Benalmádena Butterfly Farm

Firstly, what you need to know so you don’t miss out: The Benalmádena Butterfly House It’s now called Monowa. It’s the same place, at the same address, but with a new name and website.

If you search for «Benalmádena Butterfly Park» and «Monowa · Butterfly Park» comes up, it’s this one.

What is

Europe’s largest space dedicated to butterflies. An indoor tropical garden covering an area of about 2,000 square metreswith eight metres high so that the butterflies can really fly, inside a Thai-inspired building.

More than 1,500 butterflies flying free, from up to 150 species throughout the year, from Asia, the Americas and Africa.

And here’s a fact that says a lot about the site: around the 70% of the specimens are bred right there; only the 30% is imported. It’s not just a display model: it’s a fully operational machine.

They’re not just butterflies

This surprises almost everyone, because it isn’t usually mentioned. Inside, there’s also:

• A wallaby, a little kangaroo who is the park’s mascot.
• Exotic birds y koi fish in the ponds.
• Moths and stick insects.
• Turtles and a few geckoes.

When it comes to children, the ualabi is every bit as popular as butterflies.

⏰ When to go: in the morning

This is the piece of advice people appreciate the most, and the one that comes up most often in the reviews from those who went in the afternoon:

Butterflies are much more active in the morning. In the afternoon, they slow down and perch, and some people come away feeling as though they haven’t seen many. Same price, but a very different experience.

Open every day of the year, from 10.00. Closing times vary depending on the season, so it’s best to check the official website before you go.

How to get there

Address: Calle Muérdago (no number), 29639 Benalmádena, next to the Stupa of Enlightenment.

• By car: by the A-7, and there are free parking in the surrounding area.
• By train: commuter trains to Benalmádena–Arroyo de la Miel, and from there by bus.
• By bus: the lines 103 (Benalmádena), 112 (Málaga–Mijas), 121 (Mijas–Torremolinos) and 126 (Benalmádena–Torremolinos).

It’s about 20 minutes from Málaga.

What the visit is like

Between 45 minutes and an hour, on a single floor and indoors, so It doesn’t matter what the weather’s like: it’s the perfect plan for a rainy day or one when the heat is unbearable.

It’s hot and humid inside —around the 80% humidity and between 24 and 29 degrees—, because that’s what butterflies need. Light clothing.

Two things that make the visit even better

• When you go in, you’re given an illustrated leaflet with the species you might come across. It works really well with children: they tick off the ones they see.
• There are talks by a biologist every hour. It’s well worth timing your visit to coincide with one: they explain the life cycle and you get to see much more than you would on your own.

And a practical tip: Watch where you’re going. Butterflies land on the ground and on people.

What can be seen of the complete cycle

As they breed indoors, you can see the whole process: eggs, caterpillars, chrysalises and the moment when a butterfly it emerges and spreads its wings for the first time.

Why do visible species change so much: An adult butterfly lives two or three weeks. This means that the population is constantly being renewed and that on two separate visits, you see different things.

What’s next door?

The advantage of this place is that you’re not the only one doing this. Within a few hundred metres, you’ll find:

• The Stupa of Enlightenment, right next to it. It is the largest stupa in the West y Admission is free.
• Colomares Castle, a monument dedicated to Columbus, erected in the 20th century and a popular subject for photographs.
• Benalmádena Pueblo, with its white streets and viewing points.

Heading down to the coast: on cable car to Mount Calamorro y Marina Harbour.

More plans at What to see in Benalmádena, and the beaches in the area at the towns in Málaga with beaches.

And nearby

Just a few minutes’ drive along the A-7: Things to do in Fuengirola, What to see in Torremolinos and, with children, Torremolinos with children.

Day trips from Benalmádena

We are a local tour operator based in Málaga with over 50 years’ experience organising trips around Andalusia, with collection in Benalmádena. If you spend the morning in the tropical garden, there’s time for more in the afternoon:

The whole destination, in day trips from Málaga and the Costa del Sol.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Benalmádena Butterfly House still open?

Yes, and it’s open every day of the year from 10.00. What has changed is the name: it’s now called Monowa · Butterfly Park, although it’s the same venue and the same address, on Muérdago Street, next to the Stupa of Enlightenment. Closing time varies depending on the season.

What is the best time to visit the butterfly house?

In the morning. Butterflies are considerably more active at this time of day and you see far more of them in flight; in the afternoon they tend to alight, and several visitors have commented that they have seen very few. As the price is the same, there is a considerable difference in the experience between going early and going at the end of the day.

How many butterflies are there, and what species are they?

More than 1,500 butterflies flying freely, representing up to 150 different species throughout the year, from Asia, the Americas and Africa. Around 70 % are bred at the park itself. As each adult butterfly lives for between two and three weeks, the population is constantly renewed, meaning that different species can be seen on two separate visits.

What other animals are there apart from butterflies?

A wallaby, which is the park’s mascot, as well as exotic birds, koi carp in the ponds, tortoises, moths and stick insects. This is a fact that is often overlooked, yet it is particularly appealing to children, as the little wallaby rivals the butterflies themselves in terms of interest.

How long does the visit last, and what is it like inside?

Between 45 minutes and an hour. The tour takes place indoors, on a single level and under cover, so it can be done in any weather. It is worth noting that the atmosphere inside is warm and humid, with humidity levels of around 80 % and temperatures between 24 and 29 degrees, so light clothing is recommended.

How do you get there by public transport?

Take the local train to Benalmádena-Arroyo de la Miel station and then catch a bus from there, or travel directly on bus routes 103 from Benalmádena, 112 Málaga–Mijas, 121 Mijas–Torremolinos and 126 Benalmádena–Torremolinos. Those travelling by car will find free parking in the surrounding area.