Torremolinos is one of the most popular resort towns on the Costa del Sol, located just 20 minutes from Malaga.
If you are wondering what to see in Torremolinos, this guide will help you discover the town’s main attractions, lively streets, beautiful beaches and family-friendly places to visit.
Travellers from all over the world come here for its mild climate, long sandy beaches and wide range of entertainment options available throughout the year.
The history of Torremolinos dates back to the 8th century, when it was a small settlement of millers and fishermen surrounded by fields and sugar cane plantations.
The town’s name comes from the Spanish words torre (tower) and molinos (mills). Watchtowers and water mills once played an important role here and remained in use until the 18th century.
In the mid-20th century, Torremolinos experienced rapid development. Tourism transformed the town into one of the main resort centres on the Costa del Sol.
Today, Torremolinos combines modern resort life with Andalusian traditions, offering visitors both lively holiday atmosphere and cultural heritage.
Top attractions in Torremolinos
Torremolinos offers plenty of interesting places to explore. Below are the main attractions worth including in your itinerary.
Torremolinos town centre
There is no historical centre as such, but there are plenty of squares and tourist streets, which we'll cover in order:
Calle Cuesta del Tajo
A pedestrian street with a staircase that leads gently up to the Plaza de San Miguel.
As you go up, you will come across souvenir shops, workshops and trinket shops.
Torre de los Molinos
The Torre de los Molinos tower, now known as Torre Pimentel, was named after a soldier who helped the Catholic monarchs conquer Malaga in the XV century.
The tower is located next to the steps of Cuesta del Tajo street, but the tower itself doesn't look remarkable and can be overlooked as long as your eyes look under your feet when climbing.
Built over 700 years ago, in 1300, it was part of the Nasrid defence network on the southern coast of the Iberian Peninsula.
Standing 12 metres high, it has two floors and a terrace from which guards watched the sea for threats.
Plaza de San Miguel
The street of stairs leads to the always lively square with a small but pretty church of the same name, the Iglesia de San Miguel.
Entrance to the church is free, you can come and admire the altar and feel the atmosphere that is characteristic only of such holy places.
Calle San Miguel
The most fashionable and shopping street in Torremolinos, San Miguel Street, starts from the square.
It is full of shops where you can find fashion brands as well as shoes, accessories and clothes at affordable prices.
Plaza de La Nogalera
This neighbourhood, located in the heart of the resort, a stone's throw from San Miguel Street, has become a symbol for the LGBTI+ community.
It was here that the first gay bar in Spain, Tony's Bar, opened. A few steps away is the Begoña Passage, recognised by the Junta de Andalucía and the Congress of Deputies as a place of historical memory for LGBTBI.
It was here, on the night of 24 June 1971, that a tragic raid took place, resulting in the arrest of one hundred people.
Its streets host carnivals, gastronomic festivals and many other entertainment events.
Plaza Costa del Sol
The Costa del Sol square, which became pedestrianised in 2019, has been transformed into a grand boulevard for tourists and locals alike.
Highlights here include a huge gazebo with arches reminiscent of waves and the sculpture ‘Los Oficios’ by Elena Laveron.
The square is surrounded by greenery, wide alleys and benches, making it an ideal meeting place.
Visitors can enjoy the bars, cafes and restaurants, as well as participate in outdoor activities or simply stroll around admiring the art.
Plaza Pablo Ruiz Picasso
Just off the Costa del Sol is the small Pablo Ruiz Picasso Square, home to a sculpture of the artist created by Salvador García Rodríguez in 2005.
The sculpture depicts Picasso with a palette, immersed in his work. The realism of the work gives the impression that the artist is about to start painting.
Plaza de Andalucia
This square is not exactly a tourist attraction in Torremolinos, despite its name. And, if you don't get here, that's okay.
But there is a refreshing three-tiered marble fountain in the centre of the square and it's not as crowded.
La Casa de los Navajas: the architectural jewel
La Casa de los Navajas is a neo-Mudejar palace that has become a symbol of the city and a popular tourist attraction.
Built almost a hundred years ago, it is located on the beach of El Bajondillo and was declared a historical value in 1991.
The palace was built by Antonio Navaja, a businessman who was involved in sugar cane production. He decided to build this residence for his family and the building has been home to three generations.
Torremolinos City Hall purchased it with the condition that Navaja's daughter could live in it for three years, after which restoration work began.
The architectural style of Casa de los Navajas is reminiscent of the buildings of the University of Malaga and includes two floors, round towers and conical roofs. The ground floor was used as a living space, while the ground floor has a room and a veranda with beautiful views of the coast.
The exterior is decorated with Seville tiles and costumbrista-style ceramics. The palace serves as a venue for exhibitions, concerts and weddings. Free admission is available Friday to Sunday from 11:00 to 14:00 and 16:00 to 18:00.
Casa de los Navajas is the perfect place for romantic events and travelling back in time to the history of sugar cane production. Don't miss the opportunity to visit this amazing place!
Plaza de Toros
The bullfighting arena was opened to the public on 4 September 2003 with the participation of matadors Javier Conde, ‘Morante de la Puebla’ and Salvador Vega.
The arena, designed by architect Ignacio Dorao Orduño, is in the style of Andalusian modernism and has an outer diameter of 76 metres and an inner diameter of 45 metres.
It has a capacity of 3,500 spectators, with additional seats in boxes and for officials. The arena has everything you need: an infirmary, stables, chapel, shops and a museum.
As of 2015, bullfighting is no longer held in the arena. Nowadays, concerts, evening shows and other entertainment events are held here.
And on Thursdays there is a street market next to the arena, which is also worth a visit!
Amusement parks in Torremolinos
Aqualand
Aqualand Torremolinos is a water park on the Costa del Sol, just 20 minutes walk from the city centre.
If you have a car, it's only 5 minutes away. There is a parking area and you can park your car for 2 euros.
At this water park you will find a wide range of water rides including:
- Boomerang is a circular adventure for adrenaline junkies.
- The superslalom is a twisty slide with turns.
- Kamikaze is for speed enthusiasts.
- Crazy Race - A race through water obstacles.
- The Black Hole is a mysterious slide with unexpected twists and turns.
- The wave pool is for relaxing with lawns and hammocks.
- Children's Paradise is a play area for the little ones.
- Hurakan and Tukakame are new slides for an unforgettable experience.
In addition to the rides, the park has a (pricey though) restaurant with a varied menu, snack stands, a souvenir shop and relaxation areas. An 18-hole miniature golf course is also available.
Admission prices vary: adults from 34 to 36 euros, children from 26 to 28 euros, a family package costs 110 euros. Opening hours depend on the season, from 30 April to 6 October.
Aqualand is the perfect place for family holidays and fun! But July and August are certainly not the best times to visit, so if you find yourself here at this time - know that everyone else is on holiday too and they all want to go to this water park!
During these two months Aqualand Water Park is very crowded, but at other times it's a beauty, you can relax to the fullest and practically no queues.
Cocodrilo Park
The Crocodile Park offers a unique opportunity to see large crocodiles and small crocodiles at close range.
Here you can visit an African museum, a classroom and a projection room, as well as have your photo taken with a baby crocodile. Crocodile feeding takes place in the park and you can see the largest crocodile in Europe, ‘El Gran Paco’.
The park provides a safe and environmentally friendly environment. The park ranger is actively involved in the study of palaeontology and periodically conducts expeditions, including a recent one to the Sahara, where crocodile fossils some 100 million years old were found.
The park is great for family holidays and educational excursions. Interesting place!
Parque de la Batería
If you have the time, Parque de la Bateria is a great place to relax and have fun on an area of more than 74,000 square metres.
It is located on the site of an old defence structure, which gives it historical value.
The park preserves the natural vegetation and includes artillery pieces and two underground bunkers.
There are various areas for entertainment: a large children's playground, a Venetian-style carousel and an artificial lake with boat hire. There are also sports fields, a path for cyclists and runners, and a breathtaking view of the sea from a height of 15 metres.
There are various areas for entertainment: a large children's playground, a Venetian-style carousel and an artificial lake with boat hire. There are also sports fields, a path for cyclists and joggers, and a breathtaking view of the sea from a height of 15 metres.
The park is decorated with sculptures and fountains and has more than 750 specimens of vegetation. Toilets, a cafeteria and resting places are also available.
Children's activities including theatres and gymnastics are organised in summer. The park offers the perfect combination of recreation, sport and family fun.
Beautiful beaches
One of the main reasons why tourists choose this place is its stunning beaches.
Los Alamos Beach — is one of the most famous beaches in Torremolinos, with a length of 1500 metres and a width of 60 metres. It offers windsurfing and kitesurfing.
The promenade, opened in 2004, offers entertainment including jet skiing and jet boat rides. The beach can be reached by foot, bus or train.
Playamar Beach, 1000 metres long and 50 metres wide, offers a variety of water sports and comfortable places to relax. It is popular with families and is within walking distance of the city centre.
La Carihuela beach is the longest (2100 metres) and most famous beach in the city, bordering Benalmadena and attracting tourists with restaurants and beach bars. Here you can enjoy local cuisine and holidays with children.
Bajondillo Beach, 1000 metres long, is known for its dark sand and moderate waves.
It is a popular place for walks and family holidays with many restaurants. Easy access is provided via the lively San Miguel Street and other routes including lifts.
What to try in Torremolinos
The food here is something special. Andalusian cuisine is on full display here and you can try traditional dishes such as paella, espeto de sardinas, boquerones (small deep-fried fish), gazpacho, tortilla.
Also, don't forget to try the famous Spanish tapas at any of the many bars. It's not just a meal, it's part of the culture, allowing you to try many different dishes in one meal.
Places to visit near Torremolinos
💡 For convenience and ease of travel, we recommend car rental 🚗
If you have already seen the main attractions of Torremolinos, here are some ideas for walks and trips in the surrounding area:
- Malaga attractions — what to see in Malaga and which places are a must-visit.
- What to see near Malaga — the best routes and attractions in the surrounding area.
- What to see in Fuengirola — a selection of the best beaches, walking areas and attractions for family holidays.
- Benalmádena — this city is simply a treasure trove of attractions.
- Marbella — enjoy the luxury and charm of a resort town
- Ronda — take a look at the architectural masterpiece of the 18th century — Puente Nuevo
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