Along the southern coast of Spain, the Costa del Sol Occidental, near Malaga, is the resort town of Torremolinos. Once a fishing village has become a popular resort not so long ago. This was facilitated by the rapid development of the tourism business in the middle of the last century. Today, Torremolinos is inhabited by about 70,000 people. Hundreds of tourists visit its famous beaches every year. About the history of the city, its attractions, hotels and traditions, read the article.
History of the city
The name of the city is symbolic. During the reign of the Nasrid dynasty in 1497, the Phoenicians built a signal tower at the mills, or Torre de los Molinos. The tower served as a defense for people who have lived since the founding of Saduce. This town was inhabited mainly by the Romans, who at that time waged war with the Granada caliphate.
Throughout its existence, the tower has changed several names. For example, before the liberation of Granada from the Arab yoke, it was named in honor of the Liberating Count Rodrigo Pimentel. Today, the Torre de los Molinos tower is the historical symbol of the city in whose honor it is named. Currently, the structure is severely destroyed, the outer walls have deep cracks. The terraces previously located at a height of 12 meters and the loopholes located on the second floor cannot be restored. In total, 14 mills and a weaving mill worked in the city over the past century.
Hotels Torremolinos
Spain is a tourist country, but it was not always like that. For a long time, local residents were fishing. Having survived difficult times, the city begins its development again in the middle of the 19th century. The first resort, which received tourists from around the world, was the Costa del Sol. By this time, the owner of the fortress of Santa Clara - Englishman George Langworthy, converted it into a presentable hotel. To this day, hot Spain is famous for this resort.
Torremolinos continues to evolve, and after the Englishman, other neighbors pick up the idea of tourists. So, Carlota Alessandri (Carlota Alessandri) after the restoration of his estate in 1933, opens a new hotel "Parador Montemar" (Parador Montemar). This cozy establishment has only seven rooms. During her life, the hostess constantly watched the former estate, rebuilding the hotel several times. With her death, he ceased to function, and a memorial plaque was erected in his place in honor of Carlota Alessandri. Now the building is used as a residential complex, equipped with a beautiful garden and pool.
Since then, Spain has experienced many changes. Torremolinos continues to accept tourists and equip the territory. Following the famous Montemar, La Roca opens its doors. He is visited by world celebrities Frank Sinatra, Lawrence Olivier, Vivien Leigh and others.
At the very peak of the tourist boom, the whole of Spain launched the construction of restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues. Torremolinos radically changes its appearance and turns into a modern, well-developed tourist city with villas and hotel complexes. Traveling to this heavenly place for everyone will be unforgettable.
Torremolinos and its beaches
The sea resort attracts tourists with a mild climate. All of Spain is famous for its embankments. Torremolinos, one of its most visited cities, is no exception. Famous beaches stretch for thousands of kilometers along the coastline: La Carihuela, Playamar, Los Alamos, Montemar, El Bajondillo and El Saltillo. The most colorful beaches with dark sands are La Carihuela, Bahondillo and Playamar.
The first beach is devoid of roads, but has its own small port. Those who wish can rent a yacht and ride along the coast. The area is full of entertainment venues and restaurants. Bahondillo Beach is located in a residential area. Nearby are many hotels that are crowded with tourists in season. This is a common situation for the resort of Torremolinos (Spain).
Weather allows you to spend most of the time by the sea, because the air temperature rarely rises above 32 ° C. Here you can not only swim and sunbathe, but also surf. In winter, the city calms down, however, and then here you can comfortably spend time alone and relaxing. The weather at this time of the year pleases with a mild climate and air temperature not lower than 10 o C.
Playamar Beach is one of the few places where it is better to go with children. It is not so crowded, calm warm sea and a gentle beach. You can always rent a deck chair or umbrella. There are playgrounds for children. The beach stretches to the promenade of Malaga. In its vicinity are the best fish restaurants and bars; in the evenings incendiary music everywhere.
sights
The city of students of Torremolinos is a favorite place for French tourists, Germans and English. Its streets are paved with stone slabs and stretch for long kilometers, connecting nearby territories. In the mornings, you can meet the locals on the San Miguel promenade who go on foot promenade or go in for sports. Located on a hill, the main street attracts tourists and pilgrims because it is here that one of the most beautiful churches in Spain, St. Michael the Archangel, who is the patron saint of the city, is located.
Walking along the promenade, you can take a train to Malaga. The only station in the city is located on the famous central street - Palma de Mallorca. There is a stop underground, and to get there, you need to go down the escalator. A trip to Malaga will not be complete if you do not visit the Picasso Museum and the Moorish castle.
Old city and its surroundings
The old town has a special attraction for tourists. This is the place where you can truly feel the Spanish flavor with its medieval architecture. Here, time seemed to stop: not far from the old dilapidated mill, a mini-museum with a huge collection of tools of the time and a beautiful botanical garden with birds of paradise and exotic plants. This is one of the most inspiring places in Torremolinos (Spain). Reviews of tourists about this divine corner are full of enthusiasm and desire to return here again.
Not only the local flavor is famous for Torremolinos (Spain). The sights of the city, although not numerous, nevertheless, it is here, on the southern coast of the Costa del Sol, that the best water park and crocodile farm are located. Those who wish can go on a boat trip on a yacht and watch dolphins. In the evenings, tourists will find masquerade shows with fireworks and an incendiary disco. Keep in mind that there are a lot of non-traditional residents in the city, so you should be careful about night walks.
Kitchen
Spanish cuisine is a gourmet paradise. Along the coast there is a whole chain of restaurants with Andalusian, Mediterranean and Italian cuisine. Fresh seafood is found literally on every corner. And in the menu of the main restaurant of Torremolinos - Pizza Mare, in addition to homemade pasta and pizza, there are more than a hundred gourmet dishes.
The sea resort has its own traditions. In June, fried fish day is annually celebrated in the south-west of the coast. On the first week of the month, Thursday, all the local surroundings are filled with the magnificent aroma of trout, sea bream and other seafood. Connoisseurs of real beer can enjoy the best sorts from around the world, and sweet tooth can enjoy delicious pastries.