TORREMOLINOS
Area: Spain


Location:
In the centre of the Costa del Sol. 8 miles W of Malaga airport with the city 2» miles beyond.

Telephone code from UK:
34

Position:
On a hillside, with the Playamar area to one side and Carihuela in the opposite direction. There is a stiff climb back up from the beach to the centrally located hotels and apartments.

Description:
In the centre is a traffic-free precinct lined with shops, bars, restaurants and nightspots. The main road running parallel to the coast is almost chock-a-block with high-rise developments which spread out to Playamar in one direction and to the adjacent resort of Benalmadena Costa in the other. The latter is virtually a continuation of Torremolinos offering more of the same hotels, apartments, bars, cafes, clubs and restaurants. An interesting relic of old Torremolinos is the village of Carihuela, on the coast between Benalmadena and the centre, which has retained its fishing port atmosphere with seafront restaurants and bars backing onto the beachside path.

Suitability:
Bright and brash it has enough choice to suit all tastes and persuasions. Predominantly the budget to middlemarket young and lively as well as families during the summer; the elderly in the winter.

Accommodation:
Is mostly in large condominium-type hotels offering good facilities such as swimming pools and bars but lacking in atmosphere. Most accommodations are close to the beach, although those staying in hotels in Torremolinos centre face an uphill hike at the end of the day. Some of the higher category accommodation is within the Benalmadena area.

Shopping:
The main shopping area is a traffic-free precinct surrounding the "Calle San Miguel", Thursday morning is the outdoor street market which takes place in the old part of town "El Calvario". There are also a large number of hypermarkets in the area whilst some of the larger self-catering complexes have supermarkets on site.

Beach:
Some of the best beaches on the coast. The Playamar/Bajondillo Beach is wide, long and clean and has fine though rather dark coloured sand. The Carihuela is an equally long but comparatively narrow stretch.

Entertainments:
Daytime: for families with children there is an enormous "Aquapark" with swimming pools and water slides. Local golf courses. Nightlife: hundreds of bars in the area and dozens of discos and nightclubs, ensuring lively nightlife.

Eating:
Catering for all tastes ranging from quick snack burger bars, pizzerias, local cuisine, fish specialities in the Carihuela area and some well-to-do restaurants.

Public-transport:
Half hourly train service between Malaga and Fuengirola with a central underground stop in Torremolinos. "Portillo", the local bus company, run a very efficient bus service every 10-15 minutes between Malaga and Benalmadena, as well as less frequent services to other coastal resorts.

Local-excursions:
Full day _ Granada, Seville, Cordoba, Ronda, Morocco, Gibraltar and rock tour. Half day _ Marbella, local countryside, Fuengirola market and Mijas, Caves of Nerja, Malaga city tour. Evenings _ Fortuna nightclub and casino.