Fuengirola

Cosmopolitan and tourist par excellence, Fuengirola is a peaceful city in which it is possible to enjoy leisure time with an excellent climate. Its population of 53,000 inhabitants increases considerably with the massive arrival of visitors in the summertime. For them, the city offers an interesting supply of leisure and entertainment of which its modern zoo, "Fuengirola Zoo", the aquatic and fluvial parks stand out; apart from the numerous attractions in its maritime promenade, one of the longest in Spain and in whose vicinity one finds the maritime yachting harbour, the yacht club, the fishing port, the Centre of Oceanographic Investigations and The History Museum, where the visitor can get to know our more than 260 years of history.

History

Its coastal position, the same as numerous neighbouring towns, attracted man since remote times. It is thought that its founders were the Phoenicians, who baptized her with the name Suel. With the arrival of the Romans, it acquired great relevance, acquiring the category of city federated to Rome, which allowed it to maintain its own legislation and institutions. The Arabs renamed it Sohail and it is not until the Eighteenth Century when it receives the name of Fuengirola, derived from the word girola, which designated the Genoes ships dedicated to fishing, whose presence was very important as a supply centre for those ships heading towards the Straits of Gibraltar.

Sights

The most representative monument of Fuengirola is the Castle of Sohail (Arabic fortress built in the time of Abderramán III). There are archaeological remains of Roman origin, in the site at the land of "El Secretario". The present appearance of the city has changed spectacularly since the sixties, passing from being a small fishing town to becoming one of the leading lights of the Costa del Sol. From a handicraft industry's point of view, the city is one of the most important centres in the province, where an important number of workshops work in pottery, precious metals and jewellery, leather goods and wooden furniture and upholstery.

Festivities

The main festivities of the town, in honour of its Patron Saint, "La Virgen del Rosario", are in October.
On the day of "La Virgen del Carmen", on the 16th of July, the district of Los Boliches organises a colourful maritime procession and on the night of San Juan, the popular "Juas are burnt. Lastly, and in order to see to the cultural demands of the summer months, the music and dance festival, "Ciudad de Fuengirola", takes place during July and August at the Castle of Sohail, and in April, "La Feria Internacional de los Pueblos", a great folk and gastronomic trade fair with 50 countries from 4 different continents participating.

Gastronomy

The gastronomic offer of Fuengirola corresponds to the cosmopolitan atmosphere of the city, but its popular cuisine is based on its coastal fish, especially fried fish and "espetos de sardines", without forgetting the seafood with rice, fish basted with salt and baked fish.

Coast

Fuengirola is one of the coast's busiest towns-low season no longer exists and the streets are always very busy with both tourists and residents.

Los Boliches
The area to the east of the town and the dry river known as Los Boliches is almost a town in its own right and is particularly popular with foreigners . Services and amenities are excellent, and it's generally quieter than the centre.

Los Pacos
The area of Los Pacos, situated to the east of the centre between the N-340 and the A-7, is currently Fuengirola´s main expansion zone and construction is intense, principally because it's the only part of Fuengirola. Access is currently via the Avda. De Finlandia, which is single-lane and congestion, is chronic.
A further access road is currently under construction-it will link directly with the A-7. This area, popular with Finns in particular, has good services including state and private schools, small shops and a bus route from Fuengirola.

Usefull Information

Local Holidays 16th July and 8th October celebrating the Virgen del Rosario, the patron saint of the town, when the main fair lasts a week.
Distance from Malaga Airport 24km
Town Hall : 952-589-300
Local Police: 952-589-324
Foreign Residents Department: 952-589-357

Services

The services are excellent and just about everything is available. Shopping is particularly good and the town centre has a huge variety of stores ranging from chain stores to exclusive boutiques.

The large Parque Miramar shopping centre, opposite the castle, opened in March 2004 and provides further shopping services for the town. Restaurants and bars are everywhere. Most services are orientated towards the foreign market and the vast majority of people speak English.

There's a lively cultural scene with frequent concerts and plays as well as the annual Festival of Musicals and prestigious Festival of Fuengirola, mainly music and dance, held in the castle. Sports facilities are good and the town has two sports centres and an indoor pool.

Fuengirola has two public health centres and a hospital is currently under construction next to the mosque, to the west of the centre. There's an excellent choice of private clinics and practices.

Property

The property market in Fuengirola is generally good, although top-quality front-line beach apartments are in short supply and there are few villas in the town. Apartment and townhouse accommodation is plentiful and prices are among the cheapest on the coast.

Urb. Torreblanca del Sol
This large urbanisation situated to the east of Fuengirola, is a mixture of apartment blocks, hotel blocks, townhouse developments and villas. The northern section is high and the access roads to it are winding and labyrinth like.
Services include supermarkets, small shops, restaurants and bars.

Urb. Carvajal
Is at the very east of Fuengirola and crammed between the seafront and the high cliffs near the coast. It's a small development with mainly apartment accommodation and limited services, but there are local buses to Fuengirola and a train station.

Urb. Capellanía and Urb Torremar are the first urbanisations in the area known as Benalmadena costa-Capellanía is one of the oldest in this part of the coast. Both urbanisations stretch from the coast right up to the a-7 and offer apartment and villas accommodation. The large new development, reserve del Higuerón lies at the top of the Capellanía, A couple of small supermarkets are the only shops in the area, although Reserva del Higuerón plans to build a large shopping centre near the A-7 exit.

Urb. Torremuelle is a large urbanisation with mainly villa accommodation, although there are some apartment blocks near the beach. Torremuelle has several small shops and a supermarket, and is also on the train line.
Nueva Torrequebrada is a new urbanisation is currently under massive construction, mainly apartment blocks and at present there are few services, although this will undoubtedly change once building work is completed.

Urb. Torrequebrada has one of the coast's most famous landmarks, the Torrequebrada Casino building, which can be seen from beaches for miles around. This urbanisation is also home to the Torrequebrada Golf course, one of the oldest in the area. There are several hotels along the coast and residences are mainly villas and apartments. Some shops are situated near the N-340.

Costa del Sol Villages