FUENGIROLA
Area: Spain


Location:
On the coast about midway between Torremolinos, to the E, and Marbella to the W. Malaga 19 miles E, Malaga airport 16 miles.

Telephone code from UK:
34

Position:
Astride a very busy main road whose heavy traffic is only partially relieved by the national highway which skirts the edge of the resort. Inland and to the rear of the town stands the mountain range "Sierra de Mijas".

Description:
The area is more residential in character than Torremolinos or Marbella, most of the thickly spread high-rise buildings being apartment blocks. It still boasts a large fishing fleet, and has a pleasant sea road, narrow but generally busy, stretching the whole three mile length of the beach.

Suitability:
Fuengirola caters for all types of tourists but is more popular with families and middle-aged to older couples, as well as golfers.

Accommodation:
This varies from hostels and pensions to 4 star hotels, but the majority are apartment blocks or complexes.

Shopping:
Shopping facilities are good and offer a varied selection of merchandise. On the outskirts of Fuengirola there are at least four hypermarkets offering choice to the increasing number of apartment dwellers. On Tuesday morning the central streets make way for the hundreds of stall-holders who set up their weekly market, known as the most popular on the coast.

Beach:
The sandy beach stretches for 3 miles except for a break midway in the vicinity of the marina where various water sports can be enjoyed. The promenade is lined with open-air cafes and bars, ideal for a morning coffee or afternoon snack.

Entertainments:
Daytime: the only coastal resort with a zoo _ popular with the younger members of the family _ and also a well-equipped water park offering fun for all the family. For a ration of culture one can visit the remains of the Moorish Castle of Sohail, which sits on a hill on the W outskirts of town. Nightlife: varied with something to suit everyone.

Eating:
There are plenty of restaurants to suit everyone's taste and pocket either within Fuengirola or just outside.

Public-transport:
Frequent buses run between Marbella, Torremolinos, Malaga and Mijas, as well as frequent trains every half an hour throughout the day to Torremolinos and Malaga with a stop conveniently at the international airport.

Local-excursions:
See Torremolinos.