Where to stay in Benalmádena near Málaga with a dog

This November, I spent some extended time in the Málaga region in Spain. I stayed in two different apartments in Benalmádena, a municipality in the metropolitan area of Málaga on the Costa del Sol. This area features nice beaches as well as beautiful hikes in the nearby mountains. Definitely a good place to get some sun and relaxation.

The first apartment was very comfortable overall and in a great location, so I can definitely recommend it. For a full breakdown of my experience in this apartment, read the review below.

If you are looking for things to do in the area, this is a great hike to take with your dog to see Benalmádena and Torremolinos from above. You could also consider a day trip to El Torcal de Antequera, an impressive karst landscape that is great for hiking with your pup too!

DOG FRIENDLINESS

My dog was welcome here, although I had to pay a small supplement. The host also mentioned to me that even though dogs are not explicitly allowed on the beaches, it is definitely tolerated and many people take their pups to play in the sand in the morning or evening time to avoid the crowds. This turned out to be a good tip as we did find many other dogs on our beach strolls and no one seemed to mind. I probably would not recommend this in the high season, but in November it was not a problem at all.

THE LOCATION

The apartment is in a great location. You can catch a glimpse of the mediterranean from the living room window and the beach is literally just across the street.

There are plenty of restaurants, bars, cafes as well as a large Mercadona supermarket in about a 5 minute radius. Perfect!

I was little worried because some reviews had mentioned noise from an Irish pub downstairs, but this was not really an issue. On one night during the two weeks I stayed there they had some karaoke happening which was fairly loud, but it quieted down around 11:30pm. On the other nights, it was very moderate.

Since the apartment is located in a little courtyard, it is quite sheltered from street noise which is a huge plus. The apartment that I stayed in next was street facing and it was so so loud. Horrid.

You’re definitely better off with the Irish pub!

THE APARTMENT

The apartment itself was comfortable, featuring one large bedroom as well as a small one with two single beds. It was not relevant for me, but it is worth noting that the smaller bedroom does not have a window.

The kitchen area was large and had everything that you need. Unfortunately some of the furnishings like the toaster as well as the small oven were not the cleanest. That is one thing to be improved for sure. I ended up eating my bread un-toasted.

The living room in particular was notable. Huge, comfortable couch, smart tv, two extra cushioned chairs to relax as well as a plus-sized table and chairs for meals. Superb.

One thing that I would have appreciated would be a balcony. While there are floor-to-ceiling windows and a french balcony, there is no area to sit outside and enjoy the sun. That would really take this apartment to the next level.

THE SERVICE

The management company have their office in the same building which was very convenient for picking up the keys as well as any issues during the stay. I had to stay in Málaga a bit longer than anticipated and they helped me find alternative accommodation. Originally, they assured me that I could stay in this apartment, but in the end there was some mix-up and I had to move. Not ideal, but they were very kind to help me bring all of my luggage to the new place. Overall, decent service.

THE VALUE

At this apartment, I paid around 60 EUR per night. Given the location and size of the apartment, I found this to be pretty good value!

THE BOTTOM LINE

Overall, the apartment was a good choice. I very much enjoyed the location, as it was close to the beach and food options plus a supermarket. On balance, I’d rate this apartment a solid 4/5 and would certainly return.