There are many fantastic things to do in Torremolinos since it’s a very tourist-oriented town along the Costa del Sol. It’s one of Spain’s most popular holiday destinations and is where the Costa del Sol’s first hotels opened up, so it really was a pioneer of tourism in this area. Torremolinos isn’t for everyone, but there are some unique points of interest to visit in the old town as well as more inland.
Prior to bursting onto the scene as a tourist hotspot in the 1950s, Torremolinos was a poor fishing village with a very long history dating back to the time of the Phoenicians and the Romans. But the town wasn’t given its current name until the Moorish conquest in the 8th century when they began to build mills here. At the end of the 15th century the town went into a period of decline. It wasn’t until the 1920s that British visitors started to frequent the area, sparking a massive revival of Torremolinos.
Despite its reputation as a sunseeker destination and party town, there is plenty of history to uncover here and quite a lot of unique things to do in Torremolinos apart from visiting the beaches. Here’s a complete guide for visiting Torremolinos, whether this will be your first time here or you’ve been before.
Things to do in Torremolinos
Explore the old town
Old Town Torremolinos is the beating heart of this coastal town, and to me it’s a lot more interesting to walk around than the modern areas. Calle San Miguel is one of the main streets in the old town and it’s lined with shops and restaurants. The old town is fully pedestrianized so it has a unique charm to it, and there are plenty of tourist attractions near Calle San Miguel to visit. Exploring the old town is easily one of the best things to do in Torremolinos throughout the year.
Clock Tower
One of the most instantly recognizable attractions in Torremolinos is the Clock Tower. This building is now home to a popular bar and offers live music on a regular basis to its customers. You can always admire the views from the top of the Clock Tower too as it has one of the best rooftop bars in Torremolinos. But if you’re not into that sort of thing then you can’t miss the opportunity to take a photo of its exterior from the street.
Admire the street art
As you make your way through Torremolinos old town, you’ll come across a number of modern and vibrant pieces of street art – some of which are enormous. One of my favourites’ is located on the wall of the Clock Tower, and there are plenty of other pieces in the nearby streets. Checking out the street art is one of the best free things to do in Torremolinos if you have some spare time in your itinerary.
Torre de Pimentel
One of the top places to visit in Torremolinos if you want to see some of the town’s historical sites is the Torre de Pimentel. It was originally called the Torre de los Molinos after the mills that were built in the area. The Catholic monarchs at the end of the 15th century changed it to its current name as homage to a soldier who helped them conquer the region. The tower dates back to the early 14th century and would have formed part of a larger defensive network.
Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel
Sitting just behind Torre de Pimentel is the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel. This is another Torremolinos attraction worth adding to your list of things to see and it’s very easy to locate. San Miguel is the patron saint of Torremolinos and this is who the 18th century church is named after. It’s not very elaborate inside but the exterior is quite unique, offering a nice spot to take a photo.
Parque de la Bateria
Parque de la Bateria can be considered one of the biggest hidden gems in Torremolinos for tourists. This is a very popular park among locals, but it’s often missed by visitors as it’s not located along the coast or in the old town. It’s home to an artificial lake, a beautiful lookout tower that’s fun to climb to the top of, a carousel, biking lanes, and plenty of other family-friendly attractions. In the past a defensive battery would have been located here which is where the name derives from.
Casa de los Navajas
One of the most unusual things to do in Torremolinos is to visit Casa de los Navajas (House of the Knives). In the early 20th century when Torremolinos was attracting more visitors, many people chose to build second homes in the area. Casa de los Navajas is one of the more unique pieces of architecture to emerge from this period. It sits very close to Playa del Bajondillo and is a free attraction in Torremolinos to visit – just keep in mind the steps to get to the top.
Mini Golf Park
For those of you wanting to add some fun things to do in Torremolinos to your list, Mini Golf Park is a very popular mini golf course located less than 5 minutes from Casa de los Navajas. The course is pet friendly and costs just €6 per person, making it a great family-friendly activity in Torremolinos. It sits within very close proximity of the beaches and nearby restaurants.
Relax on the beaches
The beaches in Torremolinos are some of the best along the Costa del Sol – they’re also extremely busy in the summer months. Playa de la Carihuela is a popular beach to visit which has been frequented by Hollywood’s most famous actors and actresses in the past. It also sits within walking distance of Benalmadena if you walk along the promenade. The other beaches that I would recommend are Playa del Bajondillo which is close to many hotels, bars, and restaurants, and Playa de Los Alamos which is a quieter beach compared to others.
For a nice stroll along the seafront, Punta de Torremolinos is a natural monument that divides La Carihuela and El Bajondillo. It’s also where the first hotel in Torremolinos was built. This area once housed a defensive battery in the 18th century, so the viewpoint is quite special.
Eden Beach Club
There are a lot of beach clubs in Torremolinos to choose from, as well as plenty of bars in the town centre. Eden Beach Club is a fantastic place to grab a very cheap cocktail while relaxing on the beach on one of the sun loungers. The club isn’t open in the off-season so your only chance is to visit during the warmer months. This is also one of the top gay bars in Torremolinos and is a lot of fun during the evening.
Take a look at the sand sculptures
One of the coolest things about Torremolinos is how many beautiful and intricate sand sculptures you can find along the beaches. These sculptures are handmade by local artists looking to earn some extra money, so you’ll usually find a hat or cup somewhere along the promenade to throw coins into. You never know what type of sculpture you’ll come across so keep your eyes peeled.
Jardin Botanico Molino de Inca
If you like gardens, then one of the best things to do in Torremolinos is to drive to Jardin Botanico Molino de Inca. These gardens are home to various species of birds, a beautiful and quiet botanical garden, water fountains, and an interesting exhibition about the history of mills in the area. Entry costs around €3 and there are free parking spaces available across the road from the entrance.
Places to eat in Torremolinos
La Caleta Beach Club
One of the best places to eat seafood in Torremolinos is at La Caleta Beach Club. It’s located in La Carihuela and their menu offers guests a unique gastronomic experience centred around Mediterranean cuisine and cocktails. You’ll often find live music events here as well, especially during the peak tourism season.
There are a lot of seafood dishes on the menu and their portions are very generous. You can even see some of the sardines and other fish being freshly cooked over an open fire. If you’re not in the mood for seafood though, there are plenty of other options available, including some classic Spanish dishes with a modern twist. I’d recommend visiting just before sunset when it’s cooler so you can enjoy the view of the beach with less people walking around. Feel free to pop into La Caleta Beach Club for a couple of cocktails too if you’re not feeling particularly hungry.
Onkel Willi
If you’re a fan of fusion food then you’ll want to stop at Onkel Willi. It’s located directly along the waterfront so it’s the perfect spot to come for lunch after a morning on the beach. They have a unique menu that mixes German and Lebanese food together, so you can expect items like bratwurst, kebabs, rice dishes, and tasty homemade burgers available. The burgers are exceptional and they’re served on a soft brioche bun with plenty of fresh toppings. Onkel Willi is a must-try restaurant in Torremolinos if you want a fast and tasty meal.
Lena Cafe & Bakery
One of the best places to eat in the old town of Torremolinos is Lena Cafe & Bakery. It’s located in one of the main plazas and offers lots of outdoor seating. It’s the perfect cafe to visit at any time of the day and you’re spoiled for choice in terms of food and drinks. The freshly baked bread was a highlight for me because it made all of the sandwiches taste incredible.
There’s also plenty of sweet treats to choose from including their version of the viral cookie-croissant. I would recommend ordering a freshly blending fruit smoothie to go with your meal and to cool you down from the heat of the sun. Don’t miss this cafe in Torremolinos!
If you’re not in the mood for sandwiches or pastries, you can always stop by Lena Cafe & Bakery and take an ice cream away with you. they have lots of flavours available as well as some unique toppings. Their ice cream sundae is incredible though, and it’s a good size for sharing, so you may want to sit down for a while and indulge in one of those instead. Visiting this cafe is one of the best things to do in Torremolinos and you won’t be disappointed.
Is Torremolinos worth visiting?
With so many unique things to do in Torremolinos, it’s certainly worth considering adding to your Andalusian itinerary. It’s a great option for a day trip from Malaga at any time of the year, and it’s very close to other holiday destinations such as Fuengirola, Benalmadena, and Mijas.
For those of you planning to hit up one of the many beaches in Torremolinos, ensure you arrive early to get a prime spot. But don’t forget to see everything else that Torremolinos has to offer as well.
Have you visited Torremolinos before? Or maybe you have some questions regarding things to do in Torremolinos? Please get in touch via email or leave a comment below. You can follow my travels on Instagram too and reach out there.
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