Fuengirola
Fuengirola is a large town and municipality on the Costa del Sol in the Province of Malaga. Fuengirola used to be known as "Suel" and also "Suhayl" in the past and has a deep and interesting history having been in both Roman and Moorish control as well as Hispanic over the centuries. This can easily be seen if you visit the Fuengirola Castle, known as "Castillo Sohail".
Click below right for more info!
The golden sandy beaches are fantastic, maintained and cleaned all year round to the highest standards.
Fuengirola is a busy Town year round nowadays as it's much more than just a Tourist Destination, it's a thriving modern town with lots to do and many fun attractions and activities for families to enjoy. Fuengirola is very large and is split into many smaller areas within. Sol Rentals have apartments for rent in the areas of Carvajal & Torreblanca, which are beside each other on the Eastern end of Fuengirola, in Los Boliches which is next to the Town slightly to the East and a very popular area as still keeps it's Spanish feel with lots of little backstreets and we also have a few beside Fuengirola Town and on the Western outskirts, opposite the Castle.
Carvajal - Eastern Fuengirola
Carvajal is right on the border of Fuengirola and Benalmadena Costa. It is virtually all beachfront, though there are a few recently construced developments set back from there but still very close to the beach. It is a lovely place for family holidays as the beaches in summer are generally quieter than the very busy town area and are deeper, they are just as golden and soft (non pebbly beaches).
There are a few "Chiringuitos" beachfront fish/meat restaurants, but a short 10 minute walk takes you into the nearby Torreblanca area where there are many more, plus shops, restuarants and pharmacies. There are buses running through Carvajal and a train station, though you are also only 10 - 15 mins walk from Torreblanca train station. There are no attractions or sights in Carvajal, it's all about the location - beautiful sea views and wonderful beaches
Torreblanca
The majority of Sol Rentals Apartments, Villas and Townhouses are in this area of Fuengirola. Situated to the Eastern edges, Torreblanca is both a beautiful stretch of the beachfront, with deep, wide, soft golden sands with lovely countryside close by stretching up into the hills and inland. Torreblanca is like a self sufficient little town in a way, with lots of Shops, Restaurants, Cafes, Bars (and excellent area to start a night out before heading to Town), Pharmacy, Bus stops and the always handy Torreblanca train station which is linked to all the major towns on the coast and to Malaga Airport.
All of Fuengirola's main attractions such as the Aquapark and Zoo are nearby and easily reached by bus or train in under 5 - 10 minutes, but you have the added bonus that the beaches are arguably the best Fuengirola has to offer and not quite as crowded as in Town. There is also a great choice of Watersports to try, even Scuba Diving. The Promenade makes walking to Los Boliches or Town not just an easy, but a thoroughly enjoyable stroll especially for the big market days on Tuesday and Saturday.
Los Boliches
Los Boliches is one of the most popular areas, within Los Boliches you'll find a great variety of Restaurants, fantastic little Spanish backstreets to explore with hidden Tapas Bars, a quaint little Church Square where many Festivals held throughout the year and as with the rest of Fuengirola, a fantastic stretch of beach with the Fuengirola Promenade "Paseo Maritimo Rey de España" linked to be able stroll along.
Fuengirola Town
The Town centre and area immediately around has much to offer. Fuengirola Port is a lovely place for a walk, Coffee or Meal with lots of boats moored in the Marina and some lovely Cafes and Restaurants. Just up from the Port you can find the back streets known locally as "Fish Alley", with a huge selection of Restaurants and Bars. Then just slightly further up from there you have the main Town Square, called "Plaza de la Constitucion" with the Church and some lovely Cafes & Bars, right next to the main high street with many shops.
There are a few attractions in Fuengirola itself too, such as "BioParc" (Fuengirola Zoo) which has many awards for it's conservation and breeding of rare and endangered species. There are quite a few great childrens play parks too. In the Town itself you can find the main transportation hub. There is a tourist information centre, the main bus station which links to just about anywhere in Andalucia and beyond and also Fuengirola train station the furthest stop West of the Malaga end of the electric train line.
On the outskirts of town there is even more; Fuengirola Castle, mentioned above is worth a walk to, Miramar Shopping Centre with shops of all types including a large indoor Supermarket akin to UK ones like Morrisons and clothes shops. Miramar indoor centre also has a Cinema showing 2D & 3D films in English. Miramar also has an outdoor shopping area next to it with lots more stores including Dunnes clothes stores (Irish brand) and an Iceland food supermarket just like you find in the UK
Another excellent attraction for families is "Parque Acuatico Mijas", a great family friendly Aquapark, open from June to September and located opposite the Miramar developments on the Western outskirts of the town; easily found as you pass on the dual carriageway A7 in the direction of Marbella, before you reach/see Fuengirola Castle
Benalmadena & Arroyo de la Miel
Benalmadena Costa is a hugely popular area, just 10Km east from Fuengirola and 19Km west from Malaga Airport. There is a large Resident population year round ensuring it's an interesting place, still lively enough in the Winter to warrant visiting. It's in the Summer months when the population can triple in number thanks to tourists attracted to the fantastic beaches and buzzing atmosphere that Benalmadena provides, as most of the fantastic family attractions also open up such as Selwo Marina with it's excellent Dolphin & Sea Lion Shows or Tivoli World Theme Park which has plenty of shows and rides to enjoy.
Benalmadena is a municipality like Fuengirola and is similarily split into several different areas that you can visit. Each area has it's own great points of interest & attractions.
To see more information on each area within Benalmadena, click below right for more info!
Benalmadena Pueblo
This is the "old town" of Benalmadena, situated on the hillside. There are not really any attractions as such, but the town has managed to maintain a real classic Spanish feel and charm as it is the least affected part by the well known development of the Costa del Sol over the last 30 years. Worth visiting next to the Pueblo are the Christopher Columbus Memorial called "Castillo de Colomares" (below) and the Buddhist Temple (La Estupa), which is the biggest in Western Europe!
Benalmadena - Arroyo de la Miel
Arroyo de la Miel is the central commercial town area of the Benalmadena municipality, which seperates the hillside old village from the coastal area. Arroyo de la Miel is easily reached from Fuengirola and it's suburbs, thanks to the electric train service running along the Coast which stops there. Here you will find many shops, restaurants, bars, parks, Tivoli World Amusement Park and Cable Cars which can take you to the top of the Mountains behind!
Benalmadena Costa (Benalmadena Coast)
The coast of Benalmadena is a hugely popular area in the summer period with lots to do. Selwo Marina has Dolphin & Sea Lion shows which are a must see, Paloma Park is fantastic with walkways and kids play areas, Bike-Cars for rent, lovely ponds with swans & ducks and cafes where you can stop for a drink whilst the younger ones run around and enjoy the areas! Also recommended is Benalmadena Port, beautifully kept with lots of boats, lovely buildings and again lots to do such as the Sea Life Centre and a huge choice of shops, restaurants & cafes!
Benalmadena also has a great nightlife, actually superior to Fuengirola's, with lots of bars and clubs both in the Port and the nearby "24hr Square", recommended for the younger guests who want a good night out!
Mijas
Mijas is a small whitewashed mountain village in the hills above Fuengirola and Benalmadena! Stunning views, quaint and authentic Spanish backstreets, tapas bars/cafes and many "Ferias" (Festivals) on throughout the year