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Málaga is one of the top destinations along the Costa del Sol to visit. There’s a lot to see and do in Málaga’s city centre, and plenty of hotspots along the coast to see, such as Marbella and Fuengirola. That being said, there are some incredible unique places in the Province of Málaga to explore too which are situated more inland and are often overlooked by tourists. One of these places is Alhaurín de la Torre - a small town sitting in the hills less than 30 minutes drive from Málaga, and even closer to Benalmádena.
There aren’t a lot of things to do in Alhaurín de la Torre compared to other popular towns in the area, but it’s a favourite of expats and there are a few interesting points of interest here that are worth visiting. Although not much remains of the town’s past, it has a very rich history dating back to the time of the Phoenicians and Romans, and many archaeological discoveries have been made in the area. If you’re thinking of visiting this quaint town, here are some of the more popular tourist attractions in Alhaurín de la Torre to see.
1. Town Centre
Let’s start with the town centre. This is where you’ll find the majority of the shops and restaurants in Alhaurín de la Torre, so taking some time to leisurely explore the main streets as well as the smaller side streets is a must. The weather in Alhaurín de la Torre is the same as other parts of the Costa del Sol, but you may get the odd rainy days in the summer due to its close proximity to the hills. Most of the time though you should be fine to wander around the town without an umbrella.
2. Street Art
What I found interesting while I was walking around the side streets of the town was how much modern street art there was. It isn’t apparent from the main streets, but the more residential parts of the town have a few unique pieces of street art that will pop up every so often. The one shown in the photo is located on the street leading up to Finca El Portón.
3. Finca El Portón
If you’re looking for free things to do in Alhaurín de la Torre and enjoy walking around gardens, then you’ll want to take the short walk from the very centre of town to visit Finca El Portón. This large outdoor auditorium sits next to the cultural museum and is set within a beautiful small garden. There are often shows put on in the auditorium so it may be worth checking the schedule before visiting.
4. Plaza San Sebastián
There are quite a lot of scenic spots in Alhaurín de la Torre to take photos of, as well as numerous plazas and park spaces. One of the most popular of these is Plaza San Sebastián, located very close to a church of the same name. This plaza is home to some nice restaurants too in case you’re looking for somewhere to take a break.
5. Walk Under the Crochet Canopy
One of my favourite things to do in Alhaurín de la Torre is to walk along Calle Málaga when the crochet canopy is up. This canopy stretches down a large section of the street and consists of different crochet patterns that have all been handmade by a group of local women who wanted to provide shade for residents during the summer months. It’s one of the most impressive things to see in Alhaurín de la Torre and people come from all around to snap a photo of it.
6. Parroquia de San Sebastiàn
A short walk along Calle Málaga will bring you to the beautiful Parroquia de San Sebastiàn. This catholic church is located in Plaza de la Concepción, and plays a big role during the Holy Week celebrations. It originally dates back to the 16th century, but following an earthquake it had to be rebuilt in the mid-19th century.
7. Hornacina del Santo Cristo del Cardón
One of the more unusual things to do in Alhaurín de la Torre is to visit the Hornacina del Santo Cristo del Cardón. In 1484 a miracle is said to have happened on this spot during the Reconquest period, so it’s a very holy place in the town to visit. It’s quite difficult to find as it sits tucked away off of one of the main roads leading into the town and blends in with the nearby houses, but Google Maps should bring you to it easily enough.
8. Ermita del Alamillo
Just outside of the town centre sits the Ermita del Alamillo. This hermitage dates back to 1875 and during times of drought a procession is organized by the church-goers where they will pray to the patron saint for rain. It’s a little tricky to stop here for a photo as it sits directly on the edge of a road, but if there is no one around you can pull up in front of it quickly.
9. Heladeria Valentino
If you’re looking for the best ice cream in Málaga look no further than Heladeria Valentino. This seasonal ice cream shop is locally run and all of the ice cream is made on site, with new flavours coming out regularly. Some of the most popular flavours will stay throughout the season, but there’s always a surprise waiting the next time you visit. The staff who work here are very nice and will let you try the flavours before ordering. It’s also very budget friendly compared to other ice cream shops in Málaga’s city centre.
10. Jardín Oriental Bienquerido
One of the most popular things to do in Alhaurín de la Torre is to visit the Jardín Oriental Bienquerido. This oriental garden is completely free to enter and is open most days to the public. It’s considered to be one of the most beautiful gardens in the entire province too, so it’s worth adding to your itinerary if you have the time. Plus, it sits right across the road from Heladeria Valentino - in case you needed another excuse to get ice cream!
11. Acueducto de los Arcos de Zapata
If you’re like me and love visiting historical attractions, then Acueducto de los Arcos de Zapata should be on your list. This unique aqueduct is located halfway between Alhaurín de la Torre and Málaga’s airport, so is easily missed by tourists. Also known as the King’s Bridge, it runs for over 5km and originates from the 18th century, though it unfortunately never came into operation. It’s still an interesting site to visit though!
12. Plaza Mayor
After you’ve finished making your way around Alhaurín de la Torre, you may as well treat yourself to a meal or some shopping at Plaza Mayor. This large outdoor shopping complex is home to many of the best brands around and a lot of them are outlet shops too so you’ll definitely find a bargain. This is a great spot to visit if you have some time to spare before heading to the airport as there are flight screens dotted around Plaza Mayor as well as bus links directly to the airport.
Whether you’ve been to the Costa del Sol before or not, it’s always worth adding at least a couple of inland towns to your list of places to visit. There aren’t too many things to do in Alhaurín de la Torre so it can easily be seen in half a day. But it’s a charming small town to visit if you’re looking for somewhere off the beaten path near Málaga. There are also plenty of hiking trails and cycling routes around Alhaurín de la Torre if that’s of interest to you too.
Have you had the chance to visit Alhaurín de la Torre yet? If not, please let me know if you have any questions about the town or the surrounding area. Feel free to leave me a message below or get in touch via email. You can also follow my travels on Instagram and get in touch there!
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