The AreaThe BeachesFuengirola is famous for its seven kilometre (5 mile) stretch of sandy beach. The promenade is officially called Paseo Maritimo Rey de España. Promenade in Spanish is paseo maritimo, pronounced "pasayo mareeteemo". The beach stretches from the quiet Carvajal area past Los Boliches, to the bustling center of Fuengirola all the way to the Sohail Castle. All along the beach and the sea front, you will find every kind of water sport and seaside amenity to keep the whole family happy the year round, pedal boats, jet skis, parascending on the beach. Climbing frames for the kids. There are excellent 'chiringuitos' (beach bars/restaurants), where fresh fish and seafood are usually the star of the menu, even though most places also cater to the first time visitor to Spain who prefers plainer fare, such as chicken and chips. In either case, the food is generally excellent and reasonably priced. |
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Castillo Sohail One of the most beautiful settings for summer is the Castle of Sohail, Fuengirola. High on the hill, looking down across the sea, this wonderful open air venue is the perfect place to enjoy the best of Spanish dance and music. There are many concerts and other events on throughout July and August each year and the best thing is to pick up a programme of what’s on at the castle from the Fuengirola Casa de Cultura. Avenida Juan Gomez (Tel: 95 246 07 50). |
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Fuengirola Zoo You won't find miserable animals pacing up and down shoebox cages, clinging to solitary branches or paddling around in sad puddles at Fuengirola's new, visitor and animal-friendly zoo. Instead, as you wander through this simulated tropical forest, lush with vegetation, rivers and waterfalls, you'll see crocodiles basking on the sandy shores of the Nile, Sumatra tigers bathing besides Angkor Wat, lemurs playing around an ancient Baobab tree and, if you're brave, bats flitting around abandoned mines. There is a "Claro de Selva", where you can see birds and mammals living in their own natural habitat. Two tours made daily - mornings and afternoons. Perhaps the greatest innovation, though, is the "moonlight visit". Throughout July and August the zoo stays open until 1.00 am allowing visitors to observe the more nocturnally-active species, such as leopards, flying foxes and porcupines. The forest paths are lit with artificial moonlight and the air filled with a piped forest soundtrack, all adding to the Disney-theme park feel to the place. Finally, you can round off your twilight or midnight jungle trip by enjoying a meal in one of the zoo's themed restaurants.Prices: Adults 14.90 euros, Children from 3 to 9: 10.20 euros, Pensioners: 10.20 euros. Tickets available at the zoo box office, hotels, travel agencies, and the Portillo bus terminals.Located at: Calle Camilo José Cela 6, 29640 Fuengirola, Malaga Province Tel: 952 666 301 |
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Mijas Pueblo One of the jewels of the Costa del Sol is the beautiful little village of Mijas, which nestles comfortably in the mountainside at 428 meters above sea level. When you wander through the narrow cobbled streets of this Andalucian village, you can understand what has attracted foreigners to settle here over the years. The craft shops have some wonderful hand made pottery and often affordable paintings and prints by acclaimed local artists. Every Wednesday - Weekly Flamenco Shows organised by the town hall at midday in the main square in Mijas village. The entertainers are the municipal dance group and spectators are offered a free glass of Malaga wine, courtesy of the Mijas Tourist Office. From Fuengirola there is a regular bus service to Mijas (every half hour approx) from the Portillo bus station in Fuengirola centre. The Mijas Village Tourist Office, (Plaza Virgen de la Peña) Tel: + (00 34) 952 58 90 34 |
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Fuengirola Port Fuengirola port is a hive of activity all year round and it offers a full range of facilities to the public. Popular options are the trip in the glass bottom boat, giving you full view of the interesting sea life from the safety of the leisure boat. It is also a very popular area for outdoor café culture and has excellent terrace restaurants incorporating bars offering an interesting night life. The Fuengirola/ Benalmadena boat trip or ferry departs four times a day every day from the respective marinas. A pleasent 40-50 minute trip with great a view of the coastline. |
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Mijas Costa Aqua park (located in Las Lagunas, Mijas Costa) just 5 minutes walk from Fuengirola center is a nice day out for the kids. Cool off in the wonderful blue waters of the numerous pools and enjoy the thrills and spills of the heart stopping kamikaze slides. www.aquamijas.com |
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A train ride to Málaga– Local Renfe train service runs every 30 mins from Fuengirola to Malaga (check times at Los Boliches as they change each season). The journey to Malaga takes approx 40 mins, and will bring you to the newly refurbished central Train Station called Maria Zambrano. It is easy to understand why Malaga City is dubbed the Capital of the Costa del Sol. Whereas it was once considered to be the poor cousin of Andalusia’s capital city, Seville, it now competes successfully for attention. Since the opening of the already well acclaimed Picasso Museum in 2003, cultural tourists have been flocking to this and the now beautifully refurbished birthplace of the great artist, all in the heart of the historic centre of the city. As well as homage to the great Picasso, other great historic monuments include the imposing Baroque Cathedral, popularly known as ‘La Manquita’ (One Armed Woman), referring to its rather lopsided appearance due to the missing east bell tower. Malaga centre is not only the perfect place to explore the many historical monuments, atmospheric little streets and squares with delightful café culture, but it is also a wonderful shopping centre. The main street to head for runs perpendicular to the stunning tree lined avenue, the Alameda, and starts at the Plaza Marina, near the port. Calle Marqués de Larios (often simply referred to as ‘Larios’) was made pedestrian in 2002 as part of the overall improvements being made to Malaga centre. The result is a busy chic area with many boutiques, designer shops and classy cafes, all surrounded by beautifully restored buildings. At the top of Larios is the main square, Plaza de la Constitución, which is centre of attention throughout the year when cultural, traditional and religious events are being celebrated. It is especially pretty in December, when a huge Christmas tree and decorations are the focal point. During Semana Santa (Easter Holy Week), Malaga is taken over by incredible religion processions and the square is decked out with tiers of seats for spectators. Notably during this very important week of religious celebration, Antonio Banderas often continues to take part as he has done since he was a young boy. Off Calle Larios, in the melee of tiny streets and interesting tapa bars, restaurants and even teterías (Moorish tearooms) you will find other interesting shops and also the bustling main fresh food market, Mercado Central de Atarazanas. | ||
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A great way to get a good overall impression of Malaga is to hop on the Official Malaga Tour Bus. The whole tour takes under one and a half hours and is well worth it at around 15 euros per adult. The Tour Bus ticket not only allows the enjoyment of taking in all the sights of the city, but it also offers a free voucher for bust transport to the beautiful botanical gardens on the outskirts of Malaga, Jardines de la Concepcion, on the main road to Antequera.
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Tivoli World Benalmadena - An amusement park surrounded by beautiful fountains and gardens, where you'll enjoy most classical rides together with modern ingenious last generation rides. Each family member will experience their own adventure. www.tivolicostadelsol.com Cable Car Telecabina (opposite Tivoli World). - The Telecabina takes you on an amazing 15-minute journey in a four-person cable car right up to the highest point on the Málaga coast at an altitude of almost 800m above sea level. From this superb vantage point, you have the most magnificent views of the Costa del Sol and beyond. At the summit, you can take a donkey ride through the beautiful natural surroundings. As well as a donkey ride, included in the price you can also see an exhibition of fine Spanish dressage horses. At the Falconry Centre you can see a demonstration on how the birds of prey live alongside humans and watch the speed and feeding habits of a peregrine falcon or the majestic flight of the eagle. |
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El Rio Restaurant (Los Boliches)
Very popular restaurant serving Spanish style menu, fantastic friendly service with a good selection of food to suit all tastes Menu of the day 11 euros.
El Patio (Los Boliches)
Next door to El Paso restaurant, Spanish restaurant serving Tapas and full menu. Seafood a speciality, popular with the Spanish so that tells you something! Good friendly service.
Calle Francisco Cano 39 (Los Boliches)
El Paso (Los Boliches)
Here we have a premier Mexican restaurant where you can order from a wide selection of Mexican beers and tequilas or head into either of two dining rooms for such popular specialities as chimichangas, tortillas, burritos, frijoles, fajitas and guacamole. Any of the barbecued meats make a savoury main course. Great atmosphere.
Calle Francisco Cano 39 (Los Boliches) Tel: 95 247 50 94
Vegetalia (Los Boliches)
This is a very friendly vegetarian non-smoking restaurant, with an excellent and very varied menu. Opens for lunch and dinner. Closed on Sunday and Monday and also closed for vacation in July and August. Affordable prices. Very good value for money in very pleasant surroundings.
Calle Isabel 8
Los Boliches (off Avenida Santos Rein)
Tel 952 586 031
Meson Jerez (Los Boliches)
This small intimate English run restaurant is a little treasure. Here you can relax knowing that you will be well looked after. It is situated in Calle Manolo Fernandez which is just off the church square in Los Boliches.
Cosquin Argentian Steakhouse (Los Boliches)
A lovely warm and friendly welcome from the owners, great genuine Argentinean barbecued steaks, other choices available on the menu situated in Los Boliches.
Great Wall (Los Boliches)
There are many good Chinese restaurants in and around the Los Boliches area, but for service and hospitality you cannot beat the Great Wall. The menu of the day is great value for around 5 - 6 euros. The Great Wall is on the front line close to Rafael Square and Confortel Hotel.
Restaurante La Langosta (Los Boliches)
This is a very well established restaurant of some 30 years standing. It has a very good reputation and most clients come back time after time. Well known for dishes such as ‘Mussels in cream sauce’ and ‘Lobster Thermador’, it is a wonderful place to sample Andalucian cuisine at its best. Wonderful seafood and fish.
Calle Francisco Cano1
Los Boliches
29640 Fuengirola
Tel: 952 475 049
Café Fresco (one in Fuengirola Centre – one in Los Boliches)
For wonderful organic snacks and meals, this centrally located café is a perfect place to meet friends for a cappuccino or a caffe latte. They have just about the best choice of imaginative salads on the coast. From a sesame seed bagel to a Thai chicken salad wrap or a mini baguette with chicken and pesto, the menu is as mouth-watering as it is extensive. They also do a different fresh juices and a soup of the day, as well as dangerously delicious home-made carrot cake. Fresco is a very popular place for breakfast and lunch. It is a particularly friendly café, with an English owner and staff. They use home-grown organic produce and sell some products of their home grown produce, such as homemade mustard, jams and marmalades. At certain times of year, you can even buy growing potted herbs and tomatoes.
Café Fresco - In Fuengirola Centre
Las Rampas
Tel: 635 836 791
(Just by the main door to Dunne’s Stores)
Café Fresco - In Los Boliches
Avenida Los Boliches 71
Tel: 687 156 277
Opening hours:
Monday to Saturday: all day until around 16:00.
Closed Sundays
Restaurante Pueblo Lopez (Fuengirola Centre)
This is one of Fuengirola’s best kept secrets. It is in the Pueblo Lopez neighbourhood, less than five minutes walk from the train station and the town centre and yet it is tucked away in a tiny, tranquil cobbled square. It is owned and run by a Dutch/Swedish family, who have built up an excellent reputation over more than 20 years and many of the clientele have been customers since it first opened. Choose from a la carte or the menu of the day, but the grilled salmon comes very highly recommended. The prices are very reasonable for superb food - excellent value for money and definitely one of the nicest settings in Fuengirola. Dine outside on the cobbled courtyard in the warm evenings.
Tip: Well worth dining here during the week of the Fuengirola Feria (6 – 12 October) as they decorate the square for the feria and they follow the tradition of inviting the horses into the square to drink from the fountain, while the riders – in full flamenco regalia – come in and have a drink at the bar.
Opening hours:
Evenings only, from 19:00 Closed on Sunday
Closes for vacation mid December to end of January
Restaurante Pueblo Lopez
Calle Mijas 9
Pueblo Lopez
29640 Fuengirola
Tel: 952 471 929
El Tostón (Fuengirola Centre)
A centrally-situated Spanish bodega for good Spanish wine and dishes such as good Serrano ham and other typical tapas and dishes. Very popular with office groups at Christmas and during the Fuengirola Fair (6 – 12 October).
San Pancracio / Alfonso III
(Behind the bus station)
Tel: 952 475 632