Hola! Welcome to Torremolinos, one of the most popular holiday destinations on Costa del Sol in Spain. Once a small fishing village, now a lively town with sandy beaches, a picturesque old town, vivid nightlife, beautiful green spaces, fresh seafood, and a wide range of activities. All that attracts thousands of people each year and makes this coastal town a perfect place to unwind. Additionally, it’s located just next door to Malaga Airport which makes it an even more desirable location. Vamos, let us show you things to do in Torremolinos, Spain.
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Torremolinos, Spain FAQ
Torremolinos is a coastal town located in Andalucia in the Province of Malaga on the sunny Costa del Sol in Spain. It’s just a short drive from nearby popular places like Malaga, Benalmadena, or Mijas.
Torremolinos is most famous for being one of the most popular holiday destinations in Andalusia, where Costa del Sol’s first hotels opened in the 1950s. All thanks to wide sandy beaches, coastal views, vivid nightlife scene, and welcoming atmosphere. The town is also recognized for its LGBTQ+ friendly vibe, hosting one of Spain’s biggest Pride celebrations.
Yes, Torremolinos is a town worth visiting and offers a perfect mix of relaxation, culture, and entertainment. It’s not only a great holiday spot but also a great base for discovering many amazing places on Costa del Sol.
Torremolinos is better known for its seaside charm than medieval history, but yes, it does have a few charming historic areas to explore. While it’s not a traditional Andalusian old town, you can still find glimpses of the past in certain districts. The most picturesque is La Carihuela with narrow streets lined with whitewashed houses, and authentic seafood restaurants.
Things to do in Torremolinos, Spain
Torremolinos Old Town
One of the best things to do in Torremolinos is to explore its old town. There you’ll find quaint whitewashed houses, busy shopping streets, nice squares, a few historical landmarks, unique-looking buildings, restaurants, and cafes. There’s something for everyone! Torremolinos Old Town is small, so just get lost in a maze of its streets and slowly discover every corner.
In Torremolinos Old Town, you’ll find points of interest like:
- Torre de Pimentel – defensive watchtower built in the early 14th century, first known as the Torre de los Molinos (yes, it gave the town its name!). It’s an iconic historic site in Torremolinos which you can admire only from the outside.
- Casa de los Navajas – a beautiful palace in neo-Mudejar style dating back to 1925, built for the Navajas family as a summer home. It features a small garden and amazing views over the town and sea from its terraces. Visiting Casa de los Navajas is an amazing thing to do in Torremolinos for everyone, but especially architecture lovers will be in heaven. Entrance is free during opening hours.
- Church of Saint Michael the Archangel (es. Iglesia de San Miguel Arcángel) – located on a small square next to Torre de Pimentel. It’s quite a simple church both from the outside and inside, but it looks quite interesting against the streets of Torremolinos.
- Calle San Miguel – a fully pedestrianized town’s main shopping street full of small boutique shops, cafes, restaurants, and souvenir shops.
- Other streets and squares worth exploring: Plaza Costa del Sol – a busy square above Calle San Miguel with a covered walkway, nice murals, and many restaurants, cafes, and bars including the famous Clock Tower beer hall; Plaza de Andalucia – nearby more peaceful square with nice fountain and some restaurants; Plaza de los Tajillos – small square with a row of arcaded whitewashed houses; Calle Cuesta del Tajo – uphill street leading from Pimentel Tower to beach areas with nice views of the surroundings.
The Torremolinos Tourist Office is located 5 minutes on foot from Casa de los Navajas on Plaza de las Comunidades Autónomas Square.
Beaches in Torremolinos
Costa del Sol is a paradise for beach lovers, and one of the best things to do in Torremolinos is undeniably hitting the beach. Along the town’s coastline, which stretches for about 10 kilometers, you’ll find some of the best beaches in the region, perfect for soaking up the sun and taking a refreshing dip in the Mediterranean Sea waters.
Here the beach choice might not be as wide as in the other nearby towns (as it’s basically one big stretch between Benalmadena Costa to Malaga borders divided into several parts) but beaches in Torremolinos lack nothing and don’t disappoint. Also, be prepared that during summer months all of them can get very crowded!
Among the best beaches in Torremolinos you’ll find El Bajondillo, La Carihuela, Los Alamos, and Playamar. All are wide and long, boasting fine sand and calm waters. There, you’ll also find various amenities like toilets, showers, parkings, sunbed rentals, lifeguards, many beach bars and restaurants, and more. For more amazing beaches head to nearby towns like Benalmadena Costa, or Malaga.
Also, be sure to head to one of the restaurants and sample the local emblematic dish – pescaito frito (fried fish). And keep your eyes wide open for amazing sand sculptures made by local artists – some of them are spectacular!
If you’re up for a nice, long walk after spending many hours on the beach, you can walk along La Carihuela’s promenade up to Benalmadena Costa.
Discover: Accommodation options in Torremolinos
Parque de la Bateria
Parque de la Bateria is a green lung of Torremolinos, located uphill north of La Carihuela beach. It’s the perfect place to disconnect and escape the town or beach crowds. Its name originates from the old defensive artillery battery, and to this day you can admire some of the cannons and two underground bunkers.
In Parque de la Bateria you’ll find many green spaces to relax or have a picnic, an artificial lake, beautiful fountains and sculptures, a 15-meter-high observation tower with great views of the sea and town, walking/biking paths, a children’s playground, and parking lot. Visiting Parque de la Bateria is one of the best things to do in Torremolinos, and is free!
Also visit nearby: 7 Things To Do In Benalmadena Pueblo, Spain
Botanical Garden Molino de Inca
Botanical Garden Molino de Inca is a perfect place to escape the crowds and spend some time in nature outside Torremolinos center. There you’ll find almost a thousand plant species and numerous bird species which can be observed from various viewpoints. There is also a replica of the old Molino de Inca mill, mini mill museum, and a beautiful Japanese Garden.
Entrance to the Botanical Garden Molino de Inca costs €3 (March 2025). For more opening hours and current prices, visit turismotorremolinos.es website.
Aqualand – Aquapark in Torremolinos
Another great thing to do in Torremolinos during summer months, especially for families with kids and adventure-seekers, is to head to Aqualand. It’s the largest water park on the Costa del Sol with exciting slides, wave pools, lazy rivers, and kid-friendly play areas. The park also has plenty of green spaces, restaurants, and picnic areas to make a full day of it.
To learn more about Aqualand attractions, entrance prices, and opening hours, visit aqualand.es website.
How to get to Torremolinos, Spain?
Torremolinos is located about 15km from Malaga, 5km from Benalmadena Costa, 50km from Marbella, and 20km from Mijas Pueblo. The most convenient way to get to Torremolinos is by car, train, or bus.
Where to park in Torremolinos?
There are a few paid and free parking lots and spots around the town. For free ones, it’s best to look among residential streets above Playa del Bajondillo. We left our car in this free parking lot close to the beaches and Torremolinos old town (it has nice beach/coast views!).
Airport near Torremolinos
The closest airport to Torremolinos is located in Malaga, only 8km away. From it, you can reach the town by bus, train, car, or taxi. You can check the connections that might interest you on the rome2rio.com website.
For great car rental deals visit: Rentalcars
To Torremolinos by bus
You can also easily get to Torremolinos by bus. There are direct and usually cheap connections from many nearby places like Malaga, Benalmadena, Marbella or Nerja. To check the connections that might interest you, visit rome2rio.com website.
To Torremolinos by train
You can also get to Torremolinos by train from some of the nearby towns on the coast. But only a short line connecting Fuengirola and Malaga passes through it – here you can check out a map of train stations on the route.
Campings Torremolinos
If you’re traveling by camper, places like Camping Torremolinos or Camping Málaga Monte Parc might interest you. They are located close to Torremolinos.
Things to do in Torremolinos – Summing up
Without a doubt, Torremolinos is an amazing holiday destination on Costa del Sol, perfect for those who are looking for sun, fine sand, and great beaches. But as you can see now, there are more things to do in Torremolinos that will spice up your holiday sunbathing a bit! We’re sure that every traveler will find here the perfect activity for themselves. Enjoy your stay!
Our video from Torremolinos
Our opinion about Torremolinos
For us, a visit to Torremolinos was a day trip from neighboring Benalmadena where we lived for a few weeks. We visited the town in early January and during that time there were quite a lot of tourists around. But well, it’s no secret that Andalusia attracts many people in the winter months too.
Overall, we liked Torremolinos and we think it’s a very pleasant town. It had a nice welcoming vibe, and it felt clean, safe, and well-taken care of. We liked wandering around its old town, but what we liked most was spending some time on the beach just relaxing and admiring the views. We can understand why this place is a popular holiday spot!
Exploring everything we wanted in Torremolinos took us about 6 hours.
Book now: Dolphin Watching Boat Tour
Restaurants, accommodations, and map
Check out various recommended places below.
Where to eat in Torremolinos?
Here are your best, high-rated options in Torremolinos:
Where to sleep in Torremolinos?
La Barracuda
La Barracuda is a beachfront hotel in Torremolinos, offering stunning sea views and direct access to the promenade. Guests can enjoy a relaxing stay with spacious rooms, an outdoor pool, and a rooftop terrace with panoramic vistas. Its location near restaurants, bars, and lively attractions makes it an ideal choice for a Costa del Sol getaway.
Moon Dreams
Moon Dreams is a stylish and comfortable hotel offering modern amenities and a relaxing atmosphere. Guests can enjoy spacious rooms, an outdoor pool, and easy access to the beach and local attractions. With its welcoming ambiance and convenient location, it's an excellent choice in Torremolinos.
Sol Timor Apartamentos
Sol Timor Apartamentos offers beachfront accommodations with stunning sea views and direct access to La Carihuela Beach. The property features fully equipped apartments, a large outdoor pool, and a variety of on-site dining options. With its amazing location and family-friendly atmosphere, it’s an ideal choice for a relaxing holiday getaway.
