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Fuengirola is a city in the Costa del Sol in southern Spain that is popular with tourists for its long sandy beach and malécon.

Understand

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It is one of a number of villages along the Costa del Sol that has grown up with and due to tourism. Note that Fuengirola encompasses a few of the other small nearby communities like Los Boliches, and Carvajal, and has bus and train line serving that area.

Get in

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The main airport is Malaga International and just about every airline in Europe runs regular flights into it. The cheapest options from the UK being the usual, Ryanair, Jet2 and EasyJet; Scandinavian Airlines and Norwegian from Scandinavia. Once on the ground you have a few options.

By car

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Fuengirola is a 25-km drive from Malaga airport. Numerous rental car agents operate from within the airport, but you can usually save a few euros by going to cheaper rental companies across the road from the airport, rather than renting from a company inside

By taxi

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Fuengirola is 20 minutes by taxi from Malaga airport, and taxis are available 24 hours a day. Fares are usually €30–35 (depending on time & season). The usual, common sense rules apply when taking a taxi abroad: agree the rate in advance, and if the driver is being vague mention ask to see the rate card "to help him understand your requirement". All taxis are required to have one.

Be aware of the minibuses, as they will often try to charge you €65 or more.

It is always recommended that you use the first in first out policy, commonly.

By train

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This will take you approximately 35 minutes by light rail from Málaga airport. Fuengirola is the last stop. The station is about 2 minutes' walk from the terminal building, just go out of the door at departures and turn to the right. It's well sign posted. The fare is €2.80 (€2.80 weekends and holidays) but make sure you have change as it's self-service and there is almost always a ticket inspector. The first train leaves at 05:34 and then every 20 minutes until the last train at 23:03 and is very punctual indeed. Be aware the Los Boliches is also part of Fuengirola, and has a train stop, before the end of the line stop.

You can use the Renfe train between Málaga and Fuengirola if you purchase the Season pass card, for 2024 for 1st quarter, as a part of their green initiative to reduce car traffic.

Get around

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Fuengirola is a city, but chances are you will only visit the centre and beach front and it is possible to walk everywhere. The light train is excellent for getting up the coast as is the bus service. Both stations are in the centre of the city, 5 minutes walk from the marina.

By bus, there are two major bus lines in the town, with the Avanza bus (red) station about a block from the end of the train station. That station sells the longer route tickets along the Costa del Sol coastline, rather than the local (blue) within the city that has 5 routes and an app. You can buy single tickets or save money if you buy them using their €2 card, which can be refilled at corner stores. The town bus stops are different than the ones at the main station. They cost about €2 for out-of-town riders. You can also buy a 10-stop pass for €10 from the bus driver.

See

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Sohail Castle
  • Beaches: there are more than 8 km of sandy beaches.
  • 1 Castillo Sohail (Sohail Castle), C. Tartesios, s/n, 29640 Fuengirola, Málaga (Avanza bus route M-220 has a stop here.), ☏ +34 663 996 727. A Moorish castle on the top of a hill next to the beach. In summer, it plays host to many different concerts, including Mare Nostrum as the largest. (updated Jan 2024)
  • Plaza de Toros: the local bullring.
  • Port - a marina and fishing port, with lots of small restaurants.
  • Roman ruins: visit the ruins left behind by the Roman Empire at the Torreblanca end of Los Boliches.
  • Zoo Bioparc. This is even open during the night in the summer months. It is great for viewing the night animals. 
  • Museo de la Ciudad - Fuengirola (Museum). Seems to be closed, but not sure (updated Jan 2024)

Do

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  • The Mijas Aquapark (located in Las Lagunas, Mijas Costa) 5 minutes walk from Fuengirola center is a nice day out for the kids.
  • Rent pedal boats, jet skis, parascending on the beach.
  • Visit the Roman ruins at the Torreblanca end of Los Boliches
  • Benalmádena port and the aquarium (about 10 km away).
  • Train ride to Málaga.
  • Ferry cruise to Benalmádena [dead link].
  • Feria week in mid-October every year. A mixture of music, flamenco, religion, horses, eating and drinking See the Spanish at play, when they party they do it seriously.
  • Play golf at one of the many courses within easy reach.

Buy

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Most merchants are able to accept Credit Cards, and can use contactless tap. Although tipping is not required, if you want to add a tip to a payment being made with a credit card, you need to tell the merchant before they put the amount into the credit card machine, because there is no option to add the tip in the machine. Even most bank ATMs are able to do contactless (Apple Pay) withdrawals. Most ATMs charge €7 foreign transaction fee.

  • Super Sol and Mercadona close to the train station for your shopping and cheap wine.
  • Dunne's for the luxuries from home for the UK and Irish. Watch out, it's not the cheapest!
  • Venture up to the centre of town from beach front. There is a great selection of shops and the prices are not bad. Zara is a favourite but there are a wide range of other shops at good prices.
  • Parque Miramar (get a taxi, €5 from Marina, or a Nr. 4 bus, €1.00) is a huge shopping centre on the edge of town. If you're looking for a change it's worth a look.
  • El Corte Inglés, a huge department store 10 minutes walk from the centre, just walk Avenida de Mijas to the other side of A7 (Coastal road) underpass.
  • Markets are open most mornings along the Costa. If you are unsure just ask where it is at any shop or from a taxi. For Fuengirola the days and locations are: Tuesdays in the Market square, Saturdays car boot sale in the Market square and Sundays next to the mosque.

Eat

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In addition to the waterfront strip and the block inland, there are a number of good restaurants in the Marina area.

  • 1 Restaurante El Río, C. Manuel Fernández, 1, 29640 Fuengirola, Málaga, Spain, ☏ +34 95 266 4311. The most popular restaurant all year round, booking essential in the Summer Period. Newly opened Tapas Bar next door with food from the same kitchen. Steak on the Stone is the option to go for. Located in a connecting alley behind the Yaramar hotel between the two backstreets towards the Los Boliches Church Square. Beautiful food from a traditional Spanish family run business. (updated Oct 2023)
  • 2 Pizzeria Antonio Pucci (Various Guinness Book records. Claims best authentic Italian pizza in Andalusia), C. Marbella, 16, 29640 Fuengirola, Málaga (Near Constitution Square), ☏ +34 95 133 0598. Closed during siesta. (updated Jan 2024)
  • The Tres Amigos, C/ Martinez Catena no 3. Good for lunch and evening meals at a fair price. The Mexican pizza is excellent and very clean. It is also child-friendly.
  • Ku Damm, German restaurant on the waterfront. Head towards the marina right down to the water. Turn right once you reach the marina, you can't miss it. The hanging Skewers are legendary. Their lunch menu is also good value.
    • Fish Alley is the food quarter of Fuengirola; every possible food type can be got here. Just follow the crowd, on the beach front.
  • The Punjab, C/Hernan Cortes (just up from PYR Hotel). Good for a take away when you want to stay in. The dishes are not as hot as you'd think but they are nice. Only average for sit down meal.
  • Ying Bing, Chinese restaurant on C/de La Crus. Halfway down "Fish Alley" and turn right. Chinese food in general is a little too greasy on the Costa but this place does a good lunch special. Lunch specials are always smaller than the same main meal!
  • Sizzlyns. Pablo de Piccasso. Great varied menu in a quiet typically Spanish square behind the promenade. Excellent Steaks and food for the discerning diner at very reasonable prices. Large portions and clean home cooking. 
  • Casa Gomez, Calle Ollerias, 15 (between "Fish Alley" and Calle Capitán) (just behind the bus station in Fuengirola), ☏ +34 951-311-177. Traditional Spanish breakfast. A three-course Menu del Dia is only about €9.00 and is different every day. 
  • [dead link] Crepes'n Tapas Bar. The only restaurant in Spain which is, at the same time, a genuine French Creperie and a genuine Spanish Tapas Bar. They offer more than 50 savoury crepes, more than 50 sweet crepes, more than 15 salads and dozens of different traditional or creative tapas. They offer special meals for restricted diets (vegetarian, gluten-free, egg-free, non-dairy). 
  • Travellers Pub, 20 Calle Ollerias (1 block behind fish alley and the El Puerto hotel), ☏ +34 952 593 074. 13:00-03:00. Great nachos and burgers. American-style pub food. moderate. 
  • [dead link] Molnar’s Schnitzel Haus, Fuengirola port, Local 23 (on the waterfront (Front line)), ☏ +34 951 504 273, +34 634 024 223. Austrian and Hungarian cuisine, lunch and dinner. Thursdays closed. 
  • [dead link] Picolo, Avenida Jesus Santos Cautivo 7, Los Boliches, ☏ +34 952 58 72 19. Pizza, pasta, barbecue, daily specials, also take-away and home delivery. Opening hours: 12:00 to late every day. 

Groceries

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  • Maskom Supermercados, Av. Condes de San Isidro, 13, 29640 Fuengirola, Málaga, Central location has a great selection of just about everything, including basement for cleaning and pet supplies.
  • Mercadona, C. Córdoba, 35, 29640 Fuengirola, Málaga is a little further from the beach zone, but broader selection.
  • Supercor, Av. Nuestro Padre Jesús Cautivo, 33, 29640 Fuengirola, Málaga, Located at train stop, great selection.

Drink

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The clubs are mostly on the beach front and get going at around midnight. There are some very good bars towards the centre of town if the beach front isn't your scene. Nightlife in Fuengirola is amazing. There are places for both the young crowd as well as the elder. Most of the action is centered around the marina and the seafront promenade so this is a good place to rendezvous with friends for a sundowner.

  • The Claret Jug Bar & Food, close to the Port, in the alley (Fish alley) behind the hotel El Puerto on the sea front. Has a great pool table, good food and sports on TV. Nice and friendly staff.
  • The London Pub. At the beachfront and is one of the best-known bars in town. It's an English style pub with a big outdoor terrace. Inside you can enjoy the latest dance music with the resident DJ. 
  • Nearby is the popular Beetle Bar complete with DJ housed inside a Beetle car!
  • At Hollywood Nights in the port you can dine and be entertained by well-known acts. Or try Moochers Jazz Café and Restaurant in Calle de la Cruz where you can listen to live music and munch your way through giant pancakes with every imaginable filling.
  • Bar Kudos in Los Boliches is open seven nights a week and is a good starting point for gays to glean tips on the best bars, beaches and restaurants. Stuart's gay bar near the port has live cabaret every Friday and karaoke on Saturdays.
  • You'll find nightly karaoke at Zanadu's at Los Boliches and at many of the other bars on and around the seafront. Check the local English language papers and gig guides for details of live entertainment.
  • The big clubs include the Millenium where you get the latest UK house music, the Funk Club Funk for hip-hop and Maxi's Disco, favoured by "oldies" who enjoy rock and roll and 1960s and 70s music. Heaven's Gate Disco is the favoured nightspot of the young and trendy foreign visitors.
  • Pig 'n' Whistle - Calle Ollerias
  • [dead link] Pogs, C/Lamo de Espinosa s/n (Fuengirola), ☏ +34 662 594 111. Irish bar decorated in the style of an old stone cottage but with contemporary interior. Shows all main sports events on several large plasma screens. Live music most evenings from 22:00 'til late and the dance floor sees some action! Great atmosphere for all age groups. (Located just down from entrance to PYR Apartments.) 
  • Juan Antonio, Avnda. Ramon y Cajal #23 (just down from 3 horses roundabout), ☏ +34 952478920. 12:00 till late. Excellent Thai food by a Thai chef. Take-away and free delivery service. Forget fast food, this is fresh, fast and delicious. Great service. €6. 
  • Bar Elements, 125 Paseo Martimo (On seafront next to Hotel Gardinia park). From 17:00. A little bit out of town but some of the best atmosphere and views on the coast. This Spanish bar is a locals bar but welcomes foreigners and is famous for its Mojitos. The bar has a cool crowd between 20 and 35 years old and plays all sorts of music, this is the ideal place to catch up with friends or people watch. 
  • [dead link] Plankstek Restaurante & Pizzeria (Plankstek), Paseo Marítimo Rey de España 86 (Los Boliches), ☏ +34 952 466 928. Restaurant and pizzeria with a comfortably furnished restaurant and a stunning bar. Covered terrace with nice sea views. 
  • Bar Belga, C/Lamo de Espinosa Fuengirola (street level under PYR Apartments). 17:00 - 02:00. Brilliant family-run Belgian bar. Over 100 Belgian beers available, great atmosphere, friendly owners. (updated May 2017)

Cafes

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  • 3 La Corte Italiana, P.º Marítimo Rey de España, 11 (Along Malecon strip), ☏ +34 655868593. Cafe and light food, low prices. Rare non-smoking tables section! Espresso E1.60. (updated Jan 2024)

Sleep

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  • RV camping park, without amenities for 1 Euro per day in the "Castle" Castillo Sohail parking lot.

Go next

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This city travel guide to Fuengirola is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.
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