Costa del Sol Tourism Guide - Torremolinos Beaches Restaurants

Torremolinos Beaches Costa Del Sol

The six main beaches in Torremolinos include the busy central beach Bajondillo, and Carihuela pushing west towards Benalmadena and Playamar pushing east towards Malaga.

Torremolinos is blessed with the widest and one of the longest stretches of beach area on the Med, with a grey beige sand soft on the feet.

La Carihuela to the west borders Torremolinos old town, and is renowned for its choice of excellent seafood restaurants. Both Playa Mar and Bajondillo central Torremolinos town beaches are the main tourist hubs. Heaving in peak season (quieter in May and October), these two Torremolinos beaches offer a host of watersports including pedalos with slides! Beach bars line Bajondillo and Playamar beaches particularly, with more restaurants, Torremolinos beach hotels and holiday shops off the paseo maritimo.

Another bonus with Torremolinos beaches is good disabled access, ample choice of sunbed and parasol hire, pedal boat hire, volleyball, loads of free parking along the promenade, and showers and kids play areas. Bajondillo has a lifeguard service, volleyball net, pedal boat, parking, kids area and is popular for fishing, diving, surfing and sailing. El Saltillo towards Benalmadena has disabled access, sunbed and parasol hire, volleyball, parking and a kids area. Watersports are also popular here. Los Alamos towards Malaga has disabled access, sunbed/parasol hire, and kids area whilst Montemar again has good disabled access, sunbed hire, pedal boats and a kids area. Playamar has a lifeguard service with volleyball, parking, kids area and sunbeds/parasol hire. All of Torremolinos' beaches have first aid points, ample litter bins, a choice of restaurants and bars adjacent and showers on the beach. The only downside is the lack of public toilets. For this you'll need to head into the bars or restaurants, usually purchasing a drink/food along the way or back to your apartment/hotel.

Torremolinos Shopping

Believe it of not Torremolinos is now one of the best shopping centres certainly on the Costa del Sol if not all the Costas. Largely pedestrianised around Calle San Miguel which is crammed with shops cafes and restaurants, shops wind down a charming flight of steps with arts and crafts shops along the way, to Bajondillo Beach. The pedestrian stairway down (Camino de la Playa) is a hotspot for gift and arts and crafts shopping in Torremolinos.

Calle San Miguel stretches up to Plaza Costa Del Sol through a choice of rather chic clothing shops, jewellery stalls, quirky gift shops, restaurants with outside seating and juice bars and patisseries. This area of central Torremolinos is buzzing and lively with a great atmosphere. Branch off to some of the quieter plazas too such as Plaza de Andalucia for bars and restaurants away from the main crowds.

The walk up into Torremolinos centre from the Paseo Maritimo is a pleasurable one, but will be difficult for visitors with disabilities. The Urbanos L2 Torremolinos bus scoots up and down from Playamar to Torremolinos bus station on Calle Hoyo (see the Portillo bus guide weblink right for details). Alternatively take a quick taxi up. Walking down to Torremolinos beach from the centre is easier.

Torremolinos markets are legendary for bargains. The main Municipal Market takes places every Thursday between 9am and 3pm (get there early for bargains!) at El Calvario just near the health centre and town hall in central Torremolinos. Sunday mornings also sees a huge car boot sale adjacent to Plaza de Toros Bull ring to the north of the old N340 road on Camino Manantiales.

Torremolinos Restaurants

Down on Torremolinos beachfront you've a huge choice of alfresco bars and restaurants lining the beach, alongside quick favourites including a Macdonalds. Traditional English food is easily available, especially English breakfasts.

For some of the best seafood in the Carihuela beach area checkout Casa Guaquin Seafood Torremolinos, Paseo Maritimo 63, La Carihuela. Tel. 95 2384530 for reservations. Closed from December to January. See also Casa Juan Seafood Restaurant, Calle San Gines 18-20, La Carihuela, Torremolinos. Tel. 95 237 35 12. Closed in December.

If you fancy sampling some traditional Spanish Andalucian fare Torremolinos has a good choice here too including El Gato Viudo, La Nogalera 11, La Nogalera Torremolinos. Tel. 95 238 51 29. See also Figon de Montemar on Av.Espada 101, La Carihuela, Torremolinos. Tel. 95 237 26 88 for reservations. Closed from mid Jan to mid Feb.

For a good restaurant and bar listing in Torremolinos see the official Costa Del Sol/Torremolinos tourist website right.