When the package holiday boom exploded in the mid-80s Fuengirola become incredibly popular with Brits experiencing their first taste of being abroad and has since become a popular destination with all Northern Europeans such as the Danish and Scandinavian communities offering all year sun and affordable accommodation. One of the most popular travel destinations on the Costa del Sol, Fuengirola is located half way between Malaga and Marbella and is only 25kms from the international airport.

Fuengirola, the Big Stretch

Over the years Fuengirola has continued to grow and the once quite Spanish fishing village has now become a busy promenade with high rise apartments and Hotels.

Although Fuengirolas main economy is tourism with holidaymakers coming to enjoy the 6km stretch of golden sandy beaches and the 100s of restaurants and bars that line the neon light sea front you will see a very busy working town with a real Spanish flavour traditional working fishing port.

While the fast food cafés so beloved of travelling Brits are highly visible, their numbers are more than matched by traditional tapas bars, classic chiringuitos, inviting Irish pubs and a fair collection of Scandinavian bars and eateries too. A look inside any one of the aforementioned establishments will also surprise – the clientele is equally diverse with both holidaymakers and locals at ease with one another, lending the entire town a warmth that is unusual for such an ostensibly transient destination.

With its easy access to the international Airport and bathed in beautiful sunshine for pretty much ten months of the year, affordable and lively, Fuengirola’s reputation belies its undeniable charm. While Marbella is certainly easier on the eye, Puerto Banús has a more glamorous nightlife and Benalmádena is possibly the more family-friendly option with all the attractions on offer. Fuengirola’s main strength is that it seems to cater for every kind of visitor and nowhere is too exclusive or financially prohibitive, the streets are clean, the people friendly and the commercial and cultural variety on offer is as good as anywhere else on the Costa del Sol. Throw in a long sandy beach, a wide promenade and some exceptionally well-priced properties you can see why over the years Fuengirola has become such a popular place to both holiday and relocate

ATTRACTIONS IN FUENGIROLA

Fuengirola has great beaches stretching from Torreblanca to Sohail Castle and has excellent transport links to the rest of the coast. There are almost too many facilities to mention, there are hundreds of restaurants, bars and nightclubs and a choice of accommodation, from budget to 4-stars.

The Port and Marina area offers a range of leisure services including fishing and dolphin charters and a ferry service to the neighbouring town of Benalmadena. Attractions include the award winning Bioparc (previously known as the zoo) where animals are housed in natural surroundings rather than cages and twice daily you can sit and watch live wildlife shows incredibly popular and worthwhile visiting if you have children.

There is a really popular waterpark and lots of water sports options on offer and If you fancy seeing a film there is a multiplex Cinema in the Miramar centre showing all the latest blockbusters in English.

Shopping opportunities are abundant with a good mix of fashion chains like Zara and Mango alongside many independent boutiques and designer clothes stores with many of the shops located around Plaza de la Constitucion and on the paseo near the beach. Located just over the N340 is also a branch of the popular Irish department store ‘Dunnes’ where you can pick up more typically British style goods like home wares, clothes and food items. If you want all your shops under one roof you should head to the huge shopping Mall Miramar centre where it’s easy to park!

FACTS AND FIGURES ABOUT FUENGIROLA

Fuengirola is located half way between Malaga and Marbella and is only 25kms from the international airport approximately 15 minutes by car. There is a fantastic train service directly from the airport and buses every 30 minutes.

Fuengirola offers many historical sites such as the famous Sohail Castle next to the bridge dating back to the Moors, the beautiful Nuestra Señora del Rosario Coronada’ church located in the Plaza de la Constitución and the history museum

There are 8 Golf courses in the Fuengirola area catering for both beginners to advanced levels.