Torrox

1. Annual climate in Torrox and Torrox Costa

The average annual temperature is 18.2° C (64.8 F), there is no big difference between winter and summer, reaching almost subtropical touches. This is why Torrox is proud to be known to have “the best climate in Europe“.

Average temperature: 19º C (66.20 F) / 30º C (86.0 F)during summer months.

Sun hours per annum: 2,980 hrs / annum.

Annual Rainfall: 532 l/ sq m .

2. Data and Description about Torrox

With a fixed population according to the census of 1994 of 11,919 inhabitants within its 50 square kilometres, the town has an average height of 145 m.

Lighthouse of Torrox

Torrox lands stretch mainly along the river valley of the same name. In the North part the lands narrow due to the valley flanked by the Coscoja mountains (545 m.) and la Rávita de Torrox mountains (696 m.), which mark the ceiling of the municipal district; when leaving the domains of the Loma de la Rávita the municipal district broadens with the aim of stretching along two other valleys: that of the River Seco to the East and that of the brook del Manzano to the West, the first one separated from the river Torrox by the Gordo and Pastora hills and the second one by the Palagares and la Dehesa hills.

The bottoms of the valleys are generally covered by vegetable gardens in deep contrast with the surrounding mountainsides covered with olive groves and vineyards, and sometimes by brushwood and grazing land.

The vegetable gardens located North from Torrox, in the valley of the same name, form an especially attractive landscape since apart from the ones located on the river banks, there are also vegetable gardens and orchards in terraces climbing up the mountainsides creating enormous green 'staircases’ of vegetables and fruit trees, especially subtropical fruits. When the valleys open up to the coast the agricultural landscape stretches from East to West of the municipal district, but the hard competition of the tourist exploitations makes this to be the reflection of the forced crops by means of greenhouses, exploitation system allowing the sale of high market value produce out of season. The result of all this being a ‚funny’ landscape in which greenhouses plastic coexist with the coastal tourist industry, in contrast with the beautiful spots offered by the inland part of the municipal district and especially by the town of Torrox.

Neolithic remains have been found North from Torrox within the area of Los Caserones, but it is very likely that these lands were first settled during the time of the colonisations.

There seems to be documents confirming the existence of a Phoenician settlement next to the coast. However the first significant historical tracks belong to the Roman times.

Torrox Ruins

Ruins of several dwellings together with a necropolis and some baths have been discovered at the Punta de Torrox area. Mosaic pieces of this place are to be found at a museum in Málaga and other pieces are exhibited at a museum in Barcelona, where numerous ornamental objects and domestic ones found in this necropolis are also exhibited there. This site corresponds to the Roman settlement known as Clavicum or Caviclum, founded in the 1st century and was inhabited up to the beginning of the 8th century as Visigothic coins have been found there.

During the Arab dominion this settlement gained a remarkable importance, flourishing as handcraft and commercial centre in the field of silks and silk dyes. Two days after the capture of Vélez by Ferdinand, the Catholic Monarch, in 1487, the town and its hamlets surrendered; however next year the leader El-Zagal, reconquers it and comes back to the hands of Ferdinand, the Catholic Monarch, on that very same year, receiving the title of “very noble and very royal town“.

After the incidents of the morisco uprising, in which the town of Torrox played an important role, the economy became greatly affected and the eight Arab hamlets existing in the municipal district started declining: Alhandiga, Almeida, Arcos, Benamayor, Cajanja, Lantín, Lugarejo and Periana (which was different to the current Periana).

3. Sightseeing in Torrox Costa

As already mentioned the Roman remains located on the coast next to the Lighthouse area are important ones. The ruins of a villa, a necropolis, baths, fish sauce stone pits and common ceramic ovens are to be found there.

Town of Torrox

Remains of fortified towers and walls are also found at the town, of Arab origin. The urban structure of Torrox is totally morisca, with narrow, steep and sinuous streets, with steps to overcome the unevenness. Unexpected nooks are to be found in these streets with the typical whitewashed walls in contrast with the pots filled with flowers.

An interesting site is the Encarnación Church, built on the aljama or main mosque dating back to the 16th century, although reformed in the middle of the 17th century. With a baroque structure, it has three naves apart from a square ground plant tower which make it a reference point to be visited.

It is also worth visiting the San Roque Church dating back to the 16th century and the Hermitage of Nuestra Señora de las Nieves, of the same century and of mudejar style, founded by the Minim Friars of Saint Francis. The Customhouse or Mint dating back to the 18th century is an example of the former commercial splendour.

La Casa de la Cultura, erected in 1863, was the home of King Alphons XII during his visit to the area on the occasion of an earthquake which beat part of the Axarquía region. As far as the San José Hospital is concerned, the same is in ruins and only the façade is maintained.

4. Shopping in Torrox

The craftsmen, of old age, try to make their art survive among the young apprentices. There are those who work with lace, leather and wood, although the most important ones are the works with cane and needle grass, and cloths for domestic use.

5. Gastronomy in Torrox

Many of the typical dishes of la Axarquía are cooked with a special “touch“ in Torrox, as it is the case with the fried breadcrumbs, porridge, garlic soup, half-fried potatoes, garlic and almond soup, and so on. It is also worth mentioning zoque or cold tomato soup, and cod and orange salad.

Grilled sardines is more eaten on the coast. Among desserts it is worth mentioning fritters and syrup. Local wines are also famous: a medium sweet and dry wine and another one called "aguapié", with a little less alcohol.

6. Festivities and traditions in Torrox

The festivity of the Virgen de las Nieves is held in August, and San Roque in October. The festivity of la Candelaria is held between 7th & 8th September, with bonfires at the farm houses. One month later, from 4th to 7th October, the biggest festivities of the town are held.

The Fiesta de las Migas (Fried Breadcrumbs Feast) and local wines has become a modern tradition, being held on the Sunday prior to Christmas Day. On 24th June is "quema de los júas" (bonfires), as a tradition on this day the local people go to the fountain to wet their heads and ask for three wishes. Las Cruces de Mayo are held on 2nd and 3rd May and Carnivals are held on the last week of February.

Finally, it is worth mentioning Easter Week, which is celebrated with the same devotion in all villages of the Axarquía.

7. Torrox Beaches

Ferrara Beach (El Morche) (Torrox - Málaga).
El Peñoncillo Beach - Mazagarrobo (Torrox - Málaga).
Calaceite Beach (Torrox - Málaga).

For a better description please visit ourTorrox beaches page.