Velez-Malaga is the capital of the Axarquia, on the eastern Costa del Sol. The municipality combines a historic centre of medieval origin, a fertile valley producing crops such as mangoes, avocados and cherimoyas, and 22 km of coastline. You can spend the morning visiting the city's monuments and museums before heading to the coast.
Aerial view of Velez-Malaga and the River Velez valley
The historic centre is protected for its historic and artistic heritage. It preserves sections of medieval walls, churches combining Gothic and Mudéjar architecture, and historic buildings such as the Palacio de Beniel and Casa Cervantes. The Fortaleza occupies the highest part of the city, overlooking the River Velez valley and the Mediterranean.
Torre del Mar is around 5 km from the town centre of Velez-Malaga and is connected by local bus. Other places along the municipality's coast include Caleta de Velez, with its fishing harbour and marina; Benajarafe, with its dark sand beach; and Almayate, where stretches of coastline remain largely undeveloped.
History of Velez-Malaga
The area around Velez-Malaga preserves evidence of settlement dating back to prehistoric times. In the 8th century BC, the Phoenicians established the settlement of Toscanos beside the River Velez. Its archaeological remains reveal the importance of trade and harbour activities along this part of the coast.
During Roman times, the area had villas, farming estates and pottery workshops. The town of Ballix developed during the Islamic period, protected by its fortress and walls. Between the 13th and 15th centuries, it was an administrative and trading centre within the Nasrid kingdom of Granada, linked to the surrounding rural settlements, silk production and crops such as vines and sugar cane.
The conquest by the Catholic Monarchs on 27 April 1487 transformed the town: land was redistributed and churches were built on the sites of former mosques. In the 16th century, tensions and the Alpujarras rebellion culminated in the forced removal of the Moriscos from the Kingdom of Granada in 1570. The Moriscos were Muslims who had converted to Christianity and their descendants.
Coastal watchtowers, such as those at El Jaral and Lagos, recall the need to defend the coast against raids from the sea. Sugar production also left its mark on the municipality, with former mills, factories and chimneys associated with growing and processing sugar cane.
The railway between Malaga and Torre del Mar opened in January 1908, reaching Velez-Malaga later that year. The service closed in 1968. From the 1960s onwards, tourism and new residential developments transformed Torre del Mar and much of the coastal strip.
Places to visit
The La Villa district and the streets of the town centre contain much of Velez-Malaga's historic heritage. These are some of the places you can include in a walk:
Fortaleza (Alcazaba): This medieval fortress occupies the upper part of the town and preserves remains from several building phases. Its walled enclosure covers around 1,500 m²; the tower and entrance gateway were rebuilt in the early 1970s. The surrounding grounds offer views over the Axarquia and the sea. (Fortaleza map)
Palacio de Beniel: Built between 1610 and 1616, the palace combines Mudéjar, Mannerist and Renaissance elements. Its entrance and inner courtyard are notable features. It houses the Fundación María Zambrano and spaces used for cultural activities. (Palacio de Beniel map)
Casa Cervantes: A house dating from the 16th century, with an inner courtyard and Mudéjar features. Local tradition associates it with a stay by Miguel de Cervantes, although his residence here has not been conclusively documented. (Casa Cervantes map)
Town walls and Puerta Real de la Villa: The medieval gateway dates from the 13th or 14th century and has an entrance passage that turns beneath the protection of a tower. Sections of the old walls survive around Plaza de la Constitución and Calle de las Tiendas. (Town wall viewpoint map)
Former railway station: Located in Torre del Mar, this building formed part of the railway that opened in 1908 and now serves as a bus station. It retains its historicist façade, hexagonal stone blocks and roofs with green glazed tiles. (Former station map)
Museums and cultural venues
CAC Francisco Hernández: A contemporary art centre housed in a former mansion on Calle Félix Lomas that also served as a school. It has exhibition galleries, an auditorium and workshop spaces. The centre is named after Francisco Hernández, the painter born in Melilla who settled in Velez-Malaga. (CAC Francisco Hernández map)
Museo de Velez (MVVEL): Housed in the former Hospital de San Juan de Dios, the museum brings together more than 800 objects tracing the history of Velez-Malaga and the Axarquia, from prehistoric and Phoenician times to the early modern period. (MVVEL map)
Holy Week Museum: Located in the church of Santa María de la Encarnación, built on the site of the former main mosque. Displays include processional thrones, embroidery and other items used in the Holy Week processions. Usual opening hours are Tuesday to Saturday, 10am–2pm and 5pm–8pm; Sundays and public holidays, 10am–2pm. The museum is closed on Mondays. (Church and museum map)
Ermita de la Virgen de los Remedios: This chapel dates from the 17th century and stands on Cerro de San Cristobal. It is dedicated to the town's patron saint. Its murals, painted by Evaristo Guerra, depict landscapes and scenes from Velez-Malaga and the surrounding area. (Chapel map)
Ermita de la Virgen de los Remedios
Aquavelis
Attractions at Aquavelis
Aquavelis is the water park in Torre del Mar. Its attractions include the Kamikaze, a slide measuring 80 metres in length, the Multipistas racing slides, Magic Hole, Río Rápido rapids ride, wave pool and AquaSplash children's area. It also has a virtual reality space, VR Park Arena, with immersive experiences and multiplayer games.
Facilities include places to eat, a café, an ice cream parlour, picnic areas, sun loungers, parasols and lockers. The park opens during the summer season, with opening hours varying by month. Check the opening calendar and attractions on the official Aquavelis website.
Practical tips
Bring sunscreen, a hat and a towel.
Restrictions apply to glasses, watches, jewellery and rigid or metal objects on the water attractions. Some areas allow glasses secured with a retaining strap. Follow the instructions at each attraction.
You cannot use the pools or attractions if you have a plaster cast or bandage.
Wear suitable footwear for walking around the park. You will need to remove it on some attractions.
Check the height and weight requirements for the attractions before buying tickets.
Nature in the surrounding area
Walking trail beside the River Velez
The Sierras de Tejeda, Almijara y Alhama Natural Park covers more than 40,000 hectares between Malaga and Granada. Its mountains, including La Maroma, combine pine woodland, ravines and plants adapted to limestone soils. From Velez-Malaga, you can plan an excursion to the access points around Alcaucin, Canillas de Aceituno or Competa. Driving time depends on where you choose to start your walk.
Velez-Malaga also lies on the Gran Senda de Malaga walking route (GR-249): stage 2 connects it with Rincon de la Victoria, while stage 3 continues towards Torrox. The latter descends towards Caleta de Velez and follows part of the coastline before climbing to Torrox village.
Other walking routes in the area:
Rio Chillar: Access to this river walk near Nerja is closed to the public.
Lagos to Algarrobo: A linear route of 13.7 km along inland tracks, climbing towards Carraspite with views of the coast. Allow 4–5 hours of walking, with a total ascent of 735 metres. As the route finishes in a different village, you will need to arrange your return journey.
Cerro Beas: The uphill tracks offer views of La Maroma, La Viñuela reservoir and the coast. Circular routes from Velez-Malaga cover around 14 km with roughly 700 metres of ascent and some steep sections. Distance and effort depend on the route chosen.
Parque María Zambrano
Parque María Zambrano has lawns, trees, a pond and places to sit. There are also children's play areas, a zip wire, outdoor fitness equipment and sports courts, including padel courts. From some parts of the park, you can see the Fortaleza and the Tejeda and Almijara mountains. It is an option for a walk or a break outdoors without leaving the town. (Parque María Zambrano map)
Beaches
The coastline of Velez-Malaga stretches for 22 km, from Chilches to Lagos. Dark sand beaches predominate, with differences in development, facilities and visitor numbers. Torre del Mar has an extensive promenade and a concentration of leisure venues, while Almayate retains less developed stretches. At the beach restaurants, you can try espetos, sardines roasted on skewers over a fire, and fried fish.
Torre del Mar
An urban beach of around 4 km, with a promenade, restaurants, bars and ice cream parlours. There are play areas, water sports and lifeguard services during the bathing season. Its accessible beach areas include access walkways, accessible toilets and equipment for assisted bathing, such as amphibious wheelchairs.
Benajarafe
A beach with coarse, dark sand, a promenade and places to eat. Its different sections extend for around 3.5 km in total. The promenade area has the main beach services and accessible facilities, while other stretches are less developed.
Almayate
Around 3.6 km of dark sand, with nearby farmland and stretches with little development. It includes areas used by naturists, such as Bajamar, and has fewer facilities than Torre del Mar. There are campsites and beach restaurants in the surrounding area.
Caleta de Velez
An urban beach of around 1 km beside the fishing harbour and marina. You can combine a walk along the promenade with a meal at a local restaurant. To buy fish, visit a fishmonger: first sales at the fish auction are restricted to authorised buyers.
Velez-Malaga and Torre del Mar have a calendar of celebrations throughout the year, combining religious traditions, local festivities and traditional fairs.
Feria de San Miguel (late September and early October):
Daytime celebrations take place in central Velez-Malaga, while the fairground hosts evening events, funfair rides and casetas (venues decorated for the fair). The programme includes live music, dancing and children's activities. The dates and performances are announced for each edition.
Holy Week (Semana Santa):
Awarded the regional designation Fiesta de Interés Turístico Nacional de Andalucía in 2001, recognising its tourism and cultural significance. Religious brotherhoods carry their sacred images on processional thrones through the historic centre from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday. The Holy Week Museum introduces visitors to the objects and traditions of the celebrations throughout the rest of the year.
St John's Eve (Noche de San Juan) (23 June):
El Copo beach in Torre del Mar hosts the celebrations, with roasted sardines, a júas competition, music and fireworks. Júas are effigies that are burnt during the festivities.
Virgen del Carmen festival (26 July in Torre del Mar):
The procession by land and sea forms part of the Santiago and Santa Ana festivities. The image of the Virgin is carried through the streets and taken aboard a boat off the promenade, accompanied by other vessels.
Halloween (31 October):
Halloween celebrations in Velez-Malaga include activities such as children's workshops, parades and haunted attractions. Events take place at different locations around the centre, with options for families and others aimed at visitors looking for a scare. Check the council's events calendar for locations and times.
Getting here and around
Velez-Malaga is around 50 km by road from Malaga Airport. Follow the A-7 towards Motril and take exit 953 for the A-356, then follow the signs to Velez-Malaga. Allow around 40–50 minutes of driving, depending on traffic and the location of your accommodation. There are no tolls on this route along the A-7.
Car hire at the airport
A hire car lets you combine central Velez-Malaga with the beaches and inland villages of the Axarquia. It also makes trips to Nerja or Granada and journeys to rural accommodation easier without relying on bus connections.
A private transfer takes you from the airport to your accommodation without having to drive. It can be practical if you are travelling with luggage or in a group and do not need a car during your stay. Provide your destination, passenger numbers and flight details when booking to arrange your collection.
*No advance payment is required and cancellation is free. We therefore recommend booking ahead to secure your vehicle's availability and price.
By bus from Malaga
ALSA's M-260 bus connects Malaga with Velez-Malaga via Torre de Benagalbon and the coastal road. It leaves from the bus station beside Malaga María Zambrano railway station and also calls at Muelle Heredia. Stops along the way include Rincon de la Victoria, Benajarafe, Almayate and Torre del Mar before reaching Velez-Malaga bus station.
The journey from Malaga bus station takes around an hour and ten minutes on services stopping along the coast. Frequencies and last departures vary by day. Check the official M-260 timetable and ALSA's ticket purchasing options. This route cannot be used solely for journeys between Torre del Mar and Velez-Malaga; use the local bus for that trip.
Getting around the municipality
The local bus network operated by ALSA connects Velez-Malaga with Torre del Mar and other places within the municipality. Route 1 links Velez and Torre del Mar, route 2 serves Almayate and route 3 connects with Caleta de Velez. Route 4 serves the old town and its connection with Torre del Mar. Route 5 runs between Almayate and Caleta at weekends. Check routes and timetables on the council's local transport page.
If you drive to Torre del Mar, you will find car parks and on-street spaces, with parking restrictions and charges varying by location and season. Demand is high around the promenade in summer, so looking in streets a little further from the beach may make it easier to find a space.
Route from Malagacar's premises near the airport to Velez-Malaga
Practical information
Town hall: Plaza de las Carmelitas s/n, 29700 Vélez-Málaga.
Torre del Mar tourist information office: Calle Poniente, 2, 29740 Torre del Mar.
Official website: velezmalaga.es, with an events calendar and council information.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Malaga Airport?
Allow around 40–50 minutes via the A-7, depending on traffic and your destination. Exit 953 connects with the A-356 towards Velez-Malaga.
Where can I park near the beach?
Torre del Mar has public car parks and on-street parking. Some spaces are subject to restrictions and charges that vary by area and season. Check the signs and look in streets a little further from the promenade as well.
Are there accessible beaches for people using pushchairs or wheelchairs?
Yes. Torre del Mar has accessible beach areas with access walkways, accessible toilets and equipment for assisted bathing, such as amphibious wheelchairs and crutches designed for use in the water. Bathing assistance is available during the bathing season; ask at the lifeguard posts about locations and service hours.
Can you visit the Fortaleza with young children or a pushchair?
The Fortaleza is in the upper part of Velez-Malaga. Walking from the centre involves a climb, so consider the route in relation to your children's ages and the type of pushchair. There is also road access to an open area near the fortress.
Where can I take a short walk without heading into the mountains?
For a short walk, choose a section of Torre del Mar's promenade or explore Parque María Zambrano. The Lagos–Algarrobo route and walks up Cerro Beas require more time and effort because of their length and ascent.
Where can I buy fish in Caleta de Velez?
At fishmongers in Caleta de Velez and other places within the municipality. The harbour supplies local shops and restaurants, but first sales at the fish auction are restricted to authorised buyers.
