Fuengirola's biggest attraction is without doubt the 5-mile stretch of beach which runs from the district of Carvajal to the dominant landmark of Sohail Castle. Alongside the beach is a wide and pleasant promenade. This resort on the Costa del Sol is popular with families with several attractions geared towards children, most notably the zoo and the water park on the edge of town.

Fuengirola has changed almost beyond recognition within the last 30 years, as the construction of numerous multi-storey hotels and apartment blocks has swamped the old fishing villages that were located along this section of coastline. There are, however, pockets of the town that have retained some of their charm, in particular the narrow streets around the Plaza de la Constitucion in the centre, and the old fishing village of Los Boliches to the east. Fuengirola has a long history, evidence of which can be seen in the Roman remains which are dotted around the town. The Finca del Secretario site in Toreblanca is the best-known archaeological site containing remnants of Roman dwellings and bathhouses.

Fuengirola's most visible historical monument though is Sohail Castle located on a small hill on the western fringes of the town. The present structure dates from 1730 although it has been built and rebuilt several times during its long history. Sohail Castle is worth visiting mainly for the superb views of the town from its ramparts. For an overview of Fuengirola's history, the Museo de Historia houses many artifacts excavated from the local area, although the exhibits are labeled in Spanish only. The museum's most important single find is the so-called 'Venus de Fuengirola' statue which is thought to date from the 1st century AD.

The biggest tourist attraction in the resort is Fuengirola Zoo, which concentrates on species from the tropical rainforest. The zoo has been designed to try to recreate the animals' natural habitat, without the need for bars and cages. Popular species that can be seen here include lemurs, meerkats, Sumatran tigers, gibbons and monkeys. During the summer time the zoo is open late into the evening to allow visitors to experience the sounds of the night-time jungle. Another of Fuengirola's popular attractions is the Parque Acuatico Mijas with all the thrilling slides and chutes that you would expect to see at a top water park.

Like many resorts on the Costa del Sol, Fuengirola has plenty of British and Irish bars, as well as restaurants serving all types of cuisine from Italian to Japanese. Along the seafront there are several chiringuitos (beach bars) offering more traditional Spanish food. Fuengirola also has a good choice of late-night bars and discos.

Fuengirola is situated 18 miles (29km) west of Malaga. The town's main train station is located in Avenida Jesus Santos Rein, with additional stops at Los Boliches, Carvajal and Torreblanca. There is a half-hourly train service from Fuengirola to Malaga city centre and the airport. The bus station is situated nearby and there are regular services from here to the major resorts along the coast.