Benalmadena Costa is situated on the Costa del Sol between Torremolinos and Fuengirola. In total, Benalmadena has around 10km (6 miles) of coastline, with the resort’s most popular section of beach stretching for nearly 2km from the Puerto Marina to the Sunset Beach Hotel. There are plenty of facilities available including showers, chiringuitos (beach bars) and sun bed hire, while alongside the beach runs an attractive promenade next to which you will find bars, restaurants and shops.

The beach is actually made up of four main sections: Malapesquera, Santa Ana, Bil Bil, and Arroyo de la Miel. The widest of these sections is Malapesquera, which also benefits from an excellent position next to the marina. There are a couple of football pitches on the beach, complete with goals and nets, and pedalo hire is also available. Close to Malapesquera, overlooking the promenade, is the terraced area of Las Gaviotas where there are several Spanish and British bars.

The next section of beach after Malapesquera, which runs for a further 500 metres, is called Santa Ana. This is followed by Bil Bil, named after the mock-Arabic castle which overlooks it. On Bil Bil you will find the popular beach bar of Las Maracas - the perfect place in which to relax for a couple of hours with a glass or two of Sangria.

The final section of Benalmadena’s main beach is called Arroyo de la Miel, named after the village which is situated about a kilometre inland. At the far end of this section, next to the Sunset Beach Hotel, you can hire a pedalo or, if you are feeling more adventurous, try your hand at parascending.

Sunset Beach Hotel marks the western boundary of the main resort. However, there are a few other good beaches along the coast, including one between the Best Benalmadena and Torrequebrada hotels. This small beach of coarse sand, protected by a breakwater at one end, is popular with Spanish families and also benefits from having its own chiringuito. As you continue past the five-star Torrequebrada Hotel towards Fuengirola, the coastline gets rockier, with smaller, shingly coves. These are not particularly attractive, but they are relatively free from the crowds during the hectic summer months.

About 1km from the Torrequebrada Hotel is Benalnatura beach, which is accessed from the main road via a set of steps between two apartment blocks. Unlike other naturist beaches on the Costa del Sol, Benalnatura is not ‘clothes optional’ – nudity is compulsory. The beach benefits from a lovely sheltered position overlooked by trees and there are various facilities including showers and a small beach bar.

Another small, sandy beach can be found next to the Hotel Playa Bonita in Torremuelle, an area of Benalmadena named after the watchtowers which stand guard along the coastline. The beach is protected by breakwaters and the shallow water makes it perfect for young children. Beyond Torremuelle the beaches tend to be rather grey and uninspiring, until you arrive at the village of Carvajal where Benalmadena meets Fuengirola.