Saladillo Benamara can be planned around several coastal themes: the protected marine area of El Saladillo-Punta de Baños, Playa de El Saladillo, the Torre almenara del Saladillo watchtower and the coastal paths. Nature, history and outdoor activities offer different points of reference when deciding what matters to you during your stay and when looking for a holiday rental.
Protected marine nature and dunes
El Saladillo-Punta de Baños is designated as a Zona Especial de Conservación (ZEC) and is part of the Natura 2000 network in the Mediterranean biogeographical region. The protected marine area lies almost entirely off the eastern coast of the municipality of Estepona in the province of Málaga. It contains Posidonia oceanica meadows associated with small areas of hard substrate at depths of 3.5 to 6 metres. This natural area therefore encompasses not only the coast but also a specifically described underwater world.
At Playa de El Saladillo, dunes and pine groves of high ecological value separate the beach from the neighbouring residential developments. The beach extends to the mouth of the Guadalmansa River. In the section The Beach and Dunes of El Saladillo, a pool near this river mouth offers the opportunity to observe waterbirds. The presence and visibility of the birds vary by season; if you plan to observe them, take this seasonal limitation into account.
A watchtower as a historical landmark
The Torre almenara del Saladillo is a watchtower built in 1575 and stands 11 metres tall overall. Its construction date and height give the historic structure a clear temporal and architectural context. For your trip planning, the tower adds a cultural dimension alongside the nature and coastal themes: you can focus your stay on landscapes, wildlife observation or history without treating these interests as interchangeable.
Coastal paths and routes of different lengths
The Senda Litoral de Estepona is more than 20 kilometres long and extends to El Saladillo. It is mostly flat and can be used for walking, running or cycling. This information can help you choose between different ways of getting around; the route can be considered as a travel-planning theme in its own right. The GR-249 guide lists Dunas del Saladillo y Matas Verdes as waypoint 8.
For a different scale, there is Stage 30 of the GR-249 Gran Senda de Málaga: it runs from Estepona to Marbella, is 27.1 kilometres long and has a stated walking time of seven hours. These figures refer to different routes: the Senda Litoral, which is more than 20 kilometres long, and a specific stage of the GR-249. The stated walking time helps you understand the GR-249 stage as a longer hiking option, rather than equating it with a short walk.
The Benamara section and current planning
A municipal notice published on 9 April 2025 announced the opening of a three-metre-wide paved section of the coastal corridor in Benamara. At that time, the connection to the planned sections in El Saladillo and the area around the Dos Hermanas residential development was still partly under construction. If you are planning a specific trip along these connections, check the current route in advance.
When looking for a holiday rental, you can first decide what you want to focus on during your trip: wildlife observation, a historical landmark or a longer route. Then compare the location of each accommodation with your own plans and consider which route you actually want to take.
Discover more destinations: Alpandeire, La Cala del Moral, Ardales, Fuengirola, Los Villalones, Benarrabá, Benalmadena, Salares
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