10 Best Things to Do in Torremolinos

Discover the bustling centre of Torremolinos Old Town that stretches from the seafront promenade. Starting along the section known as Paseo Maritimo del Bajondillo, make your way in toward the oldest section of the town to stroll along the pedestrianised Calle San Miguel. It’s lined with restaurants and bars, as well as shops ranging from jewellers and fashion boutiques to souvenir stores and delicatessens.

As you meander the streets, you’ll also cross paths with Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel, an 18th-century Andalusian neoclassical-style church in a small square at the end of Calle San Miguel. Another historical point of interest is the only remaining trace of Torre de Pimentel (Tower of the Mills), which dates back to the 1300s. 

The largest beach along the Torremolinos coast, Playa de la Carihuela is a fantastic summer playground for families. Its sheltered and shallow waters are great for swimming, while the dark sand that's unique to the region is good for beach sports including volleyball. Day beds and umbrellas are available for hire throughout the summer to make the most of your day.

If you fancy making use of the variety of watersports activities, diving and sailing lessons, as well as boat and catamaran hires are available at Puerto Marina, on the western end of the beach. Shops, restaurants and bars are plentiful along the promenade. Playa de la Carihuela also has several play areas for children.

Parque La Batería offers a lush oasis of green with delightful sea views. The park offers more than 74,000 sq m of relaxing space to unwind and disconnect from the busy streets of the town centre. Built on the site of a former defensive artillery battery, you can spot a few old cannons and 2 underground bunkers within the park grounds. 

Parque La Batería has a charming Venetian-style carousel with over 50 figures including horses, carriages and giraffes for children to enjoy. Hire a boat to explore the large man-made lake, the park’s main attraction, or climb its onsite mirador to take in views of the Mediterranean and surrounding mountains.

The thriving area of La Carihuela has become a cosmopolitan home for gastronomy and leisure in recent years. A remarkable dish is the pescaíto (small fried fish), which you can enjoy at many restaurants in the La Carihuela area of Torremolinos. 

Set just a few streets back from the beachfront promenade, you’ll find yourself lost among the charm of the quiet grid-like streets characterised by low-rise houses dressed in bright bougainvillaea. Peppered throughout the various nooks of La Carihuela are a few sparse remnants of the fishing village, a throwback to the area's seafaring past.

Casa de los Navajas is an exceptional example of Spanish medieval Moorish architecture that enjoyed a resurgence in popularity throughout the 1920s and 1930s. Overlooking the beach at Playamar, it was built by a wealthy family in 1925 and later declared as a building of historic interest in 1991.

Fitted with elegant mosaics across its facade and furnished with Art Deco-meets-Spanish Renaissance fittings, the mansion hosts a photography exhibition that commemorates the city’s past. Thanks to its spectacular architecture, many weddings and ceremonies take place at Casa de los Navajas throughout the year.

Aqualand is a waterpark with different sections for adults and a children's area with a range of water games. It's an excellent alternative for families looking for a different way to cool off instead of spending a day at the beach. 

Located just 5 minutes from downtown Torremolinos, Aqualand has more than 30 slides, a mini-golf course, and a surf beach. Experience a 100-metre drop down the Black Hole, try your hand at rafting the Rapids, or brave the highest drop in Europe on the Kamikaze. For those looking for something a little more relaxing, chill out in the Tropical Lagoon or spend some time in the Jacuzzi.

Jardín Botánico Molino de Inca lets you take a little time to slow down and spend your day at a leisurely pace in Torremolinos. Located near the Molino de Batán, the botanic gardens are just beyond the town centre. Home to more than 1,000 plant species, the gardens also welcome a variety of birdlife.

Jardín Botánico Molino de Inca was developed in 2003 after a long working history as a milling site for flour, grinding bread, and making brown paper. A replica of the old mill can be seen nearby and the gardens are ideal for somewhere to cool off for an afternoon while enjoying a picnic.

Benalmádena Pueblo is a quiet hilltop village dressed in whitewash buildings with terracotta roofs that are reminiscent of yesterday’s Spain. The sleepy village has so far escaped the clutches of tourism, making it a delightful place to retreat from the bustling streets of Torremolinos’ centre.

The town is centred around Plaza De Espana, a lovely square skirted by orange trees. The church offers beautiful gardens with impressive views. Must-sees include the flowers that adorn the walls of many of Benalmádena Pueblo’s homes, with pots of geraniums adding bright pops of colour contrasted against the white walls.

Take in spectacular views across the Costa del Sol from La Cañada del Lobo (Wolf’s Ravine). Surrounded by abundant pine forests, the trail offers several viewpoints to admire the environmental riches that surround Torremolinos. One viewpoint pays homage to the area’s name with a sculpture of a howling wolf.

The panoramic views take in the sights from the nearby Mediterranean coast to the Sierra Nevada in the distance, as well as the neighbouring mountains and the Hoya de Málaga. The trails to the viewpoints take you through a dense pine forest that is peppered with other species including oak, cork and wild olive trees, adding to the tranquillity of the journey.

While the pedestrianised streets of Torremolinos town centre are bustling with families and beachgoers by day, they come to life in an entirely different way by night. Open-air clubbing has become particularly popular in Torremolinos in recent years, with parties lasting up to 9 am in some venues.

Sip on cocktails at Sandro Cocktail Bar, stop in at The Bailey Irish Pub and enjoy the outdoor atmosphere at New Garfield's Café Rock before dancing the night away at Octan Club. El Gato is very popular with Torremolinos LGBT+ travellers.