Less than 12.4 miles south of Malaga lies the town of Torremolinos, which over the years has established itself as an important seaside tourist resort, so much so that its very long beaches and lively nightlife attract tourists from all over the world every year. In this article I will tell you which are the main urban beaches where you can spend pleasant hours in complete relaxation and which are the most interesting tourist attractions in Torremolinos. At the end of the article, you will also find some advice on where to find a hotel beach in Torremolinos or in the town centre.
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Torremolinos Beaches
Torremolinos is part of the Costa del Sol south of Malaga and, as everyone knows, there is no shortage of fun in this area. There are almost 4.3 miles of sandy beaches, the sea is generally calm and the seafront lined with bars and restaurants makes it easy to access the various beaches. Torremolinos is, in fact, characterised by easy-to-reach urban beaches for both families with children and people with mobility difficulties. Restaurants and bars along the Paseo Marítimo are perfect for enjoying a good meal or for a night out. Every beach is equipped with parasols and sun loungers for hire, and parking is not difficult, although in the summer months these beaches are besieged by tourists and locals alike.
Playa de La Carihuela
The dark sand beach La Carihuela is the largest in Torremolinos. It stretches for over 1.2 miles and is a generous 40 metres wide on average (and it is the narrowest of the four town beaches!). The sea is generally calm with moderate waves. The palm trees provide shade for sunbathers and it is possible to hire sun loungers, parasols and pedalos. The beach is suitable for wheelchair users or those with mobility difficulties. In addition, there are showers and public toilets. La Carihuela is especially famous for the large number of seafront restaurants and bars… you simply have to try the famous Malagueño fried fish!
All accommodations near Playa Carihuela
How to get there?
The beach is between Playa del Bajondillo and the port of Benalmádena. Playa de La Carihuela is easy to reach by car from Torremolinos along Avenida de la Libertad and the N-340, or along Calle Costa Rica. If you manage to find a space, parking at the beach is free.
If you are in Malaga, you can take Avenida de Velázquez and the MA-21 or the A-7. Playa de la Carihuela can also be reached by public transport from Malaga’s Centro Alameda station by taking the train towards Fuengirola and getting off at El Pinillo. From there, the beach is just over a 10-minute walk away.
Playa Bajondillo
The Bajondillo beach is the most central in Torremolinos and is close to the famous Calle San Miguel, one of the city’s most popular streets. As I was saying, Torremolinos is known for the wide variety of entertainment activities it offers and for its nightlife: thanks to its location, this beach therefore perhaps represents the nucleus of coastal fun.
The beach is 0.6 miles long and a full 40 metres wide. The sand is dark and the sea is calm. In summer there is a large crowd, although the size of the beach means you can still find your own space even in July and August. Sun loungers, parasols and pedalos can be hired, and there are showers and public toilets. The beach is accessible for wheelchair users and parking is free.
All accommodation near Playa Bajondillo
How to get there?
Playa del Bajondillo is easy to reach by car or on foot along Calle Bajondillo or Avenida Isabel Manoja if you are in Torremolinos.
From the centre of Malaga, you can reach the beach by car along the MA-21 and Avenida de Velázquez or by train from Centro Alameda station to Torremolinos. From Torremolinos station the beach is a 10-minute walk.
Playa de Playamar
The beach lies between Playa de Los Álamos and Playa del Bajondillo. Also known as Playa del Retiro, it stretches for more than 0.6 miles and is around 164 ft wide on average.
Playa de Playamar is the ideal beach for sports enthusiasts: you can play volleyball on the courts set up on the beach or enjoy water sports by hiring the equipment available at the centres along the seafront. Here too, the number of bars, restaurants and chiringuitos means that the day and night nightlife never stops. The beach clearly offers the possibility of hiring sun loungers and parasols, has showers and public toilets, and is accessible for people in wheelchairs.
All accommodation near Playamar
How to get there?
By car from Torremolinos you can reach Playa de Playamar along Avenida de Benyamina or along Calle de la Cruz and Avenida de Benyamina. From Malaga you can take Avenida Velázquez and the MA-21 or the A-7. By train from Malaga, get off at La Colina station and from there continue on foot for about 20 minutes to the beach.
Playa de Los Álamos
The beach is located between Playa de Playamar and the border with Málaga. This is certainly one of the busiest beaches on the Costa del Sol. It stretches for 1 mile and is about 60 metres wide; the sand is golden and it is ideal for kitesurfing and water sports (parasailing, banana boat and jet skis are just some examples). The palm trees and trees along the promenade provide shade during the hottest hours. The beach is accessible to wheelchair users, has showers and public toilets available to bathers, and a large number of venues open day and night.
All accommodation near Playa de los Álamos
How to get there?
Playa Los Álamos can be reached by car via the AP-7 and Calle Costa Rica from the centre of Torremolinos, or via the MA-20 from Malaga. By train from Malaga, I recommend getting off at Los Álamos station and, in just a 5-minute walk, you will reach the beach.
Things to do In Torremolinos
Not only beaches… Torremolinos offers a lovely historic centre with Calle San Miguel running through it, which is entirely pedestrianised and full of shops of every kind. No less pleasant is the seafront promenade, the Paseo Marítimo, lively at every hour of the day and night. Torremolinos’ most important church is the Iglesia de San Miguel, in Andalusian neoclassical style, dating from the early nineteenth century.
- Older than the church is the Torre de Pimentel, which, at 12 metres high, towers over the city and the sea. The structure dates back to the 14th century and served a defensive purpose. Today it rises above the modern shops and the tourists wandering through the streets of the historic centre: you will find it in Cuesta del Tajo.
- Another observation tower is located inside Parque La Batería, a well-kept green space just a stone’s throw from La Carihuela, with an artificial lake where you can go for a boat trip. The park is on Calle Decano Antonio Seoane.
- Among the city’s historic buildings, in Calle del Bajondillo, the beautiful Casa de los Navajas stands out. It was built in the early 1900s in neo-Mudéjar style and, after the 2014 restoration, it is a real delight to admire on the little hill where it stands. The interior is rich in decoration and offers a lovely panoramic view. Open every day, admission is free.
- It is absolutely worth visiting the enchanting Jardin Botanico Molino de Inca, a hidden gem just 2.5 miles from the city centre. The ticket price is negligible (3 euro, free for children), but the experience is one of the best you can have in Torremolinos: a lush botanical park awaits you, with an endless variety of exotic plants, palm trees and exotic animals, a Japanese garden, water features, flower- and statue-lined pathways, and the reconstruction of an ancient mill that was also visited by the Catholic Monarchs.
- Finally, crocodile enthusiasts can see more than 200 specimens at Crocodile Park, located at Calle Cuba 14. The park was once home to Paco, a 5-metre-long Nile crocodile regarded as the largest crocodile in Europe. After his death in 2018, his preserved body was placed on display in the park’s museum. Admission costs €18.50 for adults, €13.50 for children aged 5 to 10 and visitors aged 65 and over, and €10.50 for children aged 3 to 4.
Map of Torremolinos beaches and attractions
Where to stay? Beach hotels in Torremolinos and in the town centre
In Torremolinos, there is certainly no shortage of hotels, as it is a town with a distinctly tourist-oriented vocation. A good number of the most interesting places to stay are concentrated in the town centre, but anyone wishing to stay in a beach hotel in Torremolinos will also find a huge choice, among hotels, holiday homes and apartments. I strongly recommend booking in advance, because, as you can imagine, the town is packed in summer and if you leave it until the last minute, you risk missing out on the best deals. Below you will find some links with a selection of properties divided by area, while if you plan to stay overnight in Malaga, I recommend reading our advice here.
- All accommodation in the centre of Torremolinos
- All accommodation near Calle San Miguel
- All accommodation near Playa Carihuela
- All accommodation near Playa Bajondillo
- All accommodation near Playamar
- All accommodation near Playa de los Álamos
