Torremolinos

On Spain's Costa del Sol, Torremolinos is one of the most famous gay strongholds in Europe. A mild Mediterranean climate, a long nightlife and over 300 days of sunshine a year ensure that the place attracts travellers almost all year round. Even in winter, it stays pleasantly warm here. This distinguishes Torremolinos from many other European destinations.

Trendy district

The heart of the scene is La Nogalera. On this plaza, dozens of gay bars, clubs, cafés and restaurants condense into a large square where there is activity during the day and at night. If you are in the city for the first time, you will quickly make friends here, because practically everything is within walking distance. The atmosphere is considered to be extremely open and uncomplicated. During the day, the district invites you to visit a leisurely café, in the evening the action shifts seamlessly to the bars and clubs all around.

Nightlife

Around La Nogalera, the nightlife runs seven days a week. Codigo hosts drag and cabaret shows every night, while Centuryon, one of the city's largest clubs, stands for nights of dancing. The Aqua initially relies on house beats and becomes cruisier in the course of the evening. On the beach is the Eden Beach Club, the scene of the biggest gay day parties with guest DJs and sea views, right next to the El Gato Lounge to see and be seen.

Beaches

Directly below the scene stretches the classic gay beach of the place. The beach section is well suited for relaxing hours of sunshine, often accompanied by cocktails and beats from the surrounding beach clubs. If you like it quieter, you can switch to the longer, mixed coastal sections, which stretch for several kilometres on the Costa del Sol. The water is pleasantly warm from early summer until well into autumn.

Best time to visit

Torremolinos is at its most beautiful from May to September. Spring and early autumn bring a lot of warmth, but more manageable crowds than in midsummer. The central date of the year is Torremolinos Pride from the end of May to the beginning of June: The festival, which lasts several days, attracts over 100,000 people and culminates in the well-known Eden Closing Party.

Arrival

For German travelers, the journey is uncomplicated. Málaga Airport is only a few kilometres away, with direct flights from numerous German cities. From the airport, Torremolinos can be reached in a short time by Cercanías train, bus or taxi; the rail connection runs at frequent intervals and is the cheapest option. Within the village, almost everything can be covered on foot, so a rental car is hardly necessary for a pure beach and scene holiday. Málaga itself can also be reached quickly by train for a day trip.

Safety & LGBT Rights

When it comes to LGBT rights, Spain is one of the most progressive countries in Europe. Same-sex marriage has been possible since 2005, and legal protection against discrimination is comprehensive. Torremolinos is considered a very open, queer-friendly place where visitors can usually move around safely. As everywhere else, it is advisable to take the usual look at valuables at night in busy nightlife zones.