Benalmadena is a town which is both on the coast and in the mountains, paradoxical though this may seem, a great balcony opening onto the Mediterranean.

The locality's eminently coastal position has favoured man's presence there since time immemorial, witness to which is borne by the various archaeological discoveries made in the Zorrera, Botijos and Toro caves. Iberian, Phonecian and Roman remains offer proof of the presence of different cultures in the village's history, but it is during the Arab period that the enclave acquires greatest importance, due above all to its rich mines (in Arabic Benalmadena means "children of the mines"). After the reconquest the village was destroyed and repopulated by Old Christians from the Guadalquivir Valley. From that moment the area took its place in the coastal defensive system, being fortified by the Torre Muelle, Torre Quebrada and Torre Bermeja watchtowers.

Of the three parts that make up Benalmadena, the coastal area the intermediate Arroyo de la Miel and the village Iying at the foot of the mountainous cornice, very close to the seaboard, it is the latter which is physically similar to the rest of the white villages and which is also home to the only monuments still in existence: the church of Santo Domingo, which dates back to the seventeenth century but was repaired in 1960, and the pre-Colomban archaeological museum, containing great visual and historical riches.

The old centre of Benalmadena and the view from the gardens of its walls are tourist sights not to be missed. The locality also offers the "Tivoli World" theme park, the only place of its kind on the Costa del Sol and whose gardens are unrivalled in terms of space and species of different origins.

This is the departure point of the recently inaugurated cable car which cuts through the skies of Benalmadena up to the top of Monte Calamorro in order to enjoy the most exceptional views of the Coast and of North Africa and to practice trekking among several recommended tracks.

The attractive Puerto Marina boating area also offers the "Sea Life Center", the first underwater park on the Costa del Sol. Underwater diving, water sports, fishing, a large golf course and Torrequebrada Casino, as well as unlimited hotel facilities, complete a strong, varied supply of leisure and entertainment facilities.

In the festive sense, the procession of Corpus Christi in spring is of special importance, the streets along which it passes being covered in real flowers, as well as featuring the little altars and the adorning of the balconies. The evening of the La Virgen del Carmen and the corresponding maritime procession on 16 July is one of the town's great festivals, as is the "El Paso" dramatisation of the Passion performed on floats during Holy Week by local people who for a day become the actors who play out the mysteries of the passion and the death of Jesus Christ. Finally, the local fair takes place in the town on 15 August and the festival of San Juan is held in Arroyo de la Miel.

Also worthy of mention is the fine local craftsmanship carried out in the locality, the production of decorative and design pottery being of particular importance, as well as iron forging, metal smelting, fibre and textile production, etc.

As for gastronomy, the local cuisine, which co-exists alongside the international trends and creations on offer throughout the locality, consists of dishes such as stew made from bitter oranges, fried breadcrumbs in milk and, of course, tasty fried fish.