The 14 Best Things to Do in Benalmadena

1.Benalmadena: Dolphin Watching Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 5,786 reviews · 1h 40m · from $22Our pick

Join Costasol Cruceros for a 100-minute catamaran cruise from Benalmádena. The New Magic offers shaded seating, a bar, restrooms, music, and underwater viewing windows. Your route follows dolphin activity and sea conditions, with a possible summer swim and a 50% return ticket discount if no dolphins or whales appear.

“A fantastic experience which is highly recommended and very much value for money. The crew were caring for everyone's welfare and could constantly be seen offering blankets if anyone was cold or feeling a bit sea sick. The experience itself was memory making. Having taken our three children with us, the experience just made fantastic memories for us as a family and we thoroughly enjoyed the two hours.”

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2.Benalmádena: Mount Calamorro Cable Car Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,901 reviews · 1 day · from $21

Take a modern cable car from Benalmádena up Mount Calamorro, with an audio guide and about 15 minutes of views on the way. At the summit, you can follow six hiking routes, spot Mediterranean flora and fauna, and pay extra for a bird of prey show. Choose a one-way or return ticket.

“Really worth doing the cable cars. The view is astounding. The ride in the cable car is really fun to.”

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3.Benalmadena: Colomares Castle Tour with Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 552 reviews · 40 min · from $10Best value

Visit Benalmadena’s Colomares Monument on a 40-minute guided tour with entry included. Your guide, often Cynthia or Christine, explains the castle’s unusual architecture, Columbus symbolism, Spanish history, and church. You’ll also have time to explore the numbered sections and take in the Costa del Sol views.

“Cynthia was absolutely fabulous! She was very knowledgeable, but also transmitted great vibes to the group!”

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4.Benalmadena Aquarium Visit

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 398 reviews · 1 month · from $25

Visit SEA LIFE Benalmádena for Mediterranean and tropical sea life, a 180º tunnel with sharks and a green turtle, touch pools, talks, feeds, and Spain’s interactive bio-beach. The aquarium is wheelchair accessible, but many visitors finish in 25 to 60 minutes.

“Went with my fiancé and she loved it, as did I! Lots of various species of marine life swimming around above you, amazing. And very relaxing!”

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5.Benalmadena: City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 379 reviews · 2 days · from $17

Use a 48-hour open-top bus ticket to see Benalmádena’s coast, marina, beaches, resort hotels, Arroyo de la Miel, Bil-Bil Castle, and mountain route. Audio commentary is offered in English, Spanish, French, and German. Check the ticket option for Butterfly Park entry and current stop changes.

“Nice way to spend a couple of hours. On a clear day it’s Devi Tory worth getting off at the cable cars.”

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6.Benalmádena: Deluxe Parasailing Flight from Benalmadena Port

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 188 reviews · from $57

Meet the bright orange Pirate Parasailing boat beside the Costasol Cruceros ferry booth. After a safety briefing, fly solo or with up to five companions, reaching 650 feet above Benalmádena, Fuengirola, and the Sierra Nevadas. English and Spanish-speaking crew members guide the one-hour experience.

“Brilliant experience. Professional team with plenty of time up on the air”

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7.Boat Tour w/ Snorkeling, Water Activities, and Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 105 reviews · from $101

Sail from Benalmádena with guides Luis, Álvaro, and crew in search of dolphins, then snorkel near a historic shipwreck. You’ll also get a 20-foot sea slide, kayaks, paddle boards, wetsuits, and lunch. The small-group setting feels more personal than a standard sightseeing boat.

“Activity was brilliant, crew on board was fantastic explaining everything in detail as to what we would see Snorkeling and gave clear instructions to people who wasn’t experienced and helped where they could or needed to. Slide was amazing, everyone loved it Paddle boards and kayak Can’t remember the names of both Both crew members but went above and beyond to make the day one to remember Especially having to go further out to sea to be able to see the dolphins. Would highly recommend 👌🏻👍🏻Read more”

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8.Benalmádena: Costa del Sol License-Free Boat Rental

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 92 reviews · 30 minutes - 4 hours

Take a private, license-free boat from Benalmádena for 30 minutes to 4 hours. Staff, including Sergio, provide a short navigation lesson, then you can cruise, swim, sunbathe, fish, listen to Bluetooth music, and look for dolphins.

“We got to hang superclose to playing dolphins for over an hour (we could pet them easily but wanted to respect the animals) and swim in the beautiful waters. Very, very nice staff! Best memory of our two weeks in Spain: these two hours🙏”

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9.Benalmadena: Private Boat Trip with Drinks & Snacks

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 51 reviews · from $181Top rated

Set out from Benalmadena Port with HelenaNautic for one to six hours of swimming, snorkeling, fishing, music, and coastal views. Helena, Alejandro, and Pedro are named among the friendly crew. Your private group gets gear, fuel, a skipper, unlimited drinks, and snacks, with time to celebrate or simply relax.

“Came to celebrate a 20th birthday and the hosts were so welcoming! they let us choose what we would be doing on the trip, let us decide the music and greeted us with complimentary bottles of wine and snacks. 15 minutes before leaving, Dolphins were spotted far from our boat and the hosts let us stay out longer to see the Dolphins up close! It was an amazing experience and we would definitely recommend! Thank you so much!”

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10.Benalmadena: Boat Party with a Drink

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 49 reviews · 3 hours · from $88

Join an adult-only catamaran party from Puerto Marina, Benalmádena, for three hours of urban, pop, and hit music, dancing, sea views, and a possible swim stop. Your ticket includes one drink. Bring ID, beachwear, and cash for the onboard bar.

“Absolutely fantastic day had by all of us. So much fun and the crew are great.”

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11.Benalmádena: Sea Life Benalmádena Premium Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 37 reviews · from $26

Visit Sea Life Benalmádena for sharks, rays, starfish, hermit crabs, and Yellow, a 100-kilogram green turtle. Your Premium ticket allows all-day re-entry and includes a Gold Pass with Puerto Marina discounts. Creature feeds, talks, and quiz trails add extra interest.

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12.Benalmadena: Boat Rental without License Required

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 25 reviews · 30 minutes - 3 hours

Take the helm of a small boat from Benalmádena Marina, with an instructor showing you the controls before departure. Cruise toward Málaga or Fuengirola, stop to swim or snorkel, and look for dolphins. Boats carry up to six people, with rentals from 30 minutes to three hours. You must be over 18.

“Of all our holiday memories this boat hire Company provided the most fun and unique experience. Our apprehensions about handling the vessel were soon dispelled by a professional and thorough introduction. We had two families so we had a boat each - Amazing! It is essential to see the Benalmadena coast from the sea it was magical and our teenagers went again the next day! 10/10”

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13.5-Seater Speedboat Boat Rental Without a License

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 17 reviews

Take the wheel of a five-seater speedboat from Benalmádena with an instructor explaining the controls. No nautical license is needed. Choose 30 minutes to 4 hours, bring your own food and drinks, and look for dolphins, beaches, coves, and sunset views.

“Great adventure, driving the boat was very easy, the views were breathtaking, we should have chosen a longer trip instead of 2 hours, we will definitely use the offer again!!!”

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14.Benalmadena: Boat Rental with No License Required

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 13 reviews

Take a private boat for up to five people from Puerto Benalmádena and cruise the Costa del Sol without a boating license. Staff handle the tricky port exit and return, then you choose the route, swimming stops, music, and pace. Bring food, but budget extra for gasoline.

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