Torrox Costa is one of only two towns along the coast of Axarquia that has high rise apartment blocks along its central coastal stretch. This is compensated for by two splendid maritime promenades with attractive restaurants and bars and 9 kilometres of wide sandy beaches. Either side of the main area are more rustic low rise buildings and bamboo fringed beaches. El Morche, on the coast to the west of Torrox Costa, is a small unspoilt sea-side village. To the east of the main town, alongside the lighthouse, the new 'Balcon de Torrox' has been constructed as a lookout to the sea and headlands and with transparent flooring looking down on Roman remains described below.

Phoenician remains on the coast testify to the long history of settlement in the area but Torrox also constituted an important factory town during the Roman era, from which extensive ruins have been conserved on the coast beside the lighthouse.

These include a necroplis, a restored thermal baths, ovens used in the manufacture of ceramics, houses, the luxury villa Clavicum built in the 1st century and troughs used for the preparation of fish paste (garum).

The River Torrox irrigates the area supplying water for the cultivation of sub-tropical and greenhouse fruits on the coast and vineyards and olive trees inland.