Fuengirola – The Legendary Finnish Favourite on Costa del Sol

Why visit: A great mix of Spaniards, Nordics, Brits and people from all over the world. Actually quite a nice city with plenty of charming squares (plazas), and cozy restaurants. I was very surprised how pleasant the town was when I visited it and I am planning on visiting it soon again.

Getting there: Fly direct to Malaga and take a train or bus for the 25 km journey — under an hour to Fuengirola.

When to visit: Fuengirola has a Mediterranean climate, so the best time to travel is spring or autumn, though winters are mild and sunny — about 1–2°C warmer than Barcelona. I’d recommend avoiding July–August when it’s extremely hot, and September too if you struggle with the heat. Read more: Best Time to Visit Spain.

Note: Fuengirola has a remarkably large Finnish community, which can be a big plus or minus depending on what you’re looking for.

Similar destinations: Truly unique — especially for Finns.

Most Interesting Areas in Fuengirola

Los Boliches: Probably the most popular area in Fuengirola, packed with restaurants, bars, and a large sandy beach. A charming spot that’s especially lively in the evenings. It’s easy to extend dinner into a longer night out if you’re in the mood.

Los Pacos: A residential area favoured by Finns, near Los Boliches. You’ll find a medical centre, hardware store, and other services in addition to the Finnish school.

Carvajal: Plenty of beautiful beaches and full of services a traveller might need — restaurants, bars, and rental spots for bicycles or water sports equipment. Especially popular in summer.

Sohail Castle: An old castle that now also houses a museum. A magnificent place full of historical artefacts with stunning views of the sea. Free entry.

Parque de la Paloma: A large park with plenty of space to walk and relax, taking a break from the city bustle. Great opportunities for jogging and cycling too. There are lots of playgrounds for children and a beautiful garden.

Food & Drink in Fuengirola

You’ll find more about restaurants in my travel blog post, from which the texts below are abbreviated.

Sukiyaki — Japanese Buffet
The place was pleasant and the staff friendly. You could order 5 dishes per person every 10 minutes via a tablet, and sometimes a robot delivered the food. The sushi was surprisingly good, and some dishes were even excellent.

Sawasdee — Thai Delicacies
Good Thai restaurants in Spain have been few and far between, but my noodle dish was good and authentic. The restaurant looked much like other places on Paseo Marítimo, but I came for the food, which was excellent and genuinely Thai.

Asian Fusion 365 — Diverse Asian Cuisine
The name says it all — diverse food from across Asia. My dish was made from quality ingredients and was top-notch. The terrace was relaxed with little traffic passing by.

Sky Bar Hotel El Puerto — Stunning Views
Nearly 360-degree views over Fuengirola from this rooftop bar, and the prices were reasonable. The terrace might have a “guests only” sign, but don’t let that deter you.

Getting Around Fuengirola

Walking: Walking is clearly the best way to get around the city centre.

Taxi: There are plenty of taxis in town, they’re affordable, and you can usually flag one down from the street within a minute (green light on the roof means available).

Public transport: Trains and buses run well. Since 1 January 2023, Fuengirola has free public transport.

Scooter or e-scooter: Convenient for getting around a smaller town, though e-scooters may struggle with some of the hills (e.g., up to Higuerón).