Located just 20 kilometres east of Malaga, the coastal village of Benajarafe is an ideal spot for those looking for a quieter place to spend a day on the beach. With sands that stretch for 2km and a sheltered swimming area with no currents, Benajarafe is perfect for families with small children who want to get away from the usual Costa del Sol crowds.
Just because Benajarafe is smaller and quieter than most of the other resorts long this stretch of coastline doesn't mean you need to miss out any of the usual amenities and activities. Water sports such as windsurfing and water skiing are available for adrenaline junkies, or you can enjoy a more leisurely pace and hire a pedalo for an hour. In the summer, the beach and promenade, only built in 2005, are lined with bars where you can buy snacks and drinks. Many of these will serve locally caught fish, especially anchovies which have been a speciality of the region for many years. In winter months most of these places are closed as Benajarafe is mainly a summer resort, reduced to just the usual local population of about 2,000 people once the season ends.
Inland from Benajarafe is the Axarquia region, a more mountainous area which has become very popular with hikers and horse riders since tourism became the main industry in the Costa del Sol. There are a number of equestrian centres which run day or half-day tours into the mountains, usually including lunch. This is a great way to get to the top of the hills without tiring yourself out or getting too hot in the summer sun! As with most resorts on the Costa del Sol, Benajarafe has its own golf course, a few kilometres outside the village, which was designed by the Ryder Cup golfer José María Cañizares.
Many of the festivals in Benajarafe have their origins in religion, such as the July celebration of the Virgin del Carmen, when an effigy is carried through the town at night, with participants carrying torches. If you are in the region later in the year, October sees locals taking part in the processions for the Virgin del Rosario, when the women of the village make a huge paella for everyone to enjoy. The Andalucian national day is celebrated in Benajarafe, as in most other small towns in the region where local people have not yet been replaced by British ex-pats. This usually involves traditional music, dance, poetry and often free food. Taking place in February, this interesting festival is often missed by tourists , though it is well worth joining in if you happen to be in the region early in the year.
Looking for self catering holiday accommodation in Benajarafe? Then below is a selection of apartments in Benajarafe and villas in Benajarafe that can be rented direct from their owners. You can either click on each listing for further details or you can use our search engine on the left if you are looking for something in particular.
