Fuengirola Holiday Guide

Fly to Malaga, and Fuengirola is just 15 miles along the coast from there.

The local train station gives easy access to nearby resorts like Torreblanca, Arroyo de la Miel and Torremolinos, while Fuengirola bus station serves local and longer distance spots on the Costa del Sol. Taxis are affordable and readily available - as is car hire.

Fuengirola's coastline includes Las Gaviotas, a wide sandy area with two beaches, whilst the beaches of Santa Amalia and El Castillo make up Fuengirola's longest stretch for sun worshippers.

In between Benalmadena and Fuengirola sits Torreblanca, with all the beach facilities you could wish for on holiday.

Look for the ancient Castle of Sohail, perched high on the hill, on the mouth of the Fuengirola River.
The holiday resort has one of the best marinas in the Med. The Yacht Club attracts some of the best sailing instructors in Europe and you can check out activities like surfing, windsurfing, water skiing, deep sea fishing, even dolphin-watching trips - the Bay and Straits of Gibraltar are known for their large population of whales and dolphins.

Annual fiestas in Fuengirola include the feast of the Virgin del Carmen in July when local fisherman carry an effigy of the Virgin out to sea. In October, the colourful feria brings the town to life.
You're well located for any number of day-trip adventures in Andalucia - be it the village of Ronda, spectacularly perched above a deep gorge, glitzy Marbella and Puerto Banus, or the cultured city of Malaga.
Or have a look at the typical Andalucian 'white village' of Mijas, and some of the smaller ones clinging to hillsides, such as Carratraca, famous for natural sulphur spas or Sedella, with its strong Moorish influences.
Alternatively, take the hire car for a run up to ancient Granada and the staggeringly beautiful Moorish palace, the Alhambra.

Stroll along the 'paseo maritimo' the town's lengthy promenade and take your pick from any number of international menus, familiar Brit fare, or try one of the myriad of delicious seafood restaurants, or tapas bars.

For something a bit different, try Moochers Jazz Cafe & Restaurant, with live music and giant pancakes, or catch the view from Valparaiso whilst feasting on Italian food. At Los Boliches, try La Langosta, great grub served in a stylish two-story art deco dining room.

Fuengirola isn't short on a pub or two from the London Pub, through to Linekar's Bar which claims to be the largest bar in Fuengirola and shows all the major sporting events on giant TV screens.

Noisy but not too rowdy, Fuengirola is a family-friendly place and most hotels will ensure a fairly steady flow of kiddie disco, karaoke, bingo and live performances for their loyal Brit crowd. The kids will love a "moonlight visit" to the zoo - throughout July and August it stays open until 12am so you can observe nocturnally-active species, from leopards to porcupines.

If you fancy a flutter, head to the Costa del Sol Racecourse.

This holiday resort's many shops have all the holiday supplies you could need and on Tuesdays, Fuengirola hosts the largest and liveliest street market around. There are also big-brands in slick malls such as Miramar, tucked up away from the main action.

Head to the boutiques of Marbella and Puerto Banus for plenty of big-label, credit card bashing opportunities. You might even want to consider a duty-free dash down to Gibraltar.

Parque Acuatico Mijas, (Mijas' water park) is one of the best on the Costa del Sol and it's right near Fuengirola.

With around 300 rides and attractions, one of the best places to take the kids is Tivoli World, in Arroyo de la Miel, Benalmadena. Also check out Benalmadena's Sea Life Centre.

Fuengirola's zoo specializes in captive breeding for endangered species, chimpanzee-group research and tropical-forest education.