Malaga is one of the top destinations along the Costa del Sol. There’s a lot to see Malaga’s city centre, and plenty of hotspots along the coast, such as Marbella and Fuengirola. There are also some incredible unique places in the Province of Malaga that are situated inland and are often overlooked. One of these places is Alhaurin de la Torre. There are some great things to do in Alhaurin and when you’ve exhausted your itinerary you can take a short drive to Benalmadena.
Alhaurin de la Torre is a favourite of expats and there are a few interesting points of interest here that are worth visiting. Although not much remains of the town’s past, it has a very rich history dating back to the time of the Phoenicians and Romans. Quite a few archaeological discoveries have been made in the area surrounding the town.
If you’re thinking of visiting this hidden gem in Malaga, here are some of the more popular tourist attractions in Alhaurin de la Torre and a few tips about where to eat in Alhaurin too.
Things to do in Alhaurin de la Torre
Explore the town centre
Let’s start with the town centre. This is where you’ll find the majority of the things to do in Alhaurin de la Torre. Taking some time to leisurely explore the main streets as well as the smaller side streets is a must. The weather in Alhaurin de la Torre is the same as other parts of the Costa del Sol, but you may get the odd rainy days in the summer due to its close proximity to the mountains. Most of the time though you should be fine to wander around the town without an umbrella.
Street art
What I found interesting while I was walking around the side streets of the town was how much modern street art there was. It isn’t apparent from the main streets, but the residential parts of the town have a few unique pieces of street art that will pop up every so often. The one shown in the photo is located on the street leading up to Finca El Porton. Taking a self-guided street art tour is one of the best things to do in Alhaurin all year round.
Finca El Porton
If you’re looking for free things to do in Alhaurin de la Torre and you enjoy walking around gardens, then you’ll want to visit Finca El Porton. This large outdoor auditorium sits next to the cultural museum and is set within a beautiful small garden. There are often shows put on in the auditorium so it may be worth checking the schedule before visiting.
Plaza San Sebastian
There are quite a lot of scenic spots in Alhaurin de la Torre to take photos of, as well as numerous plazas and park spaces. One of the most popular of these is Plaza San Sebastian, located very close to a church bearing the same name. This plaza is home to some nice restaurants too in case you’re looking for somewhere to take a break while you’re crossing off things to do in Alhaurin.
Walk under the crochet canopy
One of my favourite things to do in Alhaurin de la Torre is to walk along Calle Malaga when the crochet canopy is up. This canopy stretches down a large section of the street and consists of different crochet patterns. It’s all handmade by a group of local women who wanted to provide shade for residents during the summer months. It’s one of the most impressive things to see in Alhaurin and people come from all around to snap a photo of it.
Parroquia de San Sebastian
A short walk along Calle Malaga will bring you to the beautiful Parroquia de San Sebastian. This catholic church is located in Plaza de la Concepcion, and it plays a big role during the Holy Week celebrations. It originally dates back to the 16th century, but following an earthquake it had to be rebuilt in the mid-19th century. Visiting this church is one of the main things to do in Alhaurin.
Hornacina del Santo Cristo del Cardon
One of the more unusual things to do in Alhaurin de la Torre is to visit the Hornacina del Santo Cristo del Cardon. In 1484 a miracle is said to have happened on this spot during the Reconquest period, so it’s a very holy place in the town to visit. It’s quite difficult to find as it sits tucked away off of one of the main roads leading into the town and blends in with the nearby houses. But Google Maps should bring you to it easily enough.
Ermita del Alamillo
Just outside of the town centre sits the Ermita del Alamillo. This hermitage dates back to 1875 and during times of drought a procession is organized by the church-goers who will pray to the patron saint for rain. It’s a little tricky to stop here for a photo as it sits directly on the edge of a road, but if there’s no one around you can pull up in front of it quickly.
Jardin Oriental Bienquerido
One of the most popular things to do in Alhaurin de la Torre is to visit the Jardin Oriental Bienquerido. This oriental garden is completely free to enter and is open most days to the public. It’s considered to be one of the most beautiful gardens in the entire province too, so it’s worth adding to your itinerary if you have the time. Plus, it sits right across the road from Heladeria Valentino – in case you needed another excuse to get ice cream!
Acueducto de los Arcos de Zapata
If you’re like me and love visiting historical attractions, then Acueducto de los Arcos de Zapata should be on your list of things to do in Alhaurin. This unique aqueduct is located halfway between Alhaurin de la Torre and Malaga’s airport, so it’s easily missed by tourists. Also known as the King’s Bridge, it runs for over 5 km and originates from the 18th century, though it unfortunately never came into operation.
Plaza Mayor
After you’ve finished making your way around Alhaurin de la Torre, you may as well treat yourself to a meal or some shopping at Plaza Mayor. This large outdoor shopping complex is home to many of the best brands around and a lot of them are outlet shops too so you’ll definitely find a bargain.
This is a great spot to visit if you have some time to spare before heading to the airport as there are flight screens dotted around Plaza Mayor as well as bus links directly to the airport. It’s located in Churriana which is less than 15 minutes away from Alhaurin de la Torre by car.
Places to eat in Alhaurin de la Torre
Heladeria Valentino
If you’re looking for the best ice cream in Malaga, look no further than Heladeria Valentino. This seasonal ice cream shop is locally run and all of the ice cream is made on-site, with new flavours coming out regularly. Some of the most popular flavours will stay throughout the season, but there’s always a surprise waiting the next time you visit. It’s very budget friendly compared to other ice cream shops around Malaga and visiting Heladeria Valentino is one of the best things to do in Alhaurin if you like sweet treats.
Karu Restobar
Karu Restobar is one of the best places to eat in Alhaurin de la Torre. They’re open from early in the morning until mid-afternoon, and feature a fantastic menu of the day for a very reasonable price. There are several dishes available for each of the three courses, including vegetarian options. This restaurant in Alhaurin isn’t located in the town centre so it’s often missed by visitors. It’s a big hit with the locals though and comes highly recommended due to its menu based around local ingredients.
Bendito Bocado
The best smash burgers in Malaga come from Bendito Bocado. Their award-winning burger creations are made using only the freshest ingredients and each month they have a new specialty burger that’s always popular. They have a lot of options on their menu, with everything from classic American-style burgers to burgers topped with a slice of cheesecake and delicious pulled pork burgers. Vegetarians and vegans can swap out the meat patties on any of the burgers too. You can’t go wrong eating at Bendito Bocado – just make sure you arrive on an empty stomach!
Karmela Restaurant
Karmela Restaurant is a very popular place to eat in the very centre of Alhaurin de la Torre. This fusion restaurant in Malaga combines traditional Spanish dishes with innovation using local and seasonal ingredients. This is a great spot for tapas in Alhaurin, or if you’re feeling very hungry you can opt for one of their larger main dishes. If the weather is nice when you visit Karmela Restaurant, I would recommend dining in their outdoor patio space.
Asador Tita Paqui
One of the best places to eat in Alhaurin de la Torre for meat lovers is Asador Tita Paqui. It’s located along one of the main country roads leading into Alhaurin, so there are plenty of places to park compared to the town centre. The steak is very popular here, but as I’m not a big meat eater I chose the grilled chicken with vegetables which was incredible. I’d recommend booking a table if you’re visiting for lunch because it gets very busy.
Should you visit Alhaurin de la Torre?
Whether you’ve been to the Costa del Sol before or not, it’s always worth adding at least a couple of inland towns to your list of places to visit. There aren’t too many things to do in Alhaurín de la Torre so it can easily be seen in half a day. But it’s a charming small town to visit if you’re looking for somewhere off the beaten path near Málaga. There are also plenty of hiking trails and cycling routes around Alhaurín de la Torre if that’s of interest to you too.
Have you had the chance to visit Alhaurín de la Torre yet? If not, please let me know if you have any questions about the town or the surrounding area. Feel free to leave me a message below or get in touch via email. You can also follow my travels on Instagram and get in touch there!
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