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Guide for visitors and residents
Benalmadena and Arroyo de la Miel – where to stay, eat and drink
What to do and see in and around Benalmadena
THE HISTORY OF BENALMÁDENA AND ARROYO DE LA MIEL
The history of Benalmádena and Arroyo de la Miel is indeed fascinating, spanning centuries of different civilisations and transformations. Here’s a summary of the key historical points,
The area was initially settled by the Phoenicians around 500 BCE, as evidenced by the archaeological remains discovered in and around Benalmádena. The Romans followed and left their own marks, with various Roman developments uncovered and preserved along the coast.
The presence of the Moors in the area also shaped its history. The name Benalmádena is believed to be derived from the Arabic “Ibn al-ma’din,” meaning ‘children of the miners,’ possibly alluding to the rich ochre and iron ore deposits in the region. The moors inhabited the area for centuries, until the Christian Reconquista in 711 CE.
Following the Reconquista, the coast was abandoned due to the fear of Arab invasions from the sea. Benalmádena remained deserted for a long time. In the 1700s, Arroyo de la Miel was established with the development of paper mills, which brought employment opportunities. Agriculture, particularly vineyards, also began to thrive in the region over the next 200 years.
Until the late 1950s, Benalmádena was a small town to the west of Malaga, leading a quiet and peaceful life. However, with the rise of the Costa del Sol tourist industry, developers took interest in the area, leading to significant changes and the destruction of its historic past. The population grew rapidly, and Benalmadena Pueblo, Benalmadena Costa, and Arroyo de la Miel transformed into bustling urban centers, attracting residents and tourists from around the world.
The history of Benalmádena and Arroyo de la Miel reflects the dynamic nature of the region, with influences from various civilisations and the subsequent impact of modern development. It’s fascinating to see how these towns have evolved over time to become the vibrant places they are today.
We have lots of interesting photographs video clips of Benalmadena and Arroyo de la Miel some of them from way back when. Some in colour and many in black and white. Click here to see a slide show and links to the entire media library BENALMADENA & ARROYO DE LA MIEL IN THIS CENTURY
Benalmádena is a municipality located in the province of Málaga, Andalucía, Spain. It is situated on the Costa del Sol, a popular tourist destination known for its beautiful beaches, pleasant climate, and vibrant atmosphere. Arroyo de la Miel, as mentioned before, is a neighborhood within the municipality of Benalmádena.
Benalmádena offers a range of attractions and activities for visitors. In addition to its stunning coastline and beaches, the municipality is home to several notable landmarks and tourist sites.
The Puerto Marina is one of the main attractions of Benalmádena. It features a wide variety of restaurants, shops, and bars, as well as a lively nightlife scene. The marina is known for its unique architecture and is often referred to as one of the most beautiful marinas in the world.
Located on a hilltop, Benalmádena Pueblo is the old town of Benalmádena. It offers charming whitewashed houses, narrow streets, and a traditional Andalusian atmosphere. Visitors can explore the quaint shops, enjoy panoramic views, and visit the Castillo de Colomares, a castle-like monument dedicated to Christopher Columbus.
Sea Life inBenalmádena is a popular aquarium showcaseing a variety of marine life, including sharks, sea turtles, and coloruful fish. It offers interactive exhibits, educational programs, and daily shows, providing a fun and educational experience for visitors of all ages.
Selwo Marina Situated in Arroyo de la Miel, is a marine park that allows visitors to interact with dolphins, sea lions, and exotic birds. The park offers shows, presentations, and interactive encounters, providing an up-close and personal experience with marine life.
Located near Benalmádena Pueblo, the Colomares Monument is a unique architectural creation dedicated to the memory of Christopher Columbus. It combines elements of Gothic, Byzantine, and Moorish styles and is a fascinating attraction for history and architecture enthusiasts.
Apart from these attractions, Benalmádena offers a wide range of activities such as golfing, water sports, hiking, and exploring the natural beauty of the area. The municipality has a diverse culinary scene, offering both traditional Spanish cuisine and international flavours.
HOW BENAL-LIFE CAME ABOUT?
There was a very little internet internet information about Benalmadena and Arroyo de la Miel back in the dark days of 2002 when we arrived here. We decided to fill the gap and Benal-life.com was launched early in 2003. When presented a guide to the Bars and Restaurants in the area. It took a while to compile the 1300 or so that existed at the time and as the years passed and more people discovered the “internet web” we added (hand drawn) maps, a forum and a review section that we hoped would be useful for visitors and residents.
Trip advisor and Facebook must have seen what we were doing because a few years on they both launched and made those parts of our site more historical than functional, although the forum is archived and can still be viewed. Nowadays you can still write a review of any of the bars and restaurants in our area and they will be published on their web page and copied onto our facebook page.
ARROYO DE LA MIEL
Is a “Stream of Honey” in English. So where did this magical name of our village come from. Click here for the full story
WHAT IS BENAL-LIFE ALL ABOUT?
Updated November 2022. Twenty years on since its conception we are still going strong and the entire site has been updated style wise. However it is still packed with a lot of the original information and packed with useful information and amusing insights we are constantly updating and modifying the bars and restaurants information pages.
You can learn enough simple words and phrases in the spanish language to make your visit more enjoyable. Perhaps find out about spanish customs, their public holidays & fiestas that should not be missed. Please take your time and browse everything that we have on offer. We support local bars, excellent independent restaurants, and you can take a look any many of them on these pages. Just click the navigation links on every page to see a list or click on any of the coloured words to open the link. where you will be able to select an area to home in on and locate your Hotel or Hostel. As a result of questions asked we have introduced some pages covering travel and transport and what to do in an emergency.
Bars – You are the Judge
Leaving your thoughts is important to help others decide where to eat or drink.
Tell us what you think about any Bar or Restaurant in Benalmadena..
Fill in a very simple form to leave your comments which will be posted on the page relating of that Bar or Restaurant
Click on the Judges image and make your Judgement
Remember to check the
for masses of useful stuff and an insight to Spain and the Spanish.
If you are looking for ideas for something different to to while you are in Andalucia try our Days Out which includes maps and pictures with a full description of the journey. But whatever your reason for visiting, enjoy Benal-life and enjoy what there is on offer in Benalmadena and Arroyo de la Miel
HAVE YOU CONSIDERED SAILING TO SPAIN?
Sailing to Spain will never be the same again. Our innovative new ship, Salamanca, is the first in our fleet to be powered by LNG (liquefied natural gas) fuel. A sister ship to Galicia, launched in 2020, 
Salamanca is our greenest ship yet. Its whole design is built around efficiency and lowering emissions, and we’re proud to be operating the first LNG-powered ferry to connect the UK and Europe.
Step on board and find yourself transported to Spain before you even set sail. Inspired by the charms of the beautiful city that it is named after, Salamanca is a feast for the senses. With delicious tapas and Spanish food on the menu, a decor that reflects the landscape, and artworks by homegrown artists, you’ll feel like you’ve already arrived at your destination.
DON’T TAKE CHANCES BE PREPARED FOR THE UNEXPECTED
BE WISE – BE COVERED – BE SUREAll of our travel insurance policies are underwritten by Inter Partner Assistance S.A. UK Branch, which is part of the AXA Group,
with worldwide medical and emergency services provided by AXA Travel Insurance Ltd, who have offices located around the world to ensure you can get the help you need, wherever you may be.