Alhaurín de la Torre
By Diana Sierra
Alhaurín de la Torre contrasts sharply with its equally neighbour, Alhaurín el Grande. While Alhaurín el Grande has preserved and even showcased some of its Roman and Moorish heritage, much of Alhaurín de la Torre’s historical architecture has disappeared. Even the original medieval tower that gave the town its name has long vanished, leaving only its memory in local records and the municipal coat of arms.
Things to see
Torre Vígia (replica)
Although the original tower that gave the town its name disappeared centuries ago, today a replica of the Watchtower stands as a symbol of the town’s history and culture. It represents the Arab period and the defensive role these towers played in the Guadalhorce area.
Church of San Sebastián
The Church of San Sebastián is one of the town’s main architectural landmarks, combining historical features with modern renovations, reflecting the town’s evolution over the centuries. Its façade and bell tower stand out amongst the surrounding buildings, whilst the interior houses religious images and decorative details typical of the Baroque and Neoclassical styles. The church is a cultural and tourist attraction, as it hosts local festivals such as the Pilgrimage of San Sebastián, which draws visitors from across the region.
El Retiro
The biggest attraction for visitors to Alhaurín de la Torre is undoubtedly the gardens of El Retiro. Founded in the 17th Century by Fray Alonso de Santo Tomás, Bishop of Málaga, and originally use by him as his retirement home (hence, El Retiro) the gardens display an impressive variety of plant and wild life. Each section attempts to recreate the natural habitat of the creatures housed in it, from semi-desert to tropical swamp. The manor house at its centre has also been impressively restored.
Golf
Alhaurín Golf Resort
The Alhaurín Golf Resort (Golf Hotel & Resort ) is a hotel and holiday complex located in Alhaurín el Grande, adjacent to a golf course offering a wide range of facilities, including sports facilities and restaurants on site.
Art Gallery
The Municipal Art Gallery is located at the El Portón Municipal Estate, on Calle Juan Carlos I (no number). In addition to its temporary art exhibitions, the estate features gardens and an open-air auditorium where concerts, plays and seasonal festivals are held. Opening hours are generally Mondays from 10:00 to 13:30, Tuesday to Friday from 10:00 to 13:30 and 17:00 to 20:00, and Saturdays from 10:00 to 14:00.
Gastronomy
The cuisine of Alhaurín de la Torre reflects its Andalusian roots and those of the Guadalhorce Valley, with a distinct Mediterranean and rural character. Some notable dishes include sopa cachorreña (made with bread, potato, salted cod, garlic, and spices, usually served with boiled sweet potato), chestnut rice (a unique local rice dish, cooked with chestnuts and sweetened with cane honey), and gachas (a refreshing dish made from fried bread, water, and flour, usually eaten in summer).
Festivals
Alhaurín de la Torre celebrates a wide range of traditional festivals throughout the year. More>
Bus Service
Reaching the two Alhauríns is straightforward by public transport from Málaga, though each has its own connections. Alhaurín de la Torre is served by several interurban buses, including lines M‑132, M‑133, and M‑136, which traverse the Guadalhorce valley and reach key points in the town, with journeys taking around 40 to 70 minutes. Alhaurín el Grande, slightly further inland, is also accessible by bus, typically via the M‑132 line or other regional services. More>
Tourist Office
Address: Avenida España, S/N. 29130 Alhaurín de la Torre (Málaga)
Phone: 952413529
Email: [email protected]
Monday to Friday: 10:00 - 14:00
Next Villages
Alhaurín de la Torre is part of the Valle del Guadalhorce comarca, along with the municipalities of Alhaurín el Grande, Coín, Cártama, Pizarra, and the district of Churriana in Málaga.
History
The history of Alhaurín de la Torre is full of accounts highlighting the town’s magnificent setting. Its origins date back to between 1000 and 700 BC, when the first Iberian settlers came under the influence of the Phoenicians.
There are several interpretations regarding the historical origin of the town’s name, although the most convincing theory traces it back to the Berber tribe that inhabited the area following Roman rule: the Hawwara, from whose name the hamlet of al-hawarin emerged, later adapted into Spanish as Alhaurín.
The reconquest of Alhaurín de la Torre in 1485 marked a turning point, establishing a new system of land ownership that would endure for centuries. In the Repartimientos de Málaga, the town appears as Alaulín, later Laolín, and finally Alhaurinejo. Although it was a sparsely populated settlement well into the 20th century, it was admired by 18th-century romantic travellers such as Francis Carter, who described the ‘charming village of Alhaurinejo, just two miles closer to the sea, which supplies Málaga with the finest bread’.
Today, Alhaurín de la Torre is a thriving town, easily accessible from Málaga, which has fuelled its growth as a commuter town. Unlike the smaller Alhaurín el Grande, which has retained much of its historic charm, Alhaurín de la Torre has expanded rapidly, blending residential neighbourhoods with commercial areas. Although large plantations are now less common, traces of the agricultural landscape remain, giving the town a unique balance between urban life and nature.
Alhaurín de la Torre - Hotels
Book hotels in Alhaurín de la Torre
How to get there
Finding the two Alhauríns is easy. Take the mighty N-340 highway south from Málaga and look for the turnoff onto the C-344 leading to Churriana. Then simply following the winding road along the Guadalhorce valley and into the Sierra de Mijas.
This easy access to the provincial capital is at the root of Alhaurín de la Torre's economic resurrection and cultural decline. It has been seized upon by many who work in Málaga but prefer not to live in the conurbation, and is rapidly expanding as a commuter town. There is little doubt that with the current explosion of building in full swing, it will soon outstrip its neighbour in size and population. We shall then have the ironic situation of Alhaurín el Grande being the smaller of the two.
As yet, the town is still set among large plantations of citrus and avocado, but as it continues to grow, and land becomes increasingly scarce and valuable, it may be that many of them will disappear.