Unlike seasonal towns, Fuengirola stays active in winter thanks to its local population—meaning restaurants, gyms, and entertainment stay open year-round.
Here’s a question that keeps coming up: if you're ready to own in the Costa del Sol, should you look east to Fuengirola, or a little west to Benalmádena? On paper, they’re neighbours. On the ground, they offer two very different versions of life by the Mediterranean.
Both towns are popular with international buyers. Both offer sunshine, sea views, strong infrastructure, and direct access to Málaga Airport. But the experience of living in each one, and the return on your investment, depends on what kind of life you want to build.
Fuengirola: Modern, Urban, Direct
Fuengirola has evolved. What used to be a no-frills coastal stop is now a clean-lined, cosmopolitan hub where property demand has surged in the past five years. With a revamped seafront promenade, a packed cultural calendar, and reliable transport links (including a 30-minute train to Málaga), it’s practical and polished.
You’ll find contemporary penthouses with private pools, duplexes with rooftop terraces, and beachfront apartments that appeal to digital nomads, investors, and retired couples alike. The town is always awake. You can walk five minutes and find a pilates studio, a French bakery, or a co-working space filled with laptops and cortados. The international school nearby is another reason families commit.
As of Q1 2025, the average property price in Fuengirola is €3,249 per square metre—up over 11% year-on-year. And yet, compared to Marbella or even Málaga centre, it still offers accessible opportunities for long-term return.
Benalmádena: Elevated, Scenic, Quiet
If Fuengirola is city-smart, Benalmádena is all about air and elevation. The town is built on a hillside, which means views: wide, uninterrupted, sea-meets-sky sort of views. Its character is older, more traditional. Whitewashed villas in Benalmádena Pueblo. Moorish arches. Sunset balconies. That kind of thing.
It splits into three zones. Benalmádena Pueblo is residential and calm. Arroyo de la Miel is livelier and filled with cafes, local shops, and a cable car that takes you into the hills. Benalmádena Costa hugs the beach with a marina that’s still considered one of the most photogenic on the coast.
Prices average €3,079 per square metre—up 15.1% from 2024, making it one of the best-performing locations for growth this year. There’s still value in villas with land, especially those slightly off the coast. The area also performs well for short-term holiday lets and long-term family rentals.
Benalmádena is home to large British and Scandinavian communities, but retains its Spanish village identity in the Pueblo—where locals still gather for flamenco nights and bullfighting debates. The image shows Buenalmadena marina.
So, What Does Value Actually Mean Here?
It depends on what you want. In Fuengirola, value means walkability, efficiency, and fast returns. It’s good for buyers who want their investment to work from day one—solid rental demand, modern finishes, turnkey deals.
In Benalmádena, value means space. It means a quieter life with room for dogs, gardens, and fewer neighbours. More property for your euro, if you’re not set on being in the thick of the action.
Neither town is about flash. That’s Marbella’s role. Here, people are smart with their money. They want sun and quality of life, but they’re watching the bottom line. The quiet truth? Both Fuengirola and Benalmádena are in the middle of a generational upgrade. Roads are better. Schools are better. The food is better. And international interest is driving development without drowning out the local rhythm.
Culture, Movement, and the Daily Details
Cafés and fresh markets are not just pleasant add-ons—they’re part of daily life here. Fuengirola has a strong year-round local crowd, so the restaurants stay open in winter. You’ll find Argentinian steakhouses next to Japanese sushi joints. There’s also a large Bioparc (an open-space zoo), regular jazz nights, and weekend art shows.
Benalmádena’s cultural tone is softer. Think local ferias, Andalusian music, slow lunches by the marina. It’s walkable, but not flat, so driving is a bigger part of life. The Selwo Marina and Butterfly Park are popular with families, and there are solid golf courses within 15 minutes in either direction.
Both towns share access to the A-7 coastal road and the Cercanías commuter rail, making trips to Málaga city, the airport, or even Ronda manageable in a day.
Investors Are Already Paying Attention
According to Pineapple Homes Malaga, international buyers in their 40s to 60s are targeting areas with health infrastructure, international schools, and digital amenities—all of which both towns now offer. The newer developments in El Higuerón (between Fuengirola and Benalmádena) are also attracting attention for high-end builds with sea views and spa access.
Rental yields in both towns average 4% to 6% annually, with peak season returns often much higher, especially for beachfront apartments.
It Comes Down to Feel
So: which is better? If you want walkable, modern, and connected, choose Fuengirola. If you want space, elevation, and old-world Andalusian atmosphere, choose Benalmádena.
Both offer capital appreciation. Both are well-served. Both are evolving. But your life—the one you’re building—will feel very different depending on where you decide to put down roots.
At Ultimate Lifestyles, we help buyers filter through the noise to find the property that actually fits their life. We don’t do the hard sell. We listen. We ask questions. And we show you options you might not have considered. Because when you’re investing this much, it should feel right the moment you walk through the door.
Explore our latest listings in Fuengirola, Benalmádena, and beyond:
- Website: www.ultimate-lifestyles.com
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