The Benalmadena Friday market is one of the largest weekly markets on the Costa del Sol, with over 320 stalls spread across the Tivoli car park in Arroyo de la Miel.
It runs every Friday from 9 am to 2 pm, year-round. Fresh produce, clothing, leather goods, ceramics, and cheap household items fill a car park that on any other day sits empty next to the cable car station.
If you’re spending a few days in the area, Friday morning is worth blocking out. It’s the kind of market where you go for tomatoes and leave with a leather belt, a bag of almonds, and a pair of sandals you didn’t plan on buying.
When Is the Benalmadena Friday Market?
Every Friday, 9 am to 2 pm.
The market runs all year, rain or shine, though on rainy winter Fridays some of the clothing stalls don’t bother setting up. The food vendors are always there.
Get there before 11 am. By late morning the aisles between stalls get packed, the best produce has been picked over, and parking becomes a problem. If you arrive at 9:30, you’ll have space to browse without being elbowed.
Where Is the Market?
The market is held at the Tivoli car park on Avenida Manantial in Arroyo de la Miel.
It’s next to the Teleférico cable car station and a 10-minute uphill walk from Arroyo de la Miel train station. If you’ve been to Benalmadena before, you’ll recognise the area immediately.
The market fills the entire car park esplanade. Stalls line both sides of the central walkway, with the food section concentrated at one end and clothing and accessories at the other.
What Can You Buy?
The market is split roughly in two. One half is food and fresh produce. The other is everything else.
Food stalls sell seasonal fruit and vegetables, olives by the kilo, dried fruits, nuts, local cheeses, cured meats, honey, and spices. Prices are noticeably cheaper than the supermarkets in Benalmadena Costa. A kilo of tomatoes that costs €3 at Mercadona goes for €1.50 here on a good Friday.
Non-food stalls cover clothing, shoes, handbags, sunglasses, belts, ceramics, kitchenware, bedding, and phone accessories. Quality varies. The leather goods and ceramics are usually worth looking at. The sunglasses and electronics, less so.
Bargaining is expected on non-food items. Start at about 70% of the asking price and meet somewhere in the middle. On food, prices are fixed.
Most vendors take cash only. There’s no ATM at the market itself, so bring enough before you arrive.
How to Get There
By Train
The C-1 Cercanías line between Malaga and Fuengirola stops at Arroyo de la Miel station. Trains run every 20 minutes and the journey from Malaga takes about 30 minutes.
From the station, it’s a 10-minute walk uphill to the market. Follow the signs for Teleférico and you’ll pass right through it.
By Car
From the AP-7 motorway, take exit 222 for Arroyo de la Miel. The Tivoli car park offers free parking on market days, though it fills up fast after 10:30 am.
If the main car park is full, there’s overflow parking on the surrounding streets, but you’ll need to arrive early to find anything close. For more detail on where to leave the car, see the parking guide for Benalmadena.
By Bus
The M-103 bus connects Benalmadena Pueblo, Arroyo de la Miel, and Benalmadena Costa. The stop nearest the market is on Avenida de la Constitución, a 5-minute walk from the stalls.
Tips for Visiting
Wear comfortable shoes. The market covers a large area and the surface is uneven tarmac.
Bring your own bags. Most vendors don’t provide them, and the few that do charge for them.
If you’re coming from Malaga specifically for the market, combine it with a ride on the Teleférico cable car, which is right next to the car park. The views from the top of Mount Calamorro stretch across to North Africa on a clear day.
The market is at its best from spring through autumn. Winter Fridays are quieter, which some people prefer, but you’ll see fewer stalls and less variety.
Other Markets in Benalmadena
Friday isn’t the only market day. Benalmadena has three other regular markets worth knowing about.
The Wednesday flea market runs from 9 am to 2 pm at the Recinto Ferial La Paloma near Parque de la Paloma. It’s smaller and focused on second-hand goods, vintage items, and bric-a-brac.
The Saturday market in Benalmadena Pueblo is a neighbourhood affair with about 20 stalls selling clothing, fresh produce, and flowers. It’s at the Recinto Ferial Los Nadales on Calle San Miguel.
The organic market takes place on the first and third Sunday of each month at the Recinto Ferial La Paloma. Local producers sell organic fruit, vegetables, honey, and artisan bread.
If you’re staying in Benalmadena for a week, you could hit a different market almost every other day.
