Torre Del Mar: The Perfect Place For A Holiday and More

Torre Del Mar: The Perfect Place For A Holiday And More

Torre Del Mar, is one of the main coastal resorts in Axarquía on the Costa Oriental. It has remained a hidden gem for many years. The name means tower of the sea and recalls a history of towers built to protect the mainland from foreign marauders. Now they are actively encouraged to visit and the tower is more of a photo opportunity, along with the imposing bull. The larger resorts west of here grow increasingly bigger with high rise hotels and massive urbanisations whilst Torre Del Mar remains charming, unspoilt and predominantly Spanish. However, foreign visitors and residents are welcomed wholeheartedly giving this small resort an international and lively feel that is easy to fall in love with. Let’s head to the beach!

The magnificent Osborne Bull, Almayate

Torre del Mar Beach

One of the main reasons for many to visit Torre Del Mar is the beach. Kilometres of clean sand, interspersed with hamacas (sun beds and parasols) to rent and chiringuitos (beach bars) for refreshments, make the town an attractive proposition for day trippers, holiday makers and locals. Outside of the main summer season of July and August, Torre Del Mar has lots of beach space to enjoy. Even in the height of the season, it’s still easy to find a spot on the beach to relax. This is a quirky resort and much has been invested in making it attractive and fun. The beach showers are a great example of this. One is a giant flip flop, another a dolphin and one more is the lighthouse doing a ‘dab’. The real lighthouse, which is still working, dominates the promenade with its blue and white stripes. Here you’ll find a small shrine dedicated to the sailors and fishermen as this town was and still is a fishing town. Alongside the cheeky beach showers is the beautiful promenade which stretches from the western end of Torre all the way to Caleta de Velez and after a short break can be picked up again, off and on to Nerja. This promenade is a great place to stroll, or for the more active, there’s a pathway to cycle or skateboard. The beach even has a path for runners. This is the joy that is Torre Del Mar. It aims to cater for everyone and it achieves it.

Beyond The Beach

There’s much more to Torre Del Mar than the beach. This is a thriving and lively town. It has a pedestrianised shopping street which is the perfect place for retail therapy. If your need outweighs the small local stores of the town centre, then head the short drive or bus ride to El Ingenio, a large shopping mall, with a great range of major national and international shops, a food court and a cinema which also shows films in English.  It is conveniently located across from the widely acclaimed water park, Aquavelis. This is a fun place to spend the day with a great range of attractive offers for families. If you’re more of a bargain hunter, then the large, weekly, Thursday market is the place to head to. With a wide array of stalls, it’s a good place to purchase leather goods, ceramics and clothes. Torre Del Mar does not rely solely on the tourist trade which means that, whenever you visit, there’ll be lots to entertain you.

La Cochinita - Tourist Train 

Be sure when visiting Torre del Mar to take a trip on the Tourist Train - ‘La Cochinita’. The train takes you on an approximately 25 minute trip around the town, a fantastic and relaxing way of seeing Torre del Mar.  Prices are approximately Children 2€ / Adults 3 euros / Childen under 2 years are FREE. The Train departs from:  Rotonda Paseo Larios - Paseo Maritimo de Levante - Rotonda Avd de Colon - Avd. Andalucia - Rotonda Avd. Andalucia (In front of supermarket Superco) - Avd. Andalucia - C/Manuel Azuaga (Tenencia Alcaldia) - Doctor Fleming - Rotonda Azucarera - Avd. Andalucia - Avd. Antonio Tore Tore - Rotonda Antonio Torre Tore - Paseo Maritimo de Poniente (Camping Torre del Mar) - Arriving back to the beginning Rotonda Paseo Larios.  Tickets can be bought at the Departure point. Enjoy a trip around Torre del Mar in the Sightseeing train 'La Cochinita'

Enjoy a trip around Torre del Mar on the sightseeing train, 'La Cochinita'

Being Entertained

Torre Del Mar has an exceptional range of entertainment that caters to lots of different interests. This is Spain so there’s the traditional Feria held in late July but Torre Del Mar has much more than this. In March, there’s the 10k run followed later by a colour run. On the 24th June falls the feast day of San Juan or St John, this is celebrated on the beaches. Recently there has been a foam party on the beach too. In early July, Torre Del Mar becomes a clubber’s paradise with the Weekend Beach Festival which each year attracts bigger name acts to perform until daybreak on the beach. Mid July sees the Air Show when the beach is filled to capacity with people fixing their gaze on the sky. Even Halloween is quite the event with the town creating a scary tunnel to thrill and frighten the kids. Torre Del Mar really invests in entertainment. Many bars and chiringuitos have live entertainment. There’s rarely a weekend goes by without something to do.

Local children enjoying the foam party

Bed & Board

In keeping with the style of the town, hotels, hostels and bed and breakfasts are small. There’s a town centre campsite and another just further along the beach. There’s a wide array of apartments, townhouses and villas to rent but the trick here is to book early as it is a popular destination for the cities of Andalucia. Out of season, there are great bargains, especially if you’re lucky enough to be a snowbird and able to escape the colder winter months of North West Europe for a few months of winter sunshine. Eating choices are abound in Torre Del Mar. Despite it maintaining its Spanish character, a significant number of residents are from other countries. Many visit for a holiday and then decide to make it their home. This results in restaurants representing much of Europe and beyond. If you’re missing home comfort food then Bar Samba is the perfect antidote with a large menu of British classics such as fish and chips and an excellent value Sunday roast.  If it’s sport that you miss, Irish Rover will cater to your needs and serve you excellent and hearty bar snacks, and if you are looking for that family owned bar that serves English breakfast's and lunches, then head to La Tasca  There seems to be a limitless choice of dining options. There are several highly recommended Chinese and Indian options, sushi, German and Belgian. There’s a plethora of Italian restaurants across town. Then, of course, there’s excellent Spanish food on offer. Fresh fish is prevalent and the smell of the charcoal baked espetos or sardines is certain to make your mouth water. Incidentally, the traditional espetos are served free on one of the major festivals of the year: San Juan, June 23rd when the beaches of Spain become the place to party with family and friends as well as the time to reflect on the past and promise changes for the future. Torre Del Mar is a place that once you visit, you’ll find it difficult to leave. It has everything that you will need to holiday or to start a new life in Spain.