Torremolinos
Torremolinos, which was the first real holiday resort on Spain's Costa del Sol, has had a rollercoaster of an existence since it evolved from a sleepy fishing village in the 1950s, to the cosmopolitan holiday resort it has become today. Gone are the days when it was known as "Blackpool with sun", with aircraft full of 18 - 30s arriving daily at Malaga Airport, hell bent on non stop partying. Not that Torremolinos is a quiet resort, it still has many night clubs and discotheques, but the Ayuntamiento, or town council has gone a long way to changing it's image, and it is now becoming a very pleasent place to spend a holiday. The climate is exceptional all year round, making it the ideal place to enjoy long days on the beach and fun nights out to suit all tastes.
The two main beaches of Playa de Bajondillo and Playamar are no longer littered with drink cans and fish and chip wrappers and are cleaned daily, and the new promenade stretches for over five miles, from the eastern fringes of the resort at La Colina to the western edge of Benalmadena Costa, with just a small break at the Puerto Marina. There are many seafront cafes / bars, (chiringuitos), where you can stop for a drink or snack if the weather is hot. Water skiing, paragliding and windsurfing are all available from the beaches, as well as pedaloes for the young and not so young! New parks have been constructed and over a thousand different species of trees planted. On the outskirts of the town, there are three forests with barbeque facilites together with freshwater springs, if you want a break from the beaches. Torremolinos is beckoning, give her a visit.
The main shopping street in the centre of town is Calle San Miguel, which is completely pedestrianised, and this then converges into the picuresque Cuesta del Tajo with it's souvenir kiosks and restaurants. Many steps lead down through the old fishing quarter of El Bajondillo to the beach of Playa de Bajondillo below. El Calvario is a lesser known area to the average holidaymaker, and is located on the north side of the main road that runs through Torremolinos. It is a lot quieter than the centre, and consists of narrow streets with bars and restaurants. Torremolinos has become a favourite with the gay community in recent years, with many gay friendly bars and clubs, the La Nogalera area being the place to bee seen.
La Carihuela is the original fishing area of Torremolinos. There are many fresh fish restaurants lining the promenade and it is very popular with Spanish families, especially at weekends. Many of the original fishermens cottages have remained intact and a visit here is highly recommended. One street back from the promenade is an English bar which has my all time favourite pub name, The Wonkey Donkey.
Holidaymakers looking for culture or architecture will be disapointed with Torremolinos, but their appetites can be wetted by travelling a few miles inland to some of the many unspoilt towns and villages of Andalucia. As a holiday resort, Torremolinos has a great deal going for it, give it a try, you may come to love the place as much as the thousands who return each year.
Main Resort Attractions
C/Cuba 10, 29620 Torremolinos. Telephone 952 114 996 / 952 388 888
One of the best water parks in Europe, with the Kamikaze, Twister, Boomerang and Rapids being the favourite slides, the Kamikaze being the highest in Europe at 22 metres. It also contains a mini-golf course and a fast food restaurant. The park is open from mid May until late September.
C/Cuba 14, 29620 Torremolinos. Telephone 952 051 782
Situated next to the Aqualand Water Park, the Crocodile Park houses over three hundred of the creatures which is the largest collection in Europe. From a distance of just two metres you can study the crocodiles close up, including "Big Daddy", who weighs in at six hundred kilograms and is 4.6 metres in length, the largest in Europe. The park is open from 10am all year round.
“El Ranchito" Senda del Pilar 4, 29620 Torremolinos. Telephone 952 383 140
A breathtaking show of equestrian skills in the form of a ballet and choreographed to music.
Every Wednesday with a free bus from hotels. Programme includes a horse show, flamenco show and dinner:
Parque la Bateria
A new park has recently opened in Montemar Alto on the outskirts of Torremolinos.
Covering 7.4 hectares, the park contains over 750 trees and a boating lake and overlooks
La Carihuela and the seafront. The park is near the Montemar Alto train station.
Torremolinos Mini Guide and Interactive Map
Map is interactive. Use the controls on the left to move and zoom, and top right for map, satellite and hybrid views. The map can also be moved by by depressing the left mouse button and then "dragging".
Benalmadena Map Menu
Mini Guides and Maps
