Torremolinos was the pioneer in tourism in the Costa del Sol and one of the first and principal destinations of holidaymakers in Spain. The mild climate which the area enjoys is due to the protection offered by the Sierra de Mijas from the cold northerly wind, thanks to which the visitor can enjoy the beach and the open air during any season of the year: hill- walking, horse- riding, water sports and, obviously, golf, with courses of renowned international prestige, making up an interesting and varied offer.
Bordering with the municipal district of Benalmadena, one finds “Puerto Marina”, one of the most attractive maritime yachting harbours in the whole of the Costa del Sol.
History
The history of Torremolinos dates back to prehistoric times when hominids entered Europe and colonized a colder continent for reasons yet unknown by anthropologists. The arrival at the coast of Malaga via the north of Africa is not completely clear and it is thought that they may have come down from the north.
In the 8th century AD, when the Moorish conquest of Spain began, the Arabs built the mills in the area that gave Torremolinos (Tower of the Mills) its name. Just one of these mills remains standing, the Molino de Inca, which is now called home by a popular local eatery .
The first groups of English visitors started coming to Torremolinos in the 1930s to the so-called “Castillo del Ingles”, although the true tourist influx started at the beginning of the 1950s with the construction of its principal hotels. At present, apart from having the widest and most varied hotel offers in the whole of the Costa del Sol, Torremolinos has a wide infrastructure for the organisation of conferences and all sorts of events, highlighting the modern hall for conferences and exhibitions and the municipal auditorium.
During this time, Torremolinos became known as an “in place” and attracted many famous actors and celebrities such as Frank Sinatra, Brigitte Bardot and Ava Gardner who enjoyed its excellent climate (with more than 300 days of sun per year). The town experienced ultra growth due to the tourism boom and became one of the most important tourist destinations in Andalusia.
Attractions
The town has a wide range of attractions for visitors of all ages and interests.
Torre de los Molinos
The Torre de los Molinos, later called Pimentel Tower after a soldier who helped Ferdinand and Isabella conquer Malaga at the end of the 15th century, gave origin to the town’s name. It stands between calle San Miguel and Cuesta del Tajo, on the way to Bajondillo beach. The Torre Pimentel was built more than 700 years ago, around the year 1300, and its location in the higher part of an escarpment is no coincidence. It was designed as part of an extensive network of defensive towers erected by the Nasrids along the southern coast of the Iberian Peninsula.
Calle San Miguel
Calle San Miguel is the most popular pedestrian street in Torremolinos and is considered one of the busiest in Europe. It is the commercial hub of the town and the main tourist area. At the end of the street, you will find the Nazari tower that gives the town its name and the Church of San Miguel, from the 18th century.
Inca and Batan Mills
The Inca and Batan Mills are two historic mills located in Torremolinos. The Molino de Inca is a botanical garden that houses a collection of more than 500 species of trees and plants, as well as a museum dedicated to the history of flour mills. The Molino del Batán is a restored flour mill that now serves as an interpretation center for ethnographic heritage.
Crocodile Park
Crocodile Park is a unique attraction in Torremolinos where visitors can see more than 200 crocodiles of different species up close. The park offers guided tours and educational talks about these fascinating animals.
Aqualand
Aqualand is a large water park located in Torremolinos. It has a wide range of water attractions for all ages, including slides, wave pools, and a children’s area. It’s a great place to cool off on a hot summer day.
Beaches
Torremolinos is home to several beautiful beaches that offer a wide range of activities and attractions. Many of the beaches have water sports facilities, beach bars, and restaurants where you can enjoy fresh seafood and other local delicacies.
Some of the most popular beaches in Torremolinos are:
- La Carihuela: A long sandy beach with calm waters and a lively promenade.
- Bajondillo beach: A popular beach with sunbeds and beach bars.
- Palms and grass on the beach: You will find both in Playamar and La Carihuela with some palms and grass on the sand.
- Los Alamos: A clean and safe beach with a well-maintained long sidewalk along the whole beach.
- Paraiso Beach Torremolinos: A beautiful beach with clear waters and soft sand.
- Hawaii Playa: A colorful and bright beach with nice sunbeds and palm trees on top of the parasols.
- Playamar: A lovely beach with soft sand and plenty of amenities.
- Playa Rincón Del Sol: The northeastern part of the 2100-meter long La Carihuela Beach.
Festivities in Torremolinos
Torremolinos is a vibrant town with a rich cultural heritage and numerous popular festivities throughout the year. From traditional celebrations to international festivals, there is always something happening in Torremolinos.
In February, the Rockin’ Race Jamboree festival takes place, attracting lovers of Rockabilly and Swing for a long weekend. Every year, on the first Thursday in June, the district of “La Carihuela” celebrates “El Día del Pescaíto” and offers a sampling to those who attend.
On the 23rd of June, people in Torremolinos celebrate the night of San Juan with traditional bonfires on the beaches of the Costa del Sol. The beaches of San Juan and Catarranzas are particularly popular gathering spots, where thousands of people come together to welcome summer and enjoy the shortest night of the year.
Another important celebration in Torremolinos is the festivity of “La Virgen del Carmen” on the 16th of July. On this day, a splendid maritime procession takes place. “El Día del Turista” is on the first Thursday in September, and to end this range of festivities, “La Romería de San Miguel”, the town’s Patron Saint, takes place in September. During the main festivities, people carry the Patron Saint in procession through the town’s streets.
- Rockin’ Race Jamboree festival – February
- El Día del Pescaíto – First Thursday in June
- Night of San Juan – 23rd June
- La Virgen del Carmen – 16th July
- El Día del Turista – First Thursday in September
- La Romería de San Miguel and Fair – September
Gastronomy
When it comes to gastronomy, Torremolinos has a lot to offer. From exotic international dishes to local specialties, there is something for every palate. The town’s numerous bars and restaurants serve a wide range of cuisine, while the refreshment stalls and bars along the seafront are especially popular for their variety of fried fish.
In particular, the district of La Carihuela is a great place to sample the local seafood. Eating at the beach bars and restaurants in Torremolinos is a popular pastime, and visitors can enjoy fried or grilled fish, seafood, and the famous “espetos” – roasted sardines. These dishes are not to be missed when visiting Torremolinos.
For those looking to experience the nightlife in Torremolinos, there are plenty of options. The seafront promenade is home to numerous discotheques, bars and flamenco shows, providing entertainment for all tastes.
Useful Information
Torremolinos has numerous shops, supermarkets, outstanding sports facilities, several health centres and numerous private clinics, and primary and secondary schools. There’s an almost infinite number of bars, restaurants and shops, and the town has the best variety of nightlife and entertainment on the coast.
Torremolinos is a major conference centre and has the most extensive range of hotels on the coast. The town’s beaches are clean and well-maintained and there’s an almost infinite number of bars, restaurants and shops. Te annual ballroom dancing contest is world-famous.
- Local Holidays 16th July and 29th September
- Distance from Malaga Airport: 6km
- Town hall: 952-379-400
- Local Police: 952-381-422
- Foreign Residents Department: 952-374-231
You can find more information, including hiking trails locations and more attractions in our Torremolinos map.
Property
Torremolinos is a town with several distinct neighborhoods and urbanizations. To the west of the center are El Pinillo and Montemar, while La Carihuela, Pueblo Blanco and El Bajondillo are located in the center. To the east are Playa mar, El Pinar and Los Alamos. La Carihuela has retained much of its traditional fishing village character and has many narrow streets.
El Calvario is one of the most popular neighborhoods in Torremolinos and is located in the upper part of the city, west of the center. Buses have several stops here, as a large part of the resident population is concentrated here. On Thursdays, a very popular market is held and it is an area with typical shops and bars.
As far as hotels are concerned, many tourists choose to stay in popular areas such as La Carihuela or Playamar. These areas offer a wide range of accommodation options with pools and are close to the beach.
How to get
Getting from Malaga airport to Torremolinos by car is easy and takes about 15 minutes. Here are the step-by-step directions:
- Exit the airport and follow the signs for MA-20 towards Torremolinos.
- Take exit 1 to merge onto MA-21 towards Torremolinos.
- Continue on MA-21 for about 5 km until you reach Torremolinos.
These directions will take you to the center of Torremolinos. If you’re going to a specific location in the town, you may need to adjust your route accordingly.