Torremolinos to Malaga Cathedral, Spain
This walk is located near Malaga in Southern Spain. We had flown over from our home in Manchester to Malaga and were staying in Torremolinos where we have stayed many times before. There are many walks in the vicinity, together with fantastic beaches and restaurants. Transport links are good with regular cheap bus services. Today's walk of 12 miles was along the promenade and beach from the Torremolinos/Benalmadena border to Malaga Cathedral. We have walked to Malaga previously, but on that occasion ended up crossing the River Guadalhorce along a motorway bridge. Something never to be repeated, or recommended. But this walk has now been improved due to a new pedestrian bridge over the river. The walk offers a relatively easy day out with fantastic views in both directions. I love walking by the sea.
It was a warm morning when we left from outside Burger King on the Torremolinos/ Benalmadena border at 7.45am. We were out early enough to catch the beautiful sunrise at 8.15am. It was definitely worth the effort, the promenade being very quiet apart from some joggers at this time too. We headed east towards Malaga passing the many bars, restaurants and shops of the old fishing village of La Carihuela. This is now a tourist area, but still is very pretty with low level buildings. We reached the headland after 30 minutes of walking, with tremendous views across the bay to Nerja and the mountains behind, some of which we have previously climbed.
Continuing along the flat wide promenade through Torremolinos, we arrived at 8.35am at the Poseidon Restaurant next door to the helpful tourist shop. We usually pop into the Poseidon, with delicious food, and friendly service from the owner Steve. We have seen dolphins a couple of times from here too. A nice place for a breather, but unfortunately for today's walk, it was closed as he does not usually open to around 9.30am.
We continued to the end of the promenade arriving at 9.05am at El Sardina Restaurant, the end of Torremolinos. The road here bends to the left, which we have sometimes followed. But today was a beach walk, so we continued past a play area, sheltered picnic benches, and passing the empty nudist beach. It seemed like it was too early for anyone else to be out, except for a couple of fishermen, and a few dog walkers.
After another mile we arrived at a graffiti covered building at 10am, at the beginning of Playa de Guadalmar. This small resort has a couple of cafes which were unfortunately closed and a small shop which opens from 8am. After visiting the view point we left the beach, heading for the new bridge and walked inland along a gravel embankment with many other people and cyclists. Signposted to Sacaba beach (Malaga) 2.4km. This area is a Nature Reserve with various marked walks along the river delta.
Seven miles after leaving we arrived at the new bridge over the river, after crossing it we turned right heading back to the beach, then left towards Malaga. We were slightly surprised to find the bridge was built further inland than we would have expected. Maybe that is because it goes through a nature reserve or the rocks nearer the sea are not strong enough to take the weight of the bridge, opening had been delayed due to ground movement problems.
We were happy to arrive in the outskirts of Malaga, the wide promenade passing many modern apartment blocks. There were lots of restaurants here, all of them closed as they were preparing for lunch. After 9 miles we stopped at the Mumbai Cafe, the first one we had found open, which was very nice for toast and coffee. We continued towards the great cranes of the old docks, passing through a small bus station after 11.5 miles, just before Paseo del Parque, Malaga.
We crossed the zebra crossing by Roy's cafe, where we have eaten previously, and headed past the NC hotel to the Cathedral exactly 12 miles after the start. We then had a lovely walk around Malaga before going to Casa Lola for a delicious tapas lunch. We then walked up to the train station and caught the train back to Torremolinos. Alternatively there is a bus. A very enjoyable and relatively easy day out.
Distance 12miles (19km)
Duration of Walk 4 Hours 40 minutes
Steps 30237
Elevation Gained 280 feet (85m) not much as mostly by the sea
Information/Advice
As usual take a phone, sun hats, sun tan lotion. Had we left later there are opportunities to have drinks and food along the way, this adds to the walk, being able to sit and enjoy the views. It is worth talking your time on this walk, enjoying the views.
There are free public toilets on the beach in Torremolinos.
If we had bikes it would be a lovely trip too, following the road at the Torremolinos border, passing the Parador de Golf, then over the new bridge into Malaga.
This was a lovely flat walk, with plenty to see along the way. The River Guadalmar estuary is a nature reserve with many species of plants, birds and insects to be seen. There are information boards displaying walks and guided walks around the estuary. The bridge over the River Guadalhorce estuary opened in October 2020, stretching for 270m. It is the longest wooden bridge in Spain, built from Norwegian pine. It provides a new access to the nature reserve, and links Playa de Guadalmar with the West side of Malaga. When we went it had just opened, so very popular. The bridge forms part of the Senda Litoral project which is a coastal footpath running 160km between Nerja and Manilva, near Estepona, which is still being developed. The walk is presently 90% completed, and when finished will link all the coastal developments, a distance of 160km. Definitely a walk for the future.
On arrival in Malaga there is so much to see and do, stunning architecture, museums, tapas bars and restaurants. But that was for another day.
This area of Southern Spain is accessible from England either by driving through France and Spain, or flying to Malaga then hiring a car or catching the reliable, cheap public transport.
Websites used
https://www.andalucia.com/walking/senda-litoral-malaga.htm
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ Poseidon restaurant
https://mumbaicafe.es/
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ Restaurant Casa Lola
https://www.renfe.com/es/es train
https://www.andalucia.com/mijas/bus-services.htm bus