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Torremolinos was the Costa del Sol’s first big name: a village of mills and fishermen that filled with artists, actors and travellers from northern Europe in the 1960s. Today it’s a compact town, with seven kilometres of beach between Málaga and Benalmádena and the same welcoming atmosphere.
Choosing where to stay in Torremolinos depends on which stretch of coast you prefer and whether you’re arriving by train or car. We’ll explain how the town is laid out and suggest places to stay that we choose one by one, from a villa with a pool to a hostal a hundred metres from the sea.
How to choose an area
Torremolinos has a hilltop centre and a coastline with neighbourhoods of distinct character:
- Centre and Calle San Miguel: shops and pedestrianised terraces, with the train station close by. Lively at night, too.
- El Bajondillo: the beach just below the centre, reached by slopes and stairs. Ideal if you’re arriving by train.
- La Carihuela: the old fishing quarter, with low-rise houses, beach bars and a seafront promenade that continues all the way to Benalmádena’s marina.
- Playamar and Los Álamos: towards Málaga, with wider beaches, apartment buildings and Aqualand nearby. Convenient for families.
- Montemar and the upper part of town: quiet residential streets, where you’ll find villas with gardens.
Without a car, Bajondillo and the centre have everything within walking distance. For groups or families with children, a villa in the upper part of town is worth the walk to the sand; parking right on the seafront is difficult.
Where to stay in Torremolinos: our picks
These six places cater to very different needs, from a simple hostal by the sea to an entire house for groups of seven or more. You can find the rest of the options on our places to stay in Torremolinos page.
Hotel Tarik
A three-star hotel right on Playamar, with an outdoor pool and rooms with terraces. Reception is open around the clock, which is useful if your flight lands late. There’s no parking or lunch service, and children can only stay with their parents or guardians.
Micaela Charming Hostal
A small hostal in Bajondillo, with a garden courtyard and single and double rooms with private bathrooms and air conditioning. The beach is a hundred metres away and the station is two hundred metres away: ideal if you’re travelling solo or as a couple without a car. There are stairs and a strict quiet policy from 10 pm.
Hotel Perla del Sur
Fifty metres from Bajondillo beach, this simple hotel has a terrace, soundproofed rooms and bicycle hire for exploring the seafront promenade. Some rooms have a balcony with city views. Breakfast isn’t included, and it’s not a place for stag or hen parties.
If you’d prefer somewhere more secluded, with a pool but still within walking distance of the beach, here’s an alternative:
Terra Aloé
Just a few rooms, all air-conditioned and with private bathrooms, arranged around a garden with an outdoor pool and hot tub. Bajondillo is about 350 metres away and La Carihuela 400, so you can alternate between the two beaches. Keep an eye on the time: check-in closes at 20:00.
For groups and families, here are two entire houses with private pools in the residential area:
Villa Matisse Luxury Beach
A 285-square-metre house with five bedrooms, three bathrooms, a garden and a private pool, designed for large groups. It has free private parking, and your dog can stay at no extra cost. The upper floors are accessible only by stairs, and parties aren’t allowed.
Villa Conchita By Seric,15´ walking to the beach
Three bedrooms for seven people, a fully equipped kitchen, a terrace and a private pool in a house a quarter of an hour’s walk from the beach, near Playamar and Aqualand. Pets are allowed for an extra charge. Leave your car in a nearby public car park; a card deposit is required on arrival.
What to see in Torremolinos
Start your walk on Calle San Miguel, which slopes down to the Torre de los Molinos, the Nasrid watchtower that gave the town its name. From there, Cuesta del Tajo leads down to Bajondillo, where you’ll find Casa de los Navajas, an early 20th-century Neo-Mudéjar mansion with gardens overlooking the sea.
To the west, La Carihuela is the place to eat sardine espetos and fried fish while looking out over the water. Inland, the Molino de Inca preserves one of the old watermills, surrounded by a botanical garden—a refreshing option during the hottest hours of the day.
With children, Aqualand and Crocodile Park are both in the town itself. In the centre, Pasaje Begoña commemorates the 1971 police raid on its gay bars and is now a symbol of LGBTQ+ history.
When to visit Torremolinos
The mild climate makes it a year-round destination. In 2026, four beaches have been awarded a Blue Flag: El Bajondillo, La Carihuela-Montemar, Los Álamos and Playamar.
There are three regular events in the calendar. Pride Torremolinos takes place in late May and early June, with the main parade on Saturday between the Town Hall and Pablo Ruiz Picasso Cultural Centre. Every 16 July, the Virgen del Carmen is carried out to sea at La Carihuela and travels along the coast, escorted by boats, as part of a festival declared a Provincial Tourist Event of Singular Interest. In late September, the San Miguel Fair celebrates the patron saint with a pilgrimage to Los Pinares. Book ahead for these dates, as well as July and August.
How to get there and get around
Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport is right next door. The C1 Cercanías train, between Málaga Centro-Alameda and Fuengirola, stops at the airport and, within the municipality, at Los Álamos, La Colina, Torremolinos and Montemar Alto; it’s just a few stops to the centre.
The same train takes you to Málaga or Fuengirola, and you can get around the town on foot, although the hills are noticeable on the way back from the beach.
Torremolinos is one of the stops on our guide to where to stay in Andalusia. If you’re exploring the coast, also see where to stay in Málaga, neighbouring where to stay in Benalmádena and, further west, where to stay in Marbella.
Frequently asked questions
Here are the questions we hear most often from people planning a few days in Torremolinos.
What’s the best area to stay in Torremolinos?
It depends on how you’re travelling. Without a car, Bajondillo and the centre are the most convenient: the beach is just below and the Cercanías station is nearby. La Carihuela suits anyone looking for a seafront promenade, beach bars and a maritime neighbourhood feel. Playamar and Los Álamos have wider beaches and are popular with families. For groups, the villas in the upper part of town offer space and a private pool.
Can you get to Torremolinos by train from the airport?
Yes. The C1 Cercanías line, which connects Málaga Centro-Alameda with Fuengirola, stops at the airport and at four stations in the municipality: Los Álamos, La Colina, Torremolinos and Montemar Alto. Torremolinos station is right in the centre, a few minutes’ walk from Bajondillo. Choose your station based on where you’re staying: Los Álamos for the stretch towards Málaga and Montemar Alto for the western part, near La Carihuela.
Do I need a car to stay in Torremolinos?
No, not for the town itself. You can explore the centre, Bajondillo and La Carihuela on foot, and the Cercanías train connects with the airport, Málaga, Benalmádena and Fuengirola. A car is only worthwhile if you want to explore inland parts of the province. Parking near the beach is difficult, and many small hotels and hostales don’t have their own car park; some villas do include private parking.
When is Torremolinos Pride?
It takes place every year in late May and early June, with several days of cultural and sporting events and competitions. The highlight is the main parade on Saturday, which sets off from the Town Hall and ends at Pablo Ruiz Picasso Cultural Centre, where the manifesto is read out. Accommodation demand rises sharply during these weeks, so it’s worth booking ahead.
Which beaches in Torremolinos are best for families?
Playamar and Los Álamos, on the stretch towards Málaga, have wider sands and plenty of space even in summer, with Aqualand nearby. La Carihuela is another good option, thanks to its flat seafront promenade and beach bars. Bajondillo, below the centre, is the most convenient if you’re arriving by train. All four have Blue Flag status in 2026.
