Benalmádena: A Scenic Marvel
a treat for the eyes…
Cliffside to seaside, the city’s scenery offers a treat for the eyes — and the mind. Even among many gorgeous towns along the Costa del Sol, Benalmádena occupies a special place. It may not boast the highest peak, but it has an uncanny way of producing gorgeous scenic views from different vantage points.
…AND THE MIND
The mountains here form an organic part of the city whether you’re taking a stroll up in the Pueblo, enjoying the bustle of Arroyo de la Miel, the city’s middle tier, or basking in the sun by the sea.
Blue Sea, Golden Beaches, Rocky Cliffs
soak in the sun…
As an upscale seaside resort town Benlamádena boasts miles of sandy beaches, with several of them winning the prestigious Blue Flag designation.
…or have dinner by the sea
The city’s coastline offers much more than just an inviting place to enjoy your day on the beach or a tasty meal at a great variety of eateries nearby. As is the case with the rest of the city, Benalmadena is a place of delightful scenic views from early morning through late at night.
Puerto Marina: An award-winning harbor with ‘floating’ houses
a magnet for tourists and locals alike
It’s a must-see place according to reviewers. Indeed, Benlamádena’s harbor, known as the “Puerto Marina,” is a two-time winner of the ‘Best Marina in the World’ award. It has a rather unique architectural design by an award-winning Spanish architect Eduardo Oria, combining Andalusian construction styles with Arabic and Indian motifs.
It’s a must-see place according to reviewers. Indeed, Benlamádena’s harbor, known as the “Puerto Marina,” is a two-time winner of the ‘Best Marina in the World’ award. It has a rather unique architectural design by an award-winning Spanish architect Eduardo Oria, combining Andalusian construction styles with Arabic and Indian motifs.
A Park By The Beach And Other Botanical Marvels
just what the doctor ordered
Access to green and blue spaces, such as parks and seas, “improves health wellbeing,” wrote the journal The Lancet recently citing new scientific research. All of this is in ample supply in Benlamádena. Its coastline adds a rich green of the park zone to golden swathes of the beaches and blue expanses of the sea.
Among the city’s “green space’ landmarks is Parque de La Paloma, one of the largest and most spectacular parks in the area, often called the “green lungs” thanks to its nearly 25 acres of greenery. Located just a short walk from the seafront, the park features over 90 species of palm trees and has one of Europe’s best open-air collections of bamboos, cactuses and other drought-resistant plants.
The greenery, however, is not limited to the Paloma Park. Despite the scarcity of rainfall in the area, the use of efficient irrigation systems and continuous maintenance create park-like feel throughout the city.
In Benalmadena, a tree-high whimsically shaped cactus is as common a sight as an elegant palm tree or a multicolored flower bed or a jacaranda tree in full bloom.
The lush greens of several popular golf courses produce their own brand of outstanding scenic views.
Gifts of Light: Night Streets and Sunsets
Speaking of sunsets…
sky is the limit
Sunset is said to be one of the most photographed natural events in the world. If that is so, Benlamádena is the right place to see why.
Contrary to a popular belief, it’s not pollution that makes sunsets brighter. Experts say that it is in fact clean air that helps the sun and the clouds to produce the most spectacular sunrises and sunsets.
After dark: A well-lit, friendly town
An illuminating approach
There’s not much dispute about the notion that good street lighting provides many benefits in making cities more livable.
As you walk Benalmádena streets after dark you get a sense that the town’s municipal authorities wholeheartedly embrace scholarly research about the benefits of excellent street illumination.
Cityscape: A panoply of scenic views
the opposite of dull
Tastes in city architecture differ of course, but for someone who is used to a certain monotony in city residential construction and cookie-cutter nature of many suburban subdivisions, Benalmádena will offer a refreshing look — and scenic views.
The resulting effect, however, is the opposite of dull.
There are colorful roofing tiles and brightly plastered facades creating an eye-pleasing variety that is further enhanced by the surrounding rocky hills and abundant greenery.
The art of the traffic roundabout
creative solutions for the mundane
Roundabouts are ubiquitous in Spain — and elsewhere in Europe — as an effective method of regulating four-way intersections. Instead of stopping at traffic lights, drivers slow down and cautiously wait to enter the traffic flow and then circle around toward their exits.
Benlamádena, of course, is no exception with countless glorietas, as they are called in Spanish, spread around the city.
So, what’s so special about a street junction, you may wonder. Well, Benlamádena is a perfect example of how a seemingly mundane road feature can be made into a panoply of landmarks with its own type of delightful scenic views.
Wherever you drive in the city you are sure to encounter imaginatively designed and assiduously maintained roundabouts.
They range from simple but elegant compositions of plants and rocks to elaborate artistic creations featuring statues, sculptures and street art-type of exhibits in a variety of styles.