Hidden just outside the town centre on Camino de los Pinares is a little secret that few tourists know about. The Molino de Inca Botanical Gardens.
Just behind the Aqualand Water Park is this small, beautifully laid out, tranquil botanical feast. Just over 20 minutes walk from the centre of Torremolinos, you actually feel a world away from the hustle and bustle.
The garden gets its name from the old flour mill El Molino de Inca that has now been turned into a museum.
It features a comprehensive range of botanical plants including over 50 different species of palms and 60 species of trees.
With this in mind, I decided to spend a leisurely hour in the gardens. I fired up Google maps and found that it was around 30 minutes walk from my Airbnb apartment in La Colina.
It seemed a pretty straightforward journey along a dual carriageway, so with opening hours between 11.30am – 2 pm and 6 pm – 9 pm I departed around noon.
As it was really hot and sunny outside I stopped by at my local Supermecado, got out my translator app and said in my best Spanish “me gustaría comprar un sombrero por favor”. For 5 euros I got a hat that John Wayne would have been proud of.
It took me a little over 45 minutes to get there, but that was due to me constantly stopping to check Google maps and I finally arrived at 1 pm. On paying the entry fee of 3 euros I was allowed to walk at my leisure throughout the gardens.
There is a small stream that flows through the gardens feeding three different ponds and water features plush with various aquatic plants, fish and birds. The water features provide an oasis of calm and you don’t even notice the noise of the fountains splashing water from the stream throughout the garden.
The Molino de Inca Botanical Gardens had different garden themes including one of its newest additions, a Zen-inspired Japanese water garden.
If you are looking for a pleasant, relaxing way to spend a few hours in Torremolinos then this place is for you.
After going through the gardens at my leisure, I left and walked a couple of hundred metres up the road to a lovely little restaurant where I had a three-course meal of a delicious soup, lamb and a pastry for only 8 euros. Next time I am in town I will definitely be going paying them a visit again.
Both of these places should be added to your to-do list if you ever come to this anywhere near Malaga or Torremolinos
I love it when blog posts include their experiences with driving to a destination or walk their. It’s really helpful when planning a trip. Awesome post!
Looks like a great way to spend the day, I love finding botanical gardens around the world to see what serenity the plant life can bring in the middle of a city/town! I also love the hat, lookin’ good!
This really looks like a hidden gem! I haven’t been to this part of Spain but if I do, I’ll definitely look for this place. I really like the way you tell the story from the perspective of your experience. It really brings it to life.
I love visiting gardens! There are two gorgeous ones in Italy, on the island of Ischia. They are a breath of fresh air during scorching summer
I love how lush these gardens are. And no crowds? Yes! Looks truly like a hidden gem.
This seems such a lovely and relaxing garden. I really love reading about hidden secrets of a place and love to explore them.
Botanical gardens are a wonderful way of decorating the city landscape. Thank you for a wonderful read
The fountans are lovely as well as botanical gardens. Would love to have a walk there.
The lake looks so beautiful! Walking through the botanical gardens is such a lovely way to spend the day!
Such a beautiful and relaxing place. I love to explore secret places where you have space to breath away from the crowds.