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
18 km from Automobile and Fashion Museum, B&B Casa Oceo - Málaga - Andalusië is a recently renovated property set in Alhaurín de la Torre and offers air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi and parking on-site. The property has pool and garden views, and is 19 km from Benalmadena Puerto Marina.
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.
Located in Alhaurín de la Torre, 17 km from Automobile and Fashion Museum and 18 km from Benalmadena Puerto Marina, Cubo's Finca Las Cuatro Lunas offers air conditioning. Featuring garden views, a garden and a private pool, this country house also provides guests with free WiFi.
Featuring a rooftop pool and views of mountain, B&B Finca Sueño de Vida is a recently renovated bed and breakfast located in Alhaurín de la Torre, 23 km from Benalmadena Puerto Marina. This property offers access to a terrace, free private parking and free WiFi.
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.
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.
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.
Featuring a shared pool and mountain views, Villa Kanela is set in Alhaurín de la Torre.
This country house comes with a kitchen, a flat-screen TV, a seating area and 1 bathroom with a shower.
Villa Kanela offers a barbecue.
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.
Situated in Alhaurín de la Torre, 2.1 km from Tourist Convention Center, Chambres chez l'habitant Alhaurin features accommodation with free WiFi, air conditioning and access to a garden with an outdoor swimming pool.
Offering an outdoor swimming pool, hot tub, and gym, Villa Conmigo Bed & Breakfast is located in Alhaurín de la Torre. This bed and breakfast has a sun terrace.
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 Palms Boutique Resort Málaga - Adults Only in Alhaurín de la Torre provides adults-only accommodation with pool with a view, a garden and a bar. With pool views, this accommodation provides a patio. There is a sun terrace and guests can make use of free WiFi and free private parking.
Featuring mountain views, B&B Villa Pinos Málaga offers accommodation with balcony, around 18 km from Automobile and Fashion Museum. This property offers access to a terrace and free private parking.
Roca Verde, Boutique Bed & Breakfast in Alhaurín de la Torre provides adults-only accommodation with a garden, a bar and barbecue facilities. This property offers access to a terrace and free private parking. The accommodation offers a shared kitchen and a housekeeping service for guests.
Offering a garden and pool view, Bed & Breakfast Finca de los Sueños is located in Alhaurín de la Torre, 24 km from Benalmadena Puerto Marina and 24 km from Malaga María Zambrano Train Station. This property offers access to a terrace, table tennis, free private parking and free WiFi.
Located in Alhaurin de la Torre, Cortijo Chico is a 10-minute drive from Málaga Airport and is the closest hotel to its north entrance. Set in attractive gardens, the hotel offers free parking and free WiFi.
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.
