Torrox, a very white town with 12000 inhabitants, which is 45 km. away from
Malaga and
20 from Velez. 126 m. high and sheltered from the Northern winds by the
mountains of Tejeda, Torrox is proud of its denomination as the place with the best climate
in Europe. This is a privileged spot to have a rest, as well as to enjoy its mountains and its
beaches and of course to try some of its gastronomic specialities, such as "espetos of sardines", "migas cortijeras", fresh anchovies or "papas a lo pobre", enhancing the taste of any of them with the famous local wines.
Its urban architecture, of Moorish extraction, surprises the visitor with its steep streets, squares and corners where the light, the sun and the flower are always united.
The Plaza de la Constitucion offers the visitor a singular set of Roman busts at the tops of the eaves in its buildings, among which towers the imposing bulk of the Parish Church of la Encarnación (XVIII century). Other monuments will turn up in our way, like the set made up of the Convent and Hermitage of the Virgen de las Nieves (XVI century), the towers of its old walled enclosure which according to some historians may have been the birthplace of Almanzor, the Church of San Roque (XVI c.), the Hospital of San Jose (XVIII c.), as well as the old Mint or the Sugar Factory (XIX c.), which confirm its economic splendour in the past centuries. On the coast, nevertheless, a populous Roman city was settled which reached its peak between the I and the IV century, a fact proved by a Necropolis, some Thermae, two ovens for the manufacturing of ceramic, salt containers to fabricate the famous "garum" and a village -"Mansio Caviclum" - which make up the fascinating archaeological set of the Lighthouse, whose keeper Tomas Garcia Ruiz started the excavations of in the first years of our century. Two watchtowers which were erected by the Arabs in two coast headlands dominate the 9 km. of its beaches, standing out those of Ferrara, El Morche, Peñoncillo and Calaceite.
They add to its tourist atmosphere two magnificent Maritime Walks . To all this attractive factors we have to mention its traditions and
popular festivities, like the feasts in honour of the Virgen de las Nieves (August the 5); The ones dedicated to the Patrons (October 4-7), la Candelaria September 7-8), the night of San Juan (June the 24), with curious traditions; the Cruces de Mayo (May 2-3) and the famous feasts of Las Migas (Sunday before Christmas) with the tasting of this typical dish and also of the good local wines. During them, Verdiales are sung and danced, as well as other varieties of the rich Andalusian folkore.