Hidden gem in Spain is an 'affordable' beach destination with 300 days of sun
When it comes to jetting off abroad from the UK, we're incredibly fortunate. Just imagine - you can board a flight for a couple of hours and find yourself practically anywhere across Europe.
Even more appealing, destinations like Spain with its glorious sunshine for most of the year are not only stunning but also perfect for a quick escape. Specifically, Spain's Costa del Sol and Costa Brava represent fantastic options for an incredibly budget-friendly summer break.
Adam Schwab, co-founder and CEO at Luxury Escapes, explained: "The Costa del Sol, located in Andalusia, offers popular resort towns like Torremolinos, Benalmádena, and Fuengirola, each with its unique charm, attractions, and golden sandy beaches."
Meanwhile, The Costa Brava, situated in Catalonia "offers picturesque villages and crystal-clear waters, with resorts like Lloret de Mar and Tossa de Mar providing a perfect blend of beach relaxation and cultural exploration".
Both areas provide family-friendly resorts at sensible prices, all merely a short flight from the UK, reports the Express.
So we decided to look at what Costa del Sol's Torremolinos has on offer.
What can you do in Torremolinos?
The destination boasts an impressive 300 sunny days annually, so it's hardly surprising that holidaymakers rush there.
Torremolinos features 7km of coastline along the Mediterranean where visitors can enjoy the ocean air.
One specific beach worth experiencing is Playa de la Carihuela, which ranks as the third best attraction in the city and holds a 4.4 rating on Tripadvisor.
One traveller wrote: "We were on a Globus tour at the beginning of November and this beach was amazing! The weather was wonderful and because it was off-season, the beach was not crowded. The surf was mild, with more pebbles than shells, and the beach was wide with plenty of room to spread out.
"The beach was very clean and there were restaurants along the edge and shops across the street further down. I wish we spent more than two days here, but we plan to come back."
Another said: "This is a long and wide beach with golden sand. The promenade that fronts it is dotted with sand sculptures with intricate details, and it is lined with shops, restaurants and cafes. There are many beach clubs with chair and umbrella rentals, and some are beautifully landscaped."
A third commented: "Without a shadow of a doubt one of the best beaches in Torremolinos is Playa La Carihuela. This is a beautiful expanse of clean, golden sand that brings you down to gentle waves, there's good beach amenities and some fantastic chiringuitos overlooking the beach where you can enjoy beers after a swim."
Meanwhile, those eager to discover other areas of the city should consider visiting the fishing quarter of La Carihuela.
The traditional neighbourhood ranks as the city's premier attraction, boasting a 4.5-star rating on Tripadvisor. One person wrote: "My family and I recently visited la Carihuela after a gap of four years. It was as nice as ever. There were changes in lots of premises but a lot of the older ones were still there. The church is serene and lovely. The clothes shops and gift shops are lovely. We tried different restaurants each night."
Another commented: "A promenade of shops, bars and restaurants. Then one street Calle San Miguel has more fantastic restaurants, etc. Our favourite is La Tahone de la Carihuela. Their food and drinks are delicious whatever you fancy, they have many seats and tables outside. Also Cafeteria Naranjito for coffee and cafe. Everyone in Carihuela who serves you has a happy smile. Can't wait to go back."
A third said: "Fabulous area. The Hotel Barracuda was lovely. It had a rooftop bar as well as a bar on the grounds. The breakfast was lovely, A great selection every day. The beach was just across the promenade with an exit from the grounds of the hotel and the beach was just fabulous. You can walk or cycle along the promenade to other beaches and areas which are great. A great place to go."
Additional top-rated destinations in Torremolinos feature Calle San Miguel, Parque La Bateria, Jardin Botanico Molino de Inca and Playa El Bajondillo.
How to reach Torremolinos?
For those travelling from the UK, Malaga serves as the closest airport to Torremolinos. Situated merely four miles from Torremolinos, visitors can take a taxi or use public transport to reach the resort.
Direct flights are available from numerous UK locations including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Belfast, Bristol, Bournemouth, Glasgow, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Nottingham, Exeter, Newcastle, Leeds, Newquay and Cardiff. Skyscanner indicates that one-way flights start from a mere £24.
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