Travel guide to
Torremolinos, in Andalucia, Spain with useful information for visitors and local residents alike. Make the most of your
time in Torremolinos with our information on travel, tours, sightseeing, hotels, and holidays. All the info you need
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Torremolinos, Costa del Sol, Spain
Torremolinos
(GPS: 36.624 north, -4.499 west) is a
tourism-oriented Spanish town on the Costa del Sol, just to the west
of Málaga City. The area’s geographical position, between Malaga
Bay and the Mijas Mountains, allows for a temperate climate all
the year around, averaging out at 19 degrees centigrade. It was
once a poor Mediterranean village, subsisting on flour making,
farming and fishing. The name 'Torremolinos' means 'tower
mills'. The first written records date from 1489 when the
army of the Catholic Monarchs invaded Malaga and took it from
the Moors. Reference is made to "a marvellous spot known as
the Molinos de la Torre, (the mills of the tower), powered by
water from the abundant springs". In 1502 Torremolinos
came under the rule of Málaga with the name of "Torres de
Pimentel" (the towers of Pimentel), in honour of Rodrigo
Pimentel, Count of Benavente to whom most of the lands were
given in thanks for his cooperation with horses and food, during
the siege of Málaga. These days the term "Torre de
Pimentel" simply refers to the 14th century watchtower, not to
the town itself.
Tourism here started in
the 1930s but is was the
growth of tourism in the late 1950s and early 1960s that really catapulted
Torremolinos into the affluent, modern world. Indeed Torremolinos was
the first of the Costa del Sol tourist resorts to be developed.
Torremolinos had its heyday during the 1980s and into the 1990s.
It continues to have a thriving indigenous gay population, which
it continues to attract. It also attracts families, but the
young fun loving 18-30 visitors are being replaced by an older
crowd of 'snowbirds', a term given to pensioners in seek of
winter sunshine. Nowadays, with no straight nightclubs
open in Torremolinos, younger tourists are simply moving further
down the coast to Fuengirola and Marbella.The town is made up of
a series of barrios (districts) that include the central
Calle San Miguel, the barrios of El Calvario, el Bajondillo and
La Carihuela. Torremolinos still has nooks and crannies
that have changed little with the times.
Calle San Miguel (GPS: 36.6234 north, -4.4989
west) is the heart and soul of Torremolinos. This smartly
paved street is lined with boutiques and shops with a great
variety of goods on offer, attracting a constant flow of people.
It is known locally as
Calle Europa for the huge number of European visitors that walk
this pedestrian traffic free zone. Torremolinos sees a mix
of nationalities, particularly during the summer months. It
is especially popular with British tourists and has a large British
expatriate population. In the past the influx of younger British
tourists, including many trouble-makers, has caused controversy.
La Carihuela
(GPS: 36.610 north, -4.504 west) is the old fisherman’s quarters in Torremolinos.
Seemingly untouched by time, La Carihuela is unique, a small,
quiet and friendly village with homely people. This lovely
place encourages visitors to bask in
the aura of Spanish old-world charm. Just take a walk along the
narrow lanes lined with original cottages, and you'll see what I
mean. The old sea-faring atmosphere is palpable, and defines
this little village even though a few of the cottages have been
turned into shops and bars for the paying public. La Carihuela
beach is over 2 kilometres in length. It is noted for its
cleanliness and for its excellent chiringuitos (beach
restaurants) where the best and freshest Mediterranean sea-food
is served. The Paseo Maritimo (promenade) runs parallel
to the beach and extends north as far as Playamar and south all
the way to the Port of Benalmadena, with it's distinctive
architecture, well known lively night life, shops, boutiques,
bars and restaurants. A beautiful evening walk.
Statue based on the Pablo Picasso painting
Two Women Running on the Beach, The Race,
Torremolinos, Costa del Sol, Andalucia, Spain
Barrio El Calvario
(west of La Carihuela) and
Barrio El Bajondillo (GPS: 36.6265
north, -4.4955 west) are two other traditional
neighbourhoods untouched by urban development, so much so that
you could forget that modern-day Torremolinos even exists. The
beach of El Bajondillo is lovely.
There is a magnificent sports and recreation
complex in El Pozuelo, whose Municipal Auditorium, the "Príncipe
de Asturias," has seating capacity for 1,790 people. One of the
finest sports complexes in the country is right beside this
building, which attracts top sportspeople from all over the
world, complete with athletics track and indoor swimming pool.
If you head down to the historic part of
town, prepare to be amazed by the architectural wonders that
await you. The parish church of Nuestra Senora del Carmen, the
Casa de los Navaja, and the Torre de Pimentel also known as the
Torre de los Molinos from which the city takes its name, are all
wonders made of stone.
Food cooked out of doors at a
Torremolinos chiringuito
Neolithic age
archaeological discoveries have been uncovered in Cortijo del Tajo.
When hunger strikes its seafood all the way! That’s the magic of the Mediterranean
cuisine. You just can’t pass up on pescaito frito, and fish
cooked any way you care to take it! Besides local fare, almost
all kinds of international cuisine are available here. What more
could you ask for?
Wooden boat on the beach,
Torremolinos, Costa del Sol, Andalucia, Spain
A day at the beach is
the perfect way to wind down and just relax when holidaying in
Spain. Torremolinos has some of the best-loved and cleanest
beaches on the Costa del Sol coastline. El Canuelo, Montemar,
Playamar, and El Lido are just some of the beautiful beaches
that await you.
Sunbathers on the beach,
Torremolinos, Costa del Sol, Andalucia, Spain
Getting around
Torremolinos is easy but hiring a car is probably essential if you are to fully
appreciate everything that Torremolinos and the surrounding area
has to offer. If you plan on visiting several golf courses on
the Costa del Sol, a car that is large enough to take your
golfing equipment is also vital.
Middle-aged holidaymakers on the beach,
Torremolinos, Costa del Sol, Andalucia, Spain
Dates for your Calendar
If you want to experience the local
traditions, the list of festivals in Torremolinos is long and
varied:
February - The Carnival
February - The Verdiales (musical form) Competition
February / March - Baile Retro (Dancing) in the Congress
Hall,
Semana Santa (Easter or Holy Week)
May - The Cruces de mayo (crosses of May)
June - The Veladilla de San Juan
June - The religious festival of Corpus Cristi, with its
procession, is a deeply rooted custom.
June - The Día del Pescaíto (day of the fried fish) -
from early morning the crowded streets of La Carihuela flood
with music, laughter and fish although the main activity is
supposed to be from 1:00 to 5:00 pm. Tourists and residents are
invited to sample the area’s famous fried fish and drinks free
of charge. Sardines, anchovies, squid, mackerel, shrimp, octopus
and a variety of other species make up a bountiful menu. In
every corner there are makeshift tables stacked with excellent
dishes to attract more people each year.
16th July - The Festival of Carmen is celebrated in la Carihuela.
Last week in September - Feria de San Miguel. This annual Feria
takes place in the town centre, and moves to the El Pozuelo
Feria grounds at night.
Early September - The Dia del Turista (Day of the
Tourist) in which the town pays tribute to the thousands of
tourists that have made Torremolinos what it is today.
29th September - Procession of San Miguel. San Miguel (the
archangel Michael) is the patron saint of Torremolinos. On
this day an offering of flowers runs right through the centre of
Torremolinos, from Independence Square to the Parish of San
Miguel. Participants dressed in characteristic costumes look
their best to honour the saint. After the offering, a statue of
San Miguel is carried in procession through the streets of the
town.
29th September - Día de San Miguel Romería that is considered to
be one of the most important in Andalucía. More than 200,000
people gather together every year in the Los Manantiales pine
woods to dance, sing and have a good time.
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