Torremolinos · Spain

Population - 35,000
Distance from Malaga airport: 8 Miles (13KM)

Located just a few kilometres south-west of Málaga airport, Torrie is so passionate about tourism it even has a 'Tourist Day', in which thousands of servings of Paella and fried fish get dished out along with cool beers, for free. Then a few days later they have 'Pescaito Day' (3rd June), in the neighbouring former fishing village La Carihuela for anyone who missed out on the freebies the first time around.

How times have changed. 500 years ago, Torremolinos was a veritable spa town, revered for the quality of its underground springs, which filled the baths and spas of various nearby Roman settlements. In turn, this water supply fuelled the numerous watch towers (Torres) and mills (molinos) that dotted this coastline in the 15th century, and from whence the town takes its name.

The only real evidence of the town's past is the crumbling torre vigia, an Arab watch tower that pinpoints the heart of the old town. The steep streets that run down to the sea from here are more charming than one might expect given the reputation of this resort. Much of Torre is still rather down at heel, the sea front has been smartened up considerably, and you can now walk along to Benalmadena Costa, passing the quieter village and beach of La Carihuela on the way.

The first tourist development on the Costa was the work of the philanthropist Englishman George Langworthy, who discovered Torrie in the 1930's. Its first real pleasure hotel - Pez Espada - was built in the 1950's and is still open today. Since the 60's tourist boom, development has never really stopped.

Full to bursting with bucket and spade shops, British pubs and greasy caffs serving egg and chips, Torrie nevertheless has legions of fans who return to enjoy its screeching, plastic madness year after year.

The Crocodile Park in Torremolinos (www.crocodile-park.com) is a very good attraction for the kids and the star of this park is 'Big Daddy' who is the largest croc in Europe weighing 600 kilos (94 stones) and 4.6 metres long (15 feet).

The park is open:
March - June (10am - 6pm)
July - September (10am - 7pm)
October
November
December - Febraury (10am - 5pm)
Admissions into the park are €8

Where to eat & drink in Torremolinos

You will find no shortage of pubs and grub in Torremolinos, Calle Miguel is the place to find your fried breakfasts. Laying your hands on some Spanish fare.

• Bodegas Quitapeñas - offering fresh fish tapas with glasses of Málaga wine from the barrel
• Casa Paco - top location in Torremolinos for fish
• La Chacha - is little more than a hole-in-the-wall but serves an extraordinary array of fresh, grilled seafood by weight
• La Mancha - traditional Spanish game dishes

Torremolinos Nightlife

• Atrevete - Salsa fans head here, a hot and steamy joint near La Carihuela
• Fun Beach - claims to be the biggest in Europe with eight dancefloors, go-go dancers and stage performers
• Pacha (www.pacha.com) - Ministry of Sounds' flagship club
• Pepe Lopez - touristy flamenco scene
• The Palladium - boasts a swimming pool, balloons, smoke and fake now billowing from every corner

Where to stay in Torremolinos

Torremolinos has enough hotel rooms to accommodate around a quarter of a million visitors at any given time so choosing where to stay can be daunting.

• Hostal Doña Lola
• Hostal Micaela
• Hotel El Pozo
• Hotel Adriano - www.hoteladriano.info
• Hotel Miami - www.residencia-miami.com
• Hotel Las Palomas - www.dorhoteles.com