Torremolinos is an attractive and appealing resort noted for its clean sandy beaches, wide choice of hotels and restaurants and unparalleled variety of entertainment, activities and nightlife available. Packed with tantalising shops, thronging with people of every nationality and located right at the heart of the town is the pedestrian only Calle San Miguel which is, without a doubt, the best known and representative street; a people watchers paradise where buskers, street vendors, sophisticated shops and ice-cream salesmen converge to create a ambience uniquely memorable - uniquely Torremolinos. The old part of the town has mercifully survived the passage of time and is recommended for those who seek a slice of real Spain. Torremolinos has, perhaps, an overabundance of concrete high-rises, this is offset by the recent emergence of numerous public gardens. More than one thousand species of trees have been planted in the town, ranging from the exotic magnolia and banana tree to vibrantly colourful beds of roses and azaleas. On the outskirts of the town there are three forests with freshwater springs and barbecue facilities and highly recommended for those seeking a little reprieve from the bucket and spade scenario on the coast.

Probably the most famous of the Costa del Sol resorts, Torremolinos was the first town on the Costa to be extensively developed for tourism and is now showing its age, resembling the dreaded concrete jungle of the late 60s and 70s. Its name is a byword for boisterous fun, with discos pumping out the latest hits at full volume late into the night and a busy, jam-packed beach. This sprawling resort now measures roughly 3 mls by ¾ ml, and is still growing in every direction. At the town centre is a long, traffic-free street lined with shops, bars, restaurants and nightspots. Here, the resort is considerably higher than the beach, so steep, winding streets or long flights of steps are an intrinsic part of the journey from one to the other - a point to remember when choosing accommodation. The main road running parallel to the coast is almost chock-a-block with high-rise developments, which spread beyond Playamar Beach in one direction and to the adjacent resort of Benalmadena Costa in the other. The latter is virtually a continuation of Torremolinos, offering more of the same hotels, apartments, bars, cafes, clubs and restaurants. An interesting relic of old Torremolinos is the village of Carihuela, on the coast between Benalmadena Costa and the centre. This little quarter has retained some of its fishing-port atmosphere, with seafront restaurants and bars backing onto a smart promenade that runs all the way to Benalmadena Costa along the coast to the SW.

Bright and brash, with enough choice to suit all tastes and persuasions. Predominantly the budget to middlemarket young and lively as well as families during the summer, with a more mature clientele in the winter.

Lots of large condominium-type hotels - majority 3-star - offering a good range of facilities such as swimming pools and bars but lacking in atmosphere. Growing choice of apartments in the mid-to-lower range. A lot of accommodation is close to the beach, although those staying in resort centre face an uphill hike at the end of the day. Some of the higher-category accommodation is within the Benalmadena Costa area.

Some of the best beaches on the coast, with 2 main choices: Carihuela, which leads off towards Benalmadena Costa, and Bajondillo, which later becomes Playamar. Both are wide, long and clean and have fine, rather dark sand. Plenty of beachfront cafes (called chiringuitos) selling fried fish, snacks and refreshments, which is just as well, as the walk back from the main beach into the town centre is uphill all the way.

The main shopping area is along the traffic-free area around Calle San Miguel, offering masses of tourist tat, leather and jewellery, which continues down the steep steps to the beach, and along much of the promenade. Thursday-morning street market in the old part of town (El Calvario). A large number of hypermarkets in the area. Some of the larger self-catering complexes have supermarkets on site.

Daytime: mainly beach-based, with lots of water sports, including windsurfing, paragliding, water-skiing and pedal boats. An equestrian centre provides dressage displays, lessons and pony trekking in the hills. Enormous aqua park, with swimming pools and water slides; nearby crocodile park. Local golf courses. Nightlife: hundreds of bars in the area and dozens of discos and nightclubs.

Catering for all tastes, from fast-food eateries, snack bars and pizzerias to local cuisine. Fish specialities in the Carihuela area and some upmarket restaurants.

Half-hourly train service between Malaga and Fuengirola, with a central below-ground stop in Torremolinos. Frequent, efficient bus service between Malaga and Benalmadena Costa, as well as less frequent service to other coastal resorts.

Half day: Marbella, local countryside, Fuengirola market and Mijas, Caves of Nerja, Malaga city tour. Full day: Granada, Seville, Cordoba, Ronda, Morocco, Gibraltar tour. Evenings: casino (with cabaret), 3¾ mls.

On Spain's S coast, in the centre of the Costa del Sol. 10½ mls W of Malaga. 8 mls W of Malaga airport.

On a hillside, with the Playamar area to one side and Carihuela in the opposite direction. There is a stiff climb back up from the beach to the centrally located hotels and apartments.

Post Code: 29620
Website: www.andalucia.com/torremolinos/

Airport : Malaga
Airport Code: AGP
Flight time from ther U.K.: 2 hrs. 50 mins