Gay Torremolinos Town Guide

 

Torremolinos

Torremolinos, located just 12 km south of Málaga, is in the heart of the Costa del Sol, and has been much improved since its reputation as the worst excess of Spain’s mass tourism industry back in the 1980’s.

Both the town and its legendary beaches have had a thoroughly modern makeover, and now attract many discerning Spanish, together with international, tourists.

Torremolinos has long been a popular gay holiday destination and has the largest gay scene of the Spanish Costas.

Gay Scene

Torremolinos has been a popular gay destination from the very start of the tourism industry here in the late 1950’s, surviving both Franco’s dictatorship and the mass package tourism onslaught which followed Spain’s liberation in the late 1970’s.

The gay scene and night is focused in and around La Nogalera, an open-air (though quite shabby to be honest), shopping complex in the very centre of town.  As is quite typical in Spain, the result is a jumbled up mix of family restaurants, local shops, Gay Bars and Dance Clubs.

The scene here is not just the preserve of the visiting gay tourists and this is especially so at weekends, when it gets very busy with a young local crowd from all around the Costa del Sol and nearby Málaga.

 

Getting to Torremolinos

Málaga is the closest airport with quick and easy access to all of Costa del Sol. Málaga is well served by the main European carriers such as Iberia, KLM and British Airways as well as the main budget airlines such as EasyJet and Ryanair.

If you are travelling from outside Europe, you will need to make a connection at a major European hub airport.

From Malaga Airport, the regular C1 train service runs direct to Torremolinos every 20 minutes. The journey time is just 10 minutes, and a single ticket starts at €1.80.

Taxis are in plentiful supply from the airport, and the drive direct to Torremolinos will cost around €20.

 

Getting around Torremolinos

With the gay scene in the very center of town, and the main hotels close to the beach, walking will get you to most places.

There is a local bus service, and from Torremolinos Bus Station you can take a bus to any other destination on the Costa Del Sol.

 

Where to Stay in Torremolinos

Torremolinos has a wide range of hotels, from affordable to luxury. Most gay visitors stay near La Nogalera district or the gay beach area.

For our list of some of best hotels in Torremolions, visit the Gay Torremolinos Hotels page.

Things to See & Do

The beaches have always been by far and away the main attraction to this part of the Spanish Mediterranean coast, and continue to be so.

There have been significant investments though throughout the town and to landscaping the beach front areas, and there are  now some alternative options to the golden sun and sand.

La Carihuela - one of the town's districts which is well worth seeking out. What used to be once an old fishing village is now known throughout Spain as a centre for Andalucian cuisine, with a particular speciality for seafood.

Calle San Miguel - the main shopping street of the revitalised town centre has a good range of shops from designer boutiques to gift shops.

Aqualand - the biggest water park in this region of Spain is just 10 minutes out of town

Parque Batteria (Battery Park) - located above La Carihuela beach and accessible from Montemar Alto Station. This is an old military fortress transformed into a stunning park, complete with lake, glass conservatories and a tower, the Torre Mirador, for fine views down over La Carihuela Beach and out to sea. Summer opening hours: Monday: 17:30-00:00. Tuesday to Sunday: 11:00-00:00.

Molina de Inca botanic garden - located at Cañada de los Cardos, near Aqualand. There are many tree varieties here and aviaries containing all sorts of birds, for when you need a break from the beach. Summer opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 11:30-14:00 and 18:00-21:00.

 

Visa

Spain is within the European Schengen visa area. If travelling from outside Europe, check to see if you require a Schengen visa.

 

Money

Spain is a member of the Eurozone. Cash dispensers are widely available. You may be asked for photo ID if paying with a credit or debit card in a shop.

 

Other Useful Information

Torremolinos is a good base for exploring Andalucia, a stunning region of Spain with beautiful countryside and ancient cities resplendent with Moorish castles.

From the white-washed houses of the nearby mountain village of Mijas to the city of Málaga, and onward train connections from there to Seville, Cordoba and Granada, and its magnificent Alhambra Palace, this region of Spain has something to offer everybody.