Torremolinos
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.
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