Situated between Mijas and Benalmádena, Fuengirola is one of the most important coastal municipalities in Malaga, mainly because of its fantastic coastline: as much as 4.3 miles of large, well-equipped beaches of fine sand, ideal for an unforgettable holiday on the Costa del Sol.
Fuengirola is also renowned for its seafront promenade, which stretches from Castillo de Sohail to Torreblanca: the Paseo Marítimo Rey de España. Wide and lined with bars and restaurants in the shade of the palm trees, it is ideal for families with small children, for people with reduced mobility and for anyone who likes beaches that are easy to reach. Moreover, in the evening, the nightlife that characterises Fuengirola never disappoints younger visitors, as is the case in much of the coastal towns in the province.
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How to get to Fuengirola from Malaga Airport
Malaga Airport offers numerous flights and if what you are looking for is sun, beaches, the sea and lively seaside life, Fuengirola is one of the best places for your holiday in Andalusia.
- The train is the best means of transport: RENFE’s C1 line (more precisely, the Cercanias local network in Malaga) connects Malaga Airport Terminal 3 not only to the centre of Malaga but also to Fuengirola, Benalmadena and Torremolinos. Tickets can be bought from the machines and cost 2.70 euros from the airport or 3.60 euros from the centre of Malaga.
- If you have decided to hire a car from Malaga Airport, you can reach Fuengirola in around 20 minutes by taking the AP-7.
Fuengirola’s beaches
The main beaches of Fuengirola are:
- Playa del Castillo
- Playa de Santa Amalia
- Playa de Los Boliches
- Playa de Las Gaviotas
- Playa de Torreblanca
- Playa de Carvajal
All the beaches of Fuengirola have Blue Flag status. Here are a few details about each of them.
Playa del Castillo
It is located near Castillo de Sohail, the symbol of the town of Fuengirola. Accessible via the N-340 by taking the Castillo Sohail exit, it is one of the main beaches in the town and is also known as Playa Fuengirola or El Ejido. It has public parking and a nearby bus stop. It offers every kind of service, including showers and toilets. There are numerous restaurants and chiringuitos where you can sample the delicious local cuisine. The sand is fine and dark, and the waters are calm.
Playa de Santa Amalia
Always close to the town centre, Playa Santa Amalia is linked to Playa Castillo Sohail by a pedestrian bridge. It is about 0.6 miles long and has all the necessary facilities for a pleasant day at the beach: parking, restaurants, showers, umbrella and sun lounger hire. If you are travelling by car, from the N-340 you will need to reach the Fuengirola Town Hall and take Calle Marconi to get to the beach.
Playa de los Boliches
This is one of the most famous beaches in Fuengirola thanks to the facilities it offers. If you are sporty and want to go water skiing, or if you have a family and your children want to hire pedalos or play volleyball on the beach, this is the beach that meets your needs. Not only that, Playa de los Boliches is also equipped to welcome people with mobility difficulties and has been awarded the Blue Flag for several years. To get there, you will need to take the Los Boliches exit in Fuengirola from the N-340 and continue as far as Plaza San Rafael, and then towards the sea.
Playa Las Gaviotas
This beautiful urban beach is very wide: 0.9 miles long and around 60 metres wide. It offers plenty of facilities such as showers, toilets, bars and sun lounger hire. Compared with Los Boliches, it is a little less crowded in the summer months, although you certainly should not expect to find a virgin beach! The beach is also close to the Paseo Maritimo Rey de España promenade. The best exit off the N-340 to reach Las Gaviotas is the Los Boliches exit.
Torreblanca Beach
This beach is perfect for anyone getting around by public transport, as it is close to Torreblanca train station. If you are coming by car, there is also a large car park, and the local bus stop is not far away. The beach is around 1 mile long and 30 metres wide, and offers all the services a beachgoer could need: sun lounger hire, showers, toilets, easy access, lifeguard service, and straightforward access to the promenade and to the restaurants and bars in the area.
Playa de Carvajal
This is the last beach to the east of Fuengirola before reaching the municipality of Benalmádena. Its distance from Fuengirola’s historic centre makes it less crowded than the other urban beaches, so it could be a good choice in high season. The beach is accessible to people with reduced mobility thanks to a ramp and offers a children’s play area. Here you can practise various water sports such as kayaking, windsurfing and water skiing by hiring the necessary equipment. The floating playground is also an attraction for children, who will love this beach.
Things to do in Fuengirola
Thinking of Fuengirola, the golden, wide beaches with plenty of activities and services immediately come to mind. But the historic centre is particularly interesting and well worth a visit.
Castillo de Sohail
The Moorish castle of Fuengirola was founded in the 10th century by Abderramán III and dominates the town centre. Today it has been restored and hosts major events such as the medieval market, the beer festival, as well as concerts and town fairs. Not far from the castle, with its ancient walls, there are remains of a Phoenician-Punic settlement dating from the 6th-3rd centuries BC. The view from the castle, with its walls and battlemented towers, is breathtaking.
Parroquia de Nuestra Señora del Rosario
The town’s main church is located in Plaza de la Constitución. Although it is a modern church built in the 1940s, it has a Baroque style, and inside there are various images of the town’s patron saint and the brotherhoods of Fuengirola’s Semana Santa. Admission is free.
Finca del Secretario (Archeological Site)
The remains of a Roman villa dating from the 5th century AD can now be visited free of charge and are surprisingly well preserved. The baths, the farm, several ovens and the patio with its fountains can all still be identified. The site was discovered in 1987 and is located on Avenida Nuestro Padre Jesus Cautivo in Fuengirola. Among the most important finds is the Venus de Fuengirola, now kept in the History Museum.
Museo de la Ciudad – Fuengirola
The museum is located in Calle Maria Josefa, 3. Opened in 2003, it boasts an exhibition space of no less than 1,700 square metres. The museum tells the story of Fuengirola over the last 14 centuries, from Phoenician rule to Roman, from Muslim to Christian. Also particularly interesting is the section devoted to the twentieth century and the city’s development.
Bioparc Fuengirola
The Bioparc Fuengirola is characterised by the reconstruction of various natural habitats with as many as 200 animal species, including some at risk of extinction. In total there are as many as 1,400 animals, and what sets this park apart is the continuity between the spaces dedicated to the animals and those for visitors, making the zoo a journey of ‘immersion’ into animal life.
The park is located at Avenida Camilo José Cela, 6 in Fuengirola.
The opening hours vary depending on the time of year and can be consulted on this page.
The prices, updated in august 2026, are as follows:
- General: €29.50
- Reduced (from 3 to 9 years): €23
- Seniors (+65 years): €23
- People with disabilities: €16
Buy your ticket for Bioparc Fuengirola
Where to stay?
Along the entire Fuengirola coast you can find hotels and apartments suitable for families, couples or groups of friends. What I recommend is that you identify the beach that suits your needs and use the Booking map to understand the distances and tourist offer, applying the most useful filters. Below are some useful links:
- Accommodation near Playa del Castillo
- Accommodation near Playa de los Boliches
- Accommodation near Playa de las Gaviotas
- Accommodation near Playa de Carvajal
- Accommodation near Playa Torreblanca
- Accommodation in Fuengirola old town centre
If, however, Fuengirola is only a day trip from Malaga for you and you have not yet decided where to stay in the city, read our article at the link below.
