Torremolinos’ former fishing quarter, La Carihuela in the province of Málaga, has achieved the heights of fame and popularity. As the tourism industry grew on the Costa del Sol, the fishermen who inhabited this lovely spot gradually began to abandon their boats and open restaurants and beach bars, the places that now serve the typical fried fish platters and other traditional Spanish dishes. However, the area still retains the original charm of the old Andalusian neighbourhoods with its narrow streets and traditional shops.
In any case, the most sought-after destination for visitors to La Carihuela remains its impressive two-kilometre-long beach, a stretch of sand that has been trodden by many Hollywood stars, including Grace Kelly, Ava Gardner, Orson Welles and Frank Sinatra.
- Faithful to its seafaring roots
- What can you see in the La Carihuela neighbourhood
- La Carihuela beach
- Services and activities in La Carihuela
- Restaurants in the area
Faithful to its seafaring roots
Although La Carihuela (Torremolinos) remains faithful to its seafaring spirit, these days it bears little resemblance to the neighbourhood once enjoyed by Hollywood stars at a time when this spot boasted a fishing fleet of barely 40 boats. Emblematic buildings from that time still survive — including the Miami, Tropicana, Carihuela Palace, Tres Carabelas, Montemar and Pez Espada hotels, along with the famous Bazar Aladino, an establishment built in the shape of a boat, and the El Remo ballroom, which opened in 1948. These establishments formed part of what was known as the ‘relaxation architecture’, which co-existed with a row of houses and one-storey shacks, a few examples of which still remain in the Calle de los Perros. Apparently, the name La Carihuela translates as ‘fishermen’s village’, although this term does not appear in the Spanish Royal Academy’s Dictionary.
What can you see in the La Carihuela neighbourhood
Apart from its exceptional beach and the seafront promenade (the Paseo Marítimo), you can also take a walk around La Carihuela’s historic quarter and visit the Church of Nuestra Señora del Carmen. In fact, one of the most special days in La Carihuela is the festival of the Virgen del Carmen, the town’s patron saint. On that day (the 16th of July), a varied and exciting programme of leisure activities is organised around the procession and landing of the Virgin on the beach at La Carihuela
La Carihuela beach
With a length of two kilometres, La Carihuela beach is known throughout the world, no doubt because it was the destination on the Costa del Sol chosen by the great stars of Hollywood on their visits. Specifically Grace Kelly, Ava Gardner, Orson Welles and Frank Sinatra, who holidayed on this beach during the 1950s and 60s. Back then, there were very few hotels, but among them were the Tropicana and the Pez Espada.
The beach, an essential destination on any visit to La Carihuela, has a lovely seafront promenade packed with shops, bars, restaurants and ‘beach clubs’, and a permanently vibrant, buzzing atmosphere. If you walk towards the west, you will arrive at the secluded beach of El Saltillo, and at Puerto Marina (which is actually in Benalmádena), but if you head eastwards, you will arrive at La Punta, or Morro de Torremolinos, a curious geological formation that effectively divides the Paseo Marítimo in two.
Nowadays, La Carihuela beach is still famous throughout the whole world, and has now acquired modern tourist facilities without losing its seafaring roots and traditions. In a nutshell, it is a lovely place to relax and enjoy the famous ‘pescaito’ [fried fish].
Services and activities in La Carihuela
As a beach highly popular with locals and visitors alike, La Carihuela offers all kinds of facilities. There are hotels and other tourist accommodation on the beach front, along with restaurants, shops and car parks. The resort is accessible, with public toilets and showers, and there is public transport on the form of a train and buses. There are also coastguards and life guards, beach lounger and sunshade hire, and a Red Cross first-aid station. In the high season, you can hire pedaloes and other water sports equipment.
You can walk, skate or cycle along the Paseo Marítimo. And you will have the opportunity to try the finest fried ‘pescaíto’ at any of the beach bars along the promenade. You can even do yoga in the shade of the palm trees, or go for a jog. As you would expect, water sports are available, or you can simply enjoy the peace as you gaze at the sea and listen to the sound of the waves. The areas with palm trees and natural lawns encourage visitors to take advantage of the shade on hot summer days.
Restaurants in the area
La Carihuela has a plethora of restaurants and beach bars that offer typical Costa del Sol cuisine. We are talking about the sardines on skewers, often cooked over coals on the beach itself or on barges. Every year, ‘Pescaíto Day’ is celebrated here. The festival takes place on the first Thursday in June, and is a tradition dating from the late 1980s, thanks to the abundance of beach bars and restaurants specialising in fried fish.
Visitors to La Carihuela absolutely must try the anchovies, sardines, red mullet, baby squid and cuttlefish, as well as the chargrilled sardines. Not surprisingly, there is also a good selection of restaurants serving international cuisine: Italian, Japanese, Hindu, Chinese, Hawaiian, Lebanese, Moroccan, and more. Every taste is catered for.
Which are the best restaurants in La Carihuela? Highlights include Arrozante, Morrofino, Toro Azul, Moma Beach Club, Angus Playamar, Siam Thai, La Despensa Familiar, Space Monkey Bar, A Casa Nostra, and Doña Gabriela.
