8 Best Beaches in Benalmadena (A Local’s Favourites!)
Are you looking for a beach holiday in Costa del Sol? The beaches in Benalmadena won’t disappoint you.
Benalmadena has a beautiful coastline that makes it perfect for a summer holiday, from peaceful small coves where you escape the buzz of the town to family-friendly beaches offering many water activities.
Benalmadena is just a short drive from my parents’ house, so I often visit it, especially in the summer, as I love its beaches and attractions.
If you’re wondering which beaches in Benalmadena are best, look no further. I’ve compiled a list of my favourite beaches in this lovely coastal town.
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Best beaches in Benalmadena, Spain
1. Playa Arroyo de la Miel
Arroyo de la Miel Beach, also known as Los Melilleros, is one of the beaches in Benalmadena with a Blue Flag. Its cleanliness and facilities make it a fantastic beach to visit if you stay in the Arroyo de la Miel area.
The beach is named after the area, and it’s popular among locals and tourists because the location can’t be better.
This 600-metre beach has fine sand, calm, not-too-deep waters, and great facilities. Plus, it’s accessible to travellers with disabilities.
Facilities in Playa Arroyo de la Miel
- Shower
- Public toilets
- Lifeguard
- Beach restaurants and bars
- Sunbeds
- Parking
📍 Location: Ctra. Cádiz, 29630 Benalmádena, Málaga, Spain
2. Playa de Carvajal
Playa de Carvajal is located at the end of Benalmadena, just bordering Fuengirola, so don’t be surprised to see it under Fuengirola beaches too.
This is a lovely beach with dark sand and shallow water, making it perfect for families who want to avoid busier beaches like Bil Bil Beach or Arroyo de la Miel Beach in the heart of the town.
Carvajal Beach has been awarded several times because of its high quality. Not only has all the facilities you might need on a beach day, but it’s clean and safe.
Facilities in Playa de Carvajal
- Public toilets
- Showers
- Lifeguard in the summer months
- Sunbed rental
- Car park
- Restaurants
📍 Location: Sendero de Playa Carvajal, 29630 Benalmádena, Málaga, Spain
3. Playa Benalnatura
Benalnatura Beach, located towards Fuengirola, is the nudist beach in Benalmadena. It’s between Las Viborillas Beach and Las Yucas Beach.
It’s a small hidden cove surrounded by vegetation and rocks, and you won’t realise it’s a nudist beach until you step out of the car, walk to the entrance and see the sign that says, “Welcome to Benalnatura, a nudist beach”.
There’s a steep path to the beach, so access isn’t the easiest for everyone.
Personally, I haven’t visited this beach, but many people state that it’s very peaceful and the water is crystal clear. Also, if you don’t practice nudism, choosing other beaches is preferable; people who wear swimwear are sometimes not very welcome here.
Facilities in Playa Benalnatura
- Shower
- Beach bar
📍 Location: Av. del Sol, s/n, 29631 Benalmádena, Málaga, Spain
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4. Playa de Bil Bil
The name of this beach originated from Castillo de Bil Bil, one of the many castles in the Malaga province. The castle is located next to this beach, and you can visit it for free.
The beach is characterised by its golden sand and clear water.
It’s one of the busiest beaches in Benalmadena because of its location, just a few minutes walk from attractions like Parque de la Paloma and Arroyo de la Miel area.
Facilities in Playa de Bil Bil
- Showers
- Sunbeds and parasol
- Restaurants
- Shops
📍 Location: Ctra. Cádiz, 30, 29630 Benalmádena, Málaga, Spain
5. Playa de Santa Ana
Playa de Santa Ana is another lively beach frequented by tourists. It’s a short walk from the famous Puerto Marina (Benalmadena’s port).
It’s a dark sand beach with shallow water, and there are many water activities to do, including renting a pedal boat.
One of the things I love the most about this beach is its extensive promenade with shops and restaurants, although I wouldn’t necessarily recommend eating a meal there because many are very touristy. However, it’s nice to stop for a refreshing drink.
I like the mocktails from the Comfy Café Restaurant. They also serve great brunch!
Santa Ana promenade is also the perfect place to watch a sunrise or sunset, as seen in the picture above.
Facilities in Playa de Santa Ana
- Shower
- Public toilets
- Sunbeds
- Restaurants
- Access for disabled people
📍 Location: Av. Antonio Machado, 55, 29630 Benalmádena, Málaga, Spain
6. Playa Bonita
This 250-metre-long beach is the most beautiful in Benalmadena, which explains its name “Beautiful Beach”.
It’s located next to Playa De Arroyo Hondo, and I’d recommend checking out the sign to distinguish them.
Playa Bonita is characterised by its two small coves, fine golden sand, and clear water. It’s a fantastic beach to disconnect from the town centre and immerse yourself in nature, so if you’re looking for relaxation rather than sightseeing in Benalmadena, this is your place.
Playa Bonita also has a beachfront hotel called Hotel Benalma Costa del Sol, which is a great accommodation option. Not only is the hotel on the beach, but the facilities are fantastic. The hotel has a pool, a restaurant with sea views and a 12th-floor rooftop with a bar and jacuzzi.
Facilities in Playa Bonita
- Small parking
- Shower
- Lifeguard
- Restaurant
- Sunbeds
📍 Location: Ctra. Cádiz, 183, 29631 Benalmádena, Málaga, Spain
7. Playa de Arroyo Hondo
Located next to Playa Bonita, Playa de Arroyo Hondo is another lovely beach where you can spend the day. It’s characterised by dark sand and tranquil waters.
Despite being outside the centre of Benalmadena, it has good facilities, including several restaurants and beach bars.
It’s a beach that can get busy during the summer months.
Facilities in Playa de Arroyo Hondo
- Small parking
- Shower
- Restaurant
📍 Location: Ctra. Cádiz, 131, 29630 Benalmádena, Málaga, Spain
8. Playa de Torremuelle
Torremuelle Beach is near the residential areas of Valdeconejos and La Hidalga, towards the end of Benalmadena town.
This 1000-metre beach has dark sand and moderate swell and tends to be much quieter than other beaches in Benalmadena.
It’s one of my top beaches in Benalmadena for escaping the crowds. The only con of this beach is that access isn’t easy for everyone. There are stairs to go down to the beach.
If you visit Torremuelle Beach and you love taking photos, you can’t miss Torremuelle viewpoint, home to a lovely swing with beautiful coastal views.
Also, if you love hiking, there’s a trail called Senda Litoral that goes along Benalmadena and other towns in Costa del Sol and offers some of the best coastal views in the area.
Facilities in Playa de Torremuelle
- Public toilets
- Showers
- Sunbed and parasol rental
- Lifeguard
- Parking
📍 Location: Av. del Sol, 29631 Benalmádena, Málaga, Spain
Water activities in Benalmadena and its surroundings
If you can’t stay still on the beach, like me, you might also want to do water activities in Benalmadena.
Here are some suggestions:
- Dolphin Watching Boat Tour in Benalmadena. Go on a catamaran cruise where you can take in the beautiful coastal views, sunbathe or jump into the water. Keep your eyes open to see dolphins in their natural habitat. Check out availability and price here.
- Round-trip boat ride between Benalmádena and Fuengirola. If you want to explore the neighbouring town of Fuengirola, this boat ride is for you. See Benalmadena from a different perspective and stop at Fuengirola to explore it. Check out availability and price here.
- Aqualand Waterpark. A short drive from Benalmadena, Aqualand is one of the best waterparks in Costa del Sol. You can spend a full day enjoying its water attractions, from huge slides to wave pool and jacuzzi. It’s the perfect plan for groups of friends and families. Book your tickets here.
Tips for visiting the beaches in Benalmadena
- Avoid visiting the beach on Sundays. It’s the busiest day at the beach in the summer months. Most locals and tourists head to the beach to spend time with family and friends on Sunday. During this day, you’ll also come across more traffic than normal.
- If you’re visiting Benalmadena on a budget, look for restaurants in the centre and old town, which tend to serve cheaper food. There are some tourist traps on the Benalmadena promenade. The only one I can recommend near Bil Bil Beach is Lime & Lemon Restaurant, which serves tapas.
- Always check out the flag colour to ensure swimming is safe.
- Don’t sunbathe during peak hours as the sun rays are very high, and even if you use SPF 50, you risk burning your skin.
- Wear a t-shirt on the beach promenade; you can get a fine for going shirtless.
- Always tidy up after yourself. Help keep the beaches clean.
Map of beaches in Benalmadena
Click on the map below to open it in Google Maps. You can access directions to each of the beaches in Benalmadena mentioned in this article.
Frequently Asked Questions about Benalmadena Beaches
What is the best beach in Benalmádena?
The best beach in Benalmadena is Playa Carvajal. However, Playa Bil Bil is the best if you’re looking for beaches near the centre.
How many beaches are in Benalmádena?
There are approximately 14 beaches in Benalmadena.
Is there a sandy beach at Benalmádena?
Yes, many of Benalmadena’s beaches are sandy. However, they tend to be dark sand.
Which beach is best for kids in Benalmádena?
Playa Malapesquera, located between Santa Ana Beach and Puerto Marina, is considered the best beach in Benalmadena for families because of its tranquil water, good facilities and leisure options.
Can you walk along the beach from Benalmádena to Torremolinos?
Yes, you can walk along the beach from Benalmadena to Torremolinos. The only section where you can’t walk along the beach is when it passes through Benalmadena Port (Puerto Marina).
Conclusion on the best beaches in Benalmadena
Benalmadena beaches are safe, very well-maintained and clean, so you won’t be disappointed by choosing Benalmadena as your summer destination.
Another town to keep in mind for beaches is Nerja. It’s my favourite place to go to the beach because Nerja is home to idyllic beaches with crystal-clear water.
Enjoy your time in Benalmadena!
Cristina xx
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Things to do before visiting Benalmadena
- Compare and book cheap flights to Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport with Skyscanner.
- Are you looking for accommodation in Benalmadena? Get the best hotel deals on Booking.com
- Check out this Malaga food guide to discover the traditional food in Malaga.
- Rent a car to travel with ease around Benalmadena and the Costa del Sol.
- Book travel insurance with SafetyWing for your trip. This is a must for any holiday.
Very useful information before visiting the area, thank you.