World4Traveler

Once a small fishing village, Fuengirola is now one of the Costa del Sol´s most thriving resort towns, and is home to some of the area´s best entertainment venues.  Only 20 minute´s drive from Marbella and Puerto Banus, you will be pleasantly surprised at what you find in this lively seaside resort.

After churros con chocolate (fried dough pastries with hot chocolate) at the Churreria close to the fairground, we like to stroll around the Saturday market next door, or the rastro, as it is known locally.  This car boot/second hand market is the best place to find a useful bargain, and everything from fridges to handbags and even oven gloves and car parts are displayed.

From here, take a walk down to Los Boliches, which is still one of the more authentic areas of old Andalucia, and the narrow streets just back from the seafront, the quaint restaurants, bakeries and street cafés all add to the ambience.  You will find some great places to eat here including the famous La Langosta Restaurant, which has been established in Los Boliches for 30 years.  Special dishes, which keep customers coming back for more include mussels with cream sauce and a fabulous lobster thermidor.  For more information call: 952 475 049.

From Los Boliches you can take a gentle stroll down the Paseo Maritimo towards Fuengirola, and enjoy the sea views from the longest promenade in Europe.  The beaches here are sandy and there are all types of water sports available if you are feeling energetic.  Some fabulous hotels also line the seafront promenade, ranging from small hostals to luxurious 4 and 5 star complexes with Olympic size pools and amazing facilities.

As you approach the centre of town, you will notice the huge number of attractive bars and restaurants lining the streets.  Whatever you want to eat or drink in town, you will find it.  From fine Italian food at Papa Luigi´s to first class International cuisine at Portofino, and pizza and burger restaurants – the Paseo Maritimo has it all.  Not to mention the chiringuitos which are situated on the beach, and serve the freshest fish and seafood on the coast.  Try the Paella Valenciana or the stuffed squid with mixed salad  at the Oasis Beach Bar.  Telephone:  952 661 068.  The sole meuniere is also a speciality here along with the boquerones and home-made flan for dessert.

If you fancy doing some shopping in town, there is a large Dunnes Department Store just down from the bus station at Las Rampas.  There is also a car park here underneath the store.  As you enter Fuengirola along the main street, coming from direction Marbella.  Just before the bus station on the left turn right at Oro y Hora shop and you will come directly to Las Rampas Car Park.  Above here not only will you find Dunnes, but also some great shoe shops, designer clothes shops and ceramics stores.  Only a short walk from the seafront, this is also a great place to park in the summer if you can´t get nearer to the beach.

Just opposite Las Rampas is the fabulous Tipi-Tapa Restaurant, which offers not only some of the best tapas you will try in Fuengirola, but also snacks, sandwiches and full meals.  Try the gambas pil-pil, which is among the best I have eaten in Spain. The grilled meat is also a speciality, particularly the entrecote steak.  For reservation or more information call:  951 311 630.  Another  favourite haunt of ours (particularly in the winter) is the superb El Toston, which is situated in a quiet street just behind the bus station.  This bodega-come-tapas bar serves delicious jamon jabugo, and some of Spain´s finest wines by the glass.  It is unusual to find such a jewel of a bar hidden away, but it is one of the best bodegas of its kind in the area.  Bottles and barrels of all shapes and sizes adorn the walls around the restaurant and behind the bar, and you can either eat at one of the high tables in the bar area, or be served on the covered terrace area.  Canapés include such delights as mousse de foie with dates, Roquefort and caramalized onion and a superb wild mushroom vol-au-vent.  Favourite starters include fried camembert with redcurrant jelly, assortment of smoked meats and fish and a beautiful, creamy manchego.  Stuffed olives are also a speciality.
Last time we visited we had the goat´s cheese and anchovies to start plus a plate of Mediterranean roasted vegetables with olive oil and pesto.  To follow we tried the oxtail in red wine sauce which was superb.  Home-made chocolate pudding is also a signature dish here.  Not the cheapest bar in Fuengirola, but it doesn´t profess to be, and the quality of food and service is second to none.  For more information and reservations call:  952 475 632.  A great place in winter time.

If you still have some energy, take a walk down to the Church Square – Plaza de Iglesia – in the centre of Fuengirola.  You can take a look around the inside of the church, with its magnificent and ornate effigies of Christ and the Virgin Mary.  Surrounding this pretty square are a host of street cafés, flower stalls and kiosks.  A wonderful place to relax and watch the world go by is Bar La Plaza, with plenty of outside seating and views to the church.

Fuengirola is often seen as a poor relation to Marbella and Puerto Banus, but take a trip around the town and you will find a host of wonderful places to visit.