Those seeking to escape the British winter and find some warmth should seriously consider a holiday to the Mediterranean resort town of Torremolinos. Located on Spain’s sunny Costa del Sol, this is one of the oldest resorts in the area and one with a welcoming charm. It is known for its vast and inviting sandy beaches, excellent shopping opportunities, busy nightlife and tantalising cuisine. Torremolinos is also a great base for cultural day trips with plenty of nearby attractions.
Read our guide to Torremolinos’ cultural attractions here!
The destination is a superb choice for foodies as there are literally dozens of restaurants serving a range of tasty culinary creations. Here are a few of my favourites:
La Luna Blanca
La Luna Blanca is an authentic Japanese restaurant serving elegant yet simple food with a commitment to using the freshest ingredients. Located in the residential area of Montemar, La Luna Blanca specialises in traditional dishes including Domono, Yakimono, Sumashi and Sushi all beautifully presented. Both breakfast and dinner can be enjoyed here in a warm and welcoming environment, but be sure to book in advance as they will only do dinner by request.
La Reserva de Antonio
This bright and attractive restaurant sits on the Carhuela promenade, making it a great spot for dinner after a day on the beach. The modern restaurant serves a wide range of dishes so every taste is catered for, with a few popular options including seafood paella, Iberian pork fillet with garlic, grilled crayfish and lobster. In addition to the fabulous food, La Reserva de Antonio boasts an enormous wine cellar, so be sure to enjoy a glass or two with lovely views over the beach and out to sea.
Los Pampas
Found in La Nogalera de Torremolinos, Los Pampas is a local favourite thanks to the friendly atmosphere and excellent range of juicy meats prepared in Argentinian style, grilled or broiled. The menu is varied and includes Iberian products, mixed grill, heart of veal and the best of Malaga-based food, including non-meat dishes too. Fear not if you are vegetarian. The eatery is also popular for its enticing homemade desserts, which include chocolate cake, flan, cheesecakes and plenty more to satisfy your sweet tooth.
El Figón de Montemar
This friendly and informal establishment in the Montemar quarter is well known in the area for their superb homemade and traditional Spanish dishes. The starters here are exceptional: the sautéed, Iberian products and homemade croquettes. Oxtail, fideuá, fabada and lamb chops are all popular choices on the main menu, but you can also sample a range of fresh seafood dishes from the Costa del Sol’s waters. As you would expect, there is a lengthy wine list to choose from, which combined with the welcoming atmosphere makes this a great place for a cosy and intimate romantic meal.
Vintage 8
Fancy something a little different? Vintage 8 offers a unique dining experience by the waterfront where the restaurant is filled with a cheerful pink light to create a cosy and romantic atmosphere. There is a large movie screen which allows you to watch the game, or alternatively, there is a belly dance show that you can watch whilst smoking aromatic hookah. In terms of food, Vintage 8 has an equally creative menu with rare Moroccan dishes and various culinary oddities to match the quirky vibe. A feast for the senses awaits in Vintage 8.
How to Get There
The Costa del Sol is very easy to reach from the UK as most airports offer direct flights into Malaga Airport (AGP) with a handful of carriers regularly making the flight.
Torremolinos is just down the road (about 10 minutes by road), but it is best to book a private Shuttle Direct transfer so that you do not have to wait around and can quickly get dropped straight to the door of your hotel. Talking of hotels…
Where to Stay
Marconfort Griego Hotel: Conveniently located near the old town and 10 minutes from the beach, this hotel puts you in the heart of the action in Torremolinos. The property itself has spacious rooms with a private balcony, satellite TV and private bathroom. Facilities here include a fitness centre, sun terrace and buffet restaurant serving international food. In addition to all this, the friendliness of the staff is often praised by the guests.
Medplaya Hotel Pez Espada: This terrific hotel overlooks the sea with direct access to La Carihuela beach, but it also features its own outdoor swimming pool. Each room has a balcony with views of the sea, along with parquet floors and a flat-screen TV. The highly-rated buffet restaurant serves a range of international dishes, and the cafe offers a number of drinks and snacks in the hotel’s idyllic gardens.
Fénix Torremolinos: An adult-only hotel located just a 3-minute walk from Bajondillo Beach and 100 yards from the main shopping area, this is a popular hotel thanks to its fantastic facilities. These include a roof terrace with a hot tub looking out to sea, an outdoor pool, spa and buffet rester taunt and snack bar. The large rooms also feature a satellite TV, desk, kettle, minibar and modern bathroom.
About Shuttle Direct:
Shuttle Direct can get your trip off to a smooth start with reliable, comfortable and safe passage from the airport to your destination. We are one of Europe’s most trusted transfer providers and pride ourselves on our top-quality service.
Use our simple online booking form and one of our friendly local drivers will be waiting to meet you at the airport.
