Fuengirola

Fuengirola (pronounced [fweŋxiˈɾola]) is a city on the Costa del Sol in the province of Málaga in the autonomous community of Andalusia in southern Spain.

Suhayl became a mound of ruins, and even its name was changed to the Romanised Font-Jirola, after the spring arising at the foot of the castle, according to historian Alonso de Palencia.

In 1485, when only the fortress remained, the settlement, along with the rest of the Kingdom of Granada, fell into the hands of the Christian Monarchs in the final phase of the Reconquista (reconquest).

An attempt to repopulate the site with 30 people failed, and in 1511 it was registered as uninhabited, apart from the fortress and a watchtower.

In May 1841, Fuengirola was administratively detached from Mijas; at the time its inhabitants were mainly engaged in fishing, agriculture and trading with ships that dropped anchor in the bay.

In the 1960s Fuengirola started to become a leading tourist centre, eventually having the expected facilities for eating, sleeping, and entertainment.

Of the approximately 82,226 (2022)[4] permanent inhabitants registered in the municipality, 25% come from other countries, mainly European, including the United Kingdom, Ireland and Scandinavia, and also from Morocco and Latin America.

In the summer months the town is visited by large numbers of holidaymakers from Spain and abroad, amongst whom are many from the UK.

The English-speaking community in particular is large enough to support a fully developed programme of activities and local groups.

Bioparc Fuengirola is a zoo that specializes in captive breeding for endangered species, research on chimpanzee groups and in tropical forest education.

Cities on the coast are accessible by bus from Fuengirola, including Málaga, Estepona, Torremolinos, Marbella, Benálmadena and Gibraltar.

Miramar, a shopping and leisure complex, which opened in early 2004 (and was restyled in 2013) and is situated on the west side of Fuengirola, with direct access to the A-7 motorway.

Fuengirola harbour