Alhaurín de la Torre

Geraniums add a delightful touch to windows and patios. © Michelle Chaplow
Geraniums add a delightful touch to windows and patios.

Alhaurín de la Torre

Unlike its equally venerable neighbour, Alhaurín el Grande, which has managed to preserve and even modestly flaunt a little of its Roman and Moorish heritage, Alhaurín de la Torre has conspired to hide its past with such ruthless efficiency that it is now almost impossible to find. Even the tower which gave it its name is long gone.

 

 

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.

Having said all this, there is nonetheless history to find if the visitor is diligent enough, though this is chiefly in the outlying suburbs such as La Alquería and Cortijo Molina. Perhaps aware that time is their enemy, the town council, the ayuntamiento, has enterprisingly compiled an exhaustive list of archaeological sites, the Carta Arqueológica. This includes many sites which had previously been unrecorded, and which are not protected by preservation orders. It is obvious that these are the ones in most danger from the developers' bulldozers.

La Alquería was once a town of sorts in its own right, beginning as a 3rd Century BC Iberian hill fort and flourishing for a while under the Romans before petering out around 200AD. Nevertheless, there are still vestigial remnants of Roman masonry in the area, though many of them are now on private land and out of reach.

Alhaurín de la Torre - Hotels 

Book hotels in Alhaurín de la Torre

Cubo's Finca Megan

Situated in Alhaurín de la Torre, Cubo's Finca Megan features accommodation with private pool, free WiFi and free private parking for guests who drive. The air-conditioned accommodation is 16 km from Benalmadena Puerto Marina. The property is non-smoking and is located 17 km from Malaga María Zambrano Train Station.

Villa Karmyr

Situated 1.1 km from Tourist Convention Center, Villa Karmyr offers accommodation with a balcony, as well as a terrace.

There is a fully equipped private bathroom with shower and a hairdryer.

Guests at the bed and breakfast can enjoy a à la carte breakfast.

Villa Karmyr

Featuring air-conditioned accommodation with a balcony, Villa Karmyr is situated in Alhaurín de la Torre. Set 1.1 km from Tourist Convention Center, the property offers an outdoor swimming pool and free private parking.

A flat-screen TV is featured.

A terrace can be found at the bed and breakfast, along with a garden.

Cubo's Casa Los Mimbrales

Boasting pool views, Cubo's Casa Los Mimbrales is situated in Alhaurín de la Torre, 5 km from Tourist Convention Center. This chalet offers a garden as well as a terrace.

The air-conditioned chalet is composed of 4 separate bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, and 2 bathrooms. Towels and bed linen are offered.

Appartement Casa Bonita

Boasting air-conditioned accommodation with a private pool, Appartement Casa Bonita is set in Alhaurín de la Torre. Located 1.2 km from Tourist Convention Center, the property offers a terrace and free WiFi.

This apartment has 1 bedroom, a kitchenette with microwave, a flat-screen TV, a seating area and 1 bathroom with a bidet.

B&B Casa Rubí

Offering garden views, B&B Casa Rubí is an accommodation located in Alhaurín de la Torre, 19 km from Automobile and Fashion Museum and 20 km from Benalmadena Puerto Marina. This property offers access to a terrace and free private parking.

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.

A visit to El Retiro is enough to make even the most jaded visitor forget the frantic scramble beyond its walls, and forgive Alhaurín de la Torre most of its more earthly sins.

If you do visit Alhaurín de la Torre, be sure to visit the only golf course around, Lauro Golf, opened in 1992 and known for its breathtaking panoramic views.

Art Gallery

The Municipal Art Gallery is in la Finca Municipal El Porton in Avenida Juan Carlos 1. Open Monday to Friday from 17.00 to 20.30.