Beach Resort Guide
Torremolinos
Torremolinos Beach Resort Guide
Introduction
Torremolinos is the oldest, busiest and brashest resort on the Costa del Sol, hugely popular with the British. However the resort is also popular with Spanish holidaymakers. Parts of the original fishermen's quarter of La Carihuela have survived the tourist onslaught and it has a very different atmosphere to the rest of ‘Torrey'.
High-rise hotels and apartment blocks dominate, though in recent years the town hall has softened the concrete jungle appearance with a major landscaping initiative.
High-rise hotels and apartment blocks dominate, though in recent years the town hall has softened the concrete jungle appearance with a major landscaping initiative.
Who goes there?
Package tourists from the UK make up around 70% of the visitors to Torremolinos. The majority are young families, supplemented in summer by partying 18-30 year olds. There is a significant gay presence too. Spanish families keep mostly to the Carihuela part of town. Out of season the whole resort takes on a much quieter character.
Where in the world?
Torremolinos is 13km (8 miles) from Málaga centre, though development means it now effectively merges with the city. It is 8km (5 miles) from Malaga Airport. The resort is linked to the beach by several steps and some parts of it are quite steep.
When to go?
Between May and October the daily average temperatures for Torremolinos never falls below 20ºC (68°F) and rises above 30ºC (86°F) in July-August. The ideal time to visit is May-June and September-October. The crowds are also less overbearing at this time of the year. There is very little rain and almost guaranteed sunshine year-round. The winters are mild and mostly dry.
Beach
Torremolinos has a well maintained clean broad golden sand beach that stretches for 9km (5.5 miles). It is divided into Playamar/Bajondillo to the east and Playa La Carihuela to the west. Both are amply provided with sunbeds, shades and lifeguards. La Carihuela features excellent local chiringuitos (beach bars). Most watersports are available at some point along the beach.
Beyond the beach
The Costa del Sol is also known as the Costa del Golf, with many championship courses within easy reach of Torremolinos. Just east is Málaga Golf, the oldest course on the Costa del Sol (Málaga-Algeciras Motorway, signposted ‘Parador', in the grounds of the Parador). At Benálmadena Costa (Carretera Cádiz, Km 220) is Torrequebrada, a spectacular hilly course which has hosted many world class tournaments including the Spanish Open. On the outskirts of the town pine forests are a popular area for horse riding. The El Ranchito Riding School (Senda del Pilar, 4) caters for all levels of experience. They also organise a very popular equestrian show of Andalucian horsemanship every Wednesday. The old part of Benalmádena, known as Benalmádena Pueblo (by contrast with modern Benalmádena Costa), is a picturesque typical Andalucian village.
Family fun
Aqualand (Calle Cuba, 10, just off Carretera N-340) is the biggest water park on the Costa del Sol, with dozens of thrilling rides, slides, flumes plus pools. Next door is the Crocodile Park with around 300 inmates weighing up to 600 kilos. There is also a mini zoo especially for the children. Benalmádena Costa is home to three major family attractions. The long-established Tivoli World (Avenida Tivoli, Arroyo de la Miel) is the largest amusement park on the coast with theme park and funfair rides and shows of every kind. Very closeby, at Parque de la Paloma, Selwo Marina is the region's newest attraction. It combines a dophinarium, penguinarium, sea lion and parrot displays. There is a good children's play area and the opportunity to swim with the sea lions. At the Puerto Deportivo, The Sea Life Centre is an old favourite with dozens of up-to-the-minute displays of native and exotic denizens of the deep, plus feeding demonstrations and presentations.
Retail therapy
Calle San Miguel, pedestrianised and lined by cafes, is the main shopping street in Torremolinos. It sells all the usual tourist paraphernalia, and features Spanish and international brand name shops retailing gifts, shoes, clothes, jewellery and so on. Serious shoppers should head to neighbouring Málaga where there is a wide choice of international and Spanish shopping of all kinds. On Thursday the market comes to town and on Sunday there is a flea market (both held at the Recinto Ferial Fair Grounds).
A night on the town
Torremolinos boasts the biggest nightlife scene on the Costa del Sol, with hundreds of disco bars and clubs, plus many adult-only cabaret shows and, in La Nogalera district, a thriving gay scene. Here, size matters and many of the clubs on Avenida Palma de Mallorca are huge - Fun Beach is one of the largest nightspots in Europe with several dance floors and a swimming pool. By contrast, Torremolinos is also home to the Principe de Asturias Municipal Auditorium (Carretera Pedro Navarro Bruna), which stage large-scale classical concerts, theatre and ballet.
Eating out
There are over 250 restaurants in Torremolinos, many offering the famous all-day British breakfasts and photo menu meals. Fast food is ubiquitous and along the main promenade there is the full gamut of international cooking including Mexican, Italian, Chinese, Turkish and Indian food. If you want a taste of local food find a tapas bar, perhaps in Calle San Miguel, then move onto some of the best fish restaurants on the Costa del Sol at La Carihuela. You could try Casa Guaquin (Calle Carmen 37) or La Jabega (Mar 15, Playa de la Carihuela) for example.
Getting around
The centre of town is quite compact though there are quite a lot of steps to negotiate. Buses will ferry you up and down the front, to and from Benalmádena and also to Málaga.
Exploring further afield
Málaga has an atmospheric historic quarter, colourful gardens around its Alcazaba palace, a beautiful cathedral, and a recently opened Picasso Museum. It also features a colourful daily market and excellent shops, bars and restaurants. Marbella with its pretty old town and luxury marina of Puerto Banús is a glitzy excursion 43km (26.5 miles) west. Ronda (another 61km/38 miles north west of Marbella), set above a spectacular ravine in the midst of classic rolling Andalucian countryside, is one the region's most attractive and interesting towns.
Splashing out
For a typical Andalucian dining experience, eat alfresco in the courtyard at La Perla (Calle Ibiza, Benalmádena Pueblo). If you're feeling lucky head to the casino at the Hotel Torrequebrada (Avenida del Sol, Benalmádena Costa) (www.torrequebrada.com). The hotel also stages international cabaret and flamenco, accompanied by fine dining.
Flying in
Malaga Airport (AGP)
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