Like all towns of its dimensions, Fuengirola has commonly known areas, which are handy as landmarks and reference when getting around:
El Centro (The Centre)
The heart of Fuengirola is the Plaza de la Constitución (Constitution Square) and takes in the radius including the train station (RENFE) and nearby bus station to the east and along towards the Castle to the west. Also included in the part known as the town centre is a labyrinth of little streets out from each side the square and down to the beach. Further west is popularly referred to as the Castle area (referring to the Sohail Castle).
Very much part of the centre is the network of little pedestrian streets off either side of the square with all its little bars and restaurants. One such street, which runs parallel to the seafront, is popularly known amongst the British residents and regular visitors as “Fish Alley”. There are not only excellent fish restaurants - all with tables and chairs set out to tempt you to sit down and eat – but there are also steak houses, pizzerias, Chinese restaurants and much more. Menus are set out for you to inspect, so that you can choose the type of food and budget that suits your needs. These restaurants are open the whole year round and even in the cooler winter months, this little area can be buzzing with activity.
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The other streets off the main square also offer some very interesting restaurants and bars, from excellent bodega type establishments with superb Spanish Serrano ham to highly imaginative vegetarian restaurants or romantic bistros. It is a pleasure to wander around these narrow little streets.
One of the most popular places to meet and begin the evening in Fuengirola is the Plaza Bar in the main Square. Not only is it a favourite and central meeting place, but is also ideal for simply watching the world go by. Evenings begin a little later in Spain and if you want to sit outside at one of the tables in the square, it is advisable to be there well before 9 p.m., by which time it may be standing room only around the lovely old bar inside.
El Boquetillo
The Avenida de Mijas, forms the spine of the northern end of Fuengirola, connecting the centre of the town with the top of the A7 (old N340) motorway. Approximately half way up this long road, on the right hand side, is an indoor market for fresh food and vegetables. This is the heart of the neighbourhood knows as El Boquetillo. This is a lively local neighbourhood with a strong community spirit, kept alive by the presence of the fresh food market and the many shops both on the main Avenida de Mijas as well as on the small roads leading off it.
For a few days around the 24th June, the streets behind the market are closed off and the whole area becomes a lively street fair to celebrate the fiesta of San Juan. There is live music, dancing and merry-go-rounds and other rides are set up for the children. The many little bars and restaurants round about stay open until much later than usual and the place is a hive of activity. There is a spectacular fireworks display at midnight on the 23rd, which sets the activities off with quite a bang. There are many tall buildings around this area and since the people are unlikely to get any sleep during these days of noisy celebration, neighbours from all around usually give in and join the proceedings from one of the terrace cafes while sipping on a glass of wine or a chilled beer.
Just behind El Boquetillo neighbourhood is the newly expanded municipal sports centre, Campo Municipal Elola.
Pueblo Lopez
Pueblo Lopez is a surprisingly picturesque little residential community between El Boquetillo neighbourhood and the town centre. This neighbourhood was built in the early 1960’s by an English builder who was determined not to succumb to the increasing tendency at that time to construct high rise buildings. Although incredible to imagine today, when construction began, this neighbourhood was surrounded by fields. This enclave of one and two storey, pretty little houses and apartments has become one of the most sought after areas for property in Fuengirola. It is like a small village within the ever expanding town. It encompasses all the charm of an Andalucian pueblo, while having every amenity of the modern town right on the doorstep. The train and bus station are literally two minutes walk away, as is the main Fuengirola market (fresh fruits, vegetables, fish, meats, etc.).
One of Fuengirola's best kept secrets is a family run restaurant hidden in a small cobbled square – Restaurante Pueblo Lopez (Tel: 952 471929) at the heart of this neighbourhood. People who come across this little restaurant are always surprised to find such a gem so close to the centre of this large, expanding town. It is simply idyllic. There is another bar/restaurant called Crumps in Pueblo Lopez, where live jazz sessions are held on Sunday evenings.
The neighbourhood is very cosmopolitan with some families having lived in the same house for 30 or even 40 years. This village atmosphere so close to the centre of town has attracted residents from all walks of life, including some well known artists and writers. Although most of the houses have undergone interior renovation over the years, the community of owners ensures that the whitewashed houses, cobbled streets and well-kept patios maintain the traditional Andalucian beauty. Since many people still enjoy the luxury of real log fires in this area, walking through the little cobbled walkways in winter is reminiscent of being in a little mountain village setting.
For many years now, the Fuengirola Tourist Office proudly shows photos of the pretty Andalucian houses and its cobbled streets on the front page of their brochures.
Los Boliches
Los Boliches is accessible from the A7 (old N340) motorway or by bus or train. Amongst the many supermarkets and shops in the area, there is also a large Hipercor (part of the El Corte Ingles chain), situated just opposite the train station.
With a history going back to Phoenician and Roman times, it has for many years been a fishing village and still holds strongly with its fishing traditions. It is favoured by many foreigners and Spaniards alike to set up home. Although much investment has gone into improving the facilities and general infrastructure in Los Boliches, it has retained much of its original charm and is not dominated by high apartment blocks, as in some other parts of Fuengirola and the coast.
The Parish Church of Carmen y Santa Fé is the centre of the neighbourhood and it is from here that the Virgin is carried during the Fiesta del Carmen each year on the 16th July.
As well as some of the best bars and restaurants to choose from, Los Boliches also boasts some of the finest beaches in Fuengirola.
Amongst the many different types of restaurant, there is an excellent vegetarian restaurant called Vegetalia (C/ Santa Isabel, 8, Los Boliches – Tel 952 586 031).
Although very much a popular beach resort area, Los Boliches also has a reassuring sense of permanence. It is home to well integrated year round residents – Spanish and foreign alike – many of whom originally came at one time for a holiday and could find no reason to leave.
The site of archaeological remains of a salting factory is a reminder of this area’s rich historic past. The Phoenicians and then the Romans have left plenty of evidence of their settlements and way of life, to remind today’s tourist of the origins of Los Boliches. To see a very good account of the history of Los Boliches, along with the whole of Fuengirola, it is worth visiting the Museo de Historia near Fuengirola Zoo.
The most lasting heritage in Los Boliches is the tradition of the fishing folk who have lived there through the generations. Still today, fishermen catch wonderful fresh fish which is served in the typical beach bars and restaurants. Between the main street and the sea there are lovely little narrow streets buzzing with the lively Andalucian atmosphere and with wonderful local seafood and fresh fish dishes to choose from.
One of the most established restaurants in Los Boliches, famous for its ‘Mussels in a Cream Sauce’ and ‘Lobster Thermador’, is La Langosta. This is a small friendly restaurant with a big reputation for its superb Andalucian cooking. (Calle Francisco Cano1, Los Boliches, Fuengirola. Tel: 952 475 049)
Los Pacos
Once just a few dusty streets on the outskirts of Fuengirola and Los Boliches, the Los Pacos neighbourhood has grown into quite a built up, self contained area. Very well connected by recent improvements to road infrastructure, many people of all nationalities are buying homes and holiday homes in this area. With its own schools, sports facilities, shops, cafes and restaurants, it is becoming more and more popular, particularly for people with young families. There is a frequent bus service to Fuengirola town centre. It sits back from the coast and backs onto the Torreblanca neighbourhood.
The recently opened Los Pacos Rackets Club for Paddle Tennis Club has added further interest in this up and coming neighbourhood. Rackets Club, Avenida de la Canteras s/n, Los Pacos, Fuengirola. Tel: 952 588 891.
The house prices in Los Pacos are lower than the neighbourhoods in and around Fuengirola centre, but as the roads and amenities improve, so the prices are rising.
In the 1970’s and 80’s, Los Pacos used to be a predominantly Finnish enclave, the main street running through the area still bearing the name Calle Finlandia. At that time, the dwellings were mainly small Andalucian whitewashed houses, with one or two taller buildings gradually sprouting up for holiday apartments. Now, there are large chalets with private swimming pools as well as streets of small two-storey terrace houses and luxury apartment blocks with penthouse suites.
Torreblanca
On the hill on the side furthest east of Fuengirola is the neighbourhood of Torreblanca, easily accessible by bus or car and also by train to the Torreblanca train station. The road up through Torreblanca winds past some very beautiful, established villas with impressive gardens. As with the whole coast, much development has gone on in this area over the last few years and there are now also apartment blocks and many more houses than ten or twenty years ago. However, it has maintained its intrinsic Andalucian country/suburban style and is still very much a favoured area for a peaceful holiday close to the beach, or a good permanent neighbourhood.
The Torreblanca Hotel is set at the foot of the hill and is a comfortable five minute walk to the beach. The 200-bed hotel is a landmark and is close to the train station.
One of the privileges of living in this very nice residential area of Fuengirola is the much sought after views from many of the houses and apartments and the tranquil, leafy location of many of the properties. There are shops and facilities close to hand and it is a very short drive to Los Boliches or the town centre for shopping.
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