Tivoli World
Tivoli World opened on the Costa del Sol in May 1972, and for nearly five decades it ran on the logic of a long Mediterranean evening — rides didn't start until late afternoon, the outdoor theatre filled after dark, and somewhere between the free-fall tower and the folkloric shows in the Plaza de Andalucía, the night slipped away. The 65,000-square-metre park in Arroyo de la Miel became the first amusement park on the Costa del Sol, eventually drawing over 35 million visitors across its lifetime.
Since September 2020, the gates have been closed. A 2024 ruling by the High Court of Andalucía annulled the city council's effort to protect the site exclusively for theme-park use, and the future of the land remains unresolved. What follows is the record of a place that shaped a generation of Costa del Sol summers.
💛 What travellers fall for
People who went as children tend to remember two things: the proprietary park currency — Tivolinos, spent one ride at a time — and the outdoor theatre, where on a summer night you might find James Brown or Montserrat Caballé performing under the same sky as the Ferris wheel. The 3,000-seat amphitheatre was the park's quieter, stranger boast.
The story behind Tivoli World
Danish entrepreneur Bernt Olsen inaugurated Tivoli World on 20 May 1972, giving the Costa del Sol its first purpose-built amusement park at a moment when the region was just beginning its transformation into a major European holiday destination. The name nodded to Copenhagen's Tivoli Gardens, and the park carried some of that same instinct for combining rides with live performance — its outdoor theatre eventually hosted Isabel Pantoja, Julio Iglesias, Mecano and Alejandro Sanz alongside the international acts.
A major renovation between 2005 and 2008 updated the infrastructure while preserving the original 1970s atmosphere, with some of the earliest attractions still running beside newer additions. Financial difficulties forced a permanent closure in September 2020, and a subsequent legal battle over the site's future use ended in 2024 with the courts declining to guarantee its continuation as a theme park.
Good to know
The park is currently closed, with no confirmed reopening date as of mid-2026. When operational, it was reachable by commuter train to Arroyo de la Miel station, or via the A-7 motorway at exit 222. Check current status before planning any visit.
The park historically ran summer evenings from around 5pm, which suited the Costa del Sol's rhythm — temperatures between 25 and 35°C through June to August make daytime outdoor activity uncomfortable, while nights stay warm and dry. Shoulder-season operations were limited to weekends, and winter rain (heaviest December through February) affected certain outdoor rides.
Where is Tivoli World?
More tickets & tours for Tivoli World
Book directly at the provider
What travellers say about Tivoli World
Abandoned amusement park. It can only be viewed from the cable car gondola.
Guys! Wasn't it called Tivoli World? I'm giving it one star because they haven't kept the name and they don't want to restore the old rides and the park itself. IT'S HISTORIC, WHAT ARE WE DOING?!
It is currently closed, the first amusement park in Europe.
Nice lift to the top of the mountain. Beautiful views!
It's a real shame that it's still closed. I hope it reopens soon and is back in all its glory.
More of Benalmádena
Discover where to stay, what to do and the best deals for your trip.
Explore Benalmádena →More attractions in Benalmádena
All of Benalmádena →
Background adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) · map data © OpenStreetMap contributors · ratings & place photos via Google · other photos with per-image credit. Ticket links may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.