This lively metropolis on the central coast of Malaga is bursting with character - and it beckons you to experience it.
With a pleasant Mediterranean climate, more than 8 kilometers (4.97 miles) of Blue Flag beaches and a bustling nightlife, Fuengirola has proven itself an important player in the Costa del Sol tourism industry. Aside from a vivacious seaside, the town also has a number of historical sites and medieval architecture dating back to its days as a Roman municipality and Moorish settlement. Since the 17th-century, this former fishing village has been welcoming travelers and seafarers to its shores.
Fuengirola started to make its name as a major tourist destination in the 1960s, and since then it has been undergoing a lot of renovations and modernizations. Today, the town has around 72,000 inhabitants with around 25% coming from other countries. With a welcoming nature and lively character, it is no surprise that this slice of paradise will make you want to stay.
Read on to find out about the top 10 things to do in Fuengirola, Spain.
1. Experience some action at the Costa Water Park
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Kids don’t have to be the only ones to enjoy inflatables.
Costa Water Park is located in five different locations on the Costa del Sol, three of which are in Fuengirola. The inflatable park consists of a variety of attractions such as trampolines, jumping cushions, climbing walls, and water slides. It is located around 70 meters (230 feet) from shore, so it is important to make sure that children in the park are capable enough swimmers. Some areas also require a floating donut to get to, and these can be rented on-site. The water park also employs the highest safety standards, and there are professional life guards supervising the area.
Costa Water Park
Address: West of the Los Boliches port and Carvajal beach, Fuengirola, Malaga, Spain
Opening hours: 11 am to 7 pm (May, June and September), 11 am to 8 pm (July and August)
Admission fee: 11.36 USD (10 EUR) per hour. 28.40 USD (25 EUR) for a day pass. There are kiosks and shops selling discount coupons. Tickets are sold on-site
Contact: info@costawaterpark.com
Website: Costa Water Park
2. Visit wildlife at Bioparc Fuengirola
Housing animals such as the Sumatra Tiger and Komodo Dragon, this unique zoo also serves as a breeding center for endangered species.
The zoo is divided into four parts: Madagascar, Equatorial Africa, Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific. These areas represent the animals’ original habitats which were reconstructed to be as natural as possible.
The most unique aspect of the zoo is probably their night hours. Until midnight, visitors can view nocturnal animals like flying foxes, leopards, and porcupines. Visitors can walk through a forest path with a soothing soundtrack under the artificial yet still magical moonlight. There are also themed restaurants within the park and children can play in a designated play area.
Bioparc Fuengirola
Address: Avda. Camilo José Cela, Fuengirola, Málaga, Spain
Opening hours: 10 am to 12 midnight (July and August), 10 am to 6 pm (October 28 to March), 10 am to 9 pm (September, May, June)
Admission fee: Adult - 22.09 USD (19.50 EUR), Children - 14.92 USD (13.15 EUR), Seniors - 16.45 USD (14.50 EUR)
Contact: +34 952666301, +34 952586892 (fax)
Website: Bioparc Fuengirola
3. Spot dolphins, whales, and more (from USD 79.0)
Costa del Sol has majestic creatures to go with its pure, calm waters. Here you get to see some of the friendliest creatures on earth: dolphins.
There are various dolphin-watching services in Fuengirola, one of which is the Alboran Explorer cruise. The cruise also has a bar, seating, and shade so visitors get to wait for dolphins in comfort. The trip lasts for 1.5 hours, and sometimes a whale might even pop up. Visitors can also opt to take a swim before going back to port. If there weren’t any dolphins spotted, the cruise offers another trip for half the price.
There is also another dolphin-watching tour that offers an air-conditioned motor coach and lets visitors take a walk around the nearby Gibraltar.
Alboran Explorer Dolphin Cruise
Address: Puerto de Fuengirola, Fuengirola, Malaga, Spain
Hours: Visitors can choose from 11 am, 1 pm, 3 pm and 5 pm depending on the season
Price: Adults - 17 USD (15 EUR), 9.07 USD (8 EUR)
Contact: +34 635879598, +34 615378668, info@alboranexplorer.com
Website: Alboran Explorer
Gibraltar Dolphins Full Day Trip from Costa del Sol
Address: Hotel El Puerto, Paseo Marítimo, Fuengirola, Malaga, Spain
Hours: From 8:15 am
Price: From 56.07 USD (49.36 EUR)
Contact: +1 7026485873
Book now:
Gibraltar and Dolphins Cruise Day Trip from Costa del Sol
Duration: 11 hours
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4. Explore Fuengirola's street markets
Known as the biggest street market in Andalusia, the Fuengirola Saturday Market at the Recinto Ferial (Fair Ground) is one big attraction in itself. Visitors can bargain-hunt all morning through the stalls that sell everything from fresh produce to flamenco dresses. On the first week of October, check out the Feria del Rosario where residents don their wacky costumes and take part in a big revelry.
Another street market to check out is the quirky Medieval Market at the equally medieval Sohail Castle. The market lasts all night and visitors get the full medieval experience with archery, workshops, crafts, fortune-tellers and more. Visitors can stroll through more than 80 stalls that sell food and other items. It is open every August and lasts for four days.
For the foodies, La Galeria has an indoor gourmet market with food stalls as well as cafes and bars. Food trucks are also usually seen along with the town’s street markets.
Recinto Ferial Street Market
Address: Calle Recinto Ferial, Fuengirola, Málaga, Spain
Opening hours: 9 am to 2 pm
Admission fee: None
Medieval Market
Address: Calle Mijas, Fuengirola, Málaga, Spain
Opening hours: 6 pm to 2 am, second to third week of August
Admission fee: None
La Galeria Gastromercado
Address: Calle España 5 and Calle Miguel de Cervantes 8-10., Fuengirola, Málaga, Spain
Opening hours: 12 pm to 1 am (Sunday to Thursday), 12 pm to 2 am (Friday and Saturday)
Admission fee: None
Contact: +34 646203525, +34 952026588
Website: Mercado La Galeria, Mercado La Galeria Facebook Page
5. Catch a glimpse of history at the Sohail Castle
Dating back to before the Roman occupation, this centuries-old fortress stands as a monument to Fuengirola’s turbulent history. While it may be quite a steep walk to the castle, the views from within and outside the castle are simply breathtaking.
The iconic citadel was built on AD 956 by Abd-ar-Rahman III to defend against invaders and pirates. It is clearly visible on the bend of a coastal highway and is located around 8.04 kilometers (5 miles) from the beach. Inside, there is a small museum which showcases important events on the castle’s history.
Sohail has an empty bailey which serves as an auditorium for concerts and theater performances during the summer. In August, it becomes the venue for a four-night medieval market.
Sohail Castle
Address: Calle Mijas, Fuengirola, Málaga, Spain
Opening hours: 10 AM to 2 PM, Tuesday to Sunday
Admission fee: None
Contact: +34 952-58-93-00, +34 952-46-51-00 (fax)
6. Check out the Finca del Secretario ruins
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Discovered in the 1970s, the ruins of this Roman enclave includes thermal baths (where some mosaics can still be seen), a salting factory, and some pottery. There is also a reconstruction of the ruins nearby where visitors can see clearly what the complex might have looked like before.
In the vicinity is the El Jazzy Bar which provides a nice viewpoint for the ruins.
Yacimiento Arqueologico Romano
Address: Avda. Nuestro Padre Jesús Cautivo, Fuengirola, Málaga, Spain
Opening hours: 10 am to 7 pm
Admission fee: None
Contact: +34 952113127
El Jazzy Bar
Address: Av. Padre Jesus Cautivo 49. Fuengirola. Malaga, Spain
Opening hours: 9 am to 11 pm (Tuesday to Thursday), 9 am to 12 midnight (Friday and Saturday)
Contact: +34 670504709
Website: El Jazzy Bar, El Jazzy Bar Facebook Page
7. Relax the day away in one of the beaches
With beaches that stretch for miles, three of which with Blue Flag status, it’s not hard to see why Fuengirola is the ultimate summer destination. Aside from fun on dry land, there are a lot of water activities you can do such as waterskiing and sailing. Services like Smile High Parasailing assist visitors in getting the most out of their trip to the playa.
The Los Boliches and Las Gaviotas beaches are among the busiest beaches in town. If you’re the type who likes to be at the center of activity, then these are the places to be. Quieter beaches include the Torreblanca (located near the border with Benalmadena) and Playa El Ejido or Castillo (near the Sohail Castle).
Smile High Parasailing
Address: Local 52, Puerto Deportivo, Fuengirola Port, Malaga, Spain
Opening hours: 10 am to 8 pm
Contact: +34 952581861, +34 630131234, info@fuengirolaparasailing.com
Website: Smile High Parasailing
8. Witness different sights and sounds at the Paseo Maritimo
Stretching for around 10 kilometers (6.21 miles) throughout the Fuengirola beaches, this wide promenade is perfect for a casual stroll for spontaneous wanderers. It is also the ultimate foodie destination for it passes through a great number of cafes, restaurants and bars.
Walk around and you’ll see vacationers going about their business, rollerbladers and cyclists, sand artists and sidewalk painters. Put on your headphones, take a picture, and uncover the magic of daily life.
Paseo Maritimo
Address: Paseo Maritimo, Fuengirola, Malaga, Spain
Opening hours: All day
Admission fee: None
9. Hang out at Pueblo Lopez
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Despite its traditional Andalusian facade, Pueblo Lopez is a residential area built in the 1960s by a deviant English architect. To stand out from the high rise buildings that keep popping up around town, the pueblo was constructed with cobblestone streets, whitewashed houses, and patios. It is also quite a cosmopolitan area and people can sometimes be seen playing Fuengirola’s popular pastime: cards.
While you’re there, check out pueblo’s hidden gem: the family-run Restaurante Pueblo Lopez that locals recommend.
Restaurante Pueblo Lopez
Address: Calle Mijas, Fuengirola, Málaga, Spain
Opening hours: 6 pm to 11 pm
Contact: +34 952471929
10. Shop and watch the world go by at Plaza de la Constitucion
Fuengirola is also a haven for shoppers and fashionistas. Plaza de la Constitucion, also known as the main square, is abundant with designer boutiques and small shops to suit every taste. It has a pleasant traditional Spanish vibe with fragrant flowers and the minimalist Virgen del Rosario church adding beauty to the plaza. Aside from stores, there are also restaurants, cafes and bars in the vicinity for a quick bite after a shopping trip.
Plaza de la Constitucion
Address: Plaza de la Constitucion, Fuengirola, Malaga, Spain
Opening hours: All day
Admission fee: None
From small fishing village to trendy seaside metropolis
Fuengirola has a lot to offer aside from beaches and nightlife. From its natural and man-made wonders to daily local life, there will always be something charming around the corner.
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