The centre of Algarrobo is four kilometres from the sea, and is reached along the N-340 road, just five kilometres from Torre del Mar. The town stands in the river valley of the same name, at a height of 85 metres above sea level. It is 12 kilometres from Velez-Malaga and 37 from Malaga. It has a stable population of 4,500 which greatly increases in summer due to the influx of tourists at­tracted to its fine beaches.

The agricultural products of the region, besides those typical of Mediterranean areas, also include greenhouse and sub­tropical fruits, but the main source of income here is from tourism. The coastal districts of the municipality, formerly fishing quarters such as Algarrobo-Costa and Mezquitilla, have grown into important resorts which attract thousands of visitors and summer residents every year.

The layout of Algarrobo is in the Moorish tradition of town planning, with narrow streets climbing up the hillside. Crowning the town is the Plaza de la Gloria, next to which stands the Shrine of San Sebastian, of recent con­struction and which commands panoramic views of breathtaking splendour. The Parish Church of Santa Ana, on the other hand, was built at the beginning of the 1 8th century.

The town itself was founded by the Moors, though remains of older civilisa­tions have been discovered in the area. Bronze Age, Phoenician and Roman im­plements have been unearthed at El Morro de Mezquitilla, whilst at Chorreras, a little further to the east, there are more Phoenician sites, dating back to the 8th and 7th centuries BC. Finally, Phoenician and Punic tombs from the 8th century BC have been found at Trayamar, along with the ruins of a city dating back to the 10th cen­tury BC.

The coasts of Algarrobo also contain two beacons or watchtowers: the Moorish Torre Ladeado and the Torre Nueva or Derecha, dating back to the 16th century. To the east of the municipal area, before arriving in Torrox, is the tiny village of Lagos, part of the municipality of Velez-Malaga, containing another tower, built in Christian times.

Festivities are held in Algarrobo in honour of its patron saint, Saint Sebas­tian, on 20 January, whilst there is also a popular fair held in the town during the second week of August.