If you are looking for opportunities to invest in tourist apartments in Torremolinos, there are certain aspects you must consider to make an informed decision. What are the most profitable and interesting areas for holiday rentals? What is the tourist profile in each area? What type of homes or tourist apartments can be found?
In this article, we will shed light on these questions so you can evaluate options, have a clearer understanding of the advantages offered by the Torremolinos real estate market for investors, and in which areas to start looking.
Best areas in Torremolinos to invest in tourist apartments
We are going to discuss 5 areas in Torremolinos that stand out for having a very attractive and profitable real estate market for investors, especially those looking to acquire properties for holiday rentals.
1. La Carihuela
La Carihuela is the seafaring heart and tourist emblem of Torremolinos, a well-established promenade full of beach bars (chiringuitos), shops, and a family atmosphere that attracts tourists throughout the year.
Its absolute beachfront location and pedestrian promenade mean that accommodations with a terrace and sea views are especially in demand. This area primarily attracts travelers seeking sun, beach, and immediate access to typical Andalusian cuisine. Furthermore, the area retains some of the charm of an old fishing neighborhood, adding an experiential value to the offering.
Regarding the housing stock, La Carihuela is dominated by apartment blocks built in various eras (many of them built in the 60s-80s but with constant renovations), with a high proportion of small and medium-sized homes ideal for repurposing as tourist dwellings or for holiday rental due to their direct proximity to the beach and the promenade.
2. El Bajondillo
El Bajondillo combines the advantage of being practically in the center with the appeal of its proximity to a long and well-equipped beach, making it an area of high tourist turnover, especially in high season.
This area stands out for its proximity to shops, easy access to transport, and a diverse and well-established leisure offering. This is why apartments with views or just a few meters from the sand usually show excellent occupancy and high profitability for the owners of tourist rental flats.
The housing stock in Bajondillo offers a mix of penthouses and apartments on the first and second line, in addition to some occasional larger properties. It is common to find repurposed hotel developments and residential blocks that work well as 2-bedroom apartments aimed at families or groups seeking proximity to the beach.
3. Playamar – Benyamina
Playamar, next to Benyamina beach, is an area that attracts families and those looking for a little more tranquility without losing the beach and connections (including the nearby train line), with a tourist profile that demands spacious apartments and community services.
Its wide avenues and urbanisations with communal areas mean that 2–3 bedroom homes, often with a garage and swimming pool, fit well into the holiday rental market during the mid-season. Typical listings show a constant supply of well-equipped apartments and some modern high-rise developments with sea views.
The housing stock in Playamar combines medium-rise buildings with gated communities and new and second-hand developments, offering both opportunities for renovations and for buying a product ready for tourist operation.
4. The Centre and the Manantiales area
These areas combine the advantage of urban life: immediate access to restaurants, services, and public transport, with the beach just a walk away in many areas. This centrality maintains a constant tourist demand and favours both short and medium stays, as tourists value being able to move on foot and have commercial and leisure offerings nearby. Furthermore, the bus and suburban train station improves connectivity for guests.
The housing fabric here is varied: traditional residential buildings with medium-sized flats, some buildings with potential for repurposing, and apartments with small terraces. The offer includes both studios and 2-bedroom apartments that attract couples and families who prefer central locations.
5. Montemar
Montemar is located in the upper part, above La Carihuela, and is presented as a more residential and quiet area that combines sea views with green areas and higher-level developments, making it attractive to buyers looking for larger and higher-value villas or apartments.
Its proximity to the Cercanías train and commercial areas, along with the presence of new developments and detached houses, make Montemar an option for investment oriented towards a higher ticket product (2–3 bedroom homes with large terraces or semi-detached villas), ideal if you are looking to differentiate yourself with a more exclusive or family accommodation.
The housing stock in Montemar includes modern 2 and 3-bedroom developments, single-family homes, and urbanisations with a swimming pool and parking, thus offering both opportunities for investment in new construction and options for renovating existing homes.
What the data says: why invest in Torremolinos?
Year after year, Torremolinos consolidates its position as one of the most dynamic tourist destinations for holiday rentals on the Costa del Sol. According to recent data, the municipality exceeded one million travellers in 2023, with notable increases in both the number of visitors and recorded overnight stays.
This sustained growth in tourist inflow reinforces the demand for temporary accommodation and keeps the profitability of holiday rentals stable, especially in areas close to the beaches of Torremolinos or with sea views, where occupancy remains high for much of the year.
The main real estate portals, such as Idealista, show high activity in the local market, with a considerable volume of listings and searches focused on two-bedroom apartments, particularly in areas like La Carihuela, El Bajondillo, and Playamar.
This pattern is indicative of an agile and consolidated market for tourist investment, with sufficient supply for purchase and constant demand for holiday leasing. The abundance of medium-sized apartments, many with terraces or sea views, perfectly suits the profile of the tourist visiting Torremolinos with family or in a group.
At a national level, the housing sector in coastal areas maintains competitive gross returns, standing at around 7% in some tourist municipalities, according to recent sectoral data.
However, the real profitability varies significantly according to the micro-zone, the type of property, and the costs associated with management, maintenance, and taxation. These indicators confirm that investing on the coast remains a solid option, but they also underscore the importance of a detailed analysis by area and strict compliance with autonomous and municipal tourist regulations.
What you should check before buying an apartment in Torremolinos for holiday rental
Before investing in a tourist dwelling in Torremolinos, it is essential to know the current regulations and the necessary administrative steps to operate legally. In Andalusia, the management of Tourist Accommodation (Viviendas con Fines Turísticos – VFT) depends on the Andalusia Tourism Registry (RTA), regulated by the Junta de Andalucía.
Every property intended for tourist rental must be mandatorily registered in this registry and comply with a series of technical and service provision requirements, which include adequate exterior ventilation, air conditioning, basic kitchenware and furniture, first aid kit, complaint forms, and, in general, conditions that guarantee the habitability and comfort of the guests.
Registration in the RTA is free, but it must be done before publishing the property on any digital platform or intermediary agency.
Furthermore, since the recent update of state regulations, the obtaining of a unique registration number (NRUA or Temporary Rental Registry) is required, an essential prerequisite for marketing tourist dwellings on portals such as Airbnb or Booking. This number allows for the traceability and fiscal control of short-term rental activities and must be compatible with the already existing regional registries.
It is advisable to check the coherence between the regional and state registration, as well as to stay abreast of the possible modifications that the central government and the Junta may introduce to standardise both systems.
In the specific case of Torremolinos, there is currently no specific municipal ordinance that replaces or complements the regional regulations, but the City Council does require that the dwellings comply with all urban planning and habitability requirements. This includes having the first occupancy license or equivalent certificate, having the documentation in order, and, in the case of properties in a horizontal property regime, obtaining the consent of the community of owners if the statutes or the board so establish.
The Municipal Single Window (Ventanilla Única Municipal) or the electronic headquarters of the Torremolinos City Council are the appropriate channels to resolve doubts, register responsible declarations, and confirm the urban planning compatibility of the dwelling before starting any renovation or tourist operation.
If you are looking for a professional and experienced partner in the holiday rental sector on the Costa del Sol, we invite you to learn about our property management service in Torremolinos, designed to delegate and optimise the entire process of administering properties for holiday rental.
The new urban plan opens a new stage for tourist investment in Torremolinos
The approval of the draft of the new General Urban Planning Plan (Plan General de Ordenación Municipal – PGOM) marks a turning point for the Torremolinos real estate market. After the annulment of the 2020 PGOU by the Supreme Court, the municipality had been anchored to the 1996 plan, an obsolete regulatory framework that halted licenses, paralysed large projects, and sowed doubts among investors.
With the new plan underway, the City Council seeks to restore legal certainty and restore confidence in private capital, a decisive step to reactivate investment in tourist housing and reposition the city within the competitive Costa del Sol.
The PGOM, whose definitive approval is expected by the autumn of 2027, is built on three pillars: urban regeneration, environmental sustainability, and affordable housing. This focus favours the rehabilitation and modernisation of the existing urban fabric, which could boost the revaluation of consolidated neighbourhoods and open opportunities for tourist conversion or second home projects.
At the same time, the new environmental and energy efficiency requirements outline a more selective development model, where innovation and construction quality will be key to obtaining licenses and attracting a more demanding visitor.
What does this new urban plan mean for investors?
The immediate horizon for investors remains marked by caution. Until the new planning fully comes into force, the market will operate with the limitations of the 1996 plan, which reduces the margin for new developments.
However, this transition stage can also be strategic: acquiring well-located assets before urban normalisation could generate significant capital gains in the medium term, when the new legal framework and institutional confidence consolidate the sector’s recovery.
With the backing of the local government and the Junta de Andalucía, Torremolinos aspires to be at the forefront of sustainable urban planning. If the timeline is met, the city could experience a new investment cycle starting in 2027 focused on rehabilitation, efficiency, and quality tourist offerings, re-editing the attractiveness that made it a tourism pioneer on the Costa del Sol decades ago.
