Torremolinos: Increasingly Popular

Since the 1950s, Torremolinos has been a well-known and increasingly popular destination for tourists worldwide.

Torremolinos offers a variety of fantastic activities, making it a popular tourist destination along the Costa del Sol. It was one of Spain's earliest holiday spots, where the first hotels in the region were established, paving the way for tourism in this area. While Torremolinos may not appeal to everyone, it has some unique points of interest worth exploring, particularly in the old town and more inland.

Before becoming a tourist hotspot in the 1950s and becomes increasingly popular , Torremolinos was a small fishing village with a rich history dating back to the Phoenicians and Romans.

. The town received its current name during the Moorish conquest in the 8th century when mills were built in the area. After experiencing a decline at the end of the 15th century, Torremolinos saw a revival in the 1920s when British visitors began flocking to the region.

Despite its reputation as a sunseeker destination and party town, there is plenty of history to uncover here and quite a lot of unique things to do in Torremolinos apart from visiting the beaches. Here’s a complete guide for visiting Torremolinos, whether this will be your first time here or you’ve been before.

Explore the Old Town

Old Town Torremolinos is the beating heart of this coastal town, and to me it’s a lot more interesting to walk around than the modern areas. Calle San Miguel is one of the main streets in the old town and it’s lined with shops and restaurants. The old town is fully pedestrianized so it has a unique charm to it, and there are plenty of tourist attractions near Calle San Miguel to visit. Exploring the old town is easily one of the best things to do in Torremolinos throughout the year.

Calle San Miguel in Torremolinos

The most traditional districts to see in Torremolinos are the Centro, El Calvario, the Bajondillo area and La Carihuela. We are talking about the districts with more history in the municipality. During the 20th century the whole Costa del Sol, including Torremolinos, experienced a great urban and demographic growth due to the increase of tourism. This caused the appearance of other towns such as La Colina, Los Alamos, Montemar or El Pinillo.

However, if you are looking for hustle and bustle the answer is in the centre, on Calle San Miguel. This is the most popular and busiest pedestrian street in the old town of this coastal town. Here you can do everything: tourism, shopping, eating in the bars and restaurants, strolling, relaxing in the hotels in the area... In fact, the most emblematic shops are to be found here.

Some of the most characteristic places of interest to be seen in Torremolinos are also concentrated around it. For example, the Plaza de Andalucía or La Nogalera, the Avenida Jesús Santos Reino or the Plaza Costa del Sol.

The monuments and statues are other reasons to visit this part of the municipality. Thus, you can see the monument to the Goddess Europe, located near the Plaza de las Comunidades Autónomas. Also the work called Nacimiento de Eva (Eve's Birth).

Clock Tower

One of the most recognizable landmarks in Torremolinos is the Clock Tower. This building now houses a popular bar and regularly features live music for its patrons. You can also enjoy the views from the top of the Clock Tower, as it boasts one of the best rooftop bars in Torremolinos. However, if that's not your preference, be sure to capture a photo of its exterior from the street.

Admire the street art

While exploring the old town of Torremolinos, you'll encounter various modern and lively street art pieces, some of which are quite large. One of my favorites is on the wall of the Clock Tower, and there are many other artworks in the surrounding streets. Viewing the street art is one of the top free activities to enjoy in Torremolinos if you have some extra time in your schedule.

Torre de los Molinos

One of the top places to visit in Torremolinos if you want to see some of the town’s historical sites is the Torre de Pimentel. It was originally called the Torre de los Molinos after the mills that were built in the area. The Catholic monarchs at the end of the 15th century changed it to its current name as homage to a soldier who helped them conquer the region. The tower dates back to the early 14th century and would have formed part of a larger defensive network.

It was located at the end of San Miguel Street and was called the Torre de los Molinos.

A population was placed around it that ended up in an urban centre. They lived from fishing and agriculture, as well as from the mills installed there. With 12 meters high, the tower is made of earthenware. It has two floors with their respective windows through which to watch the sea as well as a terrace. At present it can only be seen from the outside, as it is demolished on the inside.

Thus, the name of Torremolinos comes from the set of words "tower" and "mills". In ancient times there were a large number of water mills in the town. However, now only the Molino de Inca remains. The word "torre" derives from the Torre de Pimentel.

Casa de los Navajas

La Casa de los Navajas is one of the most emblematic buildings to see in Torremolinos. Located on a cliff in front of the beach of El Bajondillo, it has been declared of Historical Interest. Neomudejar, this two-floor building with watchtowers was the idea of the Navajas family, who lived on the ground floor. The upper floor served as a lookout point. 

This is a very interesting visit, as it allows you to see first-hand a house in the neo-Mudejar style. At the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century this tendency was widely used in Spain and, specifically, in Malaga. For the interior decoration they were inspired by the Alhambra in Granada.

Church of San Miguel

In Torremolinos, there are up to seven churches, but the oldest is the Church of San Miguel. It was built in 1718 and later renovated in 1896. The church is located at the Plaza de los Santos Arcángeles, which shares its original name with the location.

Behind Torre de Pimentel sits the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel, another attraction in Torremolinos that is easy to find. San Miguel is the patron saint of Torremolinos, and the 18th-century church is named after him. While the interior of the church is not very ornate, the exterior is quite unique, making it a great spot for photos.

For its part, in Torremolinos is also relevant to visit the church of the Virgen del Carmen. In it you can find the image of the local patron saint. This church was erected in 1979 over the remains of the old Capilla del Carmen de La Carihuela

Beaches of Torremolinos

Torremolinos is renowned for its beaches, with nearly seven kilometers of coastline. La Carihuela, El Bajondillo, Los Álamos, and Playamar are among its most notable beaches, with the first two being the most popular. The advantage is that these are urban beaches accessible via the promenade, making them easy to locate. 

Beach El Bajondillo

El Bajondillo beach takes its name from one of the most renowned districts in the city of Malaga. Stretching one kilometer, it is situated between Playamar beach and Punta de Torremolinos. El Bajondillo beach is the most central in Torremolinos and connects with La Carihuela beach through a distinctive rocky outcrop where the Castle of Santa Clara, also known as the English Castle, stands. Today, this fortress is accompanied by beautiful gardens. Nearby, you can also find the Casa de los Navajas.

La Carihuela Beach

La Carihuela beach is situated in a historic fishing neighborhood. Today, it has become a cosmopolitan area offering numerous hotels and leisure activities. You can access the municipality of Benalmádena via the connection at the beach's end, known as Puerto Marina. La Carihuela beach is one of the most frequented in Torremolinos, stretching over 2,000 meters. 

The area's restaurants deserve special mention, offering a variety of high-quality fish. Many regard it as the best urban beach in the province of Malaga. Its fame grew in the 1950s when it was visited by the Princes of Monaco and actors like Ava Gardner, among others.

Molino de Inca Botanical Garden

If you enjoy gardens, one of the top activities in Torremolinos is visiting the Jardin Botánico Molino de Inca. These gardens boast a variety of bird species, a serene botanical garden, water fountains, and an intriguing exhibition on the history of local mills.

This botanical garden spans four hectares, situated where the original springs of Torremolinos, Albercón del Rey and Inca, are located. It serves as a green oasis in the city, featuring 150 palm trees, 300 trees, and approximately 400 bushes. Some of the plants in the Molino de Inca Botanical Garden are centuries old.

At the heart of the garden, there is a natural labyrinth made of Aligustre, measuring 50 meters in diameter. Additionally, water plays a crucial role in the garden, visible throughout the area, such as a fountain that resembles a river spring. It meanders through the garden and empties into a lake.

La Batería Park

Parque de la Batería is considered one of Torremolinos' most significant hidden treasures for tourists. Although it's a favorite among locals, visitors often overlook it because it isn't situated along the coast or in the historic town center. The park features an artificial lake, a charming lookout tower that offers a fun climb, a carousel, biking paths, and numerous other family-friendly attractions. Historically, a defensive battery was located here, which is the origin of the park's name.

Located next to the train station, La Batería park is ideal for a stroll. It boasts several paths and a large artificial lake at its center. One of the highlights is the opportunity to rent a boat and oars to explore the lake from a different perspective. The park's name comes from the coastal defensive battery that once stood here. The site has been restored, and now visitors can see three artillery guns within the park. Two underground bunkers and several cannons are also preserved. Additionally, La Batería park features a lookout tower that stands nearly 15 meters tall.