If you’re in Málaga and want to explore somewhere that’s charming, a bit off the beaten path, and full of character, Benalmádena Old Town is the perfect day trip. It’s called Benalmádena Pueblo but we’ll use old town here. Just a short train ride from Málaga to Torremuelle (this is the station name) we found ourselves in this picturesque town, ready to spend the day wandering through its narrow streets, soaking in the views, and, of course, eating some delicious tapas.
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Castillo Colomares – A Fairy Tale Castle
Our first stop was the Castillo Colomares, a quirky, fairy-tale-like castle that seems to have come straight out of a Disney movie. Forget about defensive walls and a medieval vibe—this castle is more like someone decided to pour icing in the shape of a castle after binge-watching Beauty and the Beast.
If you look closely you’ll actually see that the ‘castle’ is a stylised series of ships – representing the ships that Christopher Columbus used to sail to the new world (America). The castle is actually a monument to the explorer.
The towers twist and turn in all kinds of whimsical ways, with vibrant mosaics and details that are really quite beautiful. As you walk around, you almost feel like you’re in a dream, with views of the surrounding mountains and sea creating a picture-perfect backdrop.
From here you can wander up the hill, about 300 metres or so, to the old town proper.
The Lift – A Little Adventure
Once you get up to the Pueblo, you’ll see that there is a relatively small square and then a road leading up in to the widening streets, and also a cliff on which the highest part of the town sits. However, there is a loft! It’s built in to the cliff face and only fits about 4 people or so, but we hopped on it quickly as it was low season – it connects one part of the town to another easily. It’s a quick ride, but what a view!
As we ascended, we got to see the town spread out below us, with all its whitewashed buildings and colorful streets. The lift made the walk up feel like a mini adventure, and once we reached the top, the views were totally worth it. We could see the whole town, the sparkling Mediterranean coastline, and the mountains in the distance—it’s a view you don’t want to miss.
Wandering Through the Streets
Once we got off the lift, we started to wander down the winding streets of Benalmádena Old Town. The village is known for its whitewashed buildings, many of which are decorated with vibrant pink flowers spilling out of bright blue pots. The whole town feels like a painting come to life in places. Every corner you turn brings something new—whether it’s a quiet square, a hidden café, or more of those beautiful flowers. We didn’t have any particular plan, just taking it all in, and honestly, that’s the best way to experience this place. Like anywhere there are some bits that are nicer than others but by and large it’s a beautiful place.
Tapas Bar Hidden in the Backstreets
After all that walking, we were definitely ready for some food. We stumbled across a little backstreet tapas bar—nothing fancy, just good, simple food in an incredible setting. We had the most delicious patatas bravas, crispy and flavorful with the perfect kick of spice, and jamón croquettes that were a little bit of heaven. It’s the kind of place where the food doesn’t need to be elaborate; it’s just comforting, fresh, and exactly what you want after a day of exploring. Elliot had a couple of cold beers as well – the beer around Malaga is called Victoria and is decent. Kirsty, being pregnant, had a Coke!
Swing by the Mirador
As we made our way back toward the train station, we noticed the mosque in the distance but decided not to walk over to it this time. It’s about a mile or so and Kirsty has been before and it’s worth a visit if you’re are in to architecture – but frankly we were knackered! Instead, we walked back down past the castle to the bottom of the mountain and stopped at a little mirador (viewpoint) along the coast road, where there are a few swings hanging over the edge. Those swings were the perfect spot to pause, take a breath, and just enjoy the view. The sparkling sea and the breeze made it feel like time stood still for a moment—simple but unforgettable.
Final Thoughts
Benalmádena Old Town is one of those places that sneaks up on you. It’s not the most famous spot in the area – and possibly suffers from some association with its more party-hard namesake – but that’s part of its charm. The combination of winding streets, vibrant whitewash and flowers, stunning views, and a quirky castle makes it feel like you’ve stepped into a little corner of paradise. Whether you’re wandering through the whitewashed streets, swinging at the mirador, or enjoying a laid-back meal at a local tapas bar, Benalmádena Pueblo feels like an undiscovered gem.
If you’re ever in Málaga and want to take a quick trip to somewhere beautiful, peaceful, and full of character, Benalmádena Old Town is definitely worth the visit. It’s a 20 minute journey or so on the C1 line (this is the more suburban line and runs all the way to Fuengirola. It’s about 2.5 euros or something on the train.
