Area guide
Incredible beaches, endless beachfront chiringuitos, a laid-back yet lively atmosphere, and one of the best promenades on the Costa del Sol. This is La Carihuela.
I will start by saying this about Torremolinos: for a relatively small coastal city, it offers a real variety between its neighbourhoods. La Carihuela is a perfect example of that, feeling completely different from the centre of Torremolinos.
The centre of Torremolinos has more of an urban feel, really centred around the bar and nightlife scene. La Carihuela, on the other hand, has much more of a relaxed atmosphere, where life for both the permanent residents living there and tourists revolves around the beach, the promenade, and the amazing Spanish chiringuitos.
A common mistake many holiday visitors or potential buyers make is getting off the train in central Torremolinos and never exploring the other neighbourhoods.
La Carihuela has long been especially popular among Dutch and British buyers. The neighbourhood is very international, and you'll hear a mix of European languages as you walk through the streets and along the promenade.
Before the real estate boom on the Costa del Sol in the 60s and 70s, La Carihuela was a small fishing village, and even though the area has grown into something completely different since then, La Carihuela has managed to preserve much of its traditional character. You especially get that feeling when you walk the older streets sitting right behind the beach promenade. Here you find a lot of restaurants and local shops — it's just a wonderful place to spend time.
In the area you also find the Hotel Pez Espada, which was actually Costa del Sol's first luxury hotel. Not in Marbella — here in Torremolinos, attracting Hollywood stars, royalty, and high-profile visitors from all over the world. The hotel is still open today.
The beach is the biggest reason people choose to live here. Golden sand, wide, and very well maintained, and the promenade stretches for kilometers all the way to Benalmádena. For many, Torremolinos together with Fuengirola has the best traditional beaches on the coast. Whether you enjoy walking, running, cycling, or simply sitting by the sea with a coffee, this is a great place for it.
Along this stretch of the coast, some of the first chiringuito restaurants opened, and the area still serves arguably some of the coast's best traditional Spanish chiringuitos. Fresh seafood caught locally, grilled espetos, beachfront dining is simply part of life here. If you enjoy eating out, I highly recommend La Carihuela's beachfront promenade.
When it comes to properties, La Carihuela is a dense, mature neighbourhood, so most properties are big apartment complexes built between the 60s and 80s — mostly lower quality build, so the majority of resale buyers make renovations, especially for the kitchens and bathrooms. Keep that in mind if you are considering buying here.
If you're specifically looking for a brand-new apartment, there isn't much in the area currently — however, there is a new project called Magna, the biggest development La Carihuela has seen in decades. It's going to be 5 minutes from the beach, and the project is planned to offer modern apartments with resort-style facilities, including swimming pools, gym, spa, coworking spaces, and commercial areas (likely including a supermarket).
Construction has not started yet, with expected move-in dates towards the end of 2028. So this is an option for buyers who love the location of La Carihuela but want to live in a brand-new modern home. Just be aware the price point is on the high end, because of the very good location, the amenities, and the high-quality appliances and materials used in the units.
La Carihuela appeals to a wide range of buyers. It's very popular among investors looking to earn rental income, because of the consistent high rental demand all year-round. It's also attractive for second-home owners renting out the property when not there. Just make sure the property has an active short-term rental license, or at least that the community allows short-term rentals, so you can apply for the license once you become the property owner.
It's also a popular choice for permanent residents. Everything you need is within walking distance. You also have the El Pinillo train station a short walk away, connecting you to Málaga Airport, Málaga city centre, Benalmádena, Fuengirola, and the rest of Torremolinos. So it's definitely possible to live car-free here — and if you don't have your own designated parking, it's probably even recommended, since street parking can be very difficult, especially during the peak summer months.
If you're looking for a laid-back yet lively atmosphere, beautiful beaches, incredible chiringuitos, and car-free living on the Costa del Sol, La Carihuela could be just right. Get in touch — I represent buyers only, so my job is to work for you, not the seller.
Questions
Yes. El Pinillo train station is a short walk away, connecting to Málaga Airport, Málaga city, Benalmádena and Fuengirola, and everything else is within walking distance.
Very few currently. A major new project, Magna, is planned with resort-style amenities, but construction hasn't started, with move-in expected towards the end of 2028.
Yes. It has consistent high rental demand year-round, popular with both long-term investors and second-home owners — just confirm short-term rental licensing before buying.
Mostly large apartment complexes built between the 60s and 80s, generally needing renovation, particularly kitchens and bathrooms.
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