Torremolinos, once no more than a sleepy village was transformed during the early
1960's . Torremolinos was the first Costa del Sol resort to be developed, when air
travel became more popular the wave of British tourists who descended on the area
changed the sleepy village into the vibrant resort of today. As with many of Spain’s
tourist area’s Torremolinos still retains much of it’s heritage.
Over the years, Torremolinos has evolved as an attractive and appealing resort, noted
for its clean sandy beaches, wide choice of hotels and restaurants and unparalleled
variety of entertainment, activities and nightlife available. At the height of summer,
the resort has a great appeal for the younger set, with a reputation for its hectic
nightlife. Out of season, however, it takes on a different character. Now practically
a suburb of Málaga, the atmosphere is much more Spanish, especially at weekends,
with an air of friendliness and welcome.
The seafront promenade, Paseo Maritimo, extends east to Playamar and west to La Carihuela,
now continuing as far as Benalmádena Marina. The walk to La Carihuela offers pleasant
sea views and some dramatic rock formations, before entering the old fishing village
of La Carihuela which is a delightful area of picturesque simple houses and bougainvillea
clad patios where old men play dominoes and drink anis.
Many of the original cottages still exist and not all have been turned into bars
or shops. Some have stood still in time. Wander around the area early one morning
before the tourists wake up and see a different world. This is the area also known
for its excellent seafood restaurants and chiringuitos (beach bars).
There are six main beaches in Torremolinos: Los Alamos, Playamar, Bajondillo, La
Carihuela, Montemar and El Saltillo. The 7 km main promenade has recently undergone
improvements with additional landscaping and wider pavements. Now all the beaches
are linked.
Torremolinos has developed more in the last 40 years than in the last thousand. However
it does have a long history.
Prehistoric human skulls have been found in the limestone caves that litter the mountain
behind the town. One of them known as the Tapada cave yielded evidence of Bronze
Age inhabitation in the shape of a Bell Beaker burial of around 1500 BC. Just to
the north under the airplanes flight path is the location of Cerro de Villar which
was the site of the island city in the Phoenician period.
Torremolinos first attracted the crowds in 1498 when the Catholic kings and their
vast number of troops camped here during the siege of Málaga. The original name was
"Molinos de la Torre" (the mills of the tower). In 1502, it came under the rule of
Málaga with the name of "Torres de Pimentel" (the towers of Pimentel), in honour
of Rodrigo Pimentel, Count of Benavente to whom most of the lands were given in thanks
for his cooperation with horses and food during the siege of Málaga. The town evolved
as a thriving fishing centre, primarily centred around La Carihuela; an area just
east of town where a few bona fide fishermen still remain, and some of the best seafood
restaurants can be found.
