It seems difficult to believe it looking at the row of high rises that rise close to the sea, but Torremolinos it is a city of very ancient origins. For centuries a quiet fishing village, in the 50s and 60s it suddenly became the queen of beach tourism on the Costa del Sol.
After a period of crisis, “Torrie” has slightly redone its look and has improved the quality of its services to return to occupy a leading position in the international tourist scene. The ingredients for success are all there: countless days of sun and heat every year, wide beaches, cheap prices and lots of entertainment, both day and night.
It is an excellent choice if your ideal holiday is one that is easily organized, without too much travel or stress, and includes one or more of these elements: relaxation on the beach, outdoor physical activity, tasty dinners based on fried pescaĂto ( fried fish) or specialties of Spanish cuisine, nights of fun.
For art and culture it is better to go elsewhere, but not that far. Malaga is only 12km away and within a day you can visit pretty villages.
What to do in Torremolinos
What to do in Torremolinos when you don't feel like browning in the sun? Little is left to see, because this ancient fishing village has been completely and irremediably transformed by tourism.
A nostalgic legacy of the past is there Tower of the Mills, the observation tower built by the Arabs in the fourteenth century which gives the city its name (also called Torre del Pimentel). Other beautiful buildings in the center of Torremolinos are there Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and House of the Navaja.
The most obvious idea for a break from the beach is to walk along the Promenade or in the very lively San Miguel Street, the main street of the center lined with an incredible amount of souvenir and craft shops, boutiques, outlets of international clothing chains along with bars, restaurants, pubs and all sorts of clubs.
At night, illuminated by neon signs, Calle San Miguel will make you believe for a moment that you are in a chaotic Asian metropolis, but the first tapas will be enough to convince you without a shadow of a doubt that you are in Spain.
An alternative to the urban atmospheres of this area are the more traditional neighborhoods, The Calvary, The Bajondillo e La Carihuela, where you can still breathe the echo of Torremolinos' maritime past.
In particular, in La Carihuela you will not find the mega-hotels with hundreds of rooms that characterize the most central districts, but rather low houses decorated with bougainvillea, geraniums and other luxuriant plants. In the streets of La Carihuela it is not uncommon to see old men playing cards or drinking a glass of anise.
The traditional neighborhoods are the best place to enjoy an excellent fish-based dinner: the restaurants in these areas are simpler than those in the center and more faithful to the local food and wine tradition. Not infrequently they are also cheaper.
Sports and excursions
If sleeping for hours in the sun is not your thing, don't worry: you can fill your days in Torremolinos by practicing your favorite sport or trying new ones. Water sports, running, beach volleyball, tennis, golf, horse riding, yoga… there is something for everyone!
Attractions for children
Torremolinos is the ideal destination for a family beach holiday both for the large amount of services available, very useful for those with very young children, and because everyone in Torremolinos can have fun, regardless of age.
Among the numerous child-friendly attractions of Torremolinos and its surroundings we point out the water park Aqualand, Crocodile Park with hundreds of (live!) specimens from all over the world, the Bioparc of Fuengirola, theSeaLife aquarium and the theme park Tivoli World to Benalmadena.
Torremolinos nightlife
La Torremolinos scene it is legendary, so much so that this town is often compared to Benidorm and our Rimini, a seaside city that built their fortune on nightlife.
Every summer flocks of young people from all over Europe come to Torremolinos attracted by the large number of bars, pubs, chiringuitos, clubs with live music and discos.
Torremolinos is also famous for its gay scene, which developed very early compared to other tourist resorts. There is a good choice of gay-friendly clubs and summer flirting opportunities abound.
Torremolinos beaches
Six main beaches follow one another along the coast of Torremolinos, all connected by the Paseo Maritimo: Los Alamos, Playamar, Bajondillo, La Carihuela, Montemar e The Saltillo. The first three are located north of the Castillo de Santa Clara, while the others are located in the south. The further you get from the center, the quieter the beaches, but don't expect to find an oasis of silence.
All the city beaches of Torremolinos are sandy, with equipped and other free areas, equipped with all essential services (deckchair and umbrella rental, bathrooms, showers, bars and restaurants, shops nearby) to which are added in many cases tennis courts. beach volleyball and other sports equipment.
Playa de Bajondilla is officially a nudist beach but is equally popular with people with or without swimsuits. La Carihuela is perhaps the most evocative, without the huge apartment blocks that grow behind the most central beaches.
Where sleeping in Torremolinos
There are probably more hotels that residential houses a Torremolinos: the tumultuous tourist development of the XNUMXs left behind a large number of hotels, apartments and holiday villas to suit all budgets. These are generally anonymous hotels, without personality, but comfortable and clean.
Fortunately, in recent years new hotels have sprung up and some of the old ones have been renovated with a modern taste, so now even in Torremolinos it is possible to find elegant and well-finished hotels.
I hotel prices in Torremolinos they are generally cheap, but it is good to book well in advance because in the months of July and August - and sometimes also in June and September - many hotels are fully booked.
How to reach Torremolinos
Getting to Torremolinos it couldn't be easier: Malaga international airport, served by numerous low-cost flights, is only 10 km away and can be reached by car in less than 15 minutes.
If you travel by public transport you can get to Torremolinos from Malaga airport taking a direct bus or line C1 of the CercanĂas Málaga trains.
From Torremolinos you can reach in bus or train some of the most important local and regional towns such as Fuengirola, Marbella, Tarifa, Cadiz, Granada, Ronda and of course Malaga.
