The 5 best things to do in Benalmádena

When talking about Spain, most people focus on places such as Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia or Ibiza. However, there are many other areas of the country that are well worth visiting. One such is Benalmadena, a municipality in the province of Malaga, in the autonomous community of Andalusia.

Benalmádena is a small municipality with few inhabitants. Despite this, it has a lot to offer and, for that reason, it is well worth visiting and seeing the many attractions it provides for yourself. In fact, you could say that it is the very definition of a tourist town. It has beaches, parks, a great gastronomic choice and many other exciting activities for people of all ages.

Make a list and pack your suitcase, because you will find a wealth of activities to enjoy during your stay in Benalmadena.

Benalmádena Butterfly Farm

If you approach without knowing what this building is you'll probably think you have come to the wrong place, as it's a beautiful Thai temple that catches your eye even from a distance. However, this is not the home of a famous dynasty, nor is it an art museum. What you will instead find inside this impressive structure is a huge variety of beautiful butterflies.

And you won't see just any old butterflies, but over 1500 exotic butterflies spanning approximately 150 different species flying freely through delightful flowers and waterfalls. In addition, you will also enjoy many species of exotic flowers brought directly from remote regions of the world. These provide the butterflies with a healthy habitat and supply the nectar-rich food they need to thrive.

Because the life cycle of butterflies is short, around two to three weeks on average, on your visit you will be able to see the life cycle of these insects in their different stages. As well as viewing these entrancing butterflies, you will be able to learn more about them from the experts.

Selwo Marina

With 20 years of history, Selwo Marina is a very famous conservation centre. Each year it receives thousands of visitors seeking to learn more about all the many animals found there.

When you visit you will feel like you have embarked on a trip around the world but without ever leaving Selwo Marina, as the place is divided into different zones: Amazonia, The Antilles, The Tropics, The Hollow and the Ice Island. As you walk around you will experience the animals which inhabit these areas and you will be able to learn more about them and their individual characteristics. For this reason, it is highly recommended for families with children.

In addition to the tour, there are several activities you can participate in, including encounters with dolphins and penguins, and you can even swim with sea lions. Also, you can attend free educational talks about the dolphins, exotic birds and other creatures found in Selwo Marina.

To end a wonderful trip you can stop by the photo booth, the restaurant or the gift shop and get yourself a unique souvenir of a memorable day.

Illumination Stupa

This place is a great destination to take pictures. But once you learn that this is the largest Buddhist temple in the whole European continent, the Enlightenment Stupa becomes even more interesting.

It measures 33 metres and, from there, you will be able to have an incredible view of the entire Costa del Sol. However, there’s more to this attraction than just a great building and backdrop, as the temple opens its doors to visitors to view the meditation hall and fascinating cultural exhibition of Himalayan and Tibetan Buddhism.

Benalmádena Cablecar

If you're tired of walking, it's time to take the Benalmadena cable car. Besides a pleasant ride, you will also be assured of a stunning panorama of the area and the Mediterranean Sea.

The cable car will take you to the highest point in Benalmádena, Monte Calamorro. There you can enjoy an unusual spectacle, an exhibition of birds of prey by experts in the ancient art of falconry. As well as watching them soar and swoop, you can learn about the rich history of falconry and even see their young. This spectacle was declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2010 and its prestige continues to this day.

Go to the Benalmádena beaches

Visiting the Costa del Sol is generally synonymous with a visit to the beach, so you can't leave Benalmádena without soaking up some rays. There are many seemingly endless beaches where you can relax, swim and even practise some water sports.

The area boasts several kilometres of coastline that you can walk along without restrictions until you reach the destination you like best. Just put up a parasol, lie down on the warm sand and relax.

These are just some of the many things you can do in this municipality of Malaga, but Benalmádena has so much more to offer. If you're visiting, you might want to stay a while, so pack your bags and get to know the popular Costa del Sol for yourself.