Torremolinos beaches Travel Guide
About Torremolinos beaches
Torremolinos is the oldest, busiest and brashest resort on the Costa del Sol, hugely popular with British and 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.
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; www.parador.es/en/paradores/parador-de-malaga-golf). At Benálmadena Costa (Carretera Cádiz, Km 220) is Torrequebrada (www.golftorrequebrada.com), 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; http://ranchito.com) 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; www.aqualand.es) 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 (Calle Cuba, 14; www.cocodrilospark.com) with around 300 inmates weighing up to 600 kilos. Benalmádena Costa is home to three major family attractions. The long-established Tivoli World (Avenida Tivoli, Arroyo de la Miel; www.tivoli.es) 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 (http://selwomarina.es) 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 (www.visitsealife.com) 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.
Exploring further:
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.
