To the east of Malaga is the underrated region of Torrox. At the foothills of the Sierra de Almijara right down to the beach front, there’s a piece of Torrox to suit everyone.
Torrox has quite a rich history to discover with the Phoenicians and Greeks being once involved with the commercial activities in the area. All that said it was the Romans who founded an important town and left much evidence of their flourishing ‘factory’. Many recent archaeological finds are still being discovered near the Torrox lighthouse. The composite areas of Torrox were once collectively named Caviclum and went on the historical map as a very prosperous Roman city.
During the Andalusi-Arabic period, Torrox was known throughout the Mediterranean for the production and sale of sugar cane. Some of these sugar cane factories dating from the 19 century are still standing but now disused.
I’d recommend visiting the Torrox Costa lighthouse and its musuem to discover more about the area and it’s intriguing past. There are a number of artefacts housed inside the museum alongside interactive displays and videos depicting life in Roman times.
Today Torrox is a thriving area for tourists. Parallel to its long sandy beach is a wonderful seaside promenade where you will find a mixture of Spanish and international restaurants, cafes and bars. One of my favourites is the thai restaurant called Thaipas located near the lighthouse, where the owner Wippa creates culinary delights to suit your spice level.
Perhaps you crave English fish and chips smothered in vinegar whilst breathing the fresh sea air. Then you can find traditional fish and chips at the British family owned Lews restaurant.
For those who love fish and seafood, the popular Spanish restaurant Paloma Blanca serves a renowned dish of fish baked in salt. Contrary to what you may initially think, the dish is beautifully moist and only has a slightly salty taste.
Accommodation on Torrox Costa is reasonably competitive when booked in advance. For those wanting to stay directly on the beach - the hotel Iberostar Malaga Playa is an excellent choice.
There’s a large number of holiday homes and apartments available to rent, however prices have been rising steadily in recent years. You will get a better deal for your money if you stay in nearby Torrox Pueblo. This pretty village has good transport links to the coast and has an assortment of shops and restaurants in its pretty square. Be aware though that the Pueblo has a lot of steps and windy streets so this may not be the best option if you have walking difficulties of limited mobility.
If you prefer a complete getaway from it all holiday, surrounded by peaceful and tranquil surroundings then choosing to stay in the nearby campo or countryside may be the best option for you. You could choose to rent a villa, offering you complete isolation from the rest of humanity, other than when you have to pop to the supermarkets on the coast of course!
