I hated Torremolinos...anyone else?

[PinataHeeHaw]

I've heard great reviews about Torremolinos, but it was concrete and more concrete. More foreign eateries than traditional Spanish restaurants and tavernas. I only ventured in the town centre and didn't see the beach front. The town centre could've been one in the north of England to be honest. People looked miserable. I prefer further down the coast, Estepona and Marbella and gorgeous Málaga. Luckily, it was only a one night stopover.

Where have you been that you've been disappointed with?

He could try Sitges for a change of scene this year. Very gay friendly.

It's gorgeous though, no matter what or who you are.

I always avoided the Brits-abroad resorts along the coast and stayed in Malaga itself. A nice mix of locals, Spanish tourists and overseas tourists. Some amazing restaurants and plenty to see and do. Hugh fruit/veg market, museums, castle etc. 1 highlight was a day trip via the train to Rhonda to see the famous bridge.

OP you should try Nerja next time it is absolutely beautiful

Most Brits like that vibe, it’s not for me but think they love having home comforts around, cheap and cheerful, tacky entertainment etc. The popularity of these places speak volumes

Why were you expecting to find tavernas in Spain?

Agree, Porto is beautiful as is Alfurada . . .

Is that a trick question?

I've never been but it sounds exactly like the kind of place I'd expect Torremolinos to be - along with Magaluf, Playa las Americas, Benidorm and other Brits abroad type costa places. Is there another image of Torremolinos I've missed?

I actually liked Benidorm but stayed in a lovely AI outside the town. Did venture in one day and it was EXACTLY what you'd expect from Benidorm (except possibly cleaner and quieter).

No?

Tavernas are Greek.

Oh. Well the spanish alternative.

We were booked into an Adult only hotel last year, in Benalmadina, for a bit of a nostagia fest, visiting places we had been with our DCs, but when we arrived they were fully booked, (over booked) and we were bounced to their sister hotel at the airport end of Torremolinos. They apologised and gave us a suite with a sea view and all inclusive. But, it was a huge, family hotel, couldn't really fault the hotel, but it was not what we wanted for that week. Still, we made the best of it. It was on the beach, close to the original Pontinental hotel. I wasn't over impressed with the town centre, but the beach was glorious, soft sand, clean , some good beach bars. On Friday evening the place came alive with young Spaniads, presumably from Malaga and it was absolutely buzzing. On the Saturday there was a Spanish school's handball tournament on the beach, which was really good to watch. It was also only 20 mins or so from Malaga centre, so we ended up having a good week.

I also thought everyone was rude there. And I'm from London😆 Everyone was constantly trying to rush you along.

Alicante is not “hell” 🙄. Have you even been there? It’s a gorgeous old town on a stunning beach.

Granada. We mostly wanted to see the Alhambra - which is amazing - but the rest of the city is so busy and pretty grimy. Compared to some of the other cities in Andalusia it was just nowhere near as nice.

I also didn’t love NYC. Similar to other PPs it was grimy and crimey. And I’m from London so used to big cities.

Kyoto is probably a controversial one I didn’t love. Again so many tourists and the public transport isn’t great to other Japanese cities. I know Japan quite well and there are so many other lovely cities I recommend as an alternative to Kyoto.

I actually like Benidorm and yes I also love beautiful characterful places too - my grandparents lived about 5 mikes outside for many years so went a lot- it has a perfectly nice old town, great and enormously long 2 white sandy beaches , was always clean and you have to be in the mood but it can be a lot of fun. I’ve had some great tapas too and lovely trips out. The worst thing definitely is a lot of poorly behaved Brits - but lots of Spanish and other nationalities too .

I particularly disliked Dubai and Egypt- great accommodation in Dubai but that was the best feature .
Torremolinos is what it is - to be frank I would enjoy it more than Dubai or Egypt if I put my ‘fun time’ head on and was staying in the best of what is there .

@TheaBrandt1 I agree about that too - I like Alicante a lot

Malta was the worst place I've been. Everywhere was derelict and half built. Rubbish beaches and awful food. Hated every minute.

I adored Porto! So beautiful!

We went to Benidorm a couple of years ago (January) as we drove down to the south. We thought "it can't be that bad". The seafront is quite nice.

We did stay in a nice hotel on the beach front but apart from that...it was rough and there seemed to be so many people in mobility scooters for some reason...I don't know what the attraction would be.

Restaurants were full of strange customers - was like a Little Britain episode a lot of the time.

We like walking around and exploring but the shops were full of cheap rubbish and the pavements were dirty and .....it was awful to be honest. Would never go back.

It's a bit rough is my precise.

You only needed to go around the mountain to the cheap bit where Spanish people stay... We stayed there, it was cheap and cheerful - but authentic, full of locals. Still completely tourist oriented, no frills and kind of lovely.

If you want a cool Mediterranean holiday - go to Amalfi Coast.

Surely you missed Arroyo De La Miel and Benalmadena Pueblo @PinataHeeHaw . Very local to Torremolinos and lovely.

Did you also miss the chiringuito’s, along the sea between Torremolinis and Benalmadena Marina, serving barbequed sardines and other seafood? Amazing sunsets.

Were you there ‘off season’?

What’s wrong with looking miserable?
My resting bitch face looks positively mournful. Keeps the nosey fuckers at a distance.
😉😁😁.

Spaniard here - tavernas are a southern Europe thing, called “tabernas” in Spain. Very much a traditional type of place

I enjoyed a holiday in Torremolinos. The beach front is lovely. Clean with palm trees. We stayed in a hotel near the beach in August and it felt clean and safe, not full of boozy tourists. I was on my own with youngish children, so not really in the market for loads of culture and it was ideal.

Totally different experience from my visit to Malta. Great food and loved the history and culture.