Before the surge in tourism took place in the 1950’s in the south of Spain, Torremolinos is a poor fishing village located in the west coast of Malaga’s Costa del Sol. The town’s coast was the first developed beach area in Costa del Sol catering to sun holidaymakers and this paved way to further high rise development projects. Very popular with the British, as well as the local Spaniards and the Dutch—I heard nederlands spoken everywhere.
Dutchman playing with the camera in Calle San Miguel. My skin is at its best when when its tropical weather. During winter I suffer from allergies and the doctor says the only remedy is to go to a warm country. (UGH, WHY DO I LIVE HERE?)
The town is named after the ‘Torre de los Molinos’ which is located on a hill by the beach coast and is accessible via Calle San Miguel. I actually saw a very old foto, a black and white postcard rendition of Torremolinos before the development began. The whole place looked so bare and pristine! It’s like a beach paradise in a remote area in the Philippines and one can only marvel or have a heart attack at the transformation after 30-50 years.
From the beach area on Playa del Bajondillo, there is a street filled with vendors side by side (you cannot miss this). This will bring you to a pedestrian-only tiled stairway called Calle San Miguel that climbs up to the center of Torremolinos. This is the old part of the town and is a really nice and busy area to walk during the day and especially at night when vendors are diligently hawking their wares to passersby. Lots of handy craft and souvenir shops here, as well as outdoor terraces. Upon reaching the top you will see the Tower of Molinos and San Miguel Church, one of the very few authentic historical pieces of Torremolinos that remained.
Here are more fotos of the old town and the famous shopping street, Calle San Miguel:
Calle San Miguel, the main shopping street of Torremolinos.
Calle San Miguel, Torre de Molinos and the Spanish flag with El Toro.
Having an afternoon drink to quell off the summer heat. I had the typical Spanish granizados (slush drink), I chose lemon.
This is a hostel on Calle San Miguel with interesting artworks, ceramic tiles with sayings and flower pots hanging from its walls.
This is the beginning of the pedestrian-only Calle San Miguel, a few meters from the Paseo Maritimo (promenade) and Playa del Bajondillo.
Calle San Miguel at night also known as Calle Europa because all tourists come here.
Left foto: the stone building at the back is the Torre de Molinos. Next foto is Plaza de San Miguel.
Calle San Miguel and the Church of San Miguel in the middle foto.
Travel Period: August 2010
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