FUENGIROLA: THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN FUENGIROLA, SPAIN

FUENGIROLA: THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN FUENGIROLA, SPAIN

 THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN FUENGIROLA: Costa Del Sol, Spain, The Mediterranean
THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN FUENGIROLA: Costa Del Sol, Spain, The Mediterranean Sea
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INTRODUCTION: THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN FUENGIROLA

THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN FUENGIROLA: Are you planning a trip to the Mediterranean Coast of Spain? Are you considering Fuengirola but need more information or a recommendation from someone who’s been there? Then you’ve come to the right place. As someone who has lived in the area for over a decade, I’m glad to give you my insight and insider knowledge of this great city on the Costa Del Sol. 

Fuengirola is located on the south coast of Spain, between Marbella and Malaga. This city of 82,000, lies directly on the Mediterranean Sea, has 8km of wide sandy beaches, and is a great tourist destination. The Malaga airport is only 25km away, there is a train station right in town, and it has a highly developed tourist infrastructure geared towards accommodating millions of visitors every year. For good reasons, it is one of the main tourist destinations on the Costa del Sol.

(To find out more about this area, see our related posts: Costa Del Sol, Guide to the Coast of Spain, Guide to the Mediterranean Coast)

What are THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN FUENGIROLA?

Until recently, this city was just a small fishing village, tracing its origins all the way back to pre-Roman times as a Phoenician settlement.  Like many towns and cities in this region, the town changed hands many times and has evidence of Phoenician, Carthaginian, Roman, and Moorish occupation. 

THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN FUENGIROLA: Spain

Castillo de Sohail (Fuengirola Castle)

On the west end of Fuengirola stands the Castillo de Sohail which was built in the 11th century during the Moorish occupation. It sits on a hill directly overlooking the Mediterranean. The castle was then taken over by Christian forces in 1485. Through the years it has gone through some modifications and restorations resulting in the castle that we see today.

 THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN FUENGIROLA: Castillo de Sohail
THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN FUENGIROLA: Visit Castillo de Sohail, Costa Del Sol, Spain

BioParc Fuengirola

For a great family outing, a great choice is the BioParck (zoo) in Fuengirola which houses various animal species from Galapagos tortoises to Komodo dragons.

Finca Del Secretario (Roman Ruins)

Right in the city of Fuengirola, you can find some Roman ruins, the “Finca Del Secretario”. These ruins were uncovered in 1987 and include a salting factory, a pottery studio, and a bathhouse.

 THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN FUENGIROLA: Promenade
THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN FUENGIROLA: Promenade, Costa Del Sol, Spain

Beaches

Fuengirola has about 8km of wide sandy beaches, with a beautiful promenade lined with palm trees, beach bars, and restaurants.

Los Boliches Beach
Carvajal Beach
Playa de Fuengirola
Torreblanca Beach
Playa de Santa Amalia
Playa del Ejido
Playa del Castillo Sohail
Playa de las Gaviotas
Playa de San Francisco
Playa de la Campana

 THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN FUENGIROLA: Water Sports
THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN FUENGIROLA: Water Sports, Costa Del Sol, The Mediterranean

Water Sports

With a stretch of approximately 7km of sand beach and clear calm waters, this is an excellent place to practice your favorite water sport or activity. If you don’t have equipment, don’t worry as you can rent most equipment at some of the local shops along the beach and at the marina. This is a great place for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, kayaking, windsurfing, kite surfing, parasailing, jet skiing, and sailing. If it can be done on water, it can be done here.

Aquamijas: Family Water Slide Park

Aquamijas is a great water slide park for the whole family right in the middle of Fuengirola. It offers a lot of great slides and activities for all ages. (Open from April to September).

Boat tours / Dolphin Watching

There are several boat tours that are available to take you up or down the Mediterranean coast on excursions ranging from less than an hour to the whole day. This is an excellent way to see the coast and maybe even do some dolphin watching. Check with the local tour operators (for example Fuengirola Sea Trips) located at the marina for departure times and prices. 

THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN FUENGIROLA: Dolphin, Costa Del Sol, Spain, The Mediterranean
THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN FUENGIROLA: Dolphin, Costa Del Sol, Spain, The Mediterranean

Fuengirola’s Culinary Scene

When visiting Fuengirola make sure you try these Andalusian favorites:

Seafood- Espetos

Being on the coast, you will find that fresh seafood (caught daily)features quite high on most menus. One of the local delicacies to try out is Espetos which is skewered sardines cooked over a beach fire.

Andanlusian Delicacies
Andanlusian Delicacies
Tapas

One of the traditions in this area is to go on a tapas tour or “Ir de Tapas” which involves visiting several bars and restaurants and sampling different foods and drinks. 

Gazpacho

Gazpacho which is a cold soup made of tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, onions, garlic, bread, olive oil, wine vinegar, and salt. This is a standard meal in this region, in particular during the hot summers.

Day Trips

Marbella

Located only 25km away is Marbella with a population of about 104,000. Marbella is a great day trip destination as it offers a wide range of high-end designer shops and boutiques for shopping, you can stroll through Puerto Banus and admire some of the luxury yachts, or head into the city in the evening to enjoy the nightlife.

Marbella
Marbella
Malaga

The Capital of the Costa Del Sol lies only 20km west of Fuengirola. If you are looking for a big city experience on the Mediterranean coast then a trip to Malaga is definitely worth it. With several historical sites right in the “Old Town”, a bustling shopping district, and lively nightlife, Malaga is a great day trip destination. (see related post on Malaga to find out more)

Ronda

A great day trip option is to visit the town of Ronda which is home to its iconic bridge, “Puente Nuevo” or new bridge, built back in the 18th century over the El Tajo Gorge. Another main attraction is the old town of Ronda, which is a maze of cobble-stoned streets and white-washed houses. Take the time to walk around and explore this town and make sure to try one of the locally produced wines.

Ronda
Ronda
Gibraltar

A piece of England right in Spain. Gibraltar, with its iconic “Rock of Gibraltar, is an excellent day trip option and is only about 80km away. It has a rich military history, an incredible natural park (with monkeys, come on!), an English-speaking community and market, and on a clear day a view of Northern Africa.

Gibraltar
Gibraltar

Best Time to Visit and Travel Tips

Peak Tourist Season

July and August are the peak travel months in Fuengirola when most regions of Europe have their school breaks. This of course is when the weather is at its hottest and when the Fuengirola is at its busiest. The end result is that millions of Europeans end up heading to the coast all at the same time so make sure to plan ahead.

Tip: If you are looking for a less hectic experience, you might want to consider traveling in May/June or in Sept/October. The weather is still exceptionally nice and you can escape the large crowds.  

Transportation options

Flying

The Malaga airport is only 25km away making Fuengirola a convenient place to travel since it’s only a short taxi ride away from the airport. 

Driving

You can reach Fuengirola by using the AP-7 and the A-7 highway.

Train

There is a train station right in Fuengirola.

Accommodations

The main industry in Fuengirola is tourism so there is no shortage of hotel accommodations in the area. However, as mentioned above, summer is the busiest time in the area so I recommend that you book well in advance. Your best bet is to check online for available places and book as soon as you can. Check out the link below for places available right now.

FINAL THOUGHTS: THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN FUENGIROLA

If you are looking for a great holiday destination on the Spanish coast, then Fuengirola is an excellent choice. This city on the Costa Del Sol offers a great combination of natural beauty,  scenic landscape, and vibrant culture, making it an ideal destination for travelers seeking an unforgettable Mediterranean experience. Located directly on the sea, with beautiful sand beaches, perfect weather, and a large variety of entertainment and activity options to choose from, Fuengirola is an ideal beach vacation destination for the whole family.

“Don’t Just Dream It! Do it!”

How about experiencing the Mediterranean firsthand? Use the map below to inspire you and plan your next Mediterranean vacation right now!

Reg Auge

Reg holds an MBA, is a former Captain in the Canadian military and has worked as a consultant in industry for over 20 years. From his home in Spain, he has spent the last 10 years traveling throughout the Mediterranean, exploring the various countries and regions. He also regularly runs, windsurfs, and kite surfs, maintaining a healthy and active way of life. Captivated by this Mediterranean lifestyle, he began a Blog last year to inspire like-minded souls to learn about and discover this unique region for themselves.

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