Benalmádena Pueblo steps back in time with four days of an Arab Souk, music, food and falconry

For four days, Benalmádena Pueblo will look very different from the rest of the summer. From Thursday 27 to Sunday 30 August 2026, the historic centre will once again host its traditional Arab Souk, filling the streets with crafts, food, music and family activities inspired by Andalusian culture.

The programme will spread across several areas of the old town, with one of this year’s main new features being a dedicated falconry area in Plaza Santa Cruz, from where birds of prey will take part in demonstrations and flights around the event.

The Souk will open on Thursday 27 from 7pm and continue throughout the weekend with daytime, evening and night-time activities.

An Arab market among the whitewashed streets of Benalmádena Pueblo

Part of the appeal of the event lies in its setting.

The narrow streets and whitewashed houses of Benalmádena’s old town will be filled with artisan stalls, themed decoration and food areas, creating a very different atmosphere from the municipality’s coastal zone.

The market will be spread across several parts of the historic centre, making it possible to combine the event with a walk through Benalmádena Pueblo itself.

Birds of prey will fly over the Souk

One of the main additions to the 2026 edition is the new location for the falconry programme.

Plaza Santa Cruz will act as the main base for the demonstrations, although the birds will also fly through different parts of the Souk route.

The displays will be accompanied by explanations about falconry, its history and traditional techniques, making this one of the most eye-catching activities for families.

Pottery, archery and henna workshops for children

Younger visitors will have their own dedicated programme.

The area behind the church will host pottery and archery workshops, while Calle Real will feature activities involving henna and wood carving.

The wood-carving workshop will be led by Málaga sculptor Kurt Romero, giving visitors a chance to see some of the techniques behind this traditional craft.

There will also be a free children’s area with an eco-friendly carousel, games tables and a photo space with period characters.

Arabic music through the streets

Music will be another central part of the Souk.

The group Al Folk will perform Arabic music during street parades, accompanied by belly dancers and bringing live entertainment to different parts of the market.

At night, the atmosphere will shift.

From Friday 28 to Sunday 30 August, Plaza de Andalucía will host Sephardic music concerts from 10.30pm, also performed by Al Folk.

This creates two different musical experiences during the same visit: street entertainment during the day and concerts in the square at night.

Arabic tea house and medieval taverns

Food will be another reason to take time exploring the market.

Montebello car park will become a tavern area for the event, while the area around the church will once again feature an Arabic tea house and medieval-style taverns.

These spaces will complement the craft stalls and entertainment, allowing visitors to stop for food or drinks without leaving the themed setting.

A different plan for the final nights of August

The Souk arrives during the final days of August, when Benalmádena remains busy with summer visitors but begins to move towards the end of the high season.

For anyone on the Costa del Sol between 27 and 30 August, the event offers an alternative to a typical beach plan: head up to Benalmádena Pueblo in the evening, explore the decorated streets, browse the artisan stalls, watch a falconry display and finish the night with Sephardic music.

It is also a good opportunity to discover one of the municipality’s most distinctive areas, very different from the seafront and resorts of Benalmádena Costa.

Practical information for the Benalmádena Arab Souk 2026

Dates: Thursday 27 to Sunday 30 August 2026
Opening: Thursday 27 from 7pm
Location: Historic centre of Benalmádena Pueblo
Falconry: Plaza Santa Cruz
Sephardic concerts: Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 10.30pm in Plaza de Andalucía
Children’s activities: pottery, archery, games and eco-friendly carousel
Other workshops: henna and wood carving on Calle Real
Food: tavern area at Montebello, Arabic tea house and medieval taverns around the church

For four days, Benalmádena Pueblo will temporarily transform into a large Arab-inspired market, with activities for families as well as anyone looking for a different evening out on the Costa del Sol.

Full programme details, times and locations can be found in the official information published by Benalmádena Town Hall.