Adventure Hunt Torremolinos

About Torremolinos

Torremolinos is one of the jewels in the crown of Andalusia’s Costa del Sol – ‘The Sunshine Coast’ – sitting between the Mediterranean Sea to the south and the mountains to the north. It enjoys a delightful climate that has helped turn it into one of Spain’s top tourist destinations that can be enjoyed all year round. It offers beautiful beaches, a huge range of facilities for tourists and locals alike, an interesting history, and an endless amount of leisure opportunities. It isn’t difficult to see why Hollywood stars like Grace Kelly, Ava Gardner, Orson Welles and Frank Sinatra visited Torremolinos in the 1950s and 60s, and Salvador Dalí and his wife Gala before that in the 1920s. Time has moved on, but Torremolinos continues be ‘the origin of paradise’.

SUN, SEA AND SAND

The town’s 7 kilometres of sandy beaches are served by a multitude of beach bars called ‘chiringuitos’ and restaurants serving fabulous seafood alongside a broad landscaped promenade that is totally accessible and a pleasure to stroll along. The town’s beaches –La Carihuela-Montemar, El Bajondillo, Playamar, Los Álamos – all enjoy Blue Flag status, and are bordered to the west by Benalmádena and to the east by Málaga. It is possible to walk to these neighbouring cities along the seafront promenade which is part of the Málaga Coastal path.

A HISTORIC TOWN

This historic town dates to the Neolithic age. About 160,000 years ago, Neanderthals collected mussels and freshwater molluscs from the Bajondillo cave, which we pass on our Torremolinos Seafront Adventure Hunt. The Phoenicians had a colony here, but the Romans founded the town itself. It became part of the city of Málaga in 1502 and was under the control of the Moors until the fall of Granada in 1492. Its name comes from its Moorish watchtower, Torre Pimentel, built in around 1350 and still intact today in the centre of the town, and its mills built to grind wheat using water from the many springs in the area. It was at the heart of the country’s tourist boom in the 1960s, which turned a small fishing village into a busy resort dedicated almost exclusively to sun, sea and sand. Torremolinos gained its independence from Malaga in 1988, and it continues to boom, but areas like the Carihuela beach still retain their typical Andalusian charm.

TORREMOLINOS, AN OPEN AND HOSPITABLE PLACE

As well as its climate, beaches and facilities, Torremolinos is known for its multicultural, cosmopolitan and hospitable character that offers everyone a warm welcome. People of more than 120 nationalities live in the town. Many different events take place throughout the year, like the Festival of Cultures, the Day of Foreign Residents, celebration of Diwali, the Day of Holland and Saint Patricks Day, Rock’in Race Jamboree, amongst many others.

Torremolinos is one of the most tolerant destinations in the world and was a pioneer in gay-friendly tourism. It is still a favourite place for the LGTBI community. Pasaje Begoña in Torremolinos is recognised as a place of LGBTQ+ historical memory and the ‘cradle of LGTBI rights and freedoms’. This recognition stems from the historical significance of the passage as a gathering place for LGBTQ+ individuals during the Franco dictatorship in Spain. The Asociación Pasaje Begoña was formed in 2018 to preserve and promote this historical memory. Every year Torremolinos celebrates Pride, a major festival with many activities centred on tolerance and equal rights for the LGTBI community. There is a parade with over 20 floats, exhibits, activities and food stands, as well as concerts with major artists. People come from all over the world to celebrate Torremolinos Pride, held in early June.

THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN TORREMOLINOS

Many people see Torremolinos as just a beach resort, but there is so much more to it!
Don’t miss:

• Casa de los Navajas, a neo-Mudejar style palace built by the Luque-Navajas family in 1925
• Parque de la Batería, a stunning urban park with a lake, carousel and panoramic lift
• Molino de Inca Botanical Garden, a real hidden gem with a rebuilt and working original water mill
• Pablo Ruiz Picasso Cultural Centre
• Torre Pimentel, a beacon tower of Arab origin built around 1350
• The Cañada del Lobo hiking route with amazing views over the Málaga coastline
• Beach clubs and nightlife on Playamar and Los Álamos beaches
• Crocodile Park, home to over 300 crocodiles
• Aqualand water park
• A huge range of fairs and trade fairs at the Torremolinos conference centre
• San Miguel shopping street, a pedestrianised town centre with street art, murals and statues, street markets, car boot sales, tapas routes… the list goes on!

LOCAL FOOD AND DRINK

Torremolinos is the home of fried fish, known as ‘pescaito frito’ here. Fresh anchovies, sardines, red mullet and squid are the stars. You can enjoy ‘espetos’ or sardine skewers cooked on special boats on the beach, delicious paellas and rice dishes, chilled soups like gazpacho, ajoblanco and salmorejo, and warming stews in winter. You can wash it all down with a local beer or wine, or perhaps a cocktail at the beach bars. This is one of the great things about Adventure Hunt, as you can stop for a drink, ice cream or a full meal whenever you want, with no time limit!

CULTURE AND RELIGION IN TORREMOLINOS

Cultural and religious events are a great way to see another side of life in Torremolinos. Visitors and local people alike can take part in a multitude of special events throughout the year:

• The Three Kings parade, a traditional event in Spain, is held on 5 January. Colourful floats pass through the town, from which the Three Kings of the Orient and their helpers throw thousands of sweets into the crowds
• A colourful carnival in February or March with parades, costumes and lots of fun!
• Holy Week, with impressive and moving religious processions
• Dia de Los Verdiales in mid-April, celebrating a traditional form of Andalusian folk music
• May Crosses, celebrated with floral displays and festivities in early May
• Corpus Christi, celebrating the Body of Christ with processions and festivities
• The yearly St. Michael’s Pilgrimage held in honour of the town’s patron saint takes place at the end of September, with pilgrims carrying a statue of St. Michael to the chapel in the pine woods, followed by feasting and dancing…
• …followed shortly after by the St. Michael’s Fair, with dancing, a fairground, tapas, wine and horses
• Festival of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on 16 July, held in La Carihuela, which you pass through on our Torremolinos Seafront Adventure Hunt

YOUR TORREMOLINOS ADVENTURE HUNT

We can’t wait to show you more of Torremolinos whilst solving fun clues in the open air, so book now and we will see you soon!

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