Torremolinos is a tourism paradise

Torremolinos has remained a top tourist destination by changing with the times.

The first town in Spain to open up to international mass tourism, its success story began in the 1950s when the European travel market turned its eyes to the sunny area of southern Spain, the Costa del Sol.

By the 1970s, tourism in the area was booming, with thousands of visitors arriving each week on cheap package deals and all-inclusive offers.

A multitude of good hotels sprung up and, by the 1980s, tourism had spread to the nearby former fishing towns of Benalmadena, Fuengirola and Marbella.

The central area of Torremolinos is bustling and mostly lined with stalls and small shops selling souvenirs, local handicrafts and international brands.

However, there are also a number of fantastic restaurants just waiting to serve up some exquisite local delights.

Don’t forget to stop by the Goloso stall, open since 1963, just off the main street of Calle de San Miguel, for some of the most delicious sweet-filled crepes which will truly treat your taste buds.

Take a stroll through San Miguel street from La Chacha, a popular seafood eatery, down past the old mill tower (from which Torremolinos gets its name) until you reach the seafront.

Having recently been refurbished, the promenade is flanked by chiringuitos, typical Spanish eateries serving the very best and freshest seafood.

Go during the summer months to try the traditional espeto de sardinas.

The promenade stretches from Puerto Marina, in Benalmadena, all the way to the airport on the outskirts of Malaga.

Its most famous part is La Carihuela, towards the western part of the town, a more elegant beachside walkway teeming with high-quality Spanish and international restaurants and chiringuitos.

Today, Torremolinos is still one of the most visited holiday destinations in Spain.

This much-changed resort is lined with sweeping beaches and shopping arcades. And, contrary to popular belief, it’s not overcrowded with British bars anymore as it has reverted to a more Spanish feel.

Sure, there is a healthy amount of Brit and Irish pubs but they’re not tacky anymore.

The new promenade along Playa Mar have all-new beach bars every 25 metres or so, most offering great value local dishes such as fried fish, seafood and tapas.

There are plenty of good quality to cheap hotels in Torremolinos and most are perfectly located near to the well-maintained beaches.

The Tourism office is in the Plaza Pablo Picasso, with another in the Plaza del Lido on the seafront.

The competition between Torremolinos’s restaurants, clubs and bars is quite intense so if you’re prepared to walk round and check a few prices you can have a pretty good night out for remarkably little.

The more elegant part of the resort lies to the east at La Carihuela where there’s a great beach and the best seafood restaurants around.

A must-do excursion is to Ronda, a gorgeous mountain town. Leaving the coast behind, you venture into the Andalucian countryside, passing rolling hills, quaint villages and craggy mountains.

After walking to the centre, take in the cobbled Old Quarter and the museum of the artist Joaquin Peinado. You can also take in a spot of wine tasting of products from Ronda’s vineyards.

The highlight, though, is the Puente Nuevo, a stone bridge straddling the 100-metre gorge that bisects the town.

From here, you’ll enjoy dizzying views over the gorge and Ronda’s houses clinging precariously to the clifftops.

The town has plenty of atmospheric restaurants and gift shops. And, if you’re feeling energetic, you can take the steps down into the gorge itself.

Factbox

Thomson Holidays offer seven-night holidays to Torremolinos staying at the 4T+ Hotel Riu Nautilus Thomson Platinum Resort on a half board basis from £715 per person.

Price is based on two adults sharing and includes flights departing from Glasgow airport on the 12th September 2014 and transfers.

To find out more, visit your local Thomson travel shop, thomson.co.uk or call 0871 230 2555.

First Choice offers seven-night holidays to Torremolinos staying at the 4Sun Sol Aloha Puerto Hotel on an all-inclusive basis from £680 per person.

Price is based on two adults sharing, and includes flights departing from Manchester airport on September 4 and transfers. For more details, visit your local Thomson featuring First Choice travel shop, firstchoice.co.uk or call 0871 200 7799.