The most satisfying thing to do in Torremolinos is to walk La Carihuela early in the morning before the tourists emerge — the old fishermen's quarter has a different rhythm from the main resort. The 14th-century Torre de Pimentel, from which the town takes its name, is climbable for free and sits at twelve metres high. Parque La Batería, on a hill to the west, has fountains, a lake, and good views over the bay from what was once a military lookout. Cortijo del Tajo, on the outskirts, has Roman and pre-Roman archaeological remains.
The Bajondillo Cave, hidden beneath the resort near Bajondillo beach, is one of the most significant prehistoric sites on the Iberian coast — excavations have found evidence of both Neanderthal and early modern human occupation spanning over 100,000 years. The Hotel Pez Espada on the western promenade opened in 1959 and its pool terrace was where Frank Sinatra, Ava Gardner, and Brigitte Bardot made the Costa del Sol famous.