Cosmopolitan beach town — Spain's LGBTQ mecca with a colourful nightlife and affordable prices
Torremolinos has one of the strongest rental markets on the Costa del Sol. The town's popularity as a destination ensures high occupancy. Tourists from the UK, Scandinavia and Germany are the primary guests.
Why Torremolinos?
Let out property in Torremolinos — the letting market
Looking to let out property in Torremolinos? Torremolinos on the Costa del Sol has solid demand for holiday accommodation year round. Letting out property in Torremolinos provides an ongoing return and covers maintenance and property tax during the periods you are not using it yourself.
Torremolinos has one of the strongest rental markets on the Costa del Sol. The town's popularity as a destination ensures high occupancy. Tourists from the UK, Scandinavia and Germany are the primary guests.
Tourist licence and rules in Torremolinos
To let your property in Torremolinos on a short-term basis (under roughly 2-3 months per tenant) you need a valid tourist licence. In Andalusia this is issued by the Junta de Andalucía, and you must register the property with a specific licence number that must appear in all listings.
The rules are actively enforced, and fines for illegal letting can run into several thousand euros. It is therefore essential to have the licence sorted before you start advertising the property on Airbnb, Booking.com or similar platforms.
Expected rental income in Torremolinos
In high season, a property in Torremolinos can typically be let for 400-900 EUR per week in high season for an apartment. Over a full year, with a realistic occupancy rate of 50-70% in the most popular areas, this can provide a solid ongoing return — particularly if the property is also used privately outside the season.
Remember that rental income must be taxed in Spain (typically 19% for EU citizens on net income) and may also need to be declared in your home country — but double taxation treaties typically prevent you from paying full tax twice on the same income.
How to get started letting in Torremolinos
Start by applying for a tourist licence from the Junta de Andalucía, and make sure the property meets the requirements for safety, fire equipment and signage. Next, you should invest in professional photos — in a market like Torremolinos, where affordable property prices is a big part of the appeal, good photos make a real difference to your booking rate.
Consider whether you want to manage the letting yourself, or use a local property management company that handles key handover, cleaning and guest communication — particularly relevant if you do not live in Spain full time.
Long-term letting as an alternative in Torremolinos
If you prefer a more stable, less administration-heavy solution, long-term letting (over a year) to locals or expats can be a good alternative to seasonal short-term letting. It does not require the same tourist licence, but is instead governed by the general tenancy law (LAU), which gives the tenant stronger rights.
Life and culture in Torremolinos
In the 1960s, Torremolinos was Spain's first major tourist destination, and the town is proud of its history as the pioneer of Spanish mass tourism. Today it is especially known as Spain's LGBTQ capital, with a large and visible Pride culture — the Pride festival in June is one of the biggest in the country. The old fishing quarter La Carihuela has kept its charm, with narrow streets and seafood restaurants right on the beach.
Nightlife is lively and diverse, especially around Plaza Costa del Sol and Calle San Miguel, with a wide range of bars, clubs and shows. It is one of the most colourful and tolerant nightlife scenes on the entire coast, while also being considerably more affordable than Marbella.
Location and infrastructure
Torremolinos has its own station on the Cercanías train line (C1), with a direct connection to Málaga airport in under 15 minutes — one of the shortest and most convenient airport distances on the whole coast. Central Málaga is reached in about 20 minutes.
Taxis are easy to find throughout the town, and the short distance to the airport makes Torremolinos an obvious choice for those who frequently fly to and from Denmark.
Tourism & leisure
Torremolinos has several good sandy beaches, including Playamar and La Carihuela beach, generally of good quality with the characteristic greyish sand of this stretch of coast. There isn't much golf in the town itself, but courses in Mijas and Benalmádena are a short drive away.
The centre and nightlife areas can be quite noisy late into the night, especially on weekends and in high season, while neighbourhoods such as Montemar are quieter and more villa-oriented. The climate follows the rest of the Costa del Sol — mild winters and warm but not extreme summers, with relatively little rain throughout the year.
Everyday costs & what to know before you let out in Torremolinos
Torremolinos is one of the more affordable towns to eat out in on the Costa del Sol, with a wide range of cheap tapas bars and restaurants. Rent is similarly among the more affordable on the coast, though prices have risen markedly since 2020 amid growing international interest.
Before you buy: many older apartment blocks from the 1960s and 70s are undergoing renovation — check the building's age and any community fees for facade renovation carefully. If you're sensitive to nightlife noise, check the distance to the liveliest streets before settling on a neighbourhood.
Areas in Torremolinos
Explore the individual areas in Torremolinos for more specific information on prices and character:
Frequently asked questions about letting in Torremolinos
Do I need a tourist licence to let my property in Torremolinos?
Yes, if you let it short-term to tourists. The licence is issued by the Junta de Andalucía in Andalusia, and the licence number must appear in all your listings on platforms such as Airbnb and Booking.com.
How much can I earn letting out my property in Torremolinos?
In high season, a property can typically be let for 400-900 EUR per week in high season for an apartment. The annual return depends on the occupancy rate, but 50-70% during the most popular periods is realistic for a well-located property in Torremolinos.
Which platforms should I use to let my property in Torremolinos?
Airbnb and Booking.com are the most widely used platforms and offer the broadest exposure. For luxury properties, specialised platforms aimed at premium holiday rentals can attract a more qualified pool of guests.
What is the difference between short-term and long-term letting in Torremolinos?
Short-term letting requires a tourist licence and generates higher income per night, but requires more administration and is subject to seasonal swings. Long-term letting does not require a tourist licence, provides a more stable income, but is governed by the general tenancy law, which gives tenants stronger rights.
Do I need to declare rental income from Torremolinos in my home country?
In most cases, yes — rental income typically needs to be declared in your home country, but you usually pay Spanish tax on the income first (around 19% for EU citizens), and this can then be offset against tax owed at home under the relevant double taxation treaty, so you are not taxed twice on the same income. Check the specific rules that apply in your country of residence.
Need help letting out your property in Torremolinos?
Contact us for a no-obligation chat about your options in Torremolinos. We give impartial advice and help you move forward — whether you're just starting your research or ready to take the next step.
Contact us about Torremolinos