Benalmádena Promenade – What to See, Walking Routes, Beaches & Visitor Information

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Information on the Promenade & Beach

1. Overview

The Paseo Marítimo Virgen del Carmen is the main seafront promenade running along Benalmádena Costa and is one of the best places to enjoy the resort without having to get in a car.

The promenade stretches along much of Benalmádena's nine-kilometre coastline, passing beaches, rocky coves, hotels, restaurants, chiringuitos and areas of open coastline.

It is popular with walkers, runners, cyclists and holidaymakers simply enjoying the sea views. The promenade is also a useful way of getting between many of Benalmádena Costa's main attractions on foot. 

2. Location & Address

The promenade runs along the coast of Benalmádena Costa, with the main tourist section stretching from around Castillo El Bil Bil towards Puerto Marina.

There is no single address for the promenade as it extends for several kilometres along the coastline.

Main area:

Paseo Marítimo Virgen del Carmen
Benalmádena Costa
29630 Benalmádena, Málaga, Spain

It is approximately:

5 minutes' walk from Castillo El Bil Bil to the promenade

10 minutes' walk from Selwo Marina

10 minutes' walk from Parque de la Paloma

The promenade continues in both directions, allowing visitors to explore much more of the coastline.

3. Opening Times

The promenade is a public seafront walkway and can be visited throughout the year.

Promenade:

Open 24 hours a day

Admission: Free

The individual beaches, restaurants, chiringuitos, shops and attractions along the promenade have their own opening times.

The promenade is particularly pleasant in the early morning and late afternoon, while the evening brings a livelier atmosphere around the restaurants, bars and terraces.

4. What You'll Find Along the Promenade

The promenade offers a mixture of beaches, restaurants, leisure activities and places to stop and enjoy the views, including:

Chiringuitos

Restaurants and cafés

Bars and terraces

Shops

Hotels

Places to watch the sunset

The promenade also provides access to beaches with facilities including showers, toilets and children's areas, while some sections have adapted facilities for visitors with reduced mobility. 

5. How to Get There

By bus:

Local bus services operate along Benalmádena Costa, with stops close to various sections of the promenade.

By train:

The nearest Cercanías station is Benalmádena-Arroyo de la Miel. From the station you can continue towards the coast by bus, taxi or on foot.

On foot:

The promenade is particularly easy to explore from the surrounding hotels, beaches and attractions.

From Puerto Marina you can walk along the seafront towards the beaches and Castillo El Bil Bil.

From La Carihuela in Torremolinos, the promenade continues eastwards towards Puerto Marina, providing a pleasant coastal walk between the two resorts. 

By car:

There are parking areas and car parks at various points along and close to the promenade, although finding a convenient space can be more difficult during busy summer periods.

6. Parking

There are both free and paid parking options around different sections of the promenade, although availability varies considerably depending on the location and time of year.

Puerto Marina has dedicated parking close to the western end of the promenade, while there are also parking areas around the beaches and streets further along the coast.

During the busiest summer months, it is often easier to park a little away from the seafront and walk down to the promenade.

But have a look at the parking options below for more information about parking in Benalmádena and the best places to park when visiting the promenade and beaches.

7. Tips for Visiting

Don't try to walk the entire promenade unless you have plenty of time.

Choose a section and explore the beaches and attractions along the way.

Early morning is a good time for walking during the summer.

Late afternoon is particularly pleasant when temperatures begin to fall.

Stay until sunset if you can.

Stop at one of the chiringuitos for a drink or a traditional espeto.

Wear comfortable shoes if you are planning a longer walk.

Take water with you during the hotter months.

Look out for the different beaches and smaller coves along the route.

The promenade is also a good place for an evening stroll when the restaurants and terraces become busy.

If you are staying in Torremolinos, consider walking from La Carihuela to Puerto Marina and continuing along the Benalmádena promenade.

8. Nearby Attractions

Puerto Marina

Selwo Marina

Parque de la Paloma

Castillo El Bil Bil

Sea Life Benalmádena

9. Overall Experience

The Benalmádena promenade is one of the easiest ways to see the resort and experience its coastline without having to plan a complicated itinerary. You can walk beside the Mediterranean, stop at a beach, have lunch at a chiringuito, browse the shops or simply sit and watch the world go by.

What makes it particularly useful for visitors is that it connects so many different parts of Benalmádena Costa. Puerto Marina, the beaches, Selwo Marina, Castillo El Bil Bil and Parque de la Paloma can all be incorporated into a day exploring the seafront.

Our tip: Don't think of the promenade as simply a walkway between the beach and your hotel. Pick a direction and explore it properly. A walk from Puerto Marina towards Castillo El Bil Bil gives you a good taste of the coastline, while continuing further along allows you to discover some of the quieter beaches and coves. Come back around sunset and the atmosphere is completely different.

Address. Edificio Capitania, Av. Juan Sebastian Elcano, s/n, 29630 Benalmádena, Málaga

Getting around the Costa del Sol