Camp Benitez

Camp Benitez (Spanish: Campamento Benítez) is a former military site in western Málaga, next to the Cortijo de Maza-El Olivar neighborhood in the Churriana district, now being turned into a large city park.

What is this place and where does its name come from?

The site is named after Commander Julio Benítez Benítez, an officer who died defending the Igueriben position during the Rif War in the early 20th century. In 1925 the city council handed over the former Viña de Velarde estate to the Spanish state so a semi-permanent army camp could be set up there. Over time the camp grew into a permanent barracks that operated for decades before the land eventually passed back to municipal control and redevelopment began.

How do you get there?

Camp Benitez sits in the Churriana district, right next to the Cortijo de Maza-El Olivar neighborhood and close to Torremolinos. The plot borders the MA-21 road, the A-7 motorway, and the railway line connecting Málaga with Fuengirola, making it easy to reach by car from central Málaga or the Costa del Sol, or by regional train along that same corridor. Its coordinates, 36.6518, -4.4847, place it just west of the city center, not far from Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport.

What will you see on site?

The site covers roughly 28 hectares of former military land. The city of Málaga is developing it into a metropolitan park with plazas, children's play areas, and sports facilities, backed by an investment of over 10 million euros. Work has proceeded in phases: after years of standing as a fenced-off, disused forestal plot, the former barracks grounds are gradually being handed back to residents as green, recreational space in a densely built western part of the city.

When should you visit?

Because Camp Benitez is still transitioning from a former military camp into a public park, it's worth checking the current status of individual sections before heading over — the works were planned to open in stages, with full completion targeted for 2026. For anyone interested in the site's history or in watching old barracks grounds turn into parkland, any season works, since the area is open-air with no indoor attractions; spring and autumn tend to be the most comfortable times, avoiding the peak summer heat typical of the Costa del Sol.

Frequently asked questions

Is Camp Benitez already open to visitors? The site is undergoing a multi-stage transformation from a former military barracks into a city park. Some areas have opened progressively, so it's worth checking current local sources before planning a visit.

How large is the park? Camp Benitez covers about 28 hectares in the Churriana district, in western Málaga.

Where does the name Camp Benitez come from? It honors Commander Julio Benítez Benítez, who died defending the Igueriben position during the Rif War in the early 20th century.

How do you reach Camp Benitez from central Málaga? The easiest routes are by car via the MA-21 road or the A-7 motorway, or by regional train on the Málaga–Fuengirola line, which runs alongside the site.