Fuengirola is an extremely popular beach destination among Finns, and it has its own reputation, which some love and others hate. We headed here with an open mind to explore what the place is really like, and it turned out that Fuengirola pleasantly surprised us.
Located in a very convenient spot, Fuengirola is easily accessible from Malaga Airport, for example, by train, which also provides access to other coastal towns all the way to Malaga. There are also other interesting destinations within a short distance, such as the Sierra Nevada National Park or other mountainous areas and Gibraltar.
Initially, we planned to stay only a few nights in Fuengirola, but ended up staying for 2 weeks.
Hotel in Fuengirola
We stayed at Fuengirola Beach Aparthotel, which was really nice in every way. The apartments were spacious, clean, and had their own kitchenettes and spacious balconies.
The hotel’s pool area was very pleasant, with plenty of space and sun loungers, and the pool was good. Additionally, the hotel had a couple of bar-restaurants, where you could get good food and drinks, and one of them even had live music a few times in the evenings.
There was also a free tennis court on the hotel grounds, which was freely available, and you could borrow rackets and balls from the hotel reception. The hotel also had a free gym, which was a big plus.
In terms of location, the hotel was slightly away from the center of Fuengirola, but this didn’t bother us as it was only about a 1.5 km walk to the main street of Fuengirola. Next to the hotel was the large shopping center Miramar, which had a really good selection of shops and a large supermarket. This is the largest shopping destination in the city and is worth a visit if you want to shop in Fuengirola.
Sights in Fuengirola and Surroundings
Sohail Castle and Peรฑรณn del Cura
If you want to take a short walk, you should visit Playa Peรฑรณn del Cura beach, a small beach sheltered by a cliff wall. A really nice beach with beautiful views.
Start your journey by visiting Sohail Castle, a sturdy castle built on a hill in the 9th century, on the edge of Fuengirola’s downtown area. From here, continue along the coastline, passing by a beach full of small shells. Peรฑรณn del Cura is a very peaceful beach, where you can spend a moment enjoying the scenery and the sun. If you wish, you can return via the neighboring residential area for a slightly different view on the way back.
Mijas
Mijas is a beautiful village located on a mountainside, north of Fuengirola. It is known for its white houses, and all the buildings in the village are whitewashed, giving the village a beautiful and distinctive glow. The village has several viewpoints offering stunning views down to the sea and up to the mountains.
Popular attractions in Mijas include the over 400-year-old Virgen de la Peรฑa cliffside church, a still-functioning bullfighting arena, and a chocolate factory/museum. One of the beautiful viewpoints is Parque La Muralla.
Fuengirola Downtown and Beach
Fuengirola’s downtown area features the beautiful and popular Playa de Fuengirola beach. The beach area is extensive, and you can surely find your own spot even during peak times. Of course, there are also beach bars and restaurants along the beach.
The beachfront promenade, Paseo Maritimo Fuengirola, is a pleasant place lined with beautiful palm trees, beach bars, and various artworks. In the harbor area, there are several restaurants and bars where you can sit and watch the scenery and the hustle and bustle.
The main street of the city is Condes de San Isidro, where you can find comprehensive services and shopping opportunities.
For nightlife, head to the neighborhoods around the harbor, where you’ll find a wide selection of pubs, bars, and nightclubs, catering to every taste.
Fuengirola Central Mosque
Fuengirola Mosque is a very impressive sight, a large mosque glowing white on the outskirts of downtown. Apparently, you can also visit the inside if you wish, but we didn’t go inside, so unfortunately, we don’t have detailed instructions for visiting. Nevertheless, admiring it from the outside alone is worth the visit.
Fuengirola turned out to be a really nice and compact beach destination with a pleasant atmosphere and plenty to do. So it’s no wonder that the city is a very popular destination. The almost guaranteed sunshine still warmed us quite nicely even in October, and during the days, we could sunbathe and enjoy the warmth, but in the evenings, the air cooled down enough to require long clothes.
