In short: Puerto Marina, Benalmádena’s marina, is one of the most visited places on the Costa del Sol. You can stroll among its islands of extraordinary architecture, visit the Sea Life aquarium, take a boat out to look for dolphins, ride the observation wheel, swim at Malapesquera and finish with dinner. It is about a 12-minute walk from La Carihuela along the promenade.
There are marinas, and then there is Puerto Marina. What elsewhere is a quay with boats is, here, a small village on the water, with islands, bridges, terraces, shops and more than a thousand berths.
It works at any time of day: in the morning with children, in the afternoon for a stroll and at night for dinner and drinks.
In this guide we explain what to see, what to do, how to get there, where to park and how to combine your visit with a relaxed dinner a short walk from the marina.
What Puerto Marina is and why it is so special
Puerto Marina is Benalmádena’s marina, right in the middle of the Costa del Sol, between Torremolinos and Fuengirola.
What makes it unique is its architecture. The complex, designed by architect Melvin Villarroel, blends shapes inspired by Arab and Mediterranean architecture with an almost fairytale feel: domes, white towers, stepped terraces and buildings that seem to float on the water.
Many of the apartments are built on artificial islands linked by bridges. Walking around the marina is almost like walking through a film set.
An award-winning marina
Puerto Marina was twice named “Best Marina in the World” by international nautical publications in the nineties.
It has also held the Blue Flag for decades. In 2026 it is once again among the awarded marinas on the Costa del Sol, together with Puerto Banús, Estepona, Marbella and La Duquesa.
Some figures
- More than 1,000 berths, for boats up to about 35 metres long.
- 24-hour security, boatyard, crane and every service for sailors.
- Free entry for visitors: you do not pay to walk around the marina.
A town on the water
More than a marina, Puerto Marina works like a neighbourhood of its own. Some people live in its apartments all year round, businesses open in winter and summer, and boats come and go constantly.
That mix of residential, nautical and tourist life is what gives it character. In the morning you will see crews preparing their boats and residents having coffee. In the afternoon the strollers arrive. At night, the nightlife takes over.
For visitors this has a clear advantage: the marina is never “closed”. You can go on a Tuesday in January and still find atmosphere, open shops and places to sit in the sun.
Many first-time visitors are surprised by how big it is. Walking all of it, including every island, takes more than an hour at a gentle pace. So wear comfortable shoes, take your time, forget the clock and stop whenever something catches your eye.
What to see and do in Puerto Marina
These are the most popular activities, from the most relaxed to the most active.
1. Stroll around the islands and quays
It is free and it is the best thing about the marina. Walk along the quays, cross the bridges between the islands and look at the boats: from small sailing boats to large yachts.
The evening light on the white façades is especially beautiful. If you like photography, go an hour before sunset.
2. The Sea Life aquarium
The Sea Life Benalmádena aquarium is inside the marina itself. It is one of families’ favourite plans.
It has a large shark tank with a tunnel, rays, turtles, jellyfish, seahorses and coral reefs. During the visit there are usually talks and feeding demonstrations.
It opens in the morning, around 10 am, and closing time varies by month. Tickets bought online usually cost around 19 to 24 euros per adult. Allow about two hours for the visit.
3. Boat trip to see dolphins
Boats and catamarans leave Puerto Marina daily for the Alboran Sea, one of the areas richest in marine life in the western Mediterranean.
With luck you will see bottlenose dolphins and common dolphins. There are short watching trips, catamaran routes with a swimming stop and private boats for groups.
Prices start at around 20 euros per adult for basic trips and go up to 60 or 70 euros for catamarans with drinks included. In summer it is best to book.
Tip: choose companies that practise responsible watching, without chasing or feeding the animals. The sea decides: no operator can guarantee sightings.
4. Hire a boat without a licence
If you fancy sailing on your own, there are companies in the marina that hire small boats that require no licence. It is a lovely way to explore the coast between Benalmádena and Torremolinos and see La Carihuela from the sea.
5. Ride the observation wheel
A large panoramic wheel, the Noria Mirador Princess, is usually set up next to the marina. From the top you can see the whole marina, the islands and much of the bay.
It is especially beautiful at dusk, when the buildings light up.
6. Shopping
The quays are full of fashion and beachwear shops, souvenirs, jewellery and ice cream parlours. It is not a shopping centre: it is small independent shops, perfect for browsing while you stroll.
7. Nightlife
When the sun goes down, the marina changes. The terraces fill up, some venues have music and the nightlife area gets lively, especially in summer and at weekends.
If you are looking for a quieter dinner, a good option is to eat outside the heart of the marina and come back afterwards for a drink.
The beaches next to Puerto Marina
On both sides of the marina there are beaches with every service.
Malapesquera beach
Also known as Torrebermeja, it is about 700 metres long. It has calm water, showers, sunbeds, lifeguards in season and play areas. It is a family favourite.
Fuente de la Salud beach
On the other side of the marina and more sheltered. It is a good spot for a calm swim and some snorkelling near the rocks.
Towards Torremolinos: Los Álamos, Montemar and La Carihuela
If you walk east from the marina, you enter Torremolinos through Los Álamos and Montemar, and soon reach La Carihuela beach, the longest in the municipality.
How to get to Puerto Marina
On foot from Torremolinos
This is the best option if you are staying in La Carihuela or Montemar. The promenade is flat and continuous.
| From | Approximate walking time |
|---|---|
| Av. de España (Montemar) | 12 minutes |
| Centre of La Carihuela | 25 to 30 minutes |
| Bajondillo | 45 to 50 minutes |
By Cercanías train
The C-1 line stops at Benalmádena-Arroyo de la Miel. From there, the marina is a downhill walk or a short ride on a local bus.
By car
From Málaga or the airport, the A-7 gets you there in about 15 or 20 minutes. The marina has public pay car parks that fill up in summer and at weekends. If you can, arrive early or leave the car in Torremolinos and walk.
By taxi
From La Carihuela or Montemar, a taxi takes very little time. It is the most comfortable option if you have small children or are coming back late at night.
A perfect afternoon: Puerto Marina and dinner by the sea
This is the plan we recommend most to anyone staying in La Carihuela or Benalmádena Costa:
- 5:30 pm. Arrive at the marina and stroll around the islands in the afternoon light.
- 6:30 pm. Ride the wheel or have a drink on a terrace overlooking the boats.
- 7:30 pm. Walk back along the promenade towards Torremolinos as the sun sets.
- 8 pm. Have an unhurried dinner in Montemar, where La Carihuela begins.
- 10:30 pm. If you still have energy, head back to the marina for a nightcap.
That way you enjoy the marina at its best time and have dinner somewhere quieter, away from the bustle of the nightlife area.
Where to have dinner near Puerto Marina
Inside the marina there are lots of restaurants, mostly international cuisine, seafood places and casual venues. It is easy to find a table, but in high season it can be very noisy and there may be waits.
If you are looking for something different, about 12 minutes on foot along the promenade is Caliu, at Av. de España, 18, where La Carihuela meets Montemar.
We open every day for dinner only, from 7 pm to 11:30 pm. We cook Mediterranean, Andalusian and European food: seasonal produce, fish, charcoal-grilled meats and steak tartare prepared at the table. We also have a 28 € daily menu from 7 pm to 9 pm.
If you are staying at one of the hotels around the marina, you will find walking times on our page restaurant near Puerto Marina.
When to go to Puerto Marina
The marina is open all year and has life in every season.
- Summer: peak atmosphere, every excursion running and lots of people. Avoid arriving by car between 11 am and 2 pm.
- Spring and autumn: perfect temperatures, fewer crowds and good conditions for going out by boat.
- Winter: quiet, with plenty of sunny days. Ideal for strolling and a relaxed lunch or dinner.
Around 16 July, the marina also celebrates the Virgen del Carmen, with a maritime procession and a festive atmosphere.
Practical tips
- Book boat trips a day in advance in summer.
- Buy your Sea Life ticket online, it is usually cheaper than at the ticket office.
- Wear comfortable shoes. Between quays, bridges and steps you walk quite a lot.
- If you have children, combine the aquarium in the morning with Malapesquera beach after lunch.
- Do not use the car if you are staying in Torremolinos. The promenade is the best route.
- Book dinner if you go at the weekend or in August, both in the marina and nearby.
What else to see near the marina
If you have time left, Benalmádena has many more plans a few minutes away:
- Benalmádena cable car, which climbs Mount Calamorro with views over the whole coast.
- Enlightenment Stupa, one of the largest Buddhist monuments in the Western world, in Benalmádena.
- Colomares Castle, a curious monument dedicated to Christopher Columbus.
- Selwo Marina and Paloma Park, in Arroyo de la Miel.
- Benalmádena Pueblo, the white old town in the hills.
And in the other direction, in Torremolinos, the La Carihuela neighbourhood and La Batería Park are a short walk away.
Puerto Marina with children
Puerto Marina is one of the most rewarding plans on the Costa del Sol if you are travelling with children. Everything is close and there are activities for different ages.
In the morning, the Sea Life aquarium is a must. Children are usually fascinated by the shark tunnel and the areas where they can see starfish and small sea creatures up close.
Afterwards, Malapesquera beach has calm water and enough services to spend midday without any fuss. There are showers, lifeguards in season and places to eat a few metres away.
In the late afternoon, spotting fish from the quays or watching boats come and go never fails. And if you want to finish with something special, the observation wheel or a short boat trip are the perfect finale.
Tip for families: bring hats and water for the children. In summer there is little shade on the quays at midday and the reflection off the water makes the sun feel stronger.
Puerto Marina as a couple
If you are going as a couple, the best time for the marina is the golden hour, the last hour before sunset. The white façades turn golden and the marina has a very special atmosphere.
A simple, lovely plan: hire a small boat for an hour in the afternoon, return to port in the sunset light, have a drink on a terrace and then walk along the promenade to Torremolinos for dinner.
If it is a special occasion, such as an anniversary or a proposal, it is worth booking dinner well ahead and mentioning it when you book.
How much a day in Puerto Marina costs
Walking around the marina is free, but these are guide prices for the most common activities. Prices change by season, so check before you go.
| Activity | Guide price per adult |
|---|---|
| Stroll around the marina | Free |
| Sea Life aquarium (online) | Between 19 and 24 € |
| Dolphin watching | From about 20 € |
| Catamaran with drinks and swim | Between 60 and 70 € |
| Public car park | Depends on time and season |
If you walk from Torremolinos you save on parking and enjoy one of the prettiest stretches of the promenade along the way.
Common mistakes when visiting Puerto Marina
- Driving there at midday on a Saturday in August. It is the quickest way to lose half an hour looking for a parking space.
- Staying on the first quay. The prettiest part is across the bridges, on the islands.
- Not booking the boat. In high season the afternoon trips sell out.
- Rushing dinner at the noisiest place. If you want calm, there are much quieter alternatives a few minutes away on foot.
Frequently asked questions about Puerto Marina
Do you have to pay to enter Puerto Marina?
No. Access to the marina is free. You only pay for activities, such as the aquarium or boat trips.
How long does it take to see Puerto Marina?
For a relaxed stroll, between one and two hours. If you add the aquarium and a boat trip, you can spend the whole day.
Can you see dolphins from Benalmádena?
Yes, there are stable dolphin populations in the Alboran Sea. Even so, no trip can guarantee a sighting.
Where to park in Puerto Marina?
There are public pay car parks next to the marina. In summer they fill up early, so it is best to arrive early or walk from Torremolinos.
How far is Puerto Marina from La Carihuela?
From the western end of La Carihuela, on Av. de España, it is about 12 minutes on foot along the promenade. From the centre of the neighbourhood, 25 to 30 minutes.
Where to have a quiet dinner near Puerto Marina?
If you prefer to escape the bustle of the marina, Caliu is 12 minutes away on foot, at Av. de España, 18, with Mediterranean cooking every night from 7 pm.
Is Puerto Marina worth visiting in winter?
Yes. The marina is lively all year, has plenty of sunny days and far fewer people. It is a good time for a calm stroll, a boat trip when the sea allows and lunch or dinner without waiting.
A marina to enjoy slowly
Puerto Marina is best enjoyed without hurry: strolling, watching the boats and letting its architecture carry you along.
Go in the late afternoon, head out to sea if you feel like it, watch the sunset from the promenade and walk back towards Torremolinos for dinner.
If you would like that dinner to be at Caliu, book your table here. We are a short walk from the marina.
