Fuengirola Spain

Visitor & Tourist Infoirmation

Fuengirola Spain is a popular beach resort nestled between the towns of Benalmadena and Marbella on the Costa del Sol.

The town is just 15 minutes west of Malaga airport and has easy access by either motorway, coastal roads and a regular train service that runs between Malaga and Fuengirola Spain.

The town enjoys a privileged position protected by the mountain ranges of Mijas, Malaga and Ronda providing one of the best microclimates in Spain.

Fuengirola Spain
Fuengirola Marina

The newly renovated promenade is flanked by restaurants, cafes, bars and clubs which sit alongside the blue flag beaches of Carvajal, Las  Gaviotas, Los Boliches and San Francisco.

On all the beaches you will find sunbeds to rent, lots of beach bars plus all types of water sports are well catered for including, sailing, windsurfing, pedalos, diving, and fishing trips.

The municipal area of Fuengirola is only 10 square meters in size yet it boasts an impressive 8-kilometre-long beach.

Best Things To Do In Fuengirola Spain

  1. Soak up the sun at Fuengirola Beach: Relax on the beautiful sandy beaches that stretch along the coastline, offering a perfect spot to unwind and enjoy the Mediterranean Sea.
  2. Visit Bioparc Fuengirola: Explore this unique bio-park zoo that focuses on conservation and providing animals with natural habitats. Get up close to various exotic species from around the world.
  3. Take a stroll along Paseo Marítimo: Enjoy a leisurely walk along the seaside promenade, lined with palm trees, shops, restaurants, and picturesque views of the Mediterranean.
  4. Explore the Castle of Sohail: Discover the history of Fuengirola at this ancient fortress, offering panoramic views of the city and hosts various cultural events throughout the year.
  5. Shop at the Fuengirola Street Market: Browse through the bustling market held every Tuesday, offering a wide range of goods including clothing, accessories, crafts, and fresh produce.
  6. Visit the Roman Ruins of Finca del Secretario: Step back in time and explore the remains of a Roman villa, featuring beautifully preserved mosaics and architectural elements.
  7. Enjoy water sports at Fuengirola Marina: Try your hand at jet skiing, or parasailing, or take a boat trip from the vibrant marina, surrounded by shops, bars, and restaurants.
  8. Discover the history at Museo de Historia de Fuengirola: Learn about the rich heritage of the region through exhibits showcasing archaeological finds, artwork, and historical artefacts.
  9. Have fun at Parque Acuático Mijas: Beat the heat and enjoy a day of water slides, pools, and attractions at this exciting water park located nearby.
  10. Take a boat trip to see dolphins: Embark on a thrilling boat excursion to spot dolphins and other marine life in their natural habitat.
  11. Play a round of golf: Tee off at one of the many prestigious golf courses in the area, offering stunning views and challenging play for golf enthusiasts.
  12. Attend the Feria de Fuengirola: Immerse yourself in the local culture during the annual fair, where you can experience traditional music, dancing, food, and vibrant festivities.
  13. Relax at Miramar Park: Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and unwind in this tranquil green space with beautiful gardens, ponds, and shaded areas.
  14. Learn to cook Spanish cuisine: Join a cooking class and discover the secrets of preparing delicious Spanish dishes like paella and tapas.
  15. Visit the Fuengirola Bullring: Witness a bullfight or take a tour of this historic bullring, which is one of the oldest in Spain and an important part of the local culture.
  16. Enjoy the nightlife at Plaza de la Constitución: Experience the vibrant nightlife of Fuengirola at this central square, filled with bars, clubs, and live

Local Attractions

Fuengirola Travel
Fuengirola Promenade

Local visits should include trips to the Arab castle of Sohail situated on the seafront to the west of the town. The castle is the town's landmark building, originally dating back to when the Arabs ruled the area in the 8th It has suffered frequent attacks over the years from pirates and the building there today contains little of the original structure.

Another good historical place of interest is the Roman Archaeological site located by the train station in Los Boliches. Discovered in the 1970's the site has been restored and visitors can see the remains of a salting factory, pottery and thermal baths.

Bioparc Fuengirola
Bioparc Fuengirola

The Bioparc Fuengirola is a flagship of its kind in Europe as it takes saving endangered species to another level. Think of a marriage between the Eden Project and London Zoo to get an idea of what to expect here.

There is a large Aquapark situated on the outskirts of Fuengirola open from April to September, a great place to cool down and have fun during the hot summer months.

Fuengirola festivals

Fuengirola Feria
Fuengirola Feria

The Fiesta del Carmen is held in July in Los Boliches ( a subdivision of Fuengirola ) area of the town.

Fuengirola’s annual fiesta is held in October of each year and where colourful spectacles, flamenco and dry sherry ( Fino ) are in abundance and carries on for 24 hours a day so pacing yourself is a must!

Shopping in Fuengirola

Fuengirola Food Market
Fuengirola Food Market

There is a large selection of quality shops and the shopping centre’s now open in the Area.

El Corte Ingles is the most famous upmarket shopping chain in Spain and luckily there is a store in Fuengirola. It is located about a 15-minute walk from the town center or you can take the free courtesy bus which leaves from the bus station on a regular basis.

The Myramar shopping centre is a large shopping mall and cinema complex situated at the Castle end of town and offers everything from pets to food and clothing.

The Fuengirola indoor municipal market is well worth a visit, get there early to pick up the freshest produce Spain has to offer especially the fish and seafood on offer in the market situated on the first floor.

There are two main outdoor markets, the main one is held on Tuesdays and is the largest and liveliest open market on the coast and is situated in the mid-section of Fuengirola in the area where the annual Festival is held each year in October.

There is a car boot sale held at the same venue every Saturday, it is one of the largest in Andalucia and a great place to pick up a holiday bargain.

The best beaches in Fuengirola

Fuengirola Beach

Fuengirola is well known for its long stretch of sandy beaches that attract sun worshippers from all over Europe.

Some of Fuengirola's top beaches are listed below:

- Los Boliches Beach: This is one of Fuengirola's busiest beaches, and is situated in the formerly bustling fishing community of Los Boliches. Fine beach, calm sea, sun loungers, umbrellas, play places for kids, dining options, and water sports are all present. Trains and buses are other ways to get there.

- Beach de Santa Amalia: This beach stretches from Fuengirola's town centre to the mouth of the river. It features moderate surf, golden sand, sun loungers, umbrellas, restrooms, showers, and lifeguards. Also, it is close to hotels, bars, and stores.

- Playa de Torreblanca: This is the beach that lies on the eastern end of Fuengirola, near the border with Benalmadena. It has dark sand, clear water, sun loungers, umbrellas, showers, toilets, and lifeguards. It is also quieter and less crowded than other beaches.

- Playa del Castillo: This is the beach that lies on the western end of Fuengirola, near the Sohail Castle. It has coarse sand, strong waves, sun loungers, umbrellas, showers, toilets, and lifeguards. It is also surrounded by natural scenery and has a suspension bridge over the river.

- Playa de Carvajal: This is the beach that lies between Torreblanca and Benalmadena Costa. It has fine sand, clean water, sun loungers, umbrellas, showers, toilets, and lifeguards. It is also ideal for families and has a playground and a picnic area.

- Playa de San Francisco: This is a small beach that lies next to Los Boliches. It has fine sand, calm water, sun loungers, umbrellas, showers, toilets, and lifeguards. It is also close to restaurants and shops.

Water sports activities in Fuengirola

Kayaking
Kayaking

Fuengirola Spain  is a paradise for water sports enthusiasts, as it offers a wide range of activities.

Here are some of the most popular water sports activities that are available in Fuengirola:

- Parasailing: This is a fun and exciting water sport that allows you to soar above the sea with a parachute attached to a boat. You can reach heights of up to 250 meters.

- Jet skiing: This is a fun activity that lets you ride a powerful watercraft on the waves. You can speed up, make turns, and jump over the water. There are a number of jet ski rental outlets on the main beaches.

- Diving: This is an amazing activity that enables you to explore the underwater world of Fuengirola. You can take a diving course or join a diving trip with a certified instructor.

- Fishing: This is a relaxing activity that allows you to enjoy nature and the sport of fishing. You can catch different species of fish, such as tuna, swordfish, dorado, or mackerel. You can rent a fishing boat or join a fishing charter with a professional guide.

- Kayaking: This is a peaceful activity that lets you paddle on the calm waters off Fuengirola Spain.

Popular water sports centres in Fuengirola:

For parasailing adventures try Pirate Parasailing, a well-established British-run company that has been operating in Fuengirola Spain for more than 20 years.

For dolphin watching check out Splash WaterSports, Dolphin Bombay Sapphire, Eventos Náuticos Fuengirola, Macarena Charter, Alboran Explorer or Fuengirola Sea Trips.

For scuba diving adventures you can learn to dive or improve your skills with Abysub or Aby Sub Diving School, two PADI-certified dive centres that offer courses and trips for all levels.

For fishing trips, you can rent a boat or join a fishing charter with Nathan's Charter Fishing or Fuengirola Nautic.

Play golf

Santana Golf Holidays
Santana Golf Course

There are some 30 championship golf courses within a 25-kilometre radius of Fuengirola making the town a perfect golf holiday destination. Some of the excellent courses close by include the Mijas Golf Resort, Torrequebrada Golf and the stunning Santana Golf Club.

 

The gastronomy of Fuengirola

Eating Out in Fuengirola
Fuengirola Beach Bar

Fuengirola is renowned for its gastronomy and food, which reflect the rich and diverse cultural heritage of the region. The cuisine is based on fresh and local ingredients, such as fish, seafood, vegetables, olive oil, and wine.
Here are some of the most famous dishes that you can enjoy in Fuengirola and the costa del sol:
- Pescaíto frito: This is a typical dish of fried fish, usually small and crispy, such as anchovies, sardines, squid, or red mullet. It is served with lemon wedges and salt.
- Gazpacho: This is a cold soup made of blended tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, garlic, bread, olive oil, vinegar, and salt. It is refreshing and nutritious, especially in summer.
- Ajoblanco: This is another cold soup made of blended almonds, garlic, bread, olive oil, vinegar, and salt. It is usually garnished with grapes or melon.
- Espetos de Sardinas: These are sardines roasted over an open fire. One of Fuengirola s most iconic plates of food can be eaten as a starter or a stand-alone main course. You can find sardines cooked in this way in many chiringuitos (beach bars) along the coast.
- Paella: This famous rice dish is cooked with saffron and various ingredients, such as chicken, rabbit, seafood, or vegetables. It is one of the most well-known Spanish dishes and is found in many restaurants in the area.
- Tortilla de Patatas: A juice thick omelette made of eggs, potatoes, salt, and olive oil, sometimes onion is added. It can be eaten hot or cold, as a tapa or a main course.
- Croquetas: These are fried balls of a thick bechamel sauce mixed with different fillings, such as ham, cheese, chicken, or spinach. They are crunchy on the outside and delightfully creamy on the inside and a firm favourite staple in many bars.
- Flan de Hueva: This is a dessert made of eggs, milk, sugar, and vanilla. It is baked in a water bath and topped with caramel sauce.

Best places to eat out

Recipes from Spain - Eating out in Spain Sardines on a Spit
Sardines Cooked on a Spit

Dining out in Fuengirola is always a real treat as you are spoilt for choice, every type of food is readily available from authentic tapas bars, to Asian and more upmarket fine dining,  Fuengirola really does offer a lot.

A good place to start is by walking around the old part of town from the Old Church Square ( Plaza de la Constitucion ) and branching out around the many narrow roads and lanes, try out some of the tapas bars and local restaurants offering local and international fare at very reasonable prices.

A few minutes walk from the main church square toward the seafront you will find what is locally known as Fish Alley, a bustling area of two or three streets full of restaurants of every kind, type, and price. There are at least a dozen restaurants offering great value 3-course menus for around 12 Euros.

The adjoining community of Los Boliches is also very popular with food lovers, here you will find lots of authentic tapas bars and bars and restaurants of all shapes and sizes.

Another popular place to eat out is in one of the many delightful beach bars that line the promenade from Torreblanca at the eastern end right along to the western end close to Sohail Castle.

Nearby Towns Worth Visiting

 

Mijas

Mijas Village Costa del Sol

A 20-minute bus ride will take you to the picturesque village of Mijas which is nestled in the Sierra de Mijas hills, enjoy a walk around this old and charming village and enjoy spectacular views over Fuengirola and the Mediterranean Coastline.

The small town, which takes over where the back of Fuengirola leaves off is a sharp contrast to its touristy neighbour and is a very nice place to spend the day.

Mijas is your typically picturesque white village and is around 430m above sea level so you will need that hire car to get up there and take in the views and simply enjoy the attractiveness of the town.

Benalmadena Costa

Benalmadena Marina
Benalmadena Marina

Another attractive town on the coast boasts the typical stretch of golden sands, an attractive promenade and copious amounts of bars and restaurants.

There is one thing Benalmadena has that the others don’t however and that’s the stunning 33m monument that is the Buddhist Benalmadena Stupa.

Marbella

Puerto Banus Marbella
Puerto Banus Marbella

The combination of the glorious Costa del Sol weather and the glitz and glamour make Marbella a real holiday hot spot.

Spend an evening gazing at the multi-million-pound luxury yacht which is ever-present in the marina.

You never know you may even bump into the odd celebrity or two.

Getting Around Fuengirola Spain

Local Train - Cercanias

Fuengirola is well connected by public transport options, making it easy to get around the town and the surrounding areas.

The main public transport options are:

- Bus: Fuengirola has a local bus service that operates six routes within the town. There is also a bus station that offers regional and national services to destinations such as Marbella, Malaga, Ronda, Seville and Madrid.

- Train: Fuengirola has a train station that is part of the Renfe Cercanias suburban network. The train connects Fuengirola with Malaga City, Malaga Airport and other coastal towns such as Torremolinos and Benalmadena.

- Taxi: Fuengirola has a radio taxi service that can be booked by phone or through an app. Taxis are a convenient way to travel within the town or to nearby places.

- Car: Fuengirola Spain is accessible by car via the A-7 motorway that runs along the Costa del Sol. There are also other main roads that connect Fuengirola with inland towns such as Mijas, Coin and Alhaurin el Grande.

- Flights: The nearest one is Malaga International Airport, which is about 25 km away. It offers domestic and international flights to many destinations in Europe and beyond. You can reach Fuengirola from Malaga Airport by bus, train or taxi.

Recommended Places To Stay In Fuengirola


Hotel IPV Palace & Spa: Overlooking Fuengirola Beach, Hotel IPV Palace & Spa is a luxurious haven. With elegant rooms, a spa, and multiple pools, it offers a perfect blend of relaxation and sophistication. Its beachfront location provides stunning Mediterranean views.

Hotel Yaramar: Situated along the Paseo Marítimo, Hotel Yaramar offers a central location with easy access to Fuengirola's attractions. The hotel features comfortable rooms, a rooftop pool, and entertainment options. Its proximity to the beach and local restaurants adds to its appeal.

Hotel Las Palmeras: Located near Fuengirola's town center and next to the marina, Hotel Las Palmeras is a popular choice. It offers comfortable accommodations, an outdoor pool, and easy access to shops and restaurants. The beach is just a short stroll away.

Ilunion Fuengirola: Ideal for both leisure and business travellers, Ilunion Fuengirola boasts a beachfront location. The hotel features modern rooms, a rooftop pool, and conference facilities. Its proximity to the Fuengirola train station enhances connectivity for exploring the Costa del Sol.

 

FUENGIROLA WEATHER