On Costa del Sol, in very close proximity to popular Nerja, you can find a charming Andalusian hidden gem – Torrox. Unfortunately, we’ve never seen even a single mention of Torrox Costa or Torrox Pueblo in posts like “What to see near Malaga in Spain”, and we found it totally by chance while scanning Google Maps. So chances are quite high that you’ve never heard of Torrox too, but now thanks to us you can add one more pin to your maps! Vamos, let’s discover all the best things to do in Torrox Pueblo and Torrox Costa.
Fun fact. The word “Torrox” comes from Arab, and means “tower”.
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Torrox Pueblo and Costa, Spain FAQ
Torrox is a small Spanish town located in Andalusia, in the Province of Malaga, on Costa del Sol. It lies on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, and at the foot of the Parque Natural de Sierras de Tejeda, Almijara y Alhama. Torrox consists of two parts: Torrox Costa and Torrox Pueblo.
In our opinion – yes. Torrox is a calm little town where you can catch your breath after visiting bustling places like Nerja or Malaga. It has a lovely old town, as well as beautiful sandy beaches.
Torrox claims to have the best climate in Europe, with an average annual temperature of 18°C! Watch closely, as you can spot “Mejor clima de Europa” signs in many places in town!
Torrox Costa, where you’ll find stunning sandy beaches, is located only 5 kilometers down the road from Torrox Pueblo.
Each Monday in Torrox you’ll find two markets – one in Torrox Costa and the other in Torrox Pueblo. At Torrox market, you can buy things like fresh vegetables and fruits, pastries, cheeses, clothes, or household items.
A short history of Torrox
Not much to say about Torrox Costa as mostly fishermen and farmers inhabited it until the tourist boom of the 70s. On the other hand, Torrox Pueblo has a much richer history. Between the 1st and 4th century AD, during Roman times, the town was an important center for the production of garum – fermented fish sauce – that was exported to Rome. Between the 4th and 8th centuries, Torrox was occupied by the Visigoths and was known as the ‘City of Arches’. Later, during Arab times, Torrox was a very important producer of silk which was sent to Malaga and Granada. Catholic Kings reconquered Torrox in 1487.
As mentioned before Torrox consists of two parts: Pueblo and Costa. Let’s start with the best things to do in Torrox Pueblo.
Things To Do in Torrox Pueblo
Torrox Pueblo is the oldest part of the town, located at about 145m a.s.l. Like most of the villages in Andalusia, it’s full of narrow streets and whitewashed houses decorated with flowers. So far, in 2022, there aren’t too many crowds there, even in the high season, which makes Torrox Pueblo a peaceful place to visit on Costa del Sol.
Plaza Constitución in Torrox Pueblo
Plaza Constitución is the main square in Torrox, full of orange trees, bars, and restaurants. It’s home to buildings like Town Hall, Church of Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación, and Palace of La Joya. However, the square stands out with a very unique decoration – hundreds of colorful umbrellas. Their goal is to provide a shadow and add splendid touches of color to the place.
Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación
Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación is Torrox’s Pueblo main church. It was built in the 16th century on the remains of a Moorish mosque and later enlarged in the 17th century. The earthquake in 1884 damaged the church and as a result, the “new” one was built in a Baroque style.
Palace of La Joya
The Palace of La Joya is an impressive 19th-century house. It was the residence of the Sevilla-Medina family, a bourgeois family who was exporting wines, raisins, and nuts with their own fleet of ships. Also, King Alphonso XII stayed in the Palace of La Joya in January 1885, when he was visiting the area after the earthquake. Now it’s home to Torrox’s law courts.
Ermita De San Roque
This hermitage is located a little outside the main part of the Torrox Pueblo, on Plaza de San Roque. It was built in Neo-Mudêjar style in the 19th century, on the ruins of an earlier oratory. It’s no longer used for worship.
Discover: Accommodation options in Torrox Pueblo
Things To Do in Torrox Costa
Only 5 kilometers down the road from Torrox Pueblo, on Costa del Sol, Torrox Costa is located. Torrox Costa has a 9km of coastline with beautiful sandy beaches and coves to explore. Once fishermen used to live here, and currently, it’s becoming a popular tourist attraction.
Lighthouse of Torrox Costa
The main attraction in Torrox Costa is the lighthouse from 1864. It’s open to the public and hosts a small museum with Roman archaeological remains. Also, a Roman archaeological site is located nearby.
Roman Ruins
In 1905 the lighthouse keeper discovered the Roman Ruins. He began to dig around the lighthouse and found what once was the Roman city of Caviclum. The archaeological site contains well-preserved Roman baths, a necropolis, and furnaces for the production of garum (which also confirms that Torrox was an important center for fishery production and export).
Torrox Costa Beaches
Along a coastline of 9km, Torrox Costa has a few nice beaches to offer. The most popular are Playa de Torrox, Playa del Peñoncillo, Playa las Dunas, Playa Calaceite, and Playa de las Lindes. Above the Playa de Torrox there’s also a lovely promenade, Paseo Maritimo de Torrox, stretching for about 2km. There you can enjoy a nice walk, or eat a delicious meal in one of the few restaurants while enjoying beautiful views.
Discover: Accommodation options in Torrox Costa
How to get to Torrox Costa and Pueblo, Spain?
Torrox is located 15km from Nerja, 50km from Malaga, 70km from Benalmadena Pueblo, and 85km from Mijas. The most convenient way to get to Torrox is by car or by taxi. For great car rental deals visit the Rental Cars website.
Where to park in Torrox Pueblo & Torrox Costa?
In Torrox Pueblo we left our car in this parking lot for free. In Torrox Costa we left our car on Avenida Esperanto, where lots of free parking spaces are available.
Airport near Torrox
The closest airport to Torrox is located in Malaga, only 60km away. For example, a trip from Malaga Airport will take about 2h45min by bus (€4-8) or 45min by taxi (€130-170). To learn more about connections that interest you visit rome2rio.com website.
To Torrox by bus
You can get to Torrox by bus, which to be honest isn’t your best option as often short trips may take a long time. For example, the journey from Malaga will take about 1.5h (€2-6), from Benalmadena 3h15min (€4-10) and… 2h from Nerja (€7-11) which is located only 15km away. To learn more about bus connections that interest you visit rome2rio.com website.
To Torrox by taxi
Expensive, but fast way of getting to Torrox. For example, a trip from Nerja will take only about 10min (€15-30) and 35min from Malaga (€100-120). To learn more about taxi connections that interest you visit rome2rio.com website.
To Torrox by train
Unfortunately, you can’t get to Torrox by train as there is no train station in the town.
Camping near Torrox
If you’re traveling by camper you’ll probably be glad to know that there are few camping sites near Torrox. You can check out MiluCar Camper Area or Camping Cortijo San Miguel.
Things to do in Torrox Pueblo & Costa, Spain – Summing up
Now you know what are the best things to do in Torrox. It’s quite a charming place on Costa del Sol, isn’t it? No matter if you’ll be visiting it only for a day trip or if you’re planning on staying a little longer for holidays and taking full advantage of its amazing beaches – chances are high that you’ll really enjoy this place!
Our opinion about Torrox Pueblo & Costa
For us, a visit to Torrox was a one-day trip (combined with nearby Nerja) from Mijas where we lived for a few weeks. We visited it in November and during that time old town was super quiet – we came across only a handful of locals! It was a little bit busier on the coast, but still no crazy crowds, mostly British people walking on the promenade. As for our opinion – we liked Torrox. Strolling in its peaceful old town, and relaxing on the beach was very nice. Torrox might not be the most exciting place on Costa del Sol, but we think it’s worth visiting, especially while in the area.
Restaurants, accommodations, and map
Where to eat in Torrox Pueblo & Costa?
Here are your best, high-rated options in Torrox Pueblo & Costa:
Where to sleep in Torrox Pueblo & Costa?
Apartamentos Laguna Beach
Apartamentos Laguna Beach is a beachfront apartment complex situated in Torrox, Spain, offering spacious and fully equipped apartments with balconies or terraces overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, a large outdoor pool, and a restaurant serving delicious local and international cuisine. With its prime location, modern amenities, and stunning sea views, this complex provides an ideal base for visitors looking to enjoy the sun, sand, and sea of the Costa del Sol.
Olée Nerja Holiday Rentals
Olée Nerja Holiday Rentals is a picturesque resort located in Torrox, Spain, offering beautifully decorated apartments and villas with private gardens or terraces, a large outdoor pool, a fitness center, and a restaurant serving a variety of Mediterranean dishes. With its tranquil surroundings, high-quality amenities, and personalized services, this resort provides a perfect escape for travelers seeking a peaceful and authentic Andalusian experience.
Estudio FARO TORROX
Estudio FARO TORROX is a cozy apartment offering a comfortable living space with a fully equipped kitchen, a private terrace with stunning sea views, and a shared outdoor pool. With its quiet location and affordable rates, this apartment provides a practical option for visitors seeking a comfortable and convenient base to explore the Costa del Sol.
Accommodations photos source: booking.com
