Fuengirola Attractions: Castle, Beaches, Zoo and Day Trips

If you only have a few days, start with Castillo de Suel, the castle on the hill around 1 mile from the centre. It sits close to the site of Suel, a Roman city of the province of Baetica, so the castle and the archaeology make a natural pairing for a morning. Nearby, the Finca del Secretario is another archaeological site, and the Termas romanas de Torreblanca del Sol, Roman baths listed as cultural property, lie about 2 miles out.

In town, the Bullring of Fuengirola and Fuengirola Mosque are both within about half a mile of the centre and worth a look as you wander. Bioparc Fuengirola is the town's zoo and ranks among the best things to do in Fuengirola for visitors of any age. For a change of scene, Calaburras Lighthouse stands around 2.5 miles west on the coast.

In and around the centre, the beaches come thick and fast. Playa de San Francisco and Playa de Santa Amalia are both about half a mile away, while Playa del Castillo lies beneath the castle around 1 mile out. Anyone searching for the best beach in Fuengirola will find that the choice really comes down to which end of town you are staying in; these central stretches suit those on Fuengirola beach holidays who want everything on foot.

Heading east, Playa de Torreblanca is around 2.5 miles away, close to the Roman baths, and Playa del Chaparral, technically in Mijas, is about 3 miles. West towards the point, Calaburras Lighthouse marks the headland.

For things to do near Fuengirola, push a little further west. Calahonda beach is about 6 miles away, La Cala Resort, a residential and recreational golf estate, is around 5.5 miles, and the protected dunes of Dunas de Artola o Cabopino lie about 8 miles along the coast. La Cala is the obvious base for anyone weighing up Fuengirola golf holidays.

For things to do in Fuengirola for families, Bioparc Fuengirola is the clear first choice: it is a zoo in the town itself, so there is no long drive with tired children. The central beaches, Playa de San Francisco and Playa de Santa Amalia, are both close to the centre, which makes it simple to mix a morning at the zoo with an afternoon by the sea.

Older children often enjoy the climb to Castillo de Suel and the story of the Roman city below it. Bear in mind that July and August average highs of 33°C, so plan outdoor sightseeing for mornings and evenings in high summer.

You can compare tours and tickets for the area on this page, alongside car hire if you want to reach the dunes at Cabopino or the golf at La Cala under your own steam. Hotel prices and package holidays from the main UK providers are also shown here, with flights into Málaga, about 17 minutes away, or Gibraltar, about 69 minutes.

The kindest months for sightseeing are April, May, June, September and November, when highs sit between 22°C and 28°C. October is the wettest month, with around 10 rain days, so keep a flexible plan if you travel then. School holidays push up demand, so book early if your dates are fixed.