Torremolinos is where Costa del Sol tourism started. In the 1950s and 60s it was the place to be, with film stars, jazz bars and the first beach hotels on the coast. Today it’s a lively, friendly town with seven kilometres of beaches, great seafood and one of the most welcoming atmospheres in Spain.
Whether you live here, you’re thinking of moving or you’re just visiting, this is our English speaker’s guide to Torremolinos.
Getting In and Getting Around
- From the airport: Málaga airport is right next door. The C1 train gets you to Torremolinos in minutes and stops at several stations around town.
- To Málaga or Fuengirola: the same C1 train runs east to Málaga city centre and west to Benalmádena and Fuengirola, so you rarely need the car.
- In town: Torremolinos is built on a hill. The centre is at the top, the beaches at the bottom. Comfortable shoes help, and the walk back up is easier with an ice cream.
The Town Centre
Calle San Miguel is the heart of Torremolinos, a pedestrian street full of shops, cafés and bars. At its end, the steps of the Cuesta del Tajo take you down to the sea, with views over the coast on the way.
Look out for the old tower, the Torre de los Molinos. The town is named after it and after the watermills that once worked on the streams running down to the sea.
The Beaches
- Bajondillo, right below the centre, busy and lively.
- Playamar, wide and sandy, popular with families.
- La Carihuela, the old fishing quarter, with its famous seafront of fish restaurants.
- Los Álamos, towards Málaga, known for its beach clubs.
A promenade runs along the whole seafront. Walk it west from La Carihuela and you’ll reach the marina at Benalmádena.
La Carihuela and the Seafood
La Carihuela was a fishermen’s village long before the hotels arrived, and you can still taste it. Order pescaíto frito, a plate of small fried fish, and espetos, sardines grilled on a skewer over a wood fire on the beach. Add a cold drink and a sea view and you have the perfect Torremolinos lunch.
Parks and Days Out
- Parque La Batería: a big park on the cliff with a lake where you can hire a rowing boat, a lookout tower with views along the coast and the old cannons of a coastal battery.
- Jardín Botánico Molino de Inca: a peaceful garden around one of the old watermills, a good escape on a hot day.
- Crocodile Park: exactly what it sounds like, and a hit with kids.
- Aqualand: the water park for summer days when the beach isn’t enough.
Torremolinos for Everyone
Torremolinos has a long history of being open-minded. In the 1960s, Pasaje Begoña was home to some of the first gay bars in Spain, and today the town is one of the country’s most LGBTQ+-friendly places. Torremolinos Pride in early summer fills the streets with colour and music.
Torremolinos’ Year in Fiestas
- Noche de San Juan (23 June): bonfires, music and late-night parties on the beaches.
- Virgen del Carmen (16 July): the fishermen’s festival in La Carihuela, when the Virgin is carried down to the sea and out by boat.
- Feria de San Miguel (late September): the town’s big fair, with flamenco dresses, horses and music, and a romería on the last Sunday of the month, when decorated carts and riders head up to the pine woods above town.
- Christmas: lights along Calle San Miguel and the centre, and the city lights of Málaga are only a short train ride away.
A Few Tips
- Book Feria and Pride stays early. Hotels fill fast.
- Eat late. Restaurants come alive after 9pm, especially in summer.
- Learn a few words of Spanish. English is spoken almost everywhere here, but a “buenos días” and a “gracias” are always appreciated.
English Radio in Torremolinos
From the beach bar to the drive home on the A7, life on the coast sounds better with music. Chilli FM is the English radio station for Torremolinos and the whole Costa del Sol, playing feel-good hits all day. See How to Listen for every way to tune in, at home, in the car or on your phone, or listen live right now.
In the car? Our guides for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto get you set up in a minute.
Enjoy Torremolinos
Torremolinos isn’t trying to be fancy, and that’s its charm. Fresh fish by the sea, a stroll down Calle San Miguel, a sunset from La Batería. Come for the beaches, stay for the people, and keep the music playing.
