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At the Fernandez Family Vacation Rentals, there is no shortage of things to do. Please feel free to browse among the categories we have created for your viewing pleasure. Much of these activities are within walking distance. For other destinations, it is very convenient to take the bus (public or charter), taxi (there is a taxi stop on the corner), or car (you can rent a car cheaply for one or more days in the numerous agencies near the beach). Around
the Vacation Rentals,
Benalmadena and Arroyo De La Miel,
Surrounding Towns,
Malaga,
Costa
Del Sol and Andalucia, |
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Relax on the beach - (short walk) Santa Ana
Beach is just down the hill. It is a beautiful and clean beach.
There are shaded lounge chairs for rent, or just bring a towel. The
Mediterranean is among the warmest bodies of water. In this part of the
coast the waves are small and gentle. Stroll Around Paloma Park (Parque de la Paloma) - (short walk) The city park is quite large and always full of life. There are playgrounds for children and three snack bars. The park has a free children's zoo featuring a variety of birds, deer, sheep, ostridges, and more. There are also rabbits and peacocks that roam freely around the park. The lake is full of swans, ducks, and turtles. The park also contains the Public Library, a Concert Hall, and an aquatic show featuring dolphins and seals. Walk to Puerto Marina - (medium walk) Follow the boardwalk to the east and you will soon arrive at Puerto Marina. This is a real marine port as well as a popular commercial center and tourist attraction. There are dozens of restaurants, bars, discos, cafes, stores, and attractions, including a large aquarium. It is fun to roam among the yachts or have a drink in one of the many luxurious night clubs. On Sunday, it is one of the few places open day and night. Go Disco Dancing - (medium walk) Follow the main coastal road to the east and you will arrive at Las Viente Cuatro Horas (Twenty Four Hours), which is a hot spot for discos and bars. Also located in this plaza is a modern supermarket and a brand new movie theater complex (this is also the nearest McDonalds for those that need to know). Exercise along the boardwalk - (short to medium walk) One contiguous boardwalk stretches from Torremolinos to Benalmadena. Walking is among the favorite past times of the Spanish people and they have invested in and erected a fantastic promenade that continues for many kilometers. Called the Paseo Maritimo, it runs unobstructed along the beaches. The floors are nicely paved with decorative stones and it is always very well lit. There are plenty of restaurants, stores, and bars scattered every few steps. It is the perfect place to stroll or jog without fear of traffic (which makes this perfect for small children). Eat and Drink Well - (short walk) Benalmadena is home to just about every type of international cuisine. Around every street corner you will find places to eat or enjoy a drink. The intense competition has resulted in very reasonable prices for food and beverage for just about every budget out there. The Spanish coffee is consistently superb and you will have no trouble finding just the right place to enjoy it (I recommend having it in the park, overlooking the beach on the Paseo Maritimo, or in Puerto Marina). Do Absolutely Nothing - (no walk) This is always one of the best choices. Stay inside and enjoy the view. Cook your own food from the complete kitchen. Make this the time to try out that recipe you have been waiting to try. Bring a book (or borrow one from the public library) and rediscover the pleasure of reading. Lounge around the pool and read your native newspaper (all the local stores stock dozens of international magazines and press). |
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Walk to Arroyo Town Center - (medium walk) In
downtown Arroyo, you will find a charming commercial area full of stores,
things to do, and places to eat. There is a large playground for
children. The coastal train that runs along the coast also stops here.
The local merchants carry a variety of local and international goods for
those looking for just the right gift to bring back home. You can also
find authentic restaurants that serve Spanish delicacies and tapas. Visit Benalmadena Pueblo - (bus, taxi, car) The original town of Benalmadena Pueblo is a great place to visit if your are looking for a sample of a traditional Spanish pueblo. Its cultural beauty has remained unchanged over the years. From where it sits on the mountain, it offers various lookout points with breathtaking views of the coast and the surrounding areas. The main church is a tourist attraction as well as is a recently built Buddhist Temple just outside the border of town. Like anywhere else is Spain, it is full of plazas, restaurants, and bars for when you get hungry. Telecabina - (medium walk) A covered gondola runs every day from Arroyo De La Miel to the summit of tall mountain. On the summit there are a variety of restaurants and fantastic views from every direction. Tivoli World - (medium walk) This is a family entertainment center with rides and water activities for all ages. Bull Fighting - (bus, taxi, car) You can catch a bullfight during bull fighting season on Sundays. They have bull fighting rings in Benalmadena Pueblo, Mijas, and Malaga. Tickets can be purchased via agencies and over the phone. |
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| Surrounding Towns |
Visit Marbella and Puerto Banus
- (bus, car) Marbella, together with Puerto Banus, is considered the
Beverly Hills of Spain, and one of the premier hotspots in all of Europe.
The Old Town in Marbella is very well preserved with traditional
architecture, lovely gardens, and charming plazas. Just south of Old
Town is the main commercial center with modern stores and a delightful city
park. The large beach and promenade is only two blocks south from
the main street. Puerto Banus is further west of Marbella, just
outside of town. It is a maritime sport center with lots of yachts,
restaurants, bars, and night clubs. For young people, the night club
area in Puerto Banus has no equal in Costa Del Sol. Take the Train to Fuengirola - (train, bus, car) Fuengirola is medium sized city that borders Benalmadena Costa to west. It offers a modern town center, an adorable Old Town, and an extensive beach with a Paseo Maritimo. It is smaller than Malaga or Marbella and, thus, easier to get around. Visit Mijas Pueblo - (bus, taxi, car) Mijas Pueblo stands out as the classic "White Village" in this part of Costa Del Sol. It is nestled along the mountains just within site of the sea. The town center is quite charming and full of little shops and restaurants. There is also a bull fighting ring and a donkey tour that goes into the neighboring mountains. The park around the main church is especially nice for taking spectacular photos of the coast. Torremolinos - (bus, train, car, long walk) Torremolinos is a town that borders Benalmadena Costa to the east. It is a world renown tourist resort offering some of the finest beaches and hotels. The Old Town is especially cute with its plazas and steps cut into the rocky slopes. Next to the beach is another commercial zone called La Carihuela. This seaside location has lots of restaurants, shops, and cafes. During the summer, you can rent a beach chair and order food from the small beach restaurants, called chiringuitos. |
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Malaga
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A big city only twenty minutes away - (train, bus, car) As the capital city of the province, Malaga offers all of the big city amenities. There are large shopping complexes, theaters, concert halls, museums, a castle, and a cathedral. The Cathedral of Malaga is among the prettiest, with its decorative pink marble stonework. Around the Cathedral is the Old Town, which is modern and large, much like Paris or London. Many of the streets are closed off to cars, and there are many large plazas perfect for grabbing a snack or people watching. There is the new Picasso Museum which offers one of the largest collection of his works in the world. Getting into Malaga by car could be a hassle as there is always lots of traffic. From Arroyo De La Miel, one could easily take the train, which will take you right into Malaga's center. | |||||
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More Beaches
- By traveling east or west along the coast, you will encounter numerous
beaches and towns. The coast west of Benalmadena is very developed
with more construction on the way. There are major freeways and
arteries that connect the various cities. East of Malaga is less
populated. The towns are more spaced out, and the roads become
smaller. The drive is very scenic and many of the pueblos are more
Spanish and less international than west Costa Del Sol. At either
direction, there are hundreds of miles of beaches for those looking for a
private spot or for those looking to be in the middle of the crowd. Nerja - (bus, car) Nerja is a city east of Malaga. The city itself has a very nice beach and downtown area. Nerja is also famous for the extensive underground caves east of the city that can be toured all year around. Tarifa - (bus, car) Tarifa is the surfing spot of Spain. It's proximity to the the Straight of Gibraltar means that there is always nice winds for wind surfing or para-surfing (using small parachutes to pull you across the water). And the waves can be high enough for normal surfing or boogey boarding. The town has a beach town feel with lots of surf shops and casual places to snack. Rincon De La Victoria - (bus, car) Rincon is the next major town east of Malaga. There you will find a very long beach, lots of places to eat, and a unique set of passageways that connect to the next town, Cala Del Moral. It is a great place for a scenic walk, as well as taking a bike ride. Salobreña - (bus, car) This white pueblo was built on a large rock centuries ago and has withstood the test of time. There is an old fort to visit and many charming places to walk and eat. Visit Granada - (bus, car, train) Granada is one of the most popular tourist destinations in all of Europe. From Benalmadena it is less than two hours by car or bus. One could easily spend a few days becoming familiar with the ancient fortress, La Alhambra, the Cathedral in the old part of town, or the sinewy alleys of the Albaicin, the original Moorish quarter. Visit Sevilla - (bus, car, train) Sevilla is the largest city in Andalucia and one of the largest overall in Spain. Along the river is the town center that boasts a colossal cathedral, a well preserved Moorish palace, and one of the largest pedestrian shopping districts you can find. At night, the city also comes alive with thousands of restaurants, bars, cafes, and nightclubs. It is about a two hour drive from Benalmadena. Visit Jerez and Cadiz - (bus, car) Jerez and Cadiz are two cities located near the coast and the Portuguese border. Cadiz is a historic city with beaches and an Old Town that is surrounded by water. Jerez is home of sherry and Andalusian horses, which are among the most famous in the world for their intelligence and training. Jerez also has a lively commercial district full of things to do. Both cities are near each other and about three hours from Benalmadena. Visit Ronda - (bus, car) Ronda is an original destination. Built on natural cliffs centuries ago, it remains very much intact and in wonderful condition. There are churches, plazas, palaces, and forts; however, the whole town itself is a dramatic vista with its surroundings high up in the mountains. Make sure to bring a wide angle lens when you visit Ronda. Andalucia.com is a nice starting point. |
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Gibraltar
- (bus, car) You can reach Gibraltar
by car or bus in less than an hour and a half. There are many tour
buses that leave and return daily. The city of Gibraltar has pleasant
commercial areas, a casino, and historic places to visit. The most
interesting places are on the rock itself. There are networks of
tunnels, old cannons, and the wonderful monkeys that act like the own the
place. North Africa/Morrocco - (boat) Across the Straight of Gibraltar lies exotic North Africa. There are Spanish colony cities and the countries of Tunisia and Morocco, which are both safe places to visit. If you are looking for a bit of adventure in your vacation, this might be the added element that you need. There are big ships and small charter boats that shuttle people back and forth daily (in addition to flights from the airport). The Balearic Islands - (boat, airplane) These are a set of large islands in the Mediterranean owned by Spain. They are very popular resort destinations that can be reached by airplane or by taking a cruise. The islands include Majorca, Menorca, Formentera, and Ibiza. The islands are mainly tourist resorts, very similar to the Costal Del Sol. The biggest differences are the slightly more tropical climate and the sensation of being on an island. Carnary Islands - (boat, airplane) Also accessible by cruise liner and airplane are the Canary Islands, also owned by Spain. They lie in the Atlantic off the coast of Africa. The Canaries are tourist resorts with beaches, hotels, leisure activities, shopping, and places to eat. These islands are much closer to the equator and typically offer sunshine all year around. There is also a very interesting active volcano that one can visit. |
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Shopping
- You can find small boutique shops everywhere in the coast. There are
many artisan items including pottery, jewelry, leather, and art that you
will not find anywhere else. For major retail shopping, the places to
go are downtown Malaga, Puerto Banus, and La Canada in Marbella. Golf - (taxi, car) Surrounding Benalmadena are a multitude of first class golf courses including: Golf Torrequebrada, Campo de Golf, and Mijas Golf Course. Tennis - (taxi, car, short walk) There a lot of places to play tennis. Almost all of the hotels that have tennis courts that offer a reasonable per hour charge. There are some nice tennis clubs very close to Benalmadena, such as Costa Sol in Calahonda. Culture - Unlike many resort areas, there is much culture to be discovered in this ancient part of Spain. The history of invasions from foreign lands and the proliferation of the Catholic church has lead to a cornucopia of style, architecture, and historic monuments. The Spanish cuisine is among the best in the world and is only now getting recognition. The old white pueblo hidden in the mountains and olive grooves offer a time portal into the past that will quickly help you forget the rush hour traffic and city smog. Sailing - (short walk, car) In Puerto Marina and other seaports you can rent sailboats and powerboats. Or if you have the money, you can buy your own. Surfing - (short walk, car) Close to Benalmadena are various spots for body surfing or bogey boarding. Wind surfing and parachute surfing can be found in most beaches. Recently, it has become very popular to para-glide while being towed by a boat. Jogging - (short walk) Jogging along the coast is immediately accessible from our locations. Biking - (short walk) It is very common to see bikers go up and down the main coastal road, as well as some of the more mountains roads. Biking is very common in Spain and most drivers are accustomed watching out for bikers. Hiking - (short walk, car, telecabina) One nice hike can be done by taking the Telecabina up to the top of the mountain and doing some exploration on your own. Mountain Climbing (car, bus) There are many mountain climbing / rock climbing clubs in this area due to the abundance of coastal mountains that offer challenge for every level of skill. Diving - (car, bus) There are a few dive shops around town. Various charter boats will take you out to the sea. There are also easy spots along the coast for snorkeling along the rocks or shallow waters. Sports - (car, bus, train) Soccer and Basketball are popular attendance sports. There are major teams and stadiums in Marbella, Malaga, and Fuengirola. Along the beach, it is very easy to join in on casual soccer or volleyball matches. Fishing - (short walk, car) There are fishing excursions that leave every day out of Puerto Marina. Or you can join the dozens of local fishermen casting their lines from the sea walls of Puerto Marina. Photography - Spain is an unbeatable place to photograph culture, people, and scenery. Make sure you bring plenty of film. |
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