Torre Blanca

Torre Blanca is a historic watchtower in Fuengirola, on Spain's Costa del Sol in Andalusia, standing today beside the N-340 road right next to the well-known Osborne Bull billboard.

What is Torre Blanca?

It belongs to a long chain of torres vigía (watchtowers) built along the Andalusian coast to keep watch over the sea and warn residents of incursions from North Africa. The original structure on this site — also known as Torre Reducto de Vela Blanca — had a horseshoe-shaped floor plan similar to the nearby Torre Vieja de la Cala in Mijas, following the standard defensive layout used along this stretch of coast during the early modern period.

How old is the tower?

The site was used as a lookout point long before the surviving structure was built. A tower here is already recorded in the Ordinances of 1497, suggesting the location may have been used for observation even earlier, possibly during the Muslim period. A further document, the Provision of 1501, confirms its existence and notes that two soldiers were stationed there. In 1571, inspectors Antonio de Berrio and Luis Machuca visited the tower and reported that it needed a new door and some minor repairs. The structure most commonly dated today is attributed to 1765.

What did the original tower look like, and where did it stand?

The original Torre Blanca stood on a small hill in the Carvajal area, east of what is now the Torreblanca urbanization, on the eastern edge of Fuengirola. Its entrance sat around six metres above ground level, reached by a removable wooden or rope ladder — a defensive feature that let a small garrison pull up the ladder and cut off access whenever danger approached. This design was typical of watchtowers along the region's coastline, allowing a handful of soldiers to hold the position.

What happened to it?

The original structure did not survive: it was torn down in the 1960s to make way for the widening of the N-340 highway. A new tower, this time with a circular floor plan, was later built nearby, inheriting the name Torre Blanca. That is the tower visitors see today, standing as a visible landmark along the coastal road.

Why is it worth a visit?

Torre Blanca is now one of the recognisable symbols of Fuengirola, mentioned alongside Sohail Castle, the town's historic churches, and the Roman site of Finca El Secretario. It is not a grand monument, but it is a tangible reminder of the era when the entire Costa del Sol coastline was studded with a network of watchtowers protecting local communities from pirate raids and seaborne attacks. For visitors exploring the area, it is an easy landmark to find, clearly visible from the N-340 and sitting beside the famous Osborne bull sign.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Torre Blanca located? It stands in Fuengirola, in the province of Málaga, right on the N-340 road, near the Carvajal district and the boundary with Torreblanca.

Is this the same tower that existed in the 15th century? Not exactly. The site was used as a lookout as early as 1497, but the tower visitors see today is a later, circular structure — the original horseshoe-shaped tower was demolished in the 1960s during road expansion works.

What was Torre Blanca used for? It was a watchtower forming part of Andalusia's coastal defence system, built to spot approaching ships and warn nearby communities of incursions.

Can you visit the tower without planning ahead? Yes, it sits right on the main N-340 road and can be viewed from outside without needing a reservation or ticket.