Benalmadena, Costa del Sol, Spain

Whenever we are contemplating visiting any resort such as Benalmadena, one of the first factors we have to consider is precisely where we are going to stay during our visit. The Hotel Bali was not only one of the hotels available to us but came very highly recommended. We had no cause to regret our choice and found The Hotel Bali to be an excellent place at which to stay during what was a thoroughly enjoyable trip to Benalmadena and we would therefore heartily recommend it to anyone contemplating visiting this specific resort, or even the Costa del Sol in general.

Click on the link below for lots more information and photographs of this delightful, centrally located hotel.

The Hotel Bali, Benalmadena

Benalmadena's Puerto Marina has been named the best marina in the world on several occasions. It has a capacity to accomodate more than a thousand craft of up to twenty feet (six metres) in length and is a hub of activity by both day and night. It has a great many interesting bars and restaurants, as well as specialised shops and being home to Benalmadena's Sea Life centre.

As one may perhaps expect, however, the prices in Benalmadena Marina's retail outlets are not in comparison with those elsewhere in the town. One simple example of this fact is that a jug of Sangria cost 14 euros at a quayside cafe on the marina, where what has to be said was superior quality fayre cost only 8 euros at a similar outlet on the promenade. Larger scale purchases obviously incorporate even greater disparity in price. The flag to the right - seen displayed on a craft at Benalmadena Marina - perhaps very well sums up this practise!

For those who really want to see Benalmadena and all which it has to offer, there can be few better ways to do so than from the summit of the Calamorro Mountain. A trip in the Teleferico Cable Car - which departs from just behind the resort's railway station - costs an adult 12.50 euros but is morth than worth every cent.

As the cable car climbs on its fifteen minute journey to the summit, the views grow ever more spectavular and breathtaking. At the summit, follow one of the laid out walks, relax in the cafe/restaurant, or take in the Birds of Prey show which is included in the price of the trip.

For full details of this facility, more stunning pictures and even a superb video presentation of the Teleferico Cable Car ride, click on the link below:

The Teleferico Cable Car, Benalmadena

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Benalmadena overall but we were both at first amused and subsequently more than a little disappointed by the general absence of true, Spanish style restaurants at which to eat within the town. Burgers and pizza signs were everywhere but we did not go to Spain to eat food that we can buy (but choose not to!) at home. We wanted to try the local dishes and produce, as we try to do wherever we venture.

Unfortunately, it was only at lunchtime on the day of our departure from Benalmadena that we stumbled upon the small restaurant pictured to the right, La Fragata de Tito. This outlet, located on the promenade past the marina, may even technically be in Torremolinos. We only stopped for a glass of Sangria each because a particularly heavy shower of rain came on but a glance at the menu soon had us ordering lunch.

We started with a fresh salad for two, followed by a pork and chicken paella. The food was absolutely delicious - and so was the Sangria! The prices were very reasonable and to top off the experience, we were each given a glass of a traditional Spanish liqueur which we did not catch the name of, though it was very nice.

The staff here were also very friendly and had we not been leaving that day, we would almost certainly have returned.