Benalmádena, Costa Del Sol

Benalmádena's history is similar to that of any other Andalucian village. Where people led a quiet and peaceful life, villages where time passed slowly, and seemingly they led an idyllic rustic life. Until the late 1950's Benalmadena was a small town when the tourist industry took an interest in this coast. Developers transformed the area virtually destroying its historic past, and changing their way of life forever. The population of the three urban centres mentioned above was scarcely two thousand people which is just a fraction of what is now a bustling metropolis with thousands of residents boosted by many more tourists.

              

Benalmádena is situated on the Costa del Sol, about 22 km southeast of the provincial capital Málaga. The municipality is divided in three main areas: Benalmádena Pueblo, Arroyo de la Miel and Benalmádena Costa, although high urbanization and population growth tends to unify the three towns. 

The oldes part is Benalmádena Pueblo, the original settlement on the mountainside, which maintains typical Andalucian style alleyways and whitewashed houses with narrow streets and relaxing squares with formidable viewpoints of the Costa del Sol, given the height at which the town is located (almost 300 meters) and its proximity to the sea. 


The next area is Arroyo de la Miel, a district that owes its growth to the local train station and is the economic centre in the town, this area has the largest population and municipal services.

Last but not least is Benalmádena Costa which is the most international area and here lies the tourist offer of sun and beach: large hotels, casino, marina and shops of all kinds.