Fantastic comparison, I've never been to any of these so it was great to see what they were like. The beauty of Málaga is it's an interesting city with beaches as well, so I think the only one that would tear me away for a day trip would be Benalmádena, just to ride that fantastic cable car! Cheers Scott.
I've had a holiday in Benalmadena and while there, got the bus up to Mijas, then got a bus back down to Fuengirola and then back to our hotel, good day out.
oh it's a good day indeed, Literally just finished watching Steve Marshes Canada trip video and refreshed and up your video popped, always a good start to the day when Scott pops up!
OMG!! At 9:28 there was the street where my parents had owned a house in Benalmádena for more than 30 years! We spent every single summer break there ever since I was a little toddler. So many fond memories came back watching your footage. Sadly, my dad had to sell the house back in 2011. Feeling nostalgic now… thank you for the great work!!
I loved Benalmadena when we visited there a few years ago. You missed an amazing park with a special cactus garden. We found the bus that runs along the coast very convenient vs. the train.
Been to all three many times, last time being last March. You missed the best bit of all, La Carihuela on the paseo between Torremolinos and Benalmadena. Strictly still in Torremolinos. Very Spanish and a village-like chilled feel. You must go back!
Yes! You missed the best of Torremolinos. My daughter and I were there this June and we had a blast. They have excellent Flamenco shows, you can choose among many excellent restaurants to eat at the shore, after a day at the beach. "Hamacas" with umbrellas are decently priced at 6 euros for the full day, and having the train station in the middle of town, while seamless, is extremely convenient to head to Malaga or any other town/stop for the day. The local bus station/stops are also very conveniently located, walking distance within town, and many tours to relevant historic places, such as Granada, Sevilla, Cordoba, etc. pick up tourists close to Torremolinos train station. Also, Torremolinos is a shot away from Malaga's airport. Something we always consider, as we travel from the US. Oh... and I was forgetting more... Some of the best icecream and shopping we have enjoyed. And hotels are excellently priced in the center of town. We loved Torremolinos!!
Oh gosh, I love this area! Thanks for bringing back some lovely memories. You are definitely right to pick Benalmadena. Next time you are there you must visit Paloma Park and the fabulous marina. Parque de la Bateria in Torremolinos is also lovely.
I flew from Edinburgh to Torremolinos with an ex girlfriend in 2014. We walked along the coast towards Benalmadena and the seafront with lots of lovely yauchts sitting in the harbour. It was quite pleasant there I thought although we never went to the cable car! Sadly, I share the same sentiment as you, I didn't find there was a lot to do there and it certainly wasn't as pleasant as visiting S'illot, Majorca a few years before that. We were that bored, we decided to take the train across to Málaga for the day, which was far nicer. I wished we booked a stay there instead! I don't think I would go back to Torremolinos but then again I'm not in a great state to travel far anymore, especially by myself, so I enjoy those many travel videos that you post!
Great vid Scott of all the years going to Malaga I never knew of the cable car. Now Fuengirola is another story. Was walked around that bloody market with sun burned feet and legs in 30 odd degree heat. I can still feel the pain but the wife was happy buying her tat that day
I have been to all three, my favourite to stay long term is Fuengirola as there are more locals than the two others to interact with, other than British and Dutch tourists. Benalmadena is pretty good, aside from the trek from the sea to the city center and train station. Torremolinos is not bad if you are looking for casual shopping and dining, but I agree with your overall assessment. You seem to have missed the Caruehela part of Torremolinos which is a bit classier than up the cliff near San Miguel.
I think all three resorts would look different in the full tourist season. Handy that you can easily get along the coast though. Been to Torremolinos and Belalmadena but not Fuengirola. Nerja is attractive with some caves nearby. Look forward to next video. Thank you.
I stayed in Fuengirola on a 2 week holiday back in 2007. I was only 17 at the time and travelled with my family. My aunt, uncle and cousins were on holiday in Torremolinos at the same time so we caught the train to visit them. Public transport is good in the Costa Del Sol. I was on the cable car during the holiday too. Another nice place to visit in Fuengirola is the castle, great views from the top, Gary
You should have walked along La Carihuela from Torremolinos into Benalmádena Marina. It’s a lovely mile long walk . Pity you missed some of the best walkways in that area
Torremolinos is the best town of the three Scott. I was staying in Torremolinos in January. The RENFE Cercanías (C) 1 station is centrally located allowing for ease of travel into Málaga Ciudad, Málaga airport station and also to Málaga Maria Zambrano station for high-speed services to many destinations. A day trip to Seville is possible. I also used the bus from Torremolinos to Ronda and returned by three different trains on the same day. It's also possible to fly on a day trip to Melilla if you book up in advance. Accommodation is marginally cheaper in Torremolinos than Màlaga Ciudad also. For me, the geography of Benalmádena turned me off the place because the C1 line veers too far inland away from the coast. As for Fuengirola, the station isn't nice and there was nothing in the town that I liked. Give me Torremolinos any time!!!
It’s a complete dump! Dirty and nasty. Ok if all you want to do is drink as there’s nothing to actually see or do there. It’s exactly what Scott said only food and drink but nothing to see or do there. ✌️👍✌️
Torremolinos is physically the ugliest of the three. Benalmádena is more upscale. Fuengirola is a bit more authentically Spanish. Buildings need an update in Torremolinos. But it’s probably the most vibrant nightlife, especially for LGB community.
I've been to all three and prefer torremolinos as a base. i walk out to the marina in benalmadena and sometimes get the train to fuengarola to market. The way of life put on the coast is brilliant
That was excellent! It made a fascinating comparison to those places when I lived in Malaga for several years around the turn of the century. Back then you went by train if it was necessary to visit Torremolinos because you always felt that, if you took a car, you’d return to find it up on bricks and with the battery missing. Nice to see the Islamic tower still doubling as a telegraph pole. Benelmadena was always the quietest resort even when the hilltop funfair was open. There are some interesting prehistoric cave dwellings in that hill with ‘cup and ring’ engravings. There are Roman remains, too as well as at Fuengirola including unused pillars on the beach and some structures protected by having new buildings on stilts over them. Fuengirola is far enough from Malaga to need to provide all services, hence its larger size. All the stations seem to have been vastly improved. The towers are interesting - square are Moorish, round are Christian. Used to look out for raiders from N Africa, hence Arroya de la Miel being inland for protection. There is also a castle at Fuengirola. Many thanks for reviving possibly slightly flawed memories.
I can't comment on your Spanish pronunciation but the way you pronounced Adidas made me smile, in fact, I had to wind back a couple of times to listen again. Which town would I like best? Well, to be honest, I didn't like any of them all that much because in my opinion they are touristy and what puts me off are all those British pubs and restaurants. When I go abroad I like to enjoy and experience the local food and drinks and I don't want a kind of "home from home" vacation. Apart from all that, Scott, another good and informative video.
We have been to Benalmadena twice and took a day trip to fuingerola and then the next day to Toromolinos.We really liked Toromolinos but didn't like Fuingerola at all.
I didn’t like Torromolinos either. I prefer Fuengirola it’s got a more authentic Spanish feel, lovely shops and I loved the zoo. Great video Scott. I love the variety 9f your trips.
One of the nicest things I find is just the walk between Torremolinos and Benalmadena on the costal path, and it's easy to get a bus back. The Parque de la Paloma in Benalmadena is lovely too, just a short walk down from the Arroyo de Miel station. The castle in Fuengirola is worth a visit, if just for the views. Lots to do down there and all within easy reach of Malaga which these days has become one of the best cities in Spain to visit.
I've been to all three of these resorts as well as Malaga and I agree with your choice. Just behind the Sealife you showed is a fantastic marina full of boats and fish, with many bars and restaurants that are buzzing at night and quieter during the day but a great place to pass an hour or so. There is also a nice park with a lake full or terrapins and a dedicated cactus garden. The two centres can be reached by buses if you don't fancy a walk.
My first ever foreign holiday was to Torremolinos! I was 16 years old and had just finished taking my O Levels, so it was a special time! But the thing is, we didn't stay in the main town, but in a suburb just to the west called La Carihuela, which was lovely. I did venture into the town myself one day (I've always had wanderlust, so left everyone else sitting by the pool while I went off to explore), and remember not being that keen on it! 😄
I absolutely love that whole coastline….Fuengirola market is fantastic, such a shame you weren’t there on the day it was on! A beautiful part of the world!
Thanks for this wonderful video Scott. I have been to fuengirola before, (early 90’s I think) & was great spotting the hotel I stayed in & the area in general. I’m currently planning a trip to Malaga & thanks to your video, we will make a trip to benalmadena to do the cable car ride as part of our itinerary! Keep up the good work 👍🏻
We had a place in benalmadena and visited several times a year and while there we would visit both Torrremolinos and fuengerola. All good spots for different reasons but for us Benalmadena comes out on top. They have a fantastic marina with wonderful restaurants. You also have La Carihuela which is just wonferfull.
That cable car looked amazing with incredible views. The walk to the top after looked, wellll, a bit dodgy at least to my poor old knees. When you said "Should we climb those stairs to the top?", Greg and I said to each other "If this was a @steve-marsh video, that answer would be a definite yes." And, of course, you said "yes", too. :) Hey, did we miss you requiring a coffee for cruising altitude in today's video? #youtuberbingocard
Bonjour, Here in Québec, we also eat beans for breakfast with eggs and bacon. Influence of british colanisiation I suppose. I was in Torremolinos one year ago and love it. Thank’s a lot for your rewiew! Au revoir ! ✈️
You missed the best of Torremolinos. My daughter and I were there this June and we had a blast. They have excellent Flamenco shows, you can choose among many excellent restaurants to eat at the shore, after a day at the beach. "Hamacas" with umbrellas are decently priced at 6 euros for the full day, and having the train station in the middle of town, while seemless, is extremely convenient to head to Malaga or any other town/stop for the day. The local bus station/stops are also very conveniently located, walking distance within town (we rode a bus to visit some friends in Estepona), and many tours to relevant historic places, such as Granada, Sevilla, Cordoba, Nerja and Frigiliana, etc. pick-up tourists close to Torremolinos' train station. Also, Torremolinos is a shot away from Malaga's airport. Something we always consider, as we travel from the USA. Oh... and I was forgetting more... Some of the best icecream and shopping we have enjoyed. And hotels are excellently priced in the center of town. We loved Torremolinos!!
You should have walked up to arroyo via Parque Paloma. It's beautiful, and if it has gone back to how it was prior to covid, ther will be ducks, rabbits and peacocks roaming around. Benalmadena is my favourite go to for a holiday and the flight duration is relatively short. Advise buying a card for bus travel.
Enjoyed this one Scott and I’ve basically done what you did on the train to Malaga and then in to each resort. I agree Benalmadena is very family orientated and my children had a wonderful evening at Tivoli World one beautiful warm evening a few years ago. I’m with you as regards Torremolinos. Bars shops and not much more. I did enjoy Fuengirola as I found it appeared to have a little more on the Iines of history and traditional buildings with the Spanish tiles which I love. That cable car and the birds of prey experience at the top is a real treat and so I’ll go with you as regards which is best 👍
I visited Torremolinos once, got a couple of hundred metres from the station and it was all loud Brits getting wasted and turning pink. Got the next train back to Malaga.
Been going to benelmadena for last couple of years love the place especially down the central part loads to do , we walked to Fuengirola it’s a great walk , totally agree with you on Torremolinos it’s not the best out of them all
I stayed in benalmadena for a week about 15 years ago was nice and did manage to walk to fuengirola along the beach. I liked both places in their own way. Where I was staying had loads of elephant Statues.
I was in benalmadena at the same time as u and was 100% was my favourite I loved the marina. With the sealife being worth it. There's alot more to torremolinos than what you showed also. And fuengirola was OK I haven't stayed there in about 10 years.
Agree with your assessment. I've been to all three and I agree. Benalmadena is the best. Granted, I visited a long, long time ago, and things have changed a lot. Torremolinos used to be a hippie town after a bunch of people read The Drifters.
Thanks Scott, you and Steve's videos do more for Spain then any tourist board promo. In the Summer we're having in Scotland, this all looks very attractive.
Great video mate.. if you like cable cars like me there’s a fantastic one in turkey oludeniz can watch the paragliding takeoffs from the top 2000 feet up unbelievable scenery too overlooking the blue lagoon.
A wonderful place to visit 15 minutes walk on the promenade from Torremolinos is the town of La Carehuela. We have stayed a few times. Lovely bars and restaurants not as built up as Torremolinos.
I live in Calahonda, and often catch the train to all of these places. Benalmadena has a lovely port, beautiful butterfly park ,also you can catch a boat and go on a two hr trip to see the dolphins . Torremolinos nice but very hilly, you can always catch the lift from the bottom back up to the top, cost 50c well worth it. Fuengirola good for food and night life, also they have a small harbour,with lovely restaurants and cafes not expensive. I love Benalmadena Bonanza square , great place with lots of tapa’s bars.
As a child I had my first potato crisps (salty, made with olive oil) at the beach of Fuengirola, while the filthy rich had their Champagne and caviar in Málaga 😂 A A day at the beach and my tan looked like that of a native Spaniard (well, skin cancer wasn’t that much of a topic at that time)...
You did get it wrong completely Scott 🤔 You omitted going up in Toremolinos where you would find more authentic Spain & an excellent Mercado on certain days 👍 Andalusia 🇪🇺🇪🇸 You shouldn't right it off
from the cablecar ! you can see fuengirola! further south,about 16 min into your video! (but you showed that) ,great by the way.the three places has about same population: 70000-85000,but fuengirola is more densed,moust people and most urban area .But benalmadena has it all ! go back ! scott ,and visite paloma park and deportivo puerto ! 😎👌
Great watch, cheers. TBH I didn't like the look of any of them. Granada is just 1 hr 20 mins away from Malaga by direct train ... now THAT'S a day trip 😉
I have delivered food to a ICELAND store in Fuengirola been there 7 times and always parked up where them motorhomes are parked its a great place nice food and beer
I did like "La Casa De Sherlock Holmes" across from where you had breakfast. Being able to watch Peterborough vs Oxford in Torremolinos made me smile!! Def aimed at ex pats! They have a cable car similar at Matlock Bath. It is shorter & only has 4 cars, so of course there is a slight pause when you are midway as the cars at top & bottom are stop. If it is breezy it can get unnerving as it sways!!! The Bioparc is def not worth, small, takes about an hour to walk around.
