5 Essential Visits in Torremolinos

Torremolinos on the Costa del Sol is situated only a few kilometres from Malaga airport is known as the cradle of tourism and also the birthplace of Gay Tourism in Spain. In an era when the rest of the country was still under the command of Franco, this small fishing village became a stronghold of freedom in the midst of the dictatorship and attracted the first international “Jet-Set” of famous actors, including Ava Gardner, Frank Sinatra, Orson Welles, Marlon Brando and Brigitte Bardot who even dared to sunbathe topless.

Torremolinos has always been known for being a liberal and open place for several decades and was especially known for its crazy parties. Of these years also date many hotels and buildings massification of its shores, once as pristine as the beaches of Tarifa.

The Jet-Set has moved to Marbella and Torremolinos in recent years has mainly attracted low-cost tourism. This certainly is now changing with major investments taking place in the city that is becoming again a popular top-level holiday destination.

Meanwhile the 7 km long coastal strip has all kinds of facilities for the enjoyment of sun and beach tourists, the old centre of Torremolinos still maintains its typical charm of an Andalusian village, in the district of El Calvario located west of the city centre in the upper area of the municipality and the old town around Calle San Miguel, where is located at the end of the old fourteenth century Defense Tower which gave its name to the village, due to the many mills that once stood there.

The beaches of Torremolinos El Bajondillo and La Carihuela are the most popular and central ones. In the district Bajondillo is also located the Casa de los Navajos, a nice Neo-Mudéjar palace that stands out among the surrounding construction. The Carihuela is the old quarter of fishermen and famous for its “Pescaito Festival” which takes place every year in early June.