Introduction to Fuengirola, Costa del Sol

Whether you are looking for an investment property for holiday rentals, a beachside getaway, a hillside retreat or an apartment in the middle of the action, Fuengirola has something to suit every buyer.

Fuengirola is a bustling and cosmopolitan coastal town, just a short drive from Malaga airport. There are more than 8 km of beautiful sandy beaches, a picturesque promenade and wide, tree-lined pedestrian-friendly streets leading to the beautiful Constitution Square where Spaniards and foreign residents alike can chat over a coffee or a cold beer in the shade

Like many towns along the coast, Fuengirola has seen Phoenician, Roman and Moorish invaders and there are remnants of its ancient past dotted around the town. The most recognisable of them is the Moorish Castle Sohail, easily visible high on a hill above the town at the mouth of the River Fuengirola. Originally built in the 10th Century, its latest reincarnation was completed in 2000, and it now plays host to a varied cultural programme of open-air festivals and concerts throughout the summer months.

Fuengirola is a a major centre that’s popular with both tourists and foreign residents. It’s the central point for a huge range of services and amenities and is within easy reach of many more in the nearby city of Malaga.

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.

Affordable and lively, easily accessible, bathed in beautiful sunshine for pretty much ten months of the year, Fuengirola's offers so much for holiday makers and homeowners.

The train is a fantastic way to see the area around Fuengirola. With a train running to Málaga every hour, it's highly efficient and cost-effective means of travel.

Fuengirola Living

In Fuengirola, there's a lot on offer, particularly for younger members of the family.

For a lovely day out visit the famous Fuengirola Zoo. It is very animal friendly, quite small and therefore perfect for the little ones. The zoo is focused on endangered and exotic animals. One can also enjoy the moonlight area where you can watch the nocturnal activities of the animals, such as bats or leopards.

Mijas Aquapark is another such attraction that combines a great price with a great day out for all the family. Open from early June until late September, try to avoid the weekends at the height of summer and you're golden – the park has plenty of slides, pools, Jacuzzis and bathing and shaded areas to ensure all ages have a fun-packed time.

Fuengirola boasts 8 kms of sandy beach lined with one of the longest promenades on the Costa del Sol. Well serviced with bars and restaurants, sunbeds and fun activities, it is the perfect location for a family summer holiday. All of Fuengirola's beaches have been awarded European Blue Flags for cleanliness. The 3 main beaches are Las Gaviotas, Santa Amalia and Torreblanca-Carvajal, all of which are very popular. If you find them packed with visitors during the summer months you can always head to Los Boliches beach which is more popular with the locals.

Fuengirola is filled with little boutiques, shopping centres and designer shops. The Miramar shopping centre is very popular with many high street shops like Benetton, Pull & Bear, Zara, etc. Every Tuesday, Fuengirola organises the biggest and busiest street market and on Saturdays there is a big boot sale where you can buy anything from a new pet to valuable antiques.

For a more traditional slice of the town, Fuengirola's Los Boliches area, built around the old fishing port, offers a more relaxed atmosphere augmented by the narrow streets, authentic bodegas and quaint cottages. For the expat, Fuengirola has it all, including British vets, a large El Corte Inglés department store, plenty of pubs and bars, and even a Specsavers! In May, Fuengirola hosts its famous Feria Internacional de los Pueblos, where the town celebrates much more than just its Spanish culture; it actively invites nations from all over the world to promote their own nations, making for a great day out for all.

There's no central hub of nightlife activity in Fuengirola. Instead, the resort's organic growth has created a steady offering of late night venues, spread throughout the town. While the cafés, bars and eateries along the promenade are always busy during the summer months, their combined efforts do not quite constitute a 'strip' of bars and clubs to match those found in Puerto Banús or Benalmádena. Instead, Fuengirola is more like Marbella in the sense that there is plenty of choice, spread out.

Aside from the clubs and pubs, a night out in Fuengirola could constitute a moonlit stroll around the grounds of the castle; a movie at the Miramar Cinema (which shows one, sometimes two, English language films a week); a lazy tapas meal at one of the many superb tapas restaurants; or a few glasses of wine on the bustling Constitution Square.

There's also the local ferias, which take place in April and October.