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Torremolinos Holidays: Beaches, Caves and Getting There

Provincia de Málaga · Andalusia · Spain · 65,448 residents · on the coast

Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 · Wikimedia Commons

Torremolinos is a coastal town of around 65,000 people in the Province of Málaga, set barely above sea level at 47 metres and only 4 miles from Málaga Airport. That short hop matters: you can land from the UK and be on the sand at Playa del Bajondillo or Playa de la Carihuela within minutes. Behind the beaches sits something you might not expect, the Bajondillo cave, where early human fossils were found, a few steps from the seafront. Add a botanical garden, an old bullring and summers that peak at 31°C, and you have a resort that suits families, beach lovers and the curious alike, with Málaga city close by.

Why go

  • Málaga Airport is just 4 miles away, about a six-minute drive, with direct flights from the UK.
  • Playa del Bajondillo and Playa de la Carihuela put two family beaches within a mile of town.
  • The Bajondillo cave, with early human fossils, lies only a few hundred yards from the seafront.

Top sights in Torremolinos

Beaches, Caves and Gardens to Explore

The most significant site is a short drive away: Cerro del Villar, an archaeological site listed as cultural property, about 4 miles from the centre. Closer to hand, the Bajondillo cave sits roughly 0.1 miles from town and is known for its early human fossils, an unusual find so near a beach resort. Golfers have the Parador de Málaga Golf Club around 2.6 miles away, and families will enjoy the Jardín Botánico Molino de Inca, a botanical garden about a mile out.

For history in smaller doses, the Fuente del Rey water conduit, an old aqueduct, is about 2.8 miles away, while Málaga's Museum of Airports and Air Travel, roughly 3.6 miles off, is a good rainy-day option for children. Playa del Bajondillo is the town beach at around 0.2 miles, with Playa de la Carihuela about 0.7 miles along, and quieter stretches such as Playa Rafa (1.9 miles), Playa de San Julián (3 miles) and Playa de Guadalmar (3.7 miles) further on. The Bullring of Torremolinos is under a mile from the centre, and Bodegas Quitapenas, a winery, is about 3.9 miles away.

Tours and tickets for the area can be booked directly on this page through the booking cards below.

  • Cerro del Villar1archaeological site

    Cerro del Villar

    4 miles from the centre · Photo

    cultural property in Málaga, Spain

  • Parador de Málaga Golf Club2golf course

    Parador de Málaga Golf Club

    3 miles from the centre · Photo

  • Jardín Botánico Molino de Inca3botanical garden

    Jardín Botánico Molino de Inca

    1 mile from the centre · Photo

    botanical garden in Torremolinos, Andalusia

  • Fuente del Rey y conducción de aguas4aqueduct

    Fuente del Rey y conducción de aguas

    3 miles from the centre · Photo

  • Playa del Bajondillo5beach

    Playa del Bajondillo

    In the centre · Photo

  • Málaga's Museum of Airports and Air Travel6museum

    Málaga's Museum of Airports and Air Travel

    4 miles from the centre · Photo

    museum in Malaga, Spain

  • Playa de Guadalmar8beach

    Playa de Guadalmar

    4 miles from the centre · Photo

    beach in Malaga, Spain

  • Playa de la Carihuela9beach

    Playa de la Carihuela

    1 mile from the centre · Photo

    beach in Torremolinos

  • Playa de San Julián10beach

    Playa de San Julián

    3 miles from the centre · Photo

    beach in Malaga, Spain

  • Bajondillo cave

    archaeological site · In the centre

  • Bodegas Quitapenas

    winery · 4 miles from the centre

  • Playa El Bajondillo

    beach · In the centre

Tours & tickets in Torremolinos

Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around Torremolinos can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.

See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)

Where to stay in Torremolinos

Choosing Your Base in Torremolinos

The simplest choice is to stay close to Playa del Bajondillo, the beach right by the centre, which keeps the sand, the Bajondillo cave and the town's shops and restaurants within easy walking distance. With a population of about 65,000, the central streets are lively, especially in summer.

If you prefer a little more breathing space, look along the coast towards Playa de la Carihuela, around 0.7 miles from the centre, or further out near Playa Rafa. Families wanting the botanical garden on their doorstep may like the area towards the Molino de Inca. This page shows live hotel prices so you can compare options across the town.

Hire a car

The easiest way to reach Torremolinos and the villages around it is a hire car from Málaga (AGP), about 6 min away.

Best time to visit Torremolinos

When to Visit Torremolinos

  1. 17°CJan23 mm
  2. 17°CFeb52 mm
  3. 20°CMar75 mm
  4. 22°CApr4 mm
  5. 24°CMay17 mm
  6. 27°CJun27 mm
  7. 31°CJul1 mm
  8. 31°CAug3 mm
  9. 27°CSept48 mm
  10. 24°COct112 mm
  11. 21°CNov34 mm
  12. 18°CDec17 mm

Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.

The most pleasant months are April, May, June, September and November. April is a standout, with highs around 22°C and just 4mm of rain across two wet days, while May and June warm up to 24°C and 27°C. September stays at 27°C, and November still manages 21°C with only three rainy days.

July and August are the hottest months, both reaching about 31°C with night-time lows of 22 to 23°C, and July is almost completely dry. October is the wettest month by a distance, with around 112mm of rain over 11 days, and March can also be damp at 75mm. Winters are mild, with daytime highs of 17 to 18°C from December to February.

Full monthly table
MonthHighLowRainSun
Jan17°C9°C23 mm8 h
Feb17°C9°C52 mm9 h
Mar20°C11°C75 mm10 h
Apr22°C13°C4 mm12 h
May24°C15°C17 mm12 h
Jun27°C19°C27 mm13 h
Jul31°C22°C1 mm13 h
Aug31°C23°C3 mm13 h
Sept27°C19°C48 mm11 h
Oct24°C16°C112 mm9 h
Nov21°C13°C34 mm9 h
Dec18°C9°C17 mm8 h

Averages 2015–2024. Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.

Getting there from the UK

Flights, Ferries and the Drive

Málaga Airport (AGP) is the obvious gateway: it has direct flights from the UK and lies just 4 miles away, roughly a six-minute drive. Few resorts in Spain are this close to a major airport.

Gibraltar (GIB) and Granada (GRX) also have direct flights from the UK. Gibraltar is about 57 miles away, around 1 hour 20 minutes by car, and Granada is about 56 miles, also roughly 1 hour 20 minutes. Car hire makes both workable if fares suit you better.

Driving from Calais takes around 24 hours at the wheel. The nearby ferry ports, Málaga (8 miles), Motril (55 miles) and Algeciras (63 miles), serve routes to Morocco and Spanish North Africa, including Melilla, Ceuta and Tangier Med, rather than the UK.

By air

  • Málaga (AGP)4 miles, about 6 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
  • Gibraltar (GIB)57 miles, about 1 h 21 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
  • Granada (GRX)56 miles, about 1 h 20 min by roaddirect flights from the UK

By car and ferry

Driving from Calais takes roughly 24 h 9 min without stops. Nearest ferry ports: Málaga (8 miles), Motril (55 miles), Algeciras (63 miles).

Torremolinos is good for

Around Torremolinos

Easy Day Trips Along the Coast

Neighbouring towns are close enough to visit on a whim. Arroyo de la Miel is about 2.5 miles away and Benalmádena around 4.3 miles, with Alhaurín de la Torre a similar distance inland.

Málaga, a city of nearly 600,000 people, is about 8 miles away, as is Mijas, while Fuengirola lies around 8.7 miles along the coast. For a quieter inland outing, Estación de Cártama is about 10 miles off and Alhaurín el Grande roughly 10.6 miles.

Tips from Robin

Practical Tips Before You Go

With the airport only six minutes away, there is little need to pay for an extra night near the terminal; an early flight home is easy from town. The flip side is that aircraft are part of the local scene, which is also why the air travel museum sits close by.

If your dates are flexible, avoid October for a beach holiday, as it brings the most rain of the year. In July and August, with highs of 31°C and warm nights, plan cave visits and garden walks for the morning and keep the afternoons for the sea.

Questions people ask

How far is Torremolinos from Málaga Airport?

Málaga Airport is about 4 miles from Torremolinos, roughly a six-minute drive. It has direct flights from the UK, making Torremolinos one of the quickest resorts to reach after landing.

What is the best month to visit Torremolinos?

April, May, June, September and November are the most pleasant. April is particularly dry with highs around 22°C, while June and September reach about 27°C, warm without the 31°C peaks of July and August.

Which is the main beach in Torremolinos?

Playa del Bajondillo is the beach closest to the centre, about 0.2 miles away. Playa de la Carihuela is around 0.7 miles along the coast, and both are well suited to families.

Can I fly to Gibraltar or Granada instead of Málaga for Torremolinos?

Yes. Both Gibraltar and Granada have direct flights from the UK. Each is roughly 56 to 57 miles from Torremolinos, around 1 hour 20 minutes by car, so car hire is the practical option.

Is Torremolinos good for a day trip to Málaga?

Yes, Málaga city is only about 8 miles away, making it an easy day out. Benalmádena, Mijas and Fuengirola are similarly close, all within roughly 9 miles.

When does it rain most in Torremolinos?

October is the wettest month, with around 112mm of rain over 11 days. March is also fairly damp at about 75mm, while July is almost entirely dry.

Where is Torremolinos?

View larger map · © OpenStreetMap contributors