"Benalmadena" Benalmádena by Danalia

Benalmadena is located in Andalucia on Spain's Costa del Sol. You'll find it just eight kilometres west of Malaga's international airport. Its ease of access to the package holiday market, great beaches, major tourist attractions and enviable climate all help to explain why Benalmadena is fast becoming one of Spain's premier holiday destinations.

The resort is made up of three distinct areas - the old town of Benalmadena Pueblo, the beachfront area of Benalmadena Costa and the commercial zone of Arroyo Miel.

The Costa is the main tourist area with its nine kilometres of golden sandy beaches and beautiful marina which is one of the most "happening" places on the Spanish coastline. The marina was voted the best in the world by International Property Magazine in 1995 and these days it's snapping at the heels of swanky Puerto Banus when it comes to the smartest and liveliest places to see and be seen.

The Beaches and marina are literally awash with every imaginable watersport and leisure activity. The Sea Life Centre, with its touch pools, underwater tunnel and Lost City of Atlantis is just one of Benalmadena's many mega tourist attractions.

There are big aqua parks at nearby Mijas and Torremolinos and the famous Tivoli amusement park at Arroyo de Miel. The park has a funfair, live shows with some big name stars and non-stop entertainment until late at night. From here you can also take a cable car ride up Monte Calamorro to enjoy breathtaking views of the coastline, sea and surrounding countryside. On a clear day you can see the Atlas Mountains of North Africa.

Benalmadena Pueblo, set back from the seafront at nearly 300 metres above sea level, retains much of its original charm with the narrow, steep streets and whitewashed houses which are so typical of traditional Andalucian villages. It's here that you'll find many of the vestiges of the ancient civilisations which have made their mark on this area - Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Greeks, Romans and Arabs.

The resort is whatever you want it to be - you can visit the museums and archaeological sites to soak up the town's rich history and culture, eat in traditional tapas bars and enjoy the many local fiestas which take place here throughout the year.

Or you can laze on the beaches by day, take your pick of international restaurants and party all night at the marina and infamous 24-hour Square.