Cosmopolitan and excellent for the tourist, the town of Fuengirola is another favourite Costa del Sol location among regular visitors to our area, both Spanish and foreign, for whom the town is relaxing, leisurely and offers an excellent climate, just like the other localities along the western stretch of the Costa del Sol in Malaga.

Its coastal location, as in the numerous neighbouring locations, has attracted man since very distant times. It was most probably founded by the Phoenicians.

With the arrival of the Romans it acquired great importance, being united in federal union with Rome itself, which allowed it to enjoy its own municipal charter and institutions, in the same way as the city of Malaga. The Phoenicians called it Suel, the Arabs renamed it Sohail, and it was in the eighteenth century -when the town became an important supply centre for boats heading for the Straits of Gibraltar- that it received its definitive name of Fuengirola, derived from the term "girola", the name given to the Genoese dragnet vessels, the presence of which was very important to this Malaga port.

The face of what was formerly a fishing village started to change dramatically in the 60's, with the huge development of tourism on the Costa del Sol, with new, modern buildings which have created a different urban landscape which blends perfectly with the traditional buildings in Fuengirola's most typical streets.  The most important monuments are the archaeological sites of Torreblanca del Sol, Sohail Castle and the parish churches.

The rapid development of tourism has given rise to a large number of places of leisure and entertainment along the promenade, which is one of the longest in Spain and which is in close proximity to the marina, the sailing club, the fishing port and the Centre of Oceanographic Research. In addition Fuengirola is endowed with the only Bio Park of the Costa del Sol.

In terms of craftsmanship, Fuengirola is one of the most important centres in the province with a number of workshop dedicated to pottery, precious metals and jewellery, leather, wooden furniture and tapestry, among other activities. The most important festivities, in honour of the town's saint, La Virgen del Rosario, fall in October. Another important celebration is La Virgen del Carmen. During this event, in the district of Los Boliches, the fishing village which still retains some of its former appearance, there is a maritime procession on 16 July. In addition, the carnival is held at the start of Lent, with street musician and procession contests; after comes Holy Week, with its attractive processions offered by the different religious fraternities, and the summer months see "La Noche Rosa", a series of concerts of modern music which normally take place in July, and the open-air celebrations on the eve of San Juan, 23-24 June, when popular celebrations take place in the San Jose district and culminate in the burning of "Juas" (effigies).

During July and August within the incomparable framework of the Castillo Sohail is celebrated the Music festival of the town of Fuengirola.

Fuengirola's cuisine is in keeping with its cosmopolitan nature, but local dishes are based on locally-caught fish, especially fried fish and skewered sardines, not forgetting rice with seafood, salt fish, baked fish, etc.