this restaurant every year and it never disappoints. My Mom and I usually order the slider burger and fries. It’s the perfect amount for lunch or a light dinner. They have lots of other choices including delicious salads and tapas.
The Plaza Restaurante is where we hosted our wedding guest welcome lunch, under the orange trees, so it holds a special place in my heart.
La Cupula Lounge
If you’re visiting Benalmádena Pueblo any time of year but the winter, La Cupula Lounge is an incredible place to have a drink and bite to eat. If you do visit in the winter months they sometimes open on weekends, if the weather is particularly nice. It’s best to check the La Cupula Lounge Instagram account for up-to-date hours.
It’s a really unique spot because it’s a fully outdoor restaurant.
This is where I had my wedding reception and dinner and it was as magical as you can imagine looking out to the sea while dancing the night away with our family and friends.
You will see this restaurant on your walk back up from the castle or you can walk down to La Cupula Lounge following the steps from Jardines del Muro.
El Muro Restaurante
El Muro Restaurante is another great restaurant in Benalmádena Pueblo with amazing views. I’ve been here many times, usually for breakfast or lunch, and it’s always a great experience. I recommend that you try and sit on their patio or in the glass covered area so you can take in the views.
Restaurante La Fuente
If you’re looking for a little fancier spot for dinner, Restaurante La Fuente is a great choice. It’s located in Plaza de España right across from the Plaza Restaurante I featured above.
There are so many different nooks within this restaurant, on multiple floors. The vibe is dark, moody and mysterious – in the best way possible. They also have a patio outside to enjoy, if the weather allows.
The food was delicious and the service was incredible. Look at how good our meals look!
Benalmádena Pueblo is truly one of the best places to experience and really appreciate a traditional Spanish village. It’s easy to get to and has so much to offer.
