Fuengirola

Fuengirola sits in the middle of the coast, between Marbella and Málaga. It is compact and mostly flat, with a seafront promenade that runs the whole length of town, and it is busy all year, not only in summer.

Why people choose it

• The train. Fuengirola is the last stop of the C-1 line, which runs to Benalmádena, Torremolinos, the airport and Málaga centre.
• The middle position. Marbella and Málaga are both a reasonable drive away, which is useful when a couple works in different towns.
• The Nordic community. The town has long had Swedish, Finnish and Norwegian residents, shops and schools.
• Everything on foot. Beach, restaurants, the weekly market and the station are all within walking distance.

Neighbourhoods

• The centre. Around the main station and the bus station, with shops, the port and the busiest part of the promenade. The Sohail castle stands at the western end.
• Los Boliches. The next district east, a former fishing quarter with its own C-1 stop, a local feel and a strong Nordic presence.
• Los Pacos. A residential area on the hillside, set back from the sea, with houses as well as apartments, its own schools and shops, and a long Finnish connection. It suits families; most people there use a car.
• Carvajal. The beach area at the eastern edge of town, next to Benalmádena. It has its own C-1 stop close to the beach and is quieter than the centre.
• El Higuerón. An up-and-coming hillside area just above Carvajal, where many new homes with wide views are being built. It lies on the boundary between Fuengirola and Benalmádena, so check which municipality a home belongs to.
• Miramar. The area around the Miramar shopping centre, on the western side of town. Many people like it because shops and restaurants are close at hand.
• Las Lagunas. This district joins on to Fuengirola so closely that you do not notice the boundary, but it belongs to the municipality of Mijas. It is a busy, everyday Spanish area with shops and services, and paperwork is done with Mijas town hall, not Fuengirola.

Local colour

The Feria del Rosario takes over the town for a week every October. The Sohail castle hosts concerts in summer.

Who it suits

Families and people without a car, and anyone who wants a real town rather than a resort. If your office is in Málaga, the train makes the commute simple; the company directory shows who is based there.

Keep in mind

The train stops here. Going west to La Cala de Mijas or Marbella means the bus or a car.