Benalmádena Holidays & Best Deals in 2024

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As foreigners living in Benalmadena for the last 5 years, it has been a pleasure to prepare such a guide for tourists and not only! 

Still planning an affordable beach holiday in 2024?

Come and discover the incredible Benalmádena in 2024, the jewel of the Costa del Sol! We've done the legwork for you! 

We've been putting together this guide for a few years now, and we've done a lot of research and analysis to make sure it's as reliable and comprehensive as possible. We've also been here for five years now, so we know the area well and can answer any questions you might have!

In this guide I'll show you the best hotel options, the most reliable and convenient flights from the UK, airport transfers, car hire options and must-see places.

As experienced travellers and locals, we've picked out the best places to stay to suit every budget and taste. In the article 9 Top Hotels in Benalmádena we came to the conclusion that Mac Puerto Marina (Google Maps Link) offers the best value for money.

Located in the picturesque Puerto Marina in Benalmádena, this hotel has a number of fantastic extras that make it a top choice for travellers. With a ⭐4.4 star rating and prices starting from just €193.00, it's an incredible value. 

The hotel boasts an indoor swimming pool and offers an airport shuttle, ensuring a comfortable and convenient stay. Its prime location means you're just a stone's throw from Puerto Marina Benalmádena, 8km from Torrequebrada Golf and 12km from Benalmádena Stupa.

The bright, well-appointed rooms feature free Wi-Fi, satellite TV, minibars and terraces. Some rooms offer stunning pool views, and suites have separate living rooms and sofa beds for added comfort. Room service is also available for those who prefer to dine in.

Mac Puerto Marina hotel has an outdoor pool, a children's pool, a sundeck and sun loungers for relaxation. Guests can enjoy meals at the buffet restaurant or relax at the bar.

Other facilities include parking, guest laundry and a child-friendly environment. However, the hotel does not accommodate pets and does not have a business centre.

Highlights: 

📍Location: Close to Puerto Marina, Torrequebrada Golf and Benalmádena Stupa. 

🪩Amenities: Indoor and outdoor pools, free Wi-Fi, airport shuttle, buffet restaurant, and bar.

🏨Rooms: Free Wi-Fi, satellite TV, minibars, terraces with pool views, and suites available.

✅Pros: 

• Prime location close to major attractions.
• Excellent facilities, including pools, shuttle service and on-site restaurants
• Comfortable and well-appointed rooms with additional suite options

❌Cons: 

• No pet-friendly accommodations
• Lack of business centre for business travellers.

We've made it easy for you by dividing the options into two categories: Apartments (AirBnb & Booking) vs. Villas (from Idealista): 

Some B&Bs offer a superior experience compared to conventional hotels, including amenities such as washing machines, fully functioning kitchens, EV chargers, dedicated workspaces, BBQs and even private waterparks.

Booking.com and AirBnb offer guests enhanced privacy, freedom and an authentic experience.

The price range is as follows:

• The price per night on AirBnB (1–14 August 2024) including fees and taxes starts at just €48 (£40).

• The price per night on Booking.com (1-14 August 2024), including taxes and fees, starts from just €210 (£176).

However, the majority of apartments on both platforms are in the price range €160-€250 (£134-£210) per night, with the most luxurious options reaching €400+ (£336+ ) per night.

The apartment we found on AirBnb for you will cost you £109 per night and it has the following features and extras:

• Spacious reception area
• Large balcony with sea views
• Fully fitted kitchen (including a dishwasher and microwave)
• Master bedroom with an en-suite bathroom
• Second bedroom with two single beds
• Separate bathroom with a shower
• Utility room with a washing machine
• A private patio
• Free parking space
• Access to a communal swimming pool
• Air conditioning & heating

More about the area: 

The apartment is located in a quiet complex so guests can enjoy their family/couple stay, it's a 10 minute walk to the sea and very close to the Torreguebrada Golf!

i: The host just asks that you respect your neighbours (a good sign that you'll be respected as a guest in this amazing urbanisation). For this reason, no parties whatsoever are allowed here.

For more information you can contact the host, Fernando.

Our amazing Booking.com appartment choice is an incredible deal at just €225 or 189 pounds per night! You'll also get access to a whole host of fantastic features and extras:

• 2 swimming pools
• Balcony with sea view
• Free parking
• Free WiFi
• Private bathroom with shower
• Air-conditioning 
• Flat screen TV with satellite channels
• Fully equipped kitchen
• Allergy friendly and non-smoking apartment
• Mini market on site
• Car hire service available
• Wine or sparkling wine and fruit for guests

More about the area: 

This fantastic apartment has absolutely breathtaking mountain and garden views! The nearby beaches are absolutely amazing – you've got Bil Bil Beach, Santa Ana Beach and Malapesquera Beach. It's rated 9.5 stars by couples for a two-person trip, which is incredible!

i: Non-smoking rooms, discount for signed-in guests. 

Link to Honeymoon Apartments on Booking.com

Idealista is not widely used for short-term rentals in Spain – but that's why (low competition) Izi and I found such amazing opportunities to rent a villa during the summer for larger families and young, fun-loving groups! 

This incredible villa has seven bedrooms and can accommodate up to ten people. It has a swimming pool, gardens and a plot of 700m².

For just 3,600 euros (3,020 pounds) for two weeks, you can make this dream come true! That’s just 28 euros or £23 per person per night! This is a fantastic price compared to conventional B&Bs!

The villa is nestled in the most gorgeous gardens, filled with beautiful flowers and even fruit trees! It's like a little oasis of peace and beauty.

The property is in excellent condition and has been designed to be accessible for people with reduced mobility, including adapted access and built-in wardrobes that make storage a breeze.

It also has four bathrooms, a terrace and a balcony that offer the most incredible views and outdoor spaces to enjoy the Mediterranean climate.

You can check out the listing on Idealista here.

Especially for visitors from the UK, the weather in Benalmádena can feel very sticky due to the humidity and heat

Depending on the time of year and when you arrive, be prepared for a temperature difference of at least 10 degrees. 

For example, while the average temperature in London in August is 23°C/15°C, in Malaga it is around 31°C/21°C.

It may be useful to check our detailed weather forecast for Benalmádena.

You've got to try the incredible seafood meal at Los Cangrejos merendero or get a delicious cocktail at Maracas Beach (Bar & Restaurant). 

Don't miss out on the mouth-watering simple grill dishes and the amazing DJ tunes at Maracas with a seafront deck!

In general, if you want to hire a car for a trip to all, not only Benalmádena, but Fuengirola, Mijas, Marbella or Torremolinos cities on the Costa del Sol, the best option is to land at Malaga airport and hire your car here.

In our experience, you need to be very careful when booking exceptional deals on car hire in Spain (If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is).

About a year ago we found the cheapest offer from GoldenCar at Malaga airport. They will reassure you that the deposit will be refunded if the car is returned and no damage is found. 

However, the contract was misleading and a Citroen C1 for 2 days cost us 70 EUR more as the deposit wasn't actually returned.

Therefore, we strongly recommend booking with the established car hire companies such as Sixt, Europcar, AVIS, Hertz and of course FireFly (we are very happy with their service).

Here is the summary of our research for hiring a car directly at Malaga Airport (AGP) for 2 weeks to stay in Benalmádena.

Just a quick note to say that Benalmádena doesn't have its own airport. 

But don't worry, all the flights we have here go to the nearest one, Malaga (AGP), which is only 13 minutes away by car.

WizzAir & easyJet have daily slots until 2025. WizzAir's normal morning departure from LGW to AGP is 5:55, 6:40 or 7:10 with an additional flight at 15:25 on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays.

Flight duration is 3:05 - 3:10 hours. 

One way fares in August start from £58.9 (WizzAir) and £17.99 (easyJet).

Return to LGW at 12:00 or 20:15, so you can enjoy the rest of your holiday and wake up a little later.

Ryanair and easyJet have daily flights from Manchester to AGP (Malaga Airport). These airlines have 2-3 flights a day. At 5:55am, 08:00am, 9:40am, 15:55pm, 15:55pm, 18:25pm etc. so you can wake up later if you are flying to Malaga.

Flight time is 3.0 hours. 

One way fares in August start from £32.9 (easyJet) and £16.99 (RyanAir). 

Return to MAN at 18:25, 17:35 or 20:55, so you can enjoy the rest of your holiday and wake up a little later.

Ryanair flies daily to AGP (Malaga Airport), while easyJet flies on Mondays, Thursdays and Sundays. These airlines depart from Birmingham at 5.45am, 3.45pm and 5.05pm.

Flight time is 2.50 hours. 

One way fares in August start from £54.99 (easyJet) and £15.00 (RyanAir). 

Return to BHX at 10:25, 21:35 or 20:20, so you can enjoy the rest of your holiday and wake up a little later.

RyanAir usually has slots on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and the usual departure from BRS to AGP is at 07:00, 16:35, 20:35 or 21:10. easyJet operates 2-3 times a day so you have the option of early morning, afternoon or evening flights to Malaga.

Flight time is 2 hours 40 minutes. 

The price per ticket in August, one way, starts from £24.99 with Ryanair and £15.99 with easyJEt. 

Return to BRS at 10:25, 11:15, 18:25, 20:55, 21:40, 22:15 so you can enjoy the rest of your holiday and wake up a little later.

RyanAir has slots every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday (sometimes Tuesday) from GLA. From PIK they fly on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Typical departures from PIK & GLA to AGP are at 5:50, 7:10, 08:55, 18:05 and 19:40. easyJet flies daily (only from GLA) from 6:30am and late in the evening.

Flight time is 3hrs 15mins. 

One way tickets in August start from £24.99 with Ryanair and £37.99 with easyJet. 

Return to Glasgow at 06:10, 10:55, 11:25, 15:30, 16:55, 19:50, 21:50, so you can enjoy the rest of your holiday and wake up a little later.

Ryanair is the only airline flying direct from Edinburgh to Malaga. They fly every day except Wednesday and Thursday (with 2 exceptions per month). Departures are usually at 07:00, 08:50, 15:40, 16:10 and 16:35.

Flight duration is 3hrs 20mins. 

One way fares start from £24.99 in August.

Return to EDI at 06:00, 11:55, 20:35, 21:10 so you can enjoy the rest of your holiday and wake up a little later.

Ryanair and easyJet fly direct to Malaga from Liverpool. Both airlines fly daily, the only exception being that Ryanair does not fly every Thursday. Usual departure times are: 6:00, 08:40, 09:00, 10:10, but also in the afternoon 18:35, 16:20 17:40, 20:15, etc.

Flight times are also 3 hours. 

Tickets on Ryanair start from £14.99 and easyJet from £26.99. 

To fly back to Liverpool you can catch one of the following slots: 07:50, 10:35, 13:50, 18:10, 18:45, 20:55 or even 23:25. So you can be quite flexible.

Malaga Airport (AGP) is the main gateway to Costa del Sol destinations like Malaga, Marbella, Fuengirola, Mijas and Benalmádena.

Hotel Transfer (Airport Shuttle): If you have chosen to stay at the Mac Puerto Marina Hotel, you can book an airport shuttle to and from Malaga Airport.

i: UK flights arrive at Terminals T2 and T3, which are connected for easy access.

A quick overview of the main Malaga airport's facilities when flying back to the UK.

• Dining: There are restaurants, coffee shops and fast food outlets, as well as Spanish gourmet dining options in both the departures and arrivals sections.
  
  
• Shopping: Málaga Duty Free in Terminal T3 (Departures) has a great selection of souvenirs. They have wines, spirits, tobacco and jewellery!
  
  
• VIP lounge. It's like home! Enjoy free Wi-Fi, computers, printers, TVs, newspapers, and drinks and snacks.
  
  
• Family: Lots of places for kids to play and baby changing facilities.
  

• Accessibility: The entire airport infrastructure has exceptional facilities for people with reduced mobility, from parking to escalators, professional staff and very clean toilets.

If you're looking for a budget-friendly getaway in Benalmádena, we highly suggest booking a hotel with airport transfer. 

It's a great way to make your trip as hassle-free as possible! You can get the most cost-effective accommodation option through Idealista, where you can secure a whole villa. 

Car hire starts at just £11.26 from FireFly, with the Fiat 500 being the cheapest model available. 

There are lots of flights from major UK cities like London, Manchester, Birmingham, and Liverpool, so it's really easy to get there! 

You can also find some great deals on accommodation, car hire, flights, and transfers, which means you can enjoy a 14-day holiday in Benalmadena for around £900, excluding bars, restaurants, and other attractions. 

Just be prepared for the warm climate and enjoy your stay!