Compare Benalmadena car hire

It’s easy to see why the lively port town of Benalmadena is one of the Costa del Sol’s most popular spots – with a handsome marina, a pretty hilltop town and sandy beaches, it’s got the perfect set up for a laidback holiday in the sun.

It’s also just a short coastal drive away from the sun-drenched beach resorts of Torremolinos, Fuengirola and glitzy Marbella, all of which offer shopping, dining, watersports and entertainment.

Drive an hour inland, however, and you’ll arrive at Sierra de las Nieves National Park, where you’ll find Andalusian villages, Moorish castles and picturesque hikes. Benalmadena is also a convenient 20-minute drive from Malaga Airport.

Add a car rental to your Benalmadena package holiday and you’ll have some of southern Spain’s best attractions at your fingertips.

Benalmadena town has several local car hire companies, including:

• Good Morning Rent a Car: +34 951 768 758
• Olmedo Rent a Car: +34 609 001 735
• Rahul Rent a Car: +34 617 749 495
• D&G Rent a Car: +34 621 315 913

For international car rental companies you’re more likely to recognise, explore your options at nearby Malaga Airport, just 10km from Benalmádena. Big-name brands in the terminal include:

• Sixt: +34 871 180 192
• Europcar: +34 911 505 000
• Avis: +34 902 109 384
• Hertz: +34 902 998 706

There are more car hire providers just outside the terminal building, and it’s a straightforward drive along the AP-7 or the N-340 between Malaga Airport and Benalmadena.

Benalmadena is a fantastic base for exploring the Costa del Sol by car, with main roads well signposted and in good condition.

Before you set off, remember that, in Spain, you drive on the right and overtake on the left – the opposite to the UK. Speed limit signs are in kilometres per hour and the speed limit for cars is 120km/h (around 75 mph) on the motorway, 90-100km/h (around 56-62 mph) on rural roads and 20-50km/h (around 12-31 mph) in built-up areas. The alcohol limit is lower than in the UK, at 0.05%.

Spain has toll motorways, which you can spot by the AP prefix on signs. You simply take a ticket when you enter and pay by cash or card when you exit. If you plan on heading into the mountains, the roads can get steep, narrow and rocky, so it’s wise to plan your route and check the weather beforehand.

Before you drive your Benalmadena hire car away, check it has the compulsory warning triangle, headlamp beam deflectors and reflective jackets.

• Min. age required to hire a car: 21-25, depending on your provider
• Which side of the road: Right
• Credit card requirements: A credit card with sufficient funds

Any additional requirements: A valid UK driving licence and another form of ID (eg passport)