My third visit now and I am just starting to work up a bit of affection for it! I hated it at first because it didn't have a focal point of a town centre and a very fast road runs along by the beach all the way towards fuengirola- but it is compensated by the fact that it has a very nice promenade well tucked away from that road and the new marina has fast become the focal point and you can meander along between both Benalmadena and Torremolinos at your leisure.
The Marina is lovely with lots of little white turreted apartments like mini mosques that meander in and out of the marina like the dusty blue bells and provide some cover in the little walkays from the heat of the sun. You can look down into the water at the shoals of little pescadas and bring a line and fish if you want. There are little shps and bars all along the prom and it is a really nice way to while away many hours. Like I said I am now appreciating its finer points.
Eating and drinking is very cheap on this coast- you can really push the boat out for the price of a decent night out over here.
Just up the hill is the Tivoli garden leisure area with rides and shows etc- you can even take e telecabina- cable car up into the mountains and back.
Hiring a car is quite cheap. A punto with air/con- a must in the hottest months cost £45 for 3 days! That's virtually nothing- considering the use we got out of it. Gibraltar just 2 hours away, marbella 30 minutes and with the air/con it is a very pleasant way of cooling down when outside the temperature was 92.
Loads to do for young and old on a night with clubs or if Irish Bars are your thing their is anarea where I counted 3 or 4 within 50 yards of another.
Further up the hill is an area with bars, shops and restaurants called the arroyo de la miel which is lively and worth a visit and also is a train stop too!
I can definitely recommend it!