El Tomillar: Hiking Trails, History and Children's Activities

Themed children's park “La Isla del Tesoro”, inspired by Robert Louis Stevenson's best-known work, is located in the El Tomillar neighbourhood of the Puerto de la Torre district.

Hiking Trails and Landscape

The PR-A 114 Ciudad Jardín–Puerto de la Torre trail connects the Ciudad Jardín and Puerto de la Torre neighbourhoods through nature. As a linear trail, it covers 17.3 kilometres in one direction; the estimated walking time is 5 hours and 15 minutes, and the difficulty level is medium to high. The Ciudad Jardín–Puerto de la Torre route ends at the Centro Deportivo del Puerto de la Torre (Torresport).

The starting point of the Puerto de la Torre section is on Calle Fuente Alegre, below the Autovía del Mediterráneo. The trail is signposted with wooden posts or stakes. The higher points along the route offer views of Málaga and the Mediterranean Sea. Parts of the route pass through terraced slopes with olive trees, grapevines and almond trees.

The route from Puerto de la Torre is approximately 11 kilometres long, depending on detours to the Torre Vigía de Verdiales or the Ermita de Verdiales. The PR-A 114 Ciudad Jardín–Puerto de la Torre trail leads to the El Limonero Reservoir. A 950-metre variant leads to the Presa del Agujero, where it meets the other route option.

Bus route 21 can be used to access the trail; from the Lope de Rueda (Correos) stop, it is approximately a 15-minute walk to the starting point.

History and Festivals

The route includes the Torre Vigía de Verdiales, an old watchtower dating from the Islamic medieval period. The Ermita de Verdiales dates from the 18th century. It is located at a site that historically connected Málaga and Antequera.

The Puerto de la Torre Feria takes place at the fairground on Calle Escritora Matilde del Nido. It includes a traditional horse-drawn carriage display.

The 64th Fiesta Mayor de Verdiales was scheduled for Sunday, 28 December, in the event area of Parque Andrés Jiménez Díaz in Puerto de la Torre. Twenty-eight Verdiales groups from the three traditional styles of Comares, Montes and Almogía were announced for this Fiesta Mayor.

The 2026 Feria programme included the events “Cante a la Trilla” and “Trilla con tabla” at 11 a.m. on 5 July in Parque Andrés Jiménez Díaz.

Discover more destinations under Puerto Sol.

Children's Activities

The “La Isla del Tesoro” children's park has slides with a tower, a ship's mast with climbing ropes and tiered climbing nets. A public children's and multi-adventure area in Puerto de la Torre includes a 33-metre zip line, trampolines, a roundabout and a 400-square-metre adventure net.

The Biblioteca Vicente Espinel has a 100-square-metre children's and youth area as well as a 94-square-metre multipurpose room.

To the main travel overview: Malaga.