Benalmadena or Torremolinos – Which Is The Best?

If you’re looking to book a holiday in Costa del Sol, you’re probably debating whether Benalmadena or Torremolinos is better.

Both towns are popular destinations in Costa del Sol, and although they’re similar in many ways because of their proximity to each other, they’re different too.

A quick example is the variety of things to do. Benalmadena has many more attractions than Torremolinos, but Torremolinos has better beaches.

So, which is better, Torremolinos or Benalmadena? I often visit both towns, and although I like both, I prefer Benalmadena because of its atmosphere and attractions. However, you might prefer Torremolinos.

If you can’t make up your mind, you’ll find out which town is best in different aspects (attractions, accommodation and proximity to the airport among others) in this travel comparison by a local.

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Benalmadena or Torremolinos? A local’s travel comparison

Attractions

Benalmadena

There are plenty of things to do in Benalmadena. Whether you love sightseeing, water activities, or indulging in delicious food, Benalmadena has it all.

The town of Benalmadena is divided into two main areas: Arroyo de la Miel and Benalmadena Pueblo.

Arroyo de la Miel is the most touristy side of Benalmadena; here, you’ll find the famous Bil Bil Beach (Playa Bil Bil) and castle, which is actually the tourist centre, and Puerto Marina. This is also a very family-friendly area because it’s home to attractions like Selwo Marina, SEA LIFE, and Benalmadena’s cable car.

Benalmadena Pueblo is the historic centre of the town. It’s my favourite part of Benalmadena because it feels more authentic. It isn’t big, but it has charm.

I love wandering its pretty streets, having tapas, and visiting the stunning Castillo de Colomares. The latter is a monument to Christopher Columbus in the shape of a castle. It’s beautiful to see and take pictures.

In this area, you’ll also find two more attractions: Estupa de Benalmadena, a Buddhist temple, and the Butterfly Park perfect to visit with little ones.

Torremolinos

It’s considered a beach resort; however, you can find different types of activities in Torremolinos.

There aren’t many historical landmarks in Torremolinos, but one of the best cultural activities is to visit Casa de los Navajas, a Moorish palace from 1925 that you can explore for free.

Torremolinos town centre is excellent for shopping, eating, and contemplating street art.

If you love water activities, Torremolinos is a fantastic place to be. Enjoying a pedalo ride and jet skiing are a few of the activities you can do. On top of this, you can also visit Aqualand, the biggest water park in Costa del Sol.

Other two lovely places you can’t miss in Torremolinos are Parque de la Batería (Battery’s Park) and Molino de Inca, a peaceful botanical garden with Japanese gardens.

Which town has better things to do? Benalmadena because it has a wider variety of things to do, and overall, there are more activities to do in Benalmadena versus Torremolinos. Benalmadena is my top choice for sightseeing. I’m sure you’ll love its old town, Colomares Castle and Parque de la Paloma.

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Accommodation

Benalmadena

Benalmadena is home to a great range of accommodations. Here you’ll find anything from hotels, hostels and holiday apartments.

The town has very good hotel resorts near the beach, and you can either find family-friendly or adult-only hotels. These hotels have everything you need – from a swimming pool and beach access to on-site restaurants, spas and even small convenience stores.

However, if you prefer to stay in a cosy place and have a more authentic experience, check out Airbnbs and the Benalmadena Pueblo area, which preserves well the charm of the town.

Hotel recommendations in Benalmadena

• Best for families: Hotel Benalma Costa Sol
• Best for adults-only: Hotel Alay
• Best for travellers on a budget who want to be close to the beach: Hotel Best Siroco

Torremolinos

The town of Torremolinos has been a popular choice among national and international tourists. No matter what budget you have, you’ll find the perfect accommodation for you.

Many of the hotels and apartments are on the beachfront and have excellent facilities, such as private swimming pools with plenty of comfortable sunbeds to soak in the sun and on-site restaurants and terraces.

As often happens, beachfront hotels tend to be more expensive than those located further from the beach, but it’s still worth checking out as you might find good deals, especially from September onwards.

If you’re on a budget, then have a look at accommodation in the old town of Torremolinos. However, it’s good to know that some of these hotels don’t have very modern rooms and facilities.

Hotel recommendations in Torremolinos

• Best for families: Hotel Riu Costa del Sol – All Inclusive
• Best for adults-only: Fénix Torremolinos
• Best for travellers on a budget who want to be close to the beach: Bajondillo Beach Cozy Inns

Which town has better accommodation? Torremolinos and Benalmadena have similar types of accommodation. However, it’s more likely that you will find better budget-friendly options in Torremolinos.

Beaches

Benalmadena

Benalmadena beaches tend to be calm and have good facilities – beach restaurants, public toilets and showers, and most of them are very accessible.

Some of the best beaches in Benalmadena are Playas de Bil-Bil and Playa Santa Ana. These two beaches have been awarded blue flags many times.

Playa de Bil Bil is probably the most popular beach because it’s in the vibrant area of Arroyo de la Miel, not far from Puerto Marina, Parque de la Paloma and many hotel resorts.

If you’re looking for a quieter beach, I recommend Playa Bonita. The watercolours are beautiful.

Torremolinos

Torremolinos has some of the best beaches in Costa del Sol, and they’re perfect for families and people of any age.

Most of these beaches are very well-kept, have incredible facilities (public toilets, showers, good access to the beach), and have a lively atmosphere during the high season.

On top of this, there are many water activities to do in Torremolinos – from hiring a paddle boat or kayak to jet-skiing. You can’t get bored on the beach in Torremolinos.

Playa de los Álamos, Playa del Bajondillo, and Playa de la Carihuela are the best beaches in Torremolinos. In fact, La Carihuela has been awarded the blue flag several times.

I usually go to Los Alamos Beach as it’s quite lively and has some great beach clubs, but La Carihuela is my second option.

Which town has better beaches? Both towns have very good beaches, but from a local point of view, I prefer the beaches in Torremolinos.

Transport

Benalmadena

Moving around Benalmadena is very easy. The main public transport that takes you through most areas in Benalmadena is the M-103 bus. It takes you from Arroyo de la Miel to housing areas like Urbanización Pueblo Torrequebrada.

Another way to move in Benalmadena is using the RENFE Cercanías train, although it only stops in main points like Arroyo de la Miel and Torremuelle.

You don’t need a car to move around Benalmadena, but it gives you more freedom as you aren’t restricted to public transport timetables, and you can easily visit other nearby towns.

Torremolinos

Public transport in Torremolinos is efficient. As it happens with Benalmadena, you have two options to move around the town: bus or train.

The main bus in Torremolinos is the M-125 which takes you through different parts of the town, whereas the RENFE Cercanías (C1) stops at Los Álamos, La Colina, El Pinillo, and Torremolinos town.

You don’t need to rent a car in Torremolinos to move around the town. Only consider renting one if you want to travel more freely within the town and its surroundings or plan to go on a small road trip around Costa del Sol.

Which town has better transport? Transportation in Benalmadena and Torremolinos is almost the same.

Prices

Benalmadena

The prices in Benalmadena are lower than in other summer holiday destinations like Marbella or the Balearic Islands. However, prices do fluctuate, and you’ll see a big difference in accommodation prices between summer and winter.

Torremolinos

Accommodation and food prices in Torremolinos aren’t very different from those in Benalmadena. However, you can find cheaper deals, especially when you stay and eat in places that aren’t on the beachfront.

A difference between Benalmadena and Torremolinos is the fact that Torremolinos has a few more free things to do.

Which destination is cheaper? Torremolinos is cheaper than Benalmadena. According to Malaga Hoy research, Benalmadena is in the 19th position, whilst Torremolinos is in the 41st position in the ranking of the most expensive towns in Costa del Sol.

Restaurants

Benalmadena

Benalmadena is home to all sorts of restaurants. You can eat anything from curry, pizza or noodles to traditional Andalusian food.

If you go to the coast side of Benalmadena, you’ll come across more international restaurants than traditional ones. However, if you visit the old town, you’ll find more Spanish restaurants and tapas bars.

Overall, you can find any type of food you want in Benalmadena since it has a very international atmosphere.

Torremolinos

The food scene in Torremolinos isn’t very different from Benalmadena. You’ll find a mixture of traditional and international restaurants.

However, if you’re after authentic traditional food in Malaga, there are more chiringuitos (beach restaurants) and tapas bars that offer this, so you can enjoy espetos (grilled sardine skewers), fritura malagueña (fried fish) and other typical dishes from Costa del Sol.

So, if I had to pick a town for Spanish food, I’d go for Torremolinos!

Which town has better restaurants? If you want a wider variety of international dishes, head to Benalmadena, but if you prefer to try Malaga’s cuisine, go to Torremolinos.

Proximity to airport

Benalmadena

Benalmadena is approximately a 20 minute drive from Malaga airport, and it’s very straightforward to travel to Benalmadena.

There are a few options: driving, taking a taxi, or taking the RENFE Cercanías towards Fuengirola (C1 route). The latter stops in Arroyo de la Miel and Torremuelle, which is the closest stop to Benalmadena Pueblo. The journey lasts about 20 to 30 minutes.

Torremolinos

Torremolinos is very close to Malaga airport, and it’s also well-connected, which means you won’t need to hire a car if you plan to stay in Torremolinos and its surroundings, although it would make things easier if going on day trips is in your plans.

The town is a short drive from the airport, a precisely 10-minute drive, although this might be a bit longer depending on your accommodation.

If you aren’t renting a car, you can take the RENFE Cercanías train to Torremolinos. It stops in the main areas of the town (such as Los Álamos, La Colina and Torremolinos town) and takes about 10-15 minutes. The train journey isn’t only convenient but affordable too.

Which one is closer to the airport? Torremolinos is closer to the airport. If staying close to the airport is important to you, then Torremolinos is your option.

Day trips

Which one has better day trips? Well, you can do the same day trips from Benalmadena and Torremolinos because of their proximity. Whether you want a day packed with history, architecture, or nature, you’re spoilt for choice.

These are some of the best day trips from Benalmadena and Torremolinos:

• Caminito del Rey Guided Tour
• Gibraltar Tour from Costa del Sol
• Ronda and Setenil de las Bodegas from Costa del Sol
• Granada and Alhambra Tour from Costa del Sol

Frequently asked about Torremolinos vs Benalmadena

Conclusion on Benalmadena or Torremolinos

If you want a bigger selection of activities to do while enjoying the beach, choose Benalmadena. However, if you’re looking for good beaches and nightlife, Torremolinos is better.

Benalmadena and Torremolinos are next to each other, so it doesn’t really matter where you stay in the end. You can actually walk from Torremolinos to Benalmadena.

If you have any questions about Torremolinos or Benalmadena, drop them below. I’ll be happy to help you.

Safe adventures!

Cristina x

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Things to do before visiting Benalmadena or Torremolinos

• Compare and book cheap flights to Malaga Airport (AGP) with Skyscanner. 
• Looking for accommodation? Get the best hotel deals on Booking.com
• Have a look at this Malaga food guide to discover the traditional food in Malaga and Costa del Sol.
• Rent a car to travel with ease around Costa del Sol.
• Book travel insurance for your trip. Safetywing is my top choice.

Other guides about Torremolinos and Benalmadena to help you plan your trip

• Incredible Things To Do In Benalmadena
• Best Things to Do in Benalmadena for Families
• The Best Beaches in Benalmadena (A Local’s Favourites!)
• A Local’s Guide On Best Things to Do in Torremolinos
• How to get from Malaga Airport to Torremolinos
• Day Trip to Gibraltar from Torremolinos (With Top Tips)
• The Perfect 1 Week Costa del Sol Itinerary

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