When you think about travelling abroad from the UK we are pretty lucky. Just think you can hop on a flight for a couple of hours and you can be pretty much anywhere in Europe.
Even better, the likes of Spain with its beautiful sunshine for most of the year around is not only picturesque but is also great for a quick getaway. In particular, Spain’s Costa del Sol and Costa Brava are excellent choices for a super affordable summer holiday.
Adam Schwab, co-founder and CEO at Luxury Escapes, said: “The Costa del Sol, located in Andalusia, offers popular resort towns like Torremolinos, Benalmádena, and Fuengirola, each with its unique charm, attractions, and golden sandy beaches.”
Meanwhile, The Costa Brava, situated in Catalonia “offers picturesque villages and crystal-clear waters, with resorts like Lloret de Mar and Tossa de Mar providing a perfect blend of beach relaxation and cultural exploration”.
Both regions offer family-friendly resorts at reasonable prices, all just a short flight away from the UK. So we thought let’s take a look at what Costa del Sol’s Torremolinos has to offer.
Things to do in Torremolinos?
The city has a whopping 300 sunny days every year so it is no wonder tourists flock there. Torremolinos has 7km of beaches along the Mediterranean where travellers can soak up the sea breeze.
One particular beach which is worth visiting is Playa de la Carihuela which is rated as the third best thing to do in the city and has a rating of 4.5 on Tripadvisor.
One traveller wrote: “We were on a Globus tour at the beginning of November and this beach was amazing! The weather was wonderful and because it was off-season, the beach was not crowded. The surf was mild, with more pebbles than shells, and the beach was wide with plenty of room to spread out.
“The beach was very clean and there were restaurants along the edge and shops across the street further down. I wish we spent more than two days here, but we plan to come back.”
Another said: “This is a long and wide beach with golden sand. The promenade that fronts it is dotted with sand sculptures with intricate details, and it is lined with shops, restaurants and cafes. There are many beach clubs with chair and umbrella rentals, and some are beautifully landscaped.”
A third commented: “Without a shadow of a doubt one of the best beaches in Torremolinos is Playa La Carihuela. This is a beautiful expanse of clean, golden sand that brings you down to gentle waves, there’s good beach amenities and some fantastic chiringuitos overlooking the beach where you can enjoy beers after a swim.”
Meanwhile, if you’re keen to explore other parts of the city then why not head to the fisherman’s district of La Carihuela? The historic neighbourhood is the top thing to do in the city with a star rating 4.5 on Tripadvisor.
One person wrote: “My family and I recently visited la Carihuela after a gap of four years. It was as nice as ever. There were changes in lots of premises but a lot of the older ones were still there. The church is serene and lovely. The clothes shops and gift shops are lovely. We tried different restaurants each night.”
Another commented: “A promenade of shops, bars & restaurants. Then one street Calle San Miguel has more fantastic restaurants, etc. Our favourite is La Tahone de la Carihuela. Their food and drinks are delicious whatever you fancy, they have many seats and tables outside. Also Cafeteria Naranjito for coffee and cafe. Everyone in Carihuela who serves you has a happy smile. Can’t wait to go back.”
A third said: “Fabulous area. The Hotel Barracuda was lovely. It had a rooftop bar as well as a bar on the grounds. The breakfast was lovely, A great selection every day. The beach was just across the promenade with an exit from the grounds of the hotel and the beach was just fabulous. You can walk or cycle along the promenade to other beaches and areas which are great. A great place to go.”
Other highly recommended places in Torremolinos include Calle San Miguel, Parque La Bateria, Jardin Botanico Molino de Inca and Playa El Bajondillo.
How to get to Torremolinos?
If you want to travel from the UK, the nearest airport to Torremolinos is Malaga. It is located just four miles away from Torremolinos where you can catch a cab or public transport to the city.
From the UK, there are direct flights from London, Birmingham, Manchester, Belfast, Bristol, Bournemouth, Glasgow, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Nottingham, Exeter, Newcastle, Leeds, Newquay and Cardiff. According to Skyscanner, flights start from £24 one way.