The Arroyo

Arroyo De La Miel is an area in Benalmadena. Locals shorten the name to Arroyo. Regardless of its name the Arroyo is an exceptionally convenient area for travel. The main bus line will drop you off directly across from the C1 train station. Which will take you toward the airport, Malaga or Fuengirola.

Shopping

There’s a rather decent sized Carrefour Market we’ve frequented when looking to broaden our grocery options. And at least a half dozen panaderia’s to pick up an ever so tempting fresh loaf of bread or treat.

Most importantly for us, there are quite a few pet shops where I could find decent food for Lucille. Turns out she is a big fan of Italian rabbit mousse. Cats got quite refined taste. It was a bit of a struggle finding dry food that works for us. At home I have a few brands I know and she is fed higher end kitty food. Spoiled? Yep. But I’m also hoping to avoid rough vet bills later on. Here in Spain? Brands I’ve never heard of and packaging in Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, French and sometimes English. Makes it a challenge to read ingredients. But we seem to have found what works and she’s happy enough.

Friday Market

If you’re in town, hit up the Friday market. Opening hours are from 9am to 2pm and it’s located around the Tivoli car park.

This market sells just about everything. Stalls contain fresh fruits and veggies from surrounding farms. The avocados were amazing. Fresh roasted nuts, caramelized, salted or plain. You can’t go wrong. A lady selling spices by the gram, a fantastic find as spices are hard to find in Spanish grocery stores.

There are vendors offering jewelry, art, pottery, ceramics, clothing, shoes, fresh cut flowers and potted plants. Woven baskets hanging in a stall compete with leather purses and satchels in the next. Touristy trinkets sit next to watches and all sorts of gadgets.

Walking Streets

Spain is pedestrian friendly in general. Taking it a step further, there are pedestrian only (or mainly) streets all over. The Avenida de Blas Infante is a popular one close to the train station. The tiled street is lined with palm trees. Restaurants have tables out on the street and tempt the passer by with delightful scents. Cute shops are intermingled throughout.

Parque De La Paloma

Technically this magnificent park is somewhere in between Arroyo de la Miel and Benalmadena Costa. Not sure which district it’s actually in so for lack of evidence, I’m just putting it in the Arroyo.

The park itself is spectacular. Ducks swim in a small man made lake. Parrots squeak and sqwack as they flit between palm trees. An impressive cactus garden has some of the biggest cacti I’ve seen, and an impressive variety. There’s a children’s playground, bamboo garden, Iberian goats and a few other animals in a farm area. Intermittent sculptures lay throughout the park. Pleasant pathways lead through the tree’s. People lounge about on the grassy knoll above the lake. Flowers climb up pergolas shading a viewpoint of the city. It’s all rather lovely. Everywhere, people are enjoying a stroll, picnic or simply enjoying the outdoors.

Church and Plaza’s

As per the usual, plaza’s are interspersed within the city. The Plaza de la Tribuna lays just off a walking street and is lined with restaurants. Plaza Austria runs along the A-368 and is gorgeous with its flowering tree’s The Plaza Mayor is decorated with a large fountain at its tiled center. Every few streets or corners you’ll come upon a Plaza.

The Parroquia de la Immaculada Concepcion is a small Catholic Church close to the train station. It boasts stained glass windows as its primary interior adornment. Plain wooden pews face a stone alter. It’s lovely in its simplicity.