Top 5 Best Free Things to Do in Fuengirola, Spain
If you’re like me and you like to travel on a budget, you probably look for the best free things to do in every city you visit. Well, I’m here to help answer that question for Fuengirola, Spain, an Andalusian beach town tucked between mountains.
Since Fuengirola is a beach town that attracts tons of tourists, lots of the most popular things to do are unfortunately not free. If you’re willing to spend some money, there are plenty of exciting activities you can do, from dolphin-watching to paddle-boarding.
But if you’re trying to limit the amount of money you’re spending on your travels, there are actually several fun things to do in Fuengirola that are free of cost! Fortunately, Fuengirola has pretty mild weather year round. The town is located on Spain’s Costa del Sol, an area of Spanish coastline famous for its sunny weather. Because of this, outdoor activities are great options for free things to do in Fuengirola during most of the year.
Here’s the list of my top five favorite free things to do in Fuengirola, Spain.
1. Go to the beach!
Okay, so I know this one might seem a bit obvious, but seriously, the Fuengirola beach has some of the most stunning views I’ve seen from a beach. The town is surrounded by mountains. So beach-goers in Fuengirola enjoy gorgeous views of the mountains that surround the town.
More specifically, you can choose between the following beaches: Playa del Ejido (near Castillo Sohail), Playa de San Francisco (in the center of town), Playa de los Boliches (near the los Boliches neighborhood), and Playa de las Gaviotas (at the end of Fuengirola closest to Malaga). These beaches all offer public restrooms. For views of the mountains, my favorite area is Playa de los Boliches.
Have a picnic, go for a swim, read a book, take in the views, and enjoy yourself on the beach for free! Just don’t forget your sunscreen!
2. Visit Castillo Sohail
Castillo Sohail is a Moorish fort built atop Roman ruins built atop Phonecian ruins. There’s a short but steep hike to get to the top of the hill where the castle sits, but at the top, you can see outstanding views of the coastline.
At the time I’m writing this, entering the castle is free to the public during operating hours. For updated hours of operation and potential fees, visit the website for the Ayuntamiento de Fuengirola here.
Even when the fortress is closed, you can still hike to the top of the hill and walk around the edge of Castillo Sohail, which I highly recommend.
For more information on the history of Castillo Sohail, click here.
3. Walk along the Paseo Marítimo
The Paseo Marítimo is a big sidewalk that runs along the coast of Fuengirola from one end to the other. In fact, the Paseo Marítimo extends past Fuengirola into the next town over on one end.
If you enjoy walking along the beach, take a stroll down the Paseo Marítimo. You can enjoy views of the mountains and coastline while you walk. And if you get hungry or thirsty, there are plenty of restaurants, cafes, and tourist shops along the road.
4. Watch the sunset from Espigón de la T
Espigón de la T is a T-shaped walkway that extends into the sea between Playa de los Boliches and Playa de San Francisco. From the end of the walkway, visitors can take in views of the Fuengirola coastline and the mountains that hug it.
It’s just a short walk to the end of the T-shaped boardwalk, but once you’re there you might want to stick around for a while. Perhaps bring a towel or picnic blanket so you can take a seat while you watch the sun set behind Fuengirola.
5. Walk along the Río de Fuengirola
Start at the beach where the river meets the sea (by this pretty bridge), and walk along the sidewalks in the park next to the Río de Fuengirola. Walking away from the beach, you’ll get some nice views of the mountains behind the river.
At the park, there are ping pong tables, which are free and open to the public—but you have to bring your own paddles and balls.
Otherwise, just enjoy strolling down the walkways while the river flows gently beside you.
I hope this post helps you save a bit of money during your trip to Fuengirola! Have fun!
