Is Torremolinos Worth Visiting? All Your Questions Answered

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Are you considering a holiday in Torremolinos? Or perhaps just a day trip?

In this article, I will answer all the questions you might have about spending your holiday in Torremolinos!

Let’s jump right in!

Is Torremolinos Worth Visiting?

Short answer: No, it’s not a top choice for me.

BUT it might be a good fit for you if you’re looking one for one of the following things:

cheap all-inclusive holiday package deals
you want to stay on Costa del Sol with easy access to the beach and budget accommodation options
easy and fuss-free access to and from the airport
if you’re looking for a gay-friendly town and resort, with a lot of action, parties and experiences
you don’t mind how the city looks like as you’re planning to stay on the beach or hotel only
you need access to a water park if you’re coming with kids

Why I don’t like Torremolinos?

the city looks very much like it’s stuck in the mass development era of 60s and 70s – old crumbling buildings, and dated apartment blocks that seem to spring out everywhere without any particular urban planning. The communist-looking buildings are set among newly added modern developments overlooking the coastline, and to me, the whole city just seems like it has no identity anymore.
the above also translates to the overall lower quality of hotels and accommodations available
very touristy-looking coastline with trashy beach shops and hamburger restaurants on most of the promenade strip
while the city has an old town part, it looks very different from the whitewashed Andalusian village you would expect (like Mijas Pueblo, Marbella old town or Frigiliana). If you’re expecting a picture-perfect pretty village, you will be very disappointed
in summer, the whole city looks like a Pride festival extended for a three-month period. While I don’t mind streets full of half-naked men in tight speedos, you might want to reconsider if you’re coming for a family holiday with kids =)
the main reason why I would avoid Torremolinos is the fact that there are so many other beautiful destinations in Costa del Sol, and if you still want to see the city, you can easily come here for a day trip (in fact, you can walk to Torremolinos if you’re staying in the nearby town of Benalmadena)

Torremolinos beach promenade — Beach promenade in Torremolinos

What To Do in Torremolinos?

Torremolinos is mostly known for its beaches and gay-friendly atmosphere, not for the plentiful activities available.

However, there are some places you can explore within the city itself:

Molino de Inca Botanical Garden – this is probably the only place I liked in Torremolinos, it’s located just outside of the city. Pretty botanical garden with water features and an old mill. Nice afternoon trip from the city.
Torremolinos Water Park (Aqualand Torremolinos) – I tend to avoid these places, but if you’re coming with kids and need a break from the beach, you can test it out.
Torremolinos Crocodile Park – I have not visited and not planning to, as the reviews were not great and I generally try to stay away from any animal theme parks (if you love animals, the only place I would recommend is the Bioparc in Fuengirola)
Casa de los Navajas – Moorish palace from 1925 with nice sea views and some temporary exhibitions. Tried to visit twice and was closed on each occasion. Maybe I will get third time lucky.
Parque de la Bateria – a green space on the edge of the city with a pond, boats, walking trails and a playground for kids. Easy access from the Montemar Alto train station next to it. Not exactly easy access to the town on foot (about 30 mins walk to the main train station in Torremolinos)

What Region is Torremolinos in?

Torremolinos is located in the autonomous community of Andalusia in Southern Spain. It belongs to the province of Malaga. It is the 6th biggest city in the province.

In terms of geographic location, Torremolinos is located on Costa del Sol, halfway between Benalmadena and Malaga.

READ MORE: Where is Torremolinos?

Which Airport do you Fly in for Torremolinos?

The closest airport for Torremolinos is Malaga Costa del Sol International airport.

From the airport, it’s a very short 10-minute car or taxi journey, or you can also take the local C-1 train in the direction of Fuengirola. The train journey is also around 10 – 15 minutes.

How Far is Torremolinos from Malaga Airport?

The distance between Malaga Airport and Torremolinos is about 8 km, which is a short 10-minute taxi or car journey.

beach of Torremolinos in winter — The beach in Torremolinos in winter

How to Get from Malaga Airport to Torremolinos?

The easiest way to get to Torremolinos from the airport is the local taxi, or taking the local C-1 train. I have linked a detailed transport guide for the airport commute below. In there you will also find the price estimate and journey duration details.

What is Torremolinos like?

Torremolinos is the first coastal fishing village that has been developed in the late 50s into a holiday resort town. There was a mass development of hotels and new apartment buildings in the 60s and 70s, and much of the town still looks like it is stuck in that era.

The town is divided into two parts – the older part of the town which was the original village located higher up on the hill, and the developed coastal areas by the beach.

In the summer, Torremolinos is considered to be the ‘gay capital of Costa del Sol’, with lots of activity in the beach bars and restaurants. It gets very busy and very fast, with the crowds leaving only as late as October.

Torremolinos is also known for its nightlife and as the place to go for parties in the summer.

With a long stretch of 8km of sandy beaches, it offers plenty of space for holidaymakers enjoying the nearly year-round sunny days.

Torremolinos, Spain — Old town Torremolinos

Torremolinos Distances

Torremolinos to Malaga: 24 km (14 miles)
Torremolinos to Marbella: 47 km (29 miles)
Torremolinos to Benidorm: 527 km (327 miles)
Torremolinos to Gibraltar: 122 km (75 miles)
Torremolinos to Mijas: 20 km (12 miles)
Torremolinos to Fuengirola: 19.5 km (12 miles)

What is the Temperature in Torremolinos?

Torremolinos enjoys a mild climate with pleasant temperatures even during the winter months.

In the summer, the temperatures can reach up to 38C in August, and in the winter months, the lowest temperatures are around 12 – 15C.

beach side in Torremolinos — Beachside in Torremolinos

Torremolinos: All in the Name

Torremolinos is a long name that’s not always easy to remember. I will add some common misspellings you will encounter for the city here:

Torremelinos
Torromelinos
Torremolinas
Torremalinos
Torre molinos
Tormelinos
Terromolinos
Torrimolinos
Tormolinos
Torromolinos

Torremolinos Transport Guides

If you’re planning to venture out of Torremolinos and explore nearby destinations, I have prepared detailed transport guides for the most popular options here:

Torremolinos to Fuengirola transport guide

Torremolinos to Seville transport guide

Torremolinos to Marbella transport guide

Torremolinos Popular Day Trip Options

Day Trips From Torremolinos to Granada: Top Tips For 2023

Caminito Del Rey Day Trip From Torremolinos: Plan Your Trip & Book Online

Day Trip From Torremolinos To Ronda: Book Online + Local Tips

Day Trip From Torremolinos To Gibraltar: Book Online (With Local Tips)

Explore Around Torremolinos

Molino de Inca: A Hidden Oasis in Torremolinos

Is Benalmadena Worth Visiting? All Your Questions Answered!

Is Fuengirola Worth Visiting? All Your Questions Answered

Fuengirola Tourist Attractions You Shouldn’t Miss

15 Fantastic Things to Do in Benalmadena: Recommended by a Local

Yucas Mare Restaurant, Benalmadena

How to Spend a Day in Fuengirola

Tips from a Local Expat: The Best Restaurants in Fuengirola

Southern Spain Travel Planning Guide

Is it safe to drive in Spain?

YES! The roads in Southern Spain are generally in very good condition, with modern highways connecting the biggest cities. To rent a car, I highly recommend Discover Cars, which will get you the best deals on your car rental for your trip.

WHAT IF I DON’T WANT TO DRIVE?

PUBLIC TRANSPORT — Southern Spain has a well-established and modern network of trains and buses. To get the cheapest bus or train tickets, take a look at Omio to find the timetables and prices.

DAY TRIPS — If you don’t like the hassle of using public transport, local travel companies offer many day trip options from almost all the destinations in Southern Spain. You can check them out here.

WHERE SHOULD I BOOK MY ACCOMMODATION?

BOOKING.COM — I have been using booking.com for all my trips in Spain and abroad, and have never had any negative experiences. Their reviews are very accurate and you get the best deals even on apartments, not just hotels.

ARE THERE LUGGAGE STORE OPTIONS IN THE CITIES?

YES — If you would like to leave your luggage behind to explore the city on your last day, before heading to the airport, you can use Radical Storage service, which lets you book luggage storage options in almost all the destinations in Southern Spain.

DO I NEED TO BUY A LOCAL SIM CARD FOR THIS TRIP?

YES – You can, of course, use your own card if you have roaming data available. If you want to avoid surprising extra charges from your operator, you can use a service like Airalo, where you can buy digital packs for e-sim cards, avoiding the hassle of sourcing local physical sim cards and extra roaming charges anywhere you go.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links – if you decide to book using one of the links, I will earn a small commission that helps me run this site. This is at no extra cost to you.

2 thoughts on “Is Torremolinos Worth Visiting? All Your Questions Answered”

Ryan

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Thanks for this article. My parents wanted me to visit this spot from their honeymoon decades ago and i was skeptical. Thanks for going over most of reasons why to go AND not to visit.
- Lucia
  
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  Thanks Ryan, good to hear it helped to make the decision!