The village of Alhaurín de la Torre is located in the region of the Guadalhorce Valley, between this river and the foothills of the Sierra de Mijas. It is only 18km from Malaga and has a population of over 42.000 inhabitants.
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History of Alhaurín de la Torre
The history of Alhaurín dates back to the Iberian peoples who inhabited the whole of the Peninsula, until the arrival of the Phoenician settlers on the coasts of the region. Over time, the Romans began to integrate its inhabitants, eventually establishing a Roman village called “Lauro”.
During the Middle Ages the Muslims settled in the region and Alhaurín came to have an Albaicín which formed the basis of the present-day town. Due to the unevenness of the area, a watchtower was built to watch out for possible threats.
There are discrepancies between the origin of its name. While some argue that it comes from the ancient Roman village of “Lauro”, combined with the Arabic suffix “al-“, other historians believe that it comes from the name of a Berber village that inhabited the area, called “Alaolin”.
What to see and do in Alhaurín de la Torre
Places of interest
The town of Alhaurín de la Torre has experienced a great urban growth in recent years, mainly due to its proximity to Malaga, its good transport connections and the tranquillity it offers.
However, in its urban centre there are still buildings and places of interest that you must visit if you pass through the village.
Church of San Sebastián: an old church from the 16th century, which was rebuilt in the 19th century in a neoclassical style. It was built in honour of the main patron saint of the village.
Cortijo de Mollina: near the Torrealquería neighbourhood is this open space containing archaeological remains of a Muslim farmhouse and tower, as the name of the neighbourhood indicates.
Arcos de Zapata: perfectly preserved remains of the Zapata aqueduct.
Parks and gardens: as the town has expanded, green spaces have been created throughout the town. Among them, one of the most recent is the Bienquerido Oriental Garden, in honour of the Japanese people. In the town itself you will also find the Municipal Park, which contains different autochthonous species in the same space.
Nature and hiking
Although it may not seem a particularly suitable area for hiking, its proximity to the Sierra de Mijas offers a natural space of great extension and height, very common for the locals to practice hiking, cycling or trail running, among other similar activities.
If you decide to go into the mountains you will find the Jarapalos path, a beautiful green route that climbs up the mountain. Nearby is also the Jabalcuza peak, a route that starts in the village itself and climbs up to a peak of 605 metres.
If you’re feeling energetic, you can try to tackle the 1,150 metre peak in the Sierra de Mijas, although it’s easier to start your ascent from Alhaurín el Grande. Don’t forget to equip yourself well and check the routes before setting off.
Popular festivals and gastronomy
Patron saint of winter (San Sebastián): Alhaurín has two patron saints, called the patron saints of winter and summer, due to the date on which they are celebrated. This is the former and takes place on 20 January.
Semana Santa (Holy Week): depending on the year, its celebration varies between the end of March and the beginning of April. In this village it has special relevance due to the “rivalry” between the two main religious brotherhoods, called “los moraos” and “los verdes”.
Patron saint of the summer (San Juán): this is celebrated just after the end of the festivity of the Crosses of May. During the 25th of June you can enjoy a great festive atmosphere in the streets of the centre, to move to the fairground during the night.
Flamenco Festival Torre del Cante: held on the 17th and 18th of June, this well known festival brings together the most important artists of the flamenco world in a single night. It is therefore considered to be of Tourist Interest.
During these festivities you will surely have the opportunity to try some of the most typical dishes of the town, such as cod salad or cachorreña soup, also typical in Alcaucín and many other towns in the province.
However, Alhaurín de la Torre stands out for its delicious sweet dishes. Special mention should be made of gachas, a dessert made with flour, sugar and bread, a great tradition among the working classes in the last century. It is seasoned with cane honey from Frigiliana.
During Easter Week it is also common to prepare arroz con castañas (rice with chestnuts), a dessert that may seem strange but is very tasty. It is made with rice, chestnuts, water, sugar and cinnamon, among other flavourings, and it is commonly eaten with sugar cane honey.
How to get to Alhaurín de la Torre
How to get there by bus
Due to its proximity to the capital, the town enjoys very good public transport connections. There is no option to arrive by train, however, there are 3 alternatives to arrive by bus from Malaga, with several stops in the city.
All of them have an estimated duration of 40 minutes, as well as their price, 1.52 euros regardless of which one you decide to take. In the table below you can see the different options and their timetables.
|
Bus |
Direction |
Days |
Departure Malaga Station |
|
M132 |
Málaga – Alh. de la Torre – Alh. el Grande |
Monday – Friday |
6.45, 7.15, 9.00, 9.30, 10.00, 11.20, 12.30, 14.05, 15.20, 16.35, 17.15, 19.05, 20.05, 22.50 |
|
Saturday |
9.00, 11.00, 15.30, 16.30, 20.00 |
||
|
Sunday |
9.00, 11.00, 15.30, 16.30, 20.00 |
||
|
M133 |
Málaga – Alh. de la Torre – Pinos de Alh. |
Monday – Friday |
8.25, 10.30, 11.50, 13.00, 13.30, 14.50, 15.05, 16.00, 18.35, 19.35, 21.30, 22.15 |
|
Saturday |
10.00, 11.45, 13.30, 18.45, 20.30, 21.45, 22.30 |
||
|
Sunday |
10.00, 11.45, 13.30, 21.45 |
||
|
M230 |
Málaga – Alh. de la Torre – Coín |
Monday – Friday |
7.45, 11.00, 14.25, 17.55, 20.45 |
|
Saturday |
10:25 |
||
|
Sunday |
10:25 |
How to get there by car
If you are planning to visit other nearby villages such as Pizarra or Alhaurín el Grande, the preferable option would be to have a vehicle to move between them. At Malaga airport you can hire a luxury car and in just over 10 minutes you will be in the village.
Warning: The accesses to the village at peak times can be saturated. Avoid coinciding with the times when you leave work, such as midday or in the evening, around 19.30h.
Following the MA-21, take the turn-off towards Churriana (exit 1) which takes you onto the Carretera de Coín. If you follow this road straight on, you will arrive in Alhaurín de la Torre.
Map of Alhaurín de la Torre
Check the following map that we have prepared in CarGest and locate all the places of interest and locations that you should know if you visit Alhaurín de la Torre.
Relevant information
Best time of year to visit: Spring
Not to miss: Strolling through the beautiful streets of the town centre and climbing the Sierra de Mijas, especially the Jarapalos route.
Places to eat nearby: The best rated restaurants are El Tinao de Julian and Cienfuegos. If you are looking for more traditional cuisine, you can’t miss Taberna El Toro, more economical than the previous ones. If you prefer Italian alternatives, a visit to Alveograma Pizzerias, with world-class awards for pizza making, and Maninpasta, specialising in pasta, is a must.
For more information visit the Alhaurín de la Torre Town Hall website: https://alhaurindelatorre.es/
