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The surprising thing about Torre del Mar is how a coastal
town of its size has gone unnoticed for so long by all except the Spanish. This
becomes even more of a mystery after you do discover it and realise that a more
perfect Spanish holiday resort will be hard to find. What the Spanish have known and kept to
themselves for years is that Torre del Mar is the perfect combination of working
seaside town and relaxing beach resort, neither aspect seeming to affect the
other. The resort is very much tailored to the
Spanish, both residents and holidaymakers, and there is plenty of holiday
accommodation available. It does have a couple of "British" Pubs and
for that matter boasts two Indian restaurants but that is about as British as it
gets. So if you are looking for all of those familiar home from home
“treats" that seem to have infiltrated other resorts of this size then
you will be sadly disappointed. However, if you are looking to sample Spanish
hospitality and a real feeling of being in a Spanish resort, then read on.
The most attractive point to Torre del Mar is its promenade Paseo Maritimo de
Poniente and long wide sandy beach which seems to go on forever. Well at least
as far as the neighbouring resort of Caleta de Velez 4 kms away. Torre del Mar
is in a completely flat area which makes getting around very easy. Despite the
town and beach sitting side by side it is well spread out and gives you the
feeling of the two being separate. Outside of the hectic Spanish summer season
months of July and August the rest of the year in Torre del Mar remains at a
gentle tick-over pace.
Despite claims that the origins of Torre del Mar go back as
far as the times of the ancient Greeks no evidence of early civilization remains
in the town. There are one or two buildings of architectural interest including the Iglesia
de San Andres and a reconstruction of the town's original lighthouse. The nearby historical town of Velez-Malaga
offers more in the way of culture and sights.
The beach area has a good selection of water sports available
during the summer months. There is even a Nautical and Yacht Club on the beach.
Also available during the summer are two open air swimming pools the latest of
which was opened in 2003 and forms part of a small sports complex, which
includes a squash court, a Padel Tennis court and fitness suite. Being a flat area makes the promenade ideal
for cycling and there are two cycle hire shops which open year round. Also on
the promenade and available year round are a tennis court and basket ball court.
Golf is available at the nearby 18-hole
Baviera golf course and course fishing is possible at Lake Viñuela situated 15
minutes by road inland. Torre del Mar has a small theatre showing
regular performances and there is a twelve screen cinema complex at the nearby
El Ingenio shopping mall. Torre del mar is pretty much perfect for the enthusiastic
shopper. The town itself has a great selection of shops and boutiques selling
everything from Aguacates (avocadoes) to Zapatos (shoes). There is also the
visit of the popular weekly general market every Thursday. However if you are in need of yet more retail
therapy head for the nearby shopping mall El Ingenio to get your fix. The mall
boasts in excess of one hundred outlets both big and small.
Torre del Mar has just one beach Playa de Torre del Mar which
stretches for some 4 kms. It is also one of the areas widest beaches and so even
at the busiest time of year there is plenty of sand to go round.
Not surprisingly for a town of this size, Torre del Mar
offers a good choice of places to eat centred around the pedestrianised Paseo
Larios and spreading out along the adjacent side streets and Paseo Maritimo. The
emphasis is on traditional Spanish fare but there is also a good variety of
different cuisines including Chinese, Indian and even a Brazilian restaurant
available. On the sea front there are a number of beach
side restaurants, a couple of which are open all year serving barbecued sardines
at lunch time. Perhaps the most famous of the restaurants
are the freidurias of which Torre del Mar has many. Open all year for lunch or
dinner, offering the simple but delicious fare of fresh fish served fried or
grilled, they are a popular choice with the locals. Torre del Mar also offers a good selection of
bars, with the nightlife mainly centred around the the bars on the Paseo
Maritimo adjacent to the eastern side of Paseo Larios which don't get going much
before 12 o'clock but stay open until about 5am, particularly at weekends. |