Butterfly spotting in Benalmádena

The colourful world of butterflies...

In Benalmádena near Málaga you can spot more than 1500 of them. In the 'Mariposario' or butterfly vivarium. 

In a beautiful Thai temple on the outskirts of Benalmádena, you can visit a true butterfly habitat. Species from Africa, Australia and the Americas.

As their average life only lasts 2-3 weeks, the population constantly changes. 

Over the course of a year we are talking about 150 species. 

You can spot their whole biological circle, and also their behaviour - the delicate courting. 

To remain close to the original territories of the species, the temperature in the mariposario always is the one of a nice springtime: between 24-26 centrigrade. 

You don't like butterflies or plants? There are a few other animals too, from exotic birds to cameleons. 

Even if they live together in the same space, there are no conflicts between the species. There's no competition either. 

Opening hours and entry fees

The vivarium is open every day from 10 AM to 7.30 PM. 
Photography is allowed, even with flash. 

Only small dogs are allowed, and have to be kept in the arms. For bigger dogs there's a waiting area. 

The prices vary from 7 Euro for children to 10 Euro for adults. There's a reduction for people who are retired. 


How to get there?

The butterfly vivarium is situated right next to the A7 motorway, so very easy to reach if you arrive by car. You can't miss the Thai temple! 

If you do not have a car, then it might be good to get a taxi. You can call us for a taxi at 0034 952 001 027.


More information


For more photos, visit the website of the Benalmadena Butterfly vivarium. 

Currently the website is in Spanish only. 

The AP-7 or Autopista del Mediterráneo

The AP-7 or Autopista del Mediterráneo, is a autopista along the entire Spanish south and east coasts.

The path coincides with the corridor of the A-7. The highway connects France to Barcelona, Valencia, Alicante, Malaga and Algeciras. Where the AP-7 is missing, there is an A-7, and vice versa. Walk on both highways often coexist.

The toll part of the road,  of the old N-VII, so the AP-7, is 921 km long. This will be expanded in the future. In the future, the AP-7 1380 km long and forms a continuous toll connection between France and the southern tip of Spain.

There is often confusion about these 2 roads. The A-7 and AP-7 are both 2 parallel roads along the Mediterranean coast. The AP-7 is a toll highway for through traffic, and the A-7 is a toll-free highway for local traffic.
Currently, the A-7 and AP-7 along the route from the French border to Algeciras, but it is intended that in future two parallel highways lie, the A-7 of 1330 km, and the AP-7 of 1380 kilometers. This is already the case in the area between Gibraltar and Malaga, where the A-7 runs across all tourists’ cities, and the AP-7 bit further inland. Elsewhere it is the other way, and runs the A-7 further inland, including between Valencia and Alicante, and between Elche and Vera.

The construction of the A-7 comes primarily from the conversion of the existing N-340, while the AP-7 on a new route lies. This also explains the higher density exit on the A-7. On the road sections where roundabouts in preventing the A-7 also numbered as N-340, and the substandard and highway sections only if A-7.