Torre del Mar

 

Torre del Mar is a popular vacation spot not only for British, German and Dutch tourists but also for the Spanish. The local economy for a long time was built on sugar cane, and while that industry is now extinct in the region, you can still see the ruins of the old sugar mills, some of which have been converted into museums, exhibition halls or shopping malls.

 

But Torre del Mar's history reaches back much further. The Phoenicians settled here in the 8th century B.C. Later the Romans used Torre del Mar as a natural port to ship almonds and figs and built some fortifications. The Moors finally errected a massive fortification with a big tower which gave the town its name.

 

The fortification fell into disrepair after the reconquista, and was completely destroyed during the Napoleonic wars, an earthquake, and subsequent use as a quarry.

 

Today Torre del Mar's economy builds upon tourism and a little bit of agriculture, mostly mango, avocado and kiwi, growing on the terraced hills just north of the city. Blessed with a wonderful subtropical climate, in summer it's one of those sprawling towns at the coast, packed with tourists and the businesses that come with them.

 

El Copo, a 500 meters long stretch of bars, is open until 4:00 AM. The Paseo de Larios, a beautiful promenade running from the beach into the city center, cuts the famous beach walk into an eastern and western part - correctly named Paseo Maritimo Poniente and Levante, respectively. Here you'll find all the amenities a beach tourist longs for: Bars, restaurants, gift shops, open air BBQs etc. Medical centers, pharmacies, car rentals and all the other amenities you may wish for can be found in the city center.

 

But the biggest highlight of Torre del Mar definitely is the beach. Wide stretches of sand offering plenty of room, with chiringuitos (beach bars) sprinkled in. Even in high season it does not get too crowded here for a game of beach volleyball or football.

 

For those who like to go on a shopping spree without taking the drive to Malaga or Granada: check out El Ingenio, located next to the highway exit between Casa Estrellita and Torre del Mar.