Torrox

On the ‘Route of Sun and Wine’, but still one of the quieter resorts in the Costa del Sol, Torrox has breezy summers and mild winters.

Torrox Pueblo is a traditional town on the steep slopes of the Sierra Almijara mountains. It was a wealthy settlement under Moorish rule due to its role in the silk trade; much of the grand medieval whitewashed buildings stem from that period. It lies four kilometres inland of the Torrox Costa, an international tourist centre and promenade (paseo) of bars and restaurants alongside a sandy beach. The paseo comes alive at night with tourists, mostly from Northern Spain, Germany and the UK socialising. There are street entertainers and market stalls open until the early hours. Then finally, Torrox Park is a quiet, modern urbanization that fills the space between the town and the coast.

The Sierra Almijara mountains are part of a vast natural park that attracts hikers, climbers and hunters — with a sector sequestered as a game reserve. The Nerja Caves showrooms and accessible caves show just a taste of the five-kilometre underground network of caverns and sinkholes. Since the caves opened to the public in 1960, they have been the location for the annual ‘Festival de Música y Danza’ in addition to a venue for one-off concert performances. For the even more adventurous, the Sierra Nevada Mountain ski resorts are close enough for a day trip.

If you prefer to stay local, there are plenty of traditional restaurants in the Pueblo with specialities such as locally made wine, grilled sardines, garlic soup with grapes and sweet churros — doughnut like sticks to dip in chocolate sauce. On the last Sunday before Christmas Torrox celebrates its Festival of Migas. Migas is a dish made from fried breadcrumbs, green peppers and chorizo. Thousands of visitors attend every year for a feast of wine, music and dancing.