Since the early 1960s, when Torremolinos became one of Spain’s leading tourist hotspots, it’s also been a favourite among people from all walks of life for a couples’ getaway. Whether in Torremolinos itself or in the surrounding area, there are endless ways to spend time together and enjoy all the charm the town has to offer.
Here are some of the most popular options, more than enough to tempt couples out of their room and away from the hotel’s relaxing facilities to make the most of Torremolinos.
- Couple-friendly activities in and around Torremolinos, from time at the beach to flamenco
- Romantic restaurants in Torremolinos, intimate settings or scenic views
- Playas tranquilas en Torremolinos, alejadas de los chiringuitos
- Activities at the Occidental Torremolinos Playa hotel
Couple-friendly activities in and around Torremolinos, from time at the beach to flamenco
Unsurprisingly, the most popular activity for couples visiting Torremolinos is spending time on the beach, and everything that comes with it. Or relaxing at their hotel pool. Not a bad way to spend your time in a town that averages 300 days of sunshine a year and enjoys pleasant temperatures most of the time. Watching the sun rise over the Mediterranean is a true delight, whether from your hotel room or from the town’s wide, sandy beaches.
But there are many more things to do. For instance, you can sample international cuisines at the many restaurants in Torremolinos. We’ll talk more about that shortly, including a selection of the most appealing restaurants.
Of course, no couples’ getaway to Torremolinos would be complete without seeing this part of the Costa del Sol from the sea. There are all kinds of boat trips available, on motorboats, small yachts, catamarans and sailing boats, departing from Benalmádena marina or Malaga’s yacht harbour.
A visit to the Casa de las Navajas is both romantic and fascinating, with its beautiful Neo-Mudéjar style. The palace, completed in 1925, is so richly decorated and visually striking that it’s one of the most in-demand venues in Torremolinos for weddings and private events. It sits just above El Bajondillo beach.
For couples after something more active, a good walk is a great idea. Two of the best options are La Cañada del Lobo and the Camino de los Pinares. The first is a stunning natural setting just outside town, full of trails and viewpoints that offer sweeping views over Torremolinos and the deep blue of the Mediterranean on sunny days.
The Camino de los Pinares, in the upper part of Torremolinos, runs through a small forest that acts as the town’s green haven. The walk can end at the Molino de Inca botanical garden, which is home to over a thousand different plant species.
After your walk, a massage or spa session at one of the wellness centres in Torremolinos will feel like just what you need. There are plenty to choose from, including Aguas del Sol Centro Wellness, Alum Spa Amaragua and Thai Massage Spa by Jamie. Guests at the Occidental Torremolinos Playa hotel can also enjoy professional massages in their own rooms.
And to round things off, there’s always the option of catching a flamenco show, many of them with dinner included, held almost daily in Torremolinos. Top tablaos include Taberna Flamenca Pepe López, Peña Amigos del Arte and Palacete Flamenco del Tato.
Romantic restaurants in Torremolinos, intimate settings or scenic views
Torremolinos is a lively, fun-loving town known for its party spirit. It caters for every kind of traveller, but it is also a diverse tourist hub, offering all kinds of dining options. This includes options for couples looking for romantic dining with beautiful views, soft lighting, mellow music and plenty of charm. Here are some of them:
Arrozante (Hotel Occidental Torremolinos Playa)
This restaurant, which specialises in rice, brings out the best of the sea in every dish. The space is warm and welcoming, where wood blends with classic Mediterranean blues and whites.
La Experiencia (Av. Joan Miró, 19)
La Experiencia (Av. Joan Miró, 19): in a town known as having “something for everyone” dining and tapas bars, this original concept is a welcome change, taking diners on a journey around the world in search of the finest flavours and most creative presentations. For a carefree evening you can enjoy to the fullest, go for the tasting menu.
Calui (Av. España, 18)
With its tree-lined patio and elegant atmosphere with rustic touches, this restaurant is the perfect setting for internationally inspired cooking made with top-quality ingredients. Highlights include asparagus-stuffed involtini with acorn-fed Iberian pork and ham cream, stir-fried rice noodles with mushrooms, nuts and teriyaki, and duck confit with red berries, sweet potato and apple.
La Tierra (Cuesta del Tajo, 10)
This restaurant’s terrace, beside the Torre de Pimentel on the slope that links Calle San Miguel to El Bajondillo beach, offers one of the best views in Torremolinos. That alone makes it a great romantic pick. The menu fuses Malaga’s cuisine with popular dishes from around the world.
Spanish Garden (Av. Salvador Allende, 58)
Quality ingredients, elegant table settings, tasteful décor, an attentive service and reasonable prices are a great introduction for any restaurant, romantic or not. This restaurant in La Carihuela, open since the late 1980s, ticks all the boxes.
Amura (Paseo Marítimo, 49)
Right by the sea, this restaurant embraces Mediterranean cooking in the broadest and always looks like an excellent choice. This is the philosophy of the restaurant’s managers, who also focus on creative and fusion dishes. The experience is highly recommended, even more so if enjoyed with a partner.
Playas tranquilas en Torremolinos, alejadas de los chiringuitos
Beyond the bustle of El Bajondillo and La Carihuela, couples can still find peaceful spots on beaches in Torremolinos. Even on these beaches, you’ll enjoy more tranquillity if you steer clear of the busiest beach bars and clubs. La Carihuela tends to be calmer at the end closest to Puerto Marina, the popular marina in the neighbouring town of Benalmádena. El Bajondillo Beach, meanwhile, is more peaceful from where it meets Avenida de Benyamina heading towards Malaga.
That said, the most peaceful beach near Torremolinos is Guadalmar, beside the golf course. Technically an extension of El Bajondillo Beach, this section falls within Malaga’s city limits. It’s a sandy beach with no nearby developments and none of the typical urban beach services, but there’s plenty of parking. It’s a favourite with nudists and known for its dark-coloured sand.
Activities at the Occidental Torremolinos Playa hotel
This Barceló Group hotel is ideal for a couples’ holiday. Located on the seafront in the quiet Los Álamos area of Torremolinos, it’s a perfect place to spend the day between dips in the two main pools or relaxing on the beach. Guests can also enjoy the on-site dining options, including a buffet restaurant featuring a visible kitchen and show cooking, Arrozante (serving Mediterranean food), as well as two bars: Sotavento, in the outdoor area, and the Lobby Bar.
Couples looking for something more active can take part in any of the adult sports programmes organised by the hotel, including entertainment activities. There’s also a Sports Centre with a range of equipment and facilities.
For an added treat, couples can also attend any of the shows that take place daily on the hotel’s main stage. And don’t miss the themed parties the hotel regularly organises for its guests.
