La Carihuela is the old fishermen's quarter at the western end of Torremolinos, and it is the part of town that most resembles an actual Spanish village. The whitewashed cottages and narrow lanes survived the hotel-building frenzy of the 1960s largely intact. The beach here — also called La Carihuela — is backed by a seafront promenade lined with proper fish restaurants rather than beach bars serving international food.
Walking through La Carihuela early in the morning, before the tourists arrive, is the best thing you can do in Torremolinos. The rhythm is entirely different from the main resort: older residents sit on chairs outside their doors, fishing boats are pulled up on the sand, and the smell of the sea competes with bread from the local bakeries. The annual summer fiesta, held in July, takes over the streets with free food and entertainment.