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Alhaurín de la Torre
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Town history
Gastronomy
  • Twenty kilometres from the city of Malaga and 10 kilometres from the beaches at Torremolinos, Alhaurín de la Torre is a perfect destination for a relaxing visit to the Valle del Guadalhorce and its surrounds, enjoying good food and perhaps even a round of golf. Its proximity to larger towns and extensive green spaces have encouraged many malagueńos to take up residence in Alhaurín de la Torre. This town has been superb at integrating newer residents while still maintaining its traditions and identity. There are more than 1,000 British people residing in Alhaurín de la Torre.

    As a point of trivia, Alhaurín de la Torre"s sister city is New Iberia in the US.

    YOU CAN"T GET LOST IN ALHAURÍN DE LA TORRE

    MONUMENTS

    Alhaurín de la Torre invites you to take a historical journey around the province, starting with the archaeological sites from the Roman era, where pottery and remains of walls and luxury dwellings have been found. You can also learn about the area"s Muslim past at Cortijo de Mollina with its remnants of an old farmhouse and tower.

    Despite rapid urban growth, you"ll find that Alhaurín de la Torre"s historic centre still conserves beautiful hidden corners and buildings that evoke times gone by. An excellent example is the Iglesia de San Sebastián. Named after the local patron saint, this neoclassical church was rebuilt after a huge earthquake devastated the province at the end of the 19th century.

    An example of a piece of architecture with a public function is Fuente del Rey, the old aqueduct. The only part that has survived to this day is the Arcos de Zapata. Built in the 18th century to transport water from the Churriana natural spring to the capital, work on this aqueduct was never completed.

    Moving on to the 19th century, there is Casa Refugio de Torrijos, the house where General José María de Torrijos was held prisoner by Fernando VII"s army after he tried to rise up against the absolutist rule in 1831.

  • Alhaurín de la Torre is less than 20 kilometres from Málaga, and it takes about 30 minutes to get there. By car, take the A-357 and get off exit 65. Then get on the A-7 and continue on the A-404 until you get to town.

  • NATURAL RESOURCES

    Alhaurín de la Torre is situated in the Valle del Guadalhorce region, between Hoya de Málaga and the Sierra de Mijas. Some of the most impressive peaks in this mountain range are Mijas (1,150 metres) Puerto Málaga, Jabalcuza and Jarapalos. The Valle del Guadalhorce is on the other side of the sierra. Commonly known as the "Malaga vegetable patch", the valley"s fertile soils are mainly used for growing fruit trees and vegetables.

    In Alhaurín de la Torre, the town centre has many well-kept parks and green spaces where you can stroll among rose bushes, figs and Cypresses. The Municipal Park and Central Park are two excellent family-friendly spots.

    LEISURE OPTIONS

    For golf, tennis and hunting enthusiasts, Alhaurín de la Torre is the place to be. This town has a 27-hole golf course, Lauro Golf. Other leisure and sports centres include La Capellanía tennis club, football fields and municipal pools. This is also where the headquarters of the Real Sociedad de Tiro de Pichón (Royal Pigeon Shooting Society) is located.

    Alhaurín de la Torre has a dynamic cultural life. One of the town"s cultural centres is Finca El Portón, with exceptional green spaces and a stage where music, dance and art performances are often held.

    LOCAL FIESTAS

    If you like music, Alhaurín de la Torre has three events you"d be sorry to miss: Torre del Cante flamenco festival, held in June and famous throughout Andalusia; Raíces, a traditional folklore gala in September; and Festival Portón del Jazz, a jazz festival in July.

    In Alhaurín de la Torre, the fun begins as early as January. The Cavalcade of the Magi and the fiesta in honour of San Sebastián, the patron saint of winter, are the most important festivities during the first month of the year.

    Carnaval, the Feast of the Purification of the Virgin and Holy Week, which has received a national tourism award, are the next events that you"ll find highlighted on the calendar. The second involves one of Alhaurín de la Torre"s unique traditions. You"ll be able to see how the residents approach the Virgin and offer her bread rings with coloured ribbons. During Holy Week, this town also has its fair share of rivalry between two congregations: the moraos brotherhood, whose procession is held on Maundy Thursday, and the verdes, who march on Good Friday.

    Cruces de Mayo, a popular and religious celebration in May is also a well-established tradition in Alhaurín de la Torre. Then, at the beginning of June, there is the Romería de San Juan, the patron saint of summer. In the daytime, the fiesta is celebrated on the streets in the town centre, and then at night, the festivities continue at the fairground.

    GASTRONOMY

    Do you know what you"ll be eating during your visit to Alhaurín de la Torre? We especially recommend gachas (a basic dish made with flour, water, olive oil, garlic and salt), sopas de caldo poncima (a soup made with sautéed vegetables, bread, water, potato and fish), cod salad and sopas cachorreńas (a soup made with potatoes, cod, boiled sweet potato and orange juice).

    However, Alhaurín de la Torre"s gastronomy is most famous for sweeter flavours and particularly its rice with chestnuts dish. This dessert is made with honey and dried smoked chestnuts and it is eaten during Holy Week. We also recommend that you try the traditional doughnuts.

  • Town history

    Alhaurín de la Torre was probably founded by the Phoenicians, traces of whom were found in the neighbouring village Alhaurín el Grande and the mouth of the river Guadalhorce. The area must have been visited by the Turdetans as well, in search for silver and lead.

    In Roman times, Alhaurín de la Torre was known as "Lauro Vetus". It could have been an important settlement, as suggested by chroniclers" references to it. Some historians believe it was here that the party of Julius Caesar killed Pompey after the battle of Munda.

    Then there came the Arabs, who called the village "Alhaurein" or "Albarracín". After the Christian Reconquista in 1485, it got its final name, "Alhaurín". The coda "de la Torre" was added to distinguish it from Alhaurín el Grande.

    Alhaurín de la Torre"s location in Guadalhorce Valley, close to Málaga Cityand Torremolinos, and the efficient transport network connecting it to the coast, led many families to choose this village as the place for permanent or summer residence. Despite its growth in population and the concomitant expansion, Alhaurín de la Torre has remained faithful to its essence and its ancient traditions.

  • The gachas, caldo poncima soups or cod salads are some of Alhaurín de la Torre’s most traditional dishes. Some of its other culinary standouts included the sopas cachorreńas with a potato base, cod, roasted sweet potatoes and orange juice.

    However, despite all these delicacies, Alhaurín de la Torre has particular renown for its sweetest flavours, especially its rice pudding with chestnuts (arroz con castańas). People eat this rice pudding made with honey and dried, smoked chestnuts during Easter Week. We also recommend trying the traditional rosquillas (doughnuts).


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Characteristics

  • Near the beach
  • Near the airport
  • Inhabitants (25,001-50,000)

Map & directions

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