Fuengirola Beach Resort Guide

Fuengirola sits conveniently between the two ‘super resorts' of the Costa del Sol, Marbella and Torremolinos, within easy reach of their respective amenities. In terms of development (high-rise accommodations and dozens of touristy bars and shops) it has more in common with the latter, though it is nowhere near as noisy or brash, and much of the adjoining quarter of Los Boliches is, by Costa del Sol standards, unspoiled. Most holidaymakers come to Fuengirola for its long stretch of fine golden beaches.

Package holidaymakers from the UK, mostly young families, make up the majority of Fuengirola's summer holiday trade. The resort is also popular with Spanish holidaymakers. A large number of UK expats keep things ticking over year round.

Fuengirola is 25km (15.5 miles) east of Marbella, 18km (11 miles) west of Torremolinos and 31km (19.5 miles) west of Málaga on the Costa del Sol. It is a compact and flat resort with a long seaside promenade.

The golden beaches of Fuengirola stretch for some 8km (5 miles), flanked for much of the way by one of the longest palm-lined promenades on the Costa del Sol, recently widened and landscaped. The whole length of the beach is kept meticulously clean and is sheltered with calm waters, good for children and novice windsurfers. Beach bars serve fresh fish and there are numerous watersports on offer, either on the beach or at the port/marina at Los Boliches.

Fuengirola Zoo (Avenida Camilo José Cela), is the main attraction. Recommended recently by National Geographic magazine, this new zoo eschews cages wherever possible in favour of the simulated lush tropical forests of Africa, Asia and Madagascar, In July and August the zoo is atmospherically illuminated for ‘moonlight visits' and stays open until 0100, allowing visitors to observe its nocturnal inmates while active.

Mijas (4km/2.5 miles north) is an idyllic Andalucian village that has been gentrified to accommodate the expectations of coach loads of daily Costa del Sol visitors, but is still worth seeing, particularly at quiet times.

This part of the Costa del Sol is excellent for golf and tennis. Mijas Golf (Camino Viejo de Coín, 3.5km/2 miles, Urbanización Mijas Golf) is one of the best holiday courses on the Costa del Sol. There are many more courses, local and world-famous, within easy reach. Also in Mijas is the highly rated Lew Hoad Campo de Tenis and two more good tennis clubs Algarrobo and Club del Sol. If yachting and diving are your things, head to the marina at Los Boliches.

Don't miss Fuengirola Zoo (see Beyond the Beach) which also has a good children's play area and farm. At Mijas Costa (27km/17 miles east), Parque Acuático (Carretera N-340, Km 209; www.aquamijas.com) is a popular waterpark with the usual rota of white-knuckle flumes and slides. Benalmádena Costa (12km, 7.5 miles east) is home to three major family attractions. The long-established Tivoli World (Avenida Tivoli, Arroyo de la Miel; www.tivolicostadelsol.com) is the largest amusement park on the coast with theme park and funfair rides and shows of every kind. Close by, Selwo Marina (Parque de la Paloma; www.selwomarina.com) is the region's newest attraction. It combines a dophinarium, penguinarium, sea lion and parrot displays. There is a good children's play area and the opportunity to swim with sea lions. At the Puerto Deportivo, the Sea Life Centre (www.sealifeeurope.com) is an old favourite with dozens of up-to-the-minute displays of native and exotic denizens of the deep, plus feeding demonstrations and presentations.

There isn't a great choice of shopping in Fuengirola aside from the usual tourist-oriented outlets. Serious shoppers should make the short trip to Marbella or Málaga. The flea market at Fuengirola on Tuesday is the largest on the Costa del Sol and definitely worth a visit for its buzz and colour as much as the selection of merchandise.

Fuengirola may lack the huge "super clubs" and wall-to-wall celebs found in neighbouring resorts but it still has a good choice of discos/nightclubs and its many music bars will satisfy the vast majority of holidaymakers. In summer the nightlife scene, which includes a significant gay presence, is very busy.

Start your night off at the pretty little square of Plaza Yates (off Calle Cuesta). On and around here are several authentic tapas bars. If seafood is your choice there are some good restaurants on the Paseo Marítimo particularly in Los Boliches. Elsewhere in town you'll find most styles of food from genuine Spanish to the usual imports (Mexican, French, burgers, pizzas and so on).

Fuengirola is quite a compact and flat resort with its long seaside promenade providing access to Los Boliches. When your feet tire, there are local buses or the tourist ‘trenito' (land train), which shuttles across town and run up and down the Paseo Marítimo.

See how the other lives at the swanky Marbella marina of Puerto Banús (25km/15.5 miles) east of Fuengirola, then explore the delightful old town, parts of which dates back over 600 years. Ronda (61km/38 miles north west of Marbella), set above a spectacular ravine in the midst of classic rolling Andalucian countryside, is one the region's most attractive and historically interesting towns.

First class restaurants include Patrick Bousier (Rotonda de la Luna, Pueblo López) whose eponymous owner/chef is a disciple of the legendary French chef, Paul Bocuse, and Valparaiso (Carretera de Mijas, Km 4), where the Italian food and atmosphere is enhanced by a tenor.

Malaga Airport (AGP)