Shopping
In Arenas, a town with barely 1500 inhabitants, the few shops carry the bare essentials.
We advise to do major shopping in Torre Del Mar, only 12 km down the mountains. On the outskirts of the town there is a commercial center El Ingenio where one can find almost anything.
Large supermarket Eroski: fresh vegetables, fish, meat, bread, wine & spirits, clothing, books, computers, garden stuff, 30+ types of gin, etc.
Clothing stores like Massimo Dutti, Pull & Bear, Bershka, C&A, Desigual, H&M, Mango, Oysho, Springfield, Zara, etc.
Electronics: Worten
Burgerking
Gas station
Local Markets
Monday: Torrox, Viñuela, Canillas del Albaid, Sedella
Tuesday: La Galetta, Nerja, El Borge, Benamocarra
Wednesday: Arenas, Algarrobo Costa, Periana, Riogordo, Archez, Benmargosa, Rincon de la Victoria
Thursday: Frigiliana, Torre del Mar, Vélez-Málaga, Colmenar, Cútar
Friday: Almáchar, Alfarnate, Canillas de Aceituno, Moclinejo, Salares, Sayalonga
Saturday: Competa, Alcaucin, Caleta De Vélez, Coin, Comares, Torre Del Mar, Totalán
Sunday: Nerja, Alfarnatejo, Iznate
Eating & drinking
Bar Juanete in Arenas (the one closest to the donkey statue) serves honest, simple food for poco dineros. Lunch is served whenever they are ready …, but not before 1.30 PM. Take a peek inside to see what’s hanging on the wall. If you ask nicely, the owner’s wife will make food to take away 🙂 Make sure to order the croquetas.
Restaurant Alhambra in Arenas (closest to the ayuntamiento) also serves basic mountain food.
Chiringuitos can be found all along the coast at the beachfront. Some are a tourist trap, some are more genuine. We have tried many and keep going back to Varela, Paseo Marítimo de Torre del Mar.
THE best restaurant in Torre is Gastrobar Las Perlas, a culinary relief if you have been surviving on monotone Andalucían meals. Make a reservation, take your time to savor a menu, preferably the more elaborate one, and do ask for accompanying wines. The lavatory is worth a visit too.
Restaurant El Acebuchal in the former ghost village Acebuchal is a must-visit. Located between Cómpeta and Frigiliana in the natural park of Sierra de Tejeda this hamlet has a particular history. To enjoy the scenery getting to Pueblo el Fantasmas one can better walk, ride a bike or on horseback. By car is possible, but the road via Cómpeta is not recommended, since the rocky track of approx. 6 km is steep, narrow and unbarred . The road via Frigiliana is a walk in the park compared to this. From Amarey to El Acebuchal is about 26 km via the inland roads (drive of min. 1,5 hr) or via the coastal road 45 km (1 hr drive). Getting a table in the restaurant is a challenge as well. We haven’t succeeded yet.
Outside Torre del Mar on the road to Arenas nearby the soccer field there is a restaurant called Meson El Limonar 9. Typically Spanish far from cozy, but with an excellent local kitchen. Expect lots of food … we can advise to ask beforehand how many people could eat from a particular entree, because some starters are meant to be shared with the rest of the table. Our first time there, we ordered a starter with half a forest of mushrooms and 8 (!) eggs.
Caleta De Vélez is a small fishing town a few kilometers from Torre Del Mar. Visit the market on Saturday morning, stroll down to the cute little port, find restaurant Chin Chin’s where you can drink a coffee outside. Enjoy the view of the fishing boats, relax and you’ll want to reserve a table inside for lunch.
Culture & sea
Málaga city has lots to offer, from shopping to museums to simply strolling along the beach. Dutch speakers can find all information on Beleef Málaga website and it’s Facebook page.
B&B
If you cannot fit your whole company into our house, we can recommend to use the B&B Casa Agradable across from our house. We have stayed there ourselves when we were scouting the area.