Fuengirola
Fuengirola is a major town on the Costa del Sol which has over 8km of beaches. The fortress which still adorns the beach was built in the 10th Century by Abd-ar-Rahmna III who was the Moorish ruler at the time and renovated in 1995.
Fuengirola like its Andalucian neighbours has an abundance of hotels, restaurants, nightclubs and a marina. Over a quarter of its population are foreigners, mainly from European countries like England, Ireland, Scotland, Finland and Sweden. In summer the Spanish town attracts many visitors worldwide, however most holiday makers are mainly British or Spanish.
Fuengirola consists of mainly apartment blocks and hotels, although through some of the small winding streets you can find low rise Spanish villas. Many apartment blocks have underground car parks for residents as the streets are very narrow and parking can be a problem in the town.
Fuengirola is great for shopping and has numerous smaller shops throughout the main streets. El Corte Inglés has opened up its department store in 2006 and the Myramar Centre is a large shopping mall with cinema, bowling alley and restaurants.
There are 4 main areas to Fuengirola; Los Boliches, Torreblanca, Carvajal, and El Boquetillo. Los Boliches is the most popular area for English speaking expatriates.
Fuengirola celebrates many fiestas like San Juan (23rd June) and on the day of the Virgen del Carmen in July, Los Boliches commemorates its maritime tradition with the bearing of the Virgin in a procession, first on the fishing craft-a beautiful ritual performed in all coastal communities in Málaga-and afterwards through the streets of the town. The Feria de Octubre in honour of the Virgen del Rosario takes place with bullfights, carriage horse exhibitions, and dressage, riding shows, flamenco singing and dancing acts.
Fuengirola Zoo had a refurbishment in 1998 and in June 2001 opened its doors transforming the Spanish and European concept of what a zoo could be. The sub-tropical vegetation which grows on the coast of Malaga province served to re-create the tropical rainforests of Madagascar, Equatorial Africa and Southeast Asia.
Gone are the fences and buildings. Instead, rivers and waterfalls have sprung up along with caves, valleys and rocks. Fuengirola Zoo opens at 10am and costs 14,90 for Adults and 10,20 for children between 3-9 and seniors.
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