This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission from the discount codes used or when a link/ad is clicked. All purchases made will come at no extra cost to you, and I only include products and services that I have personally used and would recommend.
Torremolinos is a very tourist-oriented town along the Costa del Sol, with plenty of beaches, bars, restaurants, and shops to choose from. It’s one of Spain’s most popular holiday destinations and is where the Costa del Sol’s first hotels opened up, so it really was a pioneer of tourism in this area. Torremolinos isn’t for everyone, but there are some unique points of interest to visit in the old town as well as more inland that offer a nice change of scenery.
Prior to bursting onto the scene as a tourist hotspot in the 1950s Torremolinos was a poor fishing village with a very long history dating back to the time of the Phoenicians and the Romans. But the town wasn’t given its current name until the Moorish conquest in the 8th century when they began to build mills here. At the end of the 15th century the town went into a period of decline, and it wasn’t until the 1920s that British visitors started to frequent the area, sparking a massive revival of Torremolinos.
Despite its reputation as a sunseeker destination and party town, there is plenty of history to uncover here and quite a lot of unique things to do in Torremolinos apart from visiting the beaches. Here are some of the top things to see in Torremolinos to help you plan your trip.
Old Town
Old Town Torremolinos is the beating heart of this coastal town, and to me is a lot more interesting to walk around than the modern areas. Calle San Miguel is one of the main streets in the old town and is lined with shops and restaurants. It’s fully pedestrianized so it has a unique charm to it, and there are plenty of tourist attractions near Calle San Miguel to visit.
Clock Tower
One of the most instantly recognizable attractions in Torremolinos is the Clock Tower. This building is now home to a popular bar and offers live music on a regular basis to its customers. You can always admire the views from the top of the Clock Tower too as it has one of the best rooftop bars in Torremolinos. But if you’re not into that sort of thing then you can’t miss the opportunity to take a photo of the outside from the street.
Street Art
As you make your way through the town of Torremolinos you’ll come across a number of modern and vibrant pieces of street art - some of which are enormous. One of my favourites' is located on the wall of the Clock Tower, and there are plenty of other pieces in the nearby streets. Checking out the street art is a great free thing to do in Torremolinos if you have some spare time in your itinerary.
Torre de Pimentel
One of the best places to visit in Torremolinos if you want to see some of the town’s historical sites is the Torre de Pimentel. It was originally called the Torre de los Molinos after the mills that were built in the area, but the Catholic monarchs at the end of the 15th century changed it to its current name as homage to a soldier who helped them conquer the region. The tower dates back to the early 14th century and would have formed part of a larger defensive network.
Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel
Sitting just behind Torre de Pimentel is the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel. This is another Torremolinos attraction worth adding to your list of things to see and is very easy to locate. San Miguel is the patron saint of Torremolinos and this is who the 18th century church is named after. It’s not very elaborate inside but the exterior is quite unique, offering a nice spot to take a photo or two.
Parque de la Batería
Parque de la Batería can be considered one of the biggest hidden gems in Torremolinos for tourists. This is a very popular park among locals, and is often missed by visitors as it’s not located along the coast or in the old town. It’s home to an artificial lake, a beautiful lookout tower that’s fun to climb to the top of, a carousel, biking lanes, and plenty of other family-friendly attractions too. In the past a defensive battery would have been located here which is where the name derives from.
Tonka Cocktail Bar
If you’re looking for unique cocktail bars in Torremolinos, you have to visit Tonka Cocktail Bar. Located facing Playa de Playamar, this bar has all of the traditional cocktails and drinks you’ve come to love. The addition of a unique blend of cocktails that are served in quirky themed cups such as Alice in Wonderland and a bird’s egg add a nice modern twist to the menu. Plus you have a great view of the beach from where you’re sitting!
Casa de los Navajas
An unusual thing to do in Torremolinos during a day trip is to visit Casa de los Navajas, or the House of the Knives. In the early 20th century when Torremolinos was attracting more visitors, many chose to build second homes in the area, and Casa de los Navajas is one of the more unique pieces of architecture to emerge. It sits very close to Playa del Bajondillo and is a free attraction in Torremolinos to visit - just keep in mind the steps to get to the top.
Mini Golf Park
For those of you wanting to add some fun things to do in Torremolinos to your list, Mini Golf Park is a very popular mini golf course located less than 5 minutes from Casa de los Navajas, along the coast. The course is pet friendly and costs just €6 per person, making it a great family-friendly activity in Torremolinos in very close proximity to the beach and nearby restaurants.
Beaches
The beaches in Torremolinos are some of the best along the Costa del Sol - they’re also extremely busy in the summer months. Playa de la Carihuela is a popular beach to visit which has been frequented by Hollywood’s most famous actors and actresses in the past. It also sits within walking distance of Benalmádena if you walk along the promenade. The other beaches that I would recommend are Playa del Bajondillo which is close to many hotels, bars, and restaurants, and Playa de Los Álamos which is a quieter beach compared to others.
For a nice stroll along the seafront, Punta de Torremolinos is a natural monument that divides La Carihuela and El Bajondillo, and is where the first hotel in Torremolinos was built. It also housed a defensive battery in the 18th century, so this viewpoint is quite special.
Eden Beach Club
There are a lot of beach clubs in Torremolinos to choose from, as well as plenty of bars in the town centre. Eden Beach Club is a fantastic place to grab a very cheap cocktail while relaxing on the beach on one of the sun loungers. The club isn’t open in the off-season so your only chance is to visit during the warmer months. This is also one of the top gay bars in Torremolinos and is a lot of fun during the evening.
Sand Sculptures
One of the coolest things about Torremolinos is how many beautiful and intricate sand sculptures you can find along the beaches. These sculptures are handmade by local artists looking to earn some extra money, so you’ll usually find a hat or cup somewhere along the promenade to throw coins into. You never know what type of sculpture you’ll come across so keep your eyes peeled.
Jardín Botánico Molino de Inca
If you like gardens, then one of the places near Torremolinos town centre that you can’t miss is the Jardín Botánico Molino de Inca. These gardens are home to various species of birds, a beautiful and quiet botanical garden, water fountains, and an interesting exhibition about the history of mills in the area. Entry costs just €3 and there are free parking spaces available outside of the entrance.
With so many unique things to do in Torremolinos, it’s certainly worth considering adding to your Andalucían itinerary. It’s a great option for a day trip from Málaga at any time of the year, and is very close to other holiday destinations such as Fuengirola, Benalmádena, and Mijas. For those of you planning to hit up one of the many beaches in Torremolinos, ensure you arrive early to get a prime spot in the sand, but don’t forget to see everything else that Torremolinos has to offer.
Have you vacationed at or visited Torremolinos before? Or maybe have some questions regarding things to do in Torremolinos during a day trip? Please get in touch via email or leave a comment below. You can follow my travels on Instagram too and reach out there.
Like this post? Why not pin it for later?
