The Benalmádena cable car lifts you from the edge of town to the top of Monte Calamorro, a mountain of roughly 770 metres that rises straight behind the resort. The ride takes around fifteen minutes, in small cabins that glide above pine and scrub with the roofs and swimming pools of the coast shrinking beneath you. At the top, the whole shoreline opens out: the bay of Málaga to the east, the long beaches and marinas of the Costa del Sol below, and on clear days the line of the Rock of Gibraltar and the mountains of Morocco across the water to the south. The summit is not just a platform. There are marked footpaths across the ridge, picnic tables, a café with a terrace and a viewpoint that looks inland over the Sierra de Mijas, so it is easy to make an outing of it rather than a quick ride up and down. Many visitors also come for the bird-of-prey display held on the summit, where trained falcons, eagles and owls fly close over the audience. Check the day’s schedule when you arrive, because shows follow a timetable. Because the cabins carry you high above the town, the cable car is one of the best ways to understand how the coast is laid out before you decide where to spend the rest of your stay. It is a good fit for families, couples who want sunset views and walkers who prefer a short, rewarding hike over a long climb.
How to get there
The lower station is on the hill above Benalmádena, a short taxi ride from the town centre and the coast road. A local bus or taxi from the train station at Arroyo de la Miel is the easiest option without a car, and from Málaga the train along the coast takes about half an hour before the connection. If you drive, there is parking near the lower station, but spaces are limited at weekends and in school holidays, so arrive early.
What to expect
The ascent is smooth and quiet, and the cabins have windows on every side. The air at the top is noticeably fresher and breezier than at sea level, so bring a light jacket even in summer and a hat for the sun. The paths on the summit are rocky in places, so wear closed shoes rather than flip-flops.
The cable car does not run in strong wind, and operators close it in storms, so keep an eye on the weather, and have a back-up plan, such as the aquarium or the marina, ready for a blustery day.
Making the most of it
Go late in the afternoon in summer to avoid the midday heat and to watch the light change over the coast, then ride down at dusk when the town below begins to glow. In spring and autumn, mid-morning is a good choice because the air is clearer. Allow two to three hours in total, including the queue, the ride, a walk along the paths and a drink at the top.
Bring water, since the summit shop and café are the only places to buy anything. Children usually enjoy the ride more than the walking, so choose the shortest path with them. Combine the cable car with Sea Life or a dolphin cruise for a full day on the coast, and check the day’s opening times and the time of the last descent before you go up.
What to expect
The experience
A cable-car ride to the summit of Monte Calamorro, followed by free time on the paths, at the café and at the viewpoints.
Best time
Mid-morning in spring and autumn, or late afternoon in summer for cooler air and softer light.
How long
Two to three hours including the ride, a walk and a drink at the top.
Tips
Bring a light jacket and sturdy shoes, check the wind forecast and look up the birds-of-prey show times on arrival.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Travellers who want a sweeping view of the Costa del Sol without a hard climb.
- Families
- Children enjoy the cabins and the bird display, though the summit paths are rocky, so keep them close.
- Couples
- A romantic sunset outing, followed by dinner back in the town below.
- Pair with
- Sea Life, a dolphin cruise or a seafront dinner in Benalmádena.
- Time needed
- Half a day, including travel from Málaga.
Good questions
How long is the cable car ride?+
The ascent takes around fifteen minutes each way, and most visitors spend another hour or more at the summit.
Can you see Africa from Monte Calamorro?+
On clear days you can make out the coast of Morocco and the Rock of Gibraltar, though haze often hides them in summer. Spring and autumn are usually the clearest.
What happens if it is windy?+
The cable car stops running in strong wind, and operators close it for storms. Check the weather before you travel and keep an alternative plan ready.
Is there anything to do at the top?+
Yes, there are marked footpaths, picnic tables, a café and viewpoints, and a bird-of-prey display runs at set times.
How do I get there from Málaga without a car?+
Take the coastal train to Benalmádena–Arroyo de la Miel and continue by bus or taxi to the lower station. The whole journey takes about an hour.
