How is Benalmadena?

Onaria.   I am glad you have virtually repeated what said and agree with me. 

However, Benalmadena is a large municipality divided roughly into three distinct districts.

The beach,  which you mention is one part.  That is flat.

Arroyo de la Miel, originally a village  about 2 Kms from the beach, The railway station, with three trains an hour in each direction,  privides cheap and easy transport between Malaga, (including the airport)  and Fuengirola
Tivoli World amusement park is located there, as too is the cable car station which goes to the 771 meter summit of the  Calamorro Mountain,  From the summit there are a number of signed paths, with a total route length of 2,750 metres, which can be used by trekkers and mountain bike enthusiasts to head off into the mountains.  Several viewing points give great panoramic views of the Costa Del Sol, and on a good day the African Coast.

The old town of Benalmadena Pueblo, about 6 km inland from the beach, at about 300 mtrs altitude, which in the days of stage coaches, was a major stop on the Malaga to Cadiz route.  It can be reasonably described as one one the White Villages of Andalusia, with a Spanish character.

There are also quite large areas of open countryside and mountains with private villas.

And not to be forgotten the very attractive Paloma Park just 200 meter up from the coast..The park is entirely man-made and was opened in the 1980′s. Once you are in, it feels as if you are a World away from mass tourism, and usual tourist trappings.  It makes a great/free day out for all the family. The park has a large children's playground and a lake.  A beautiful place for a picnic too. Kids just love this park and the playground at the top of the park has a wonderful , huge climbing and activity centre. It also has the normal playground items and a smaller climbing frame for the smaller kids.

The park abounds in birds and there are 100′s of ducks, geese, pigeons, chickens, roosters, and peacocks. There is also a large pen with Emu's, and a compound with Mountain Goats. Even rabbits are hiding around the bushes.

I suggest that describing it as "a very modern touristic beach city." does not exactly do it justice.