The first half of 2026 has looked like a building site on Benalmadena’s front, but things are starting to look good at last. Workers have finally finished the major project to update Castillo El Bil-Bil in Benalmadena. The local council invested almost €1 million to protect this key heritage site and boost its role in tourism and culture across the Costa del Sol.

Funding sources behind comprehensive upgrades

Council officials allocated €654,000 from European funds linked to national resilience programmes. Benalmadena council covered the remaining costs. This budget supported full modernisation of facilities, better accessibility throughout the building, interior restorations, facade repairs, better climate systems and energy efficiency steps such as new photovoltaic panels.

Local politicians praise heritage achievements

Juan Antonio Lara, mayor of Benalmadena, described the project as one of the largest recent efforts in local historic preservation. Lara said that El Bil-Bil now appears refreshed, easier to reach, more energy efficient and ready to serve as a leading cultural and tourist reference for the city.

Lara visited the site with Presi Aguilera, councillor for heritage and tourism, and stressed how this work recovers fresh areas for residents and guests while strengthening El Bil-Bil as an icon of the Costa del Sol and a showcase for Benalmadena’s identity.

New facilities better visitor experience

The council has created a dedicated tourist information office inside the castle. Additional zones now promote local history, culture and gastronomy, giving visitors a richer experience of the quirky little castle with elements of characteristic Benalmadena traditions.

The initiative has been another step in the right direction in the council plans to strengthen tourist and cultural assets across the town. Improved conservation makes sure El Bil-Bil continues drawing guests year-round and supports ongoing activities in social, cultural and tourism fields that project a positive image of the area both in Spain and internationally.

The project represents a clear commitment to balancing historic protection with modern demands, making Benalmadena stronger for future visitors seeking authentic experiences on the Costa del Sol.

Torremolinos has launched a huge security operation to handle the busy summer influx while maintaining order and supporting everyone in town.

Enhanced resources deployed since early June

Local authorities activated the 2026 plan on June 1, which features 15 beach police auxiliaries, 12 bicycle-mounted local police officers, and a new drone unit that assists with monitoring crowded areas, events, and coastal zones.

Mayor welcomes new team members

Margarita del Cid, mayor of Torremolinos, greeted the 15 beach auxiliaries who now supplement existing coastal patrols. “Local officials reinforce frontline beach presence this year to prevent offences and monitor any conduct that breaches local rules,” Del Cid explained. She said that the full security setup includes those 15 beach auxiliaries, 12 bicycle police officers, and the fresh drone capability for video oversight of the shoreline and the promenade.

Year-round role for beach support staff

Beach auxiliary police will continue duties beyond September, unlike previous patterns, to continue safety levels through all seasons.

These workers provide information, assistance, and oversight on the promenade and beach areas, a little like special constables. Particular focus falls on enforcing rules against unauthorised street vending, and making proper use of public spaces is kept in line with local rules.

How mobile police units will improve response times

Bicycle police teams will enable quicker, more approachable action to be taken in high-traffic tourist and pedestrian spots. Officers can carry out preventive patrols, looky-looky checks, bylaw enforcement, and direct help for locals and guests during peak summer months.

Drone technology adds aerial oversight

A brand new drone unit this summer is to strengthen operational surveillance, prevention, and police coordination across busy locations.

Close collaboration between beach auxiliaries, local police, and lifeguard services creates an integrated approach. This setup addresses demands from the sharp rise in population during high season.

Results from previous summer operations

Officials recorded 272 interventions in the coastal zone in summer 2025. Actions covered assistance to holidaymakers, public order maintenance, vehicle traffic management, and street selling control.

Seized materials from unauthorised looky-looky sellers and items found in public spaces totalled around a whopping 6.6 tonnes. Such activity creates unfair competition for legitimate traders paying rents on their legal shops while linking to wider concerns, including money laundering and counterfeit imports.

Torremolinos officials hope to balance tourism growth with community wellbeing through these targeted measures.

Flamenca’s life changed suddenly when her elderly owner could no longer look after her. She was left in the care of family members who found themselves in a very difficult situation, without the knowledge or financial means needed to properly care for a horse.

As a result, Flamenca has been left urgently needing help. She has a number of wounds from her stable environment, is in poor condition and requires ongoing care and rehabilitation to get her healthy and comfortable again.

She is currently safe and under the care of equine sanctuary S.E.A.R.C.H at the yard where she has been kept, where her needs are being assessed and treatment applied. Over the next couple of weeks, Flamenca will be moved to the S.E.A.R.C.H sanctuary, where her recovery can properly begin.

S.E.A.R.C.H are asking for your help to give Flamenca the fresh start she deserves. Donations will go directly towards veterinary treatment, wound care and rehabilitation, feed and daily care, transport to the sanctuary, and ongoing support and recovery.

Flamenca has been through a great deal of change and uncertainty, and so S.E.A.R.C.H wants her next chapter to be one filled with safety, kindness and proper care.

The charity, formally known as Asociación Española para el Rescate, Cuidado y Adopción de Equinos y Animales (S.E.A.R.C.H), is a registered horse rescue organisation (Reg n° 9932) based in Coin, Malaga. Its main priority is the welfare and well-being, both emotionally and physically, of formerly abused horses. This involves nutritional and medical treatments combined with natural methods of healing, training and rehabilitation.

Susan Barns is fundraising on behalf of the association to urgently cover the costs of rescuing this abandoned, injured and neglected horse and bringing her to the rescue centre for specialist care and healing. “Every contribution truly helps Flamenca on her road to recovery,” said those close to the campaign.

The local community is being urged to support the appeal. Donations will directly fund Flamenca’s veterinary care, specialised wound management, proper nutrition, safe transport to the sanctuary in Coin, and her long-term rehabilitation in a loving environment.

To donate, click on the following link: DONATE
Additional ways to support include PayPal: paypal.me/searchcharity or via Teaming: www.teaming.net/search

For more information about S.E.A.R.C.H.’s vital work rescuing and rehabilitating horses across the region, visit their website: www.serch.es

If you would like to support Flamenca’s journey, please donate or share this story to help reach more people. Sharing helps more than you think – on average, each share can inspire £50 in donations. Every contribution, no matter how small, brings Flamenca closer to the safe, caring future she deserves.