Looking into Fuengirola Car Rental?
In that case, you’re at the right place!
As I live in Fuengirola and have plenty of experience with car rental companies, this article will give you all the insights you need to decide on the best car rental in Fuengirola.
BEST FUENGIROLA CAR RENTAL COMPANY: DISCOVER CARS
Skip the long text and book with the best company for car rentals in Fuengirola: Discover Cars.
This price comparison platform will find you the best car rental deals from international and local companies, in just a few seconds.
CAR RENTAL FUENGIROLA
Renting a Car in Fuengirola Online: All You Need To Know
The competition between car rental companies is crazy, which is good for getting a good deal on the price, but it also makes it hard for travellers to pick the right company.
In the following paragraph, I will take you through the process of finding the best car rental in Fuengirola that will save you a lot of hassle and money!
Before You Book Car Rental in Fuengirola
One issue that needs your consideration before you book any rental car is parking!
If you’re staying in an apartment, it’s super important to check whether the place has a dedicated parking lot in the building. Most places have parking within the building, but it’s not allocated per apartment, making it tricky to find a parking place for your car. This is especially an issue in the summer when the building has increased occupation capacity.
If you’re staying in a hotel, check how much they charge for car parking, as it can be quite a lot in some places. If you still want to stay in the place, check what public parking is available nearby (I shared a map below), which can save you a lot of money for minimum inconvenience.
Click the link below to filter hotels with free parking at booking.com (I always use them for all my trips) – you will find the parking filter on the left side in the filter options under facilities.
Booking a Car Rental in Fuengirola
1. Which Car Rental Company to Use
I recommend using Discover Cars, an award-winning car rental comparison site that will get you the best deals from dozens of local and international car rental companies so that you can find the best deals on car rentals in seconds.
The company is super transparent and has some of the highest customer satisfaction rates in the industry (4.4/5 on Tripadvisor), so you can be confident in making your booking through them. Here are some other advantages of using them:
- Get the best price on car rental in seconds
- Trusted reviews for each car rental company are available on the platform
- Completely transparent with no hidden fees
- Much better deals than trying to source a car rental locally
- No language barrier
- 24/7 multi-language customer support helping you with the booking or any issues
- Free cancellation
- Lowest prices thanks to deals with lots of local companies
2. How to Book Car Rental in Fuengirola
It’s super easy – add your journey details to the table below, generating quotes and price options for your car rental. I have added some explanatory comments below the table.
Pick up location: you can use the address of your hotel, or if you’re travelling directly from the airport, use the terminal address. They will park the car for you by the terminal building.
Return location: the search is set up by default, with the return location being the same as the pickup location. If you want to change that, simply untick the box and provide a dedicated drop-off location.
Small print: on top of the search button, you will see a small note about the driver’s country of residence and age – make sure that reflects your residence and age so you get the most accurate quote for car rental.
3. Choose Your Car Rental Quote
Once you have added the details to the form, you will have many options and quotes from different companies.
Please pay attention to the review rating for each transport company and avoid using those with low ratings, as you’ll most likely get into some issues using them, or they will be very difficult in case something goes wrong on the road.
The terms for each car rental option are clearly displayed on the overview, with the fuel policy, pick-up location and other important rental terms.
4. Car Insurance Coverage
Once you select your chosen company, you will be navigated to the booking details page, where you should check carefully that all the details are correct.
I highly recommend taking the full coverage option from Discover Cars as it’s the best peace of mind service if something goes wrong while driving in Spain. If you have your own independent insurance, they might not accept it, or it might not cover everything you need, like damage to the windshield or similar.
5. Payment Terms & Extras
If you’re travelling with kids, you can add car seats or booster seats to your booking on the booking detail page – check that you’re happy with the rates charged; otherwise, check a quote from a different company.
In most cases, you will pay a small deposit for the car rental, and the rest will be paid on the pickup date in the agreed location.
Please double-check that the car company does not require cash payment, as some smaller ones do. Also, double-check whether any security deposit is due so you don’t have any nasty surprise payment as you arrive to pick up the car.
CAR RENTAL FUENGIROLA
Common Issues With Renting a Car in Fuengirola
There are some common scenarios and issue you want to avoid and prepare for, I list all of them in here:
Anticipate Issues: Allow plenty of time before picking up and dropping off your car, especially if you have a flight to catch. Make sure you can deal with any issues that might arise without missing your flight.
Car defects: before you get into the car and drive off, check the contract for the car for any declared defects and inspect the car in person, taking photos of any issues you might spot that are not covered in the contract. Notify the member of staff to update the contract. Take a photo of the dashboard when you leave and arrive to have proof of the fuel levels.
Car equipment: it is a legal requirement to have a spare tire in the car, together with the yellow vest, medicine box, repair kit and safety triangles. Make sure you check them.
Petrol charges: if the company’s policy is to refund a full tank of fuel, ensure you know their rates beforehand. Also, check if there are extra admin charges for fueling up the car if you were supposed to return it with full fuel.
Making complaints: if you have any issues with the company, ask for a complaints book – it’s a legal requirement to have it and to be able to use it. The book has three copies: one for the customer, one for the local authority and one for the company. If they would refuse to hand it over, you can call the police, and they will ensure you can fill it in.
Child seats: some car companies have accessive charges for child seats. Make sure you check these properly so you don’t end up spending hundreds of euros just for seats. If this applies to you, and you don’t want to pay for seat rentals, you can always order some at amazon.es and get them delivered to your hotel or accommodation.
Navigation: many companies use excessive charges for GPS navigation when you really don’t need to pay for it. You can use many free app-based GPS navigations, which will work even without any data roaming. Alternatively, you can also get an e-sim card with a pre-loaded data package to use your standard GPS navigation from the phone.
CAR RENTAL FUENGIROLA
Driving in Fuengirola: Local’s Guide
Every city has unique traffic challenges that are well-known in the area. Below I will list the most practical tips for driving safely in Fuengirola.
Main Roads
There are four main traffic junctions or roads that lead through the city:
- Paseo Maritimo road – this is the road leading next to the sea. It is one of the busiest and most prone to accidents due to cyclists and frequent pedestrian crossings.
- Avenida Nuestro Padre Jesus Cautivo – probably the biggest and main traffic road in Fuengirola, this one lines the train tracks, and it is intersected by roundabouts which will lead you to the main highway, connecting the city with Malaga and Marbella via A-7 highway.
- Avenida Ramon y Cajal – I call this the ‘bus road’ as the main bus journeys run through this street. It’s much smaller, and due to buses stopping frequently, it gets clogged up quite a bit.
- The A-7 Highway – the main highway that passes on the outskirts of Fuengirola, and it is easily accessible from any of the previous roads just by driving up North.
Traffic Accidents
In recent years, accidents have become much more frequent in Fuengirola, especially on the Paseo Maritimo road, due to increased traffic.
The road is pretty busy, and in the last few years, there have been many incidents involving cyclists, so the city installed speed cameras and warning systems. They help to keep the road safe again, but if you’re driving through, keep an eye on your speed and also check the pedestrian crossings properly.
The only other place where I witnessed accidents was roundabouts by the train street, where people simply don’t give the right to the traffic on the roundabout, and accidents happen quite frequently.
I’ve also seen people getting hit while trying to use the pedestrian crossing, so please be careful when you drive and keep your eyes open.
What to do if you get into a car accident
If you happen to be part of a traffic accident, you should follow these steps:
- Try to remain calm and check if you or your passengers are injured. If you are injured, stay where you are and don’t move your body.
- Call the ambulance and police by dialling 112. If you are able, you should also call the car rental company to notify them.
- Do not move the car out of the way; keep it exactly where it is.
- Put on the reflection vest, if you can move, and display the warning triangles around the car for incoming traffic.
- Take a photo of the position of the car, and any injuries you have sustained, if they are not serious obviously, and you can use your phone.
- The police should take a statement and document everything. The car rental company should take care of everything else.
Parking in Fuengirola
There are a number of public parking options available in Fuengirola, which are marked on the map below. When you open up the map, it will show you opening hours for each option on the listing.
There are also free parking places around the Paseo Maritimo, but these get booked up pretty much right away, so if you want to drive to the beach, I would suggest getting there as early as possible in the morning.
Although not officially indicated as a public parking location, public parking is available on Recinto Fuengirola, where the local markets are held on Saturdays and Tuesdays. The location is marked on the map below.
This is possibly the biggest outdoor parking option in Fuengirola.
Police Checks
Police patrol cars regularly pass the city, so don’t be alarmed if you see that.
If there is one thing you don’t want to mess with, it’s certainly illegal parking. The towing company operates around the clock and cars are removed in a matter of minutes.
What to do if they tow your car
Fuengirola is known for being a bit extreme when it comes to towing cars, sometimes even those legally parked. If this happens to you, make your way to the towing compound, which is located next to the Feria grounds, marked on the map below.
In there, you will have to pay a fee, which could be around 90 euros, to get your car back. Not a fun thing to do, but it does happen quite often.
Traffic Laws You Should Know
- Driving licenses, car rental and insurance documents must always be carried in the car.
- Seatbelts must be worn at all times
- The maximum allowed amount of blood in alcohol is less than 1.2mg/0.6ml – this can be reached after consuming as little as a small glass of wine or beer
- Two warning triangles and a reflective vest must be in the car at all times
- Do not use mobile while driving
- Kids under the age of 12 must sit in the backseat.
- If you witness an accident, you have an obligation to help the injured and call the police and ambulance if you’re the first one on the scene.
CAR RENTAL FUENGIROLA
Rented a Car in Fuengirola, Now What?
If you have already found the perfect deal for your car rental, congratulations! Now the fun part begins!
In the section below, I added many ideas and tips on what to explore on short journeys out of Fuengirola. Get inspired to plan the perfect trip!
POPULAR MONUMENTS TICKETS
Here are some of the most popular monuments and activities, all within a short drive from Fuengirola.
Museo Picasso Málaga: Ticket & Audioguide – Admire more than 200 works by the creator of Cubism as well as exciting temporary exhibitions.
Benalmádena: Mount Calamorro Cable Car Ticket – Climb to the top of Mount Calamorro on this Benalmádena cable car ride featuring exclusive views of the Costa del Sol.
Málaga: Alcazaba and Roman Theatre Guided Tour With Entry – The Alcazaba is one of the emblematic landmarks and a must-see when visiting Málaga.
Málaga: 2-Hour Historical Center & Cathedral Tour – Explore the fantastic historic center and the Cathedral of Málaga on this 2-hour tour.
Benalmadena Aquarium Visit – Dive into an amazing underwater world at the Benalmádena Aquarium.
Granada: Alhambra, Nasrid Palaces and Generalife Guided Tour – Visit the Alhambra complex with a professional guide.
7 MOST POPULAR DAY TRIPS FROM FUENGIROLA
Are you ready to explore with your car? Here are the most popular day trip options from Fuengirola!
1. MARBELLA DAY TRIP
Distance: 30 km (18.6 miles)
Journey Duration: 30 minutes
What to See: Marbella old town, the coastal area and promenade, Alameda Park, Puerto Banus, Plaza de los Naranjos in Marbella old town, the Golden Mile (coastal promenade with some of the most expensive properties on Costa del Sol).
2. MALAGA DAY TRIP
Distance: 31.5 km (19.5 miles)
Journey Duration: 27 minutes
What to See: the Alcazaba Fortress, Gibralfaro Castle, the Roman Theater, take a stroll in Muelle Uno, visit the historic old town of Malaga, Malaga Cathedral, Picasso Museum, Picasso’s Birth Place in Plaza Merced, take a catamaran trip from Muelle Uno, sip a cocktail in a rooftop bar with a view of Alcazaba.
3. RONDA DAY TRIP
Distance: 93.5 km (58 miles)
Journey Duration: 1 hour 20 minutes
What to See: the Roman Bridge, Casa Don Bosco, the old Roman Baths, stroll through the local parks and admire views from the miradors (viewpoints), check one of the oldest bullrings in the country, and enjoy a short hike near the gorge.
4. NERJA DAY TRIP
Distance: 90 km (55 miles)
Journey Duration: 1 hour
What to See: the Balcony of Europe, coastal areas and beaches, the old town and the caves of Nerja. It’s also great for hiking and nature activities.
5. GRANADA DAY TRIP
Distance: 153 km (95 miles)
Journey Duration: 1 hour 40 minutes
What to See: the Alhambra Palace with Alcazaba, Generalife Gardens, the old town of Albaicin, Sacromonte district with caves, Granada Science Museum, Carmen de los Martires gardens and much more.
6. ESTEPONA DAY TRIP
Distance: 63.9 km (39 miles)
Journey Duration: 45 minutes
What to See: the Orchidarium of Estepona, Estepona old town, Estepona Marina.
7. GIBRALTAR DAY TRIP
Distance: 109 km (67 miles)
Journey Duration: 1 hour 20 minutes
What to See: the highstreet in old town, the nature reserve with monkeys and St Michael’s Cave, Skywalk and the tunnels. Gibraltar marina is great for lunch options too. Duty-free shopping in Gibraltar.
CAR RENTAL FUENGIROLA
Frequent Questions About Car Rental in Fuengirola
Below are some of the most frequent questions about Fuengirola car rental – if there are any questions that you have and were not answered here, leave a comment under the article and I will answer it there.
Is it safe to drive a car in Fuengirola?
Yes, it is! BUT, you should pay attention to the speed limits, where you park your car (towing is a popular sport for the local council) and also at pedestrian crossings.
What is the most popular car hire in Fuengirola?
I always recommend Discover Cars, which is a price comparison website that will show you lots of price options not just from local but also from international car rental companies, giving you the best deals on car rentals in a matter of seconds.
How much does it cost to rent a car in Fuengirola?
An average price for car rental in Fuengirola, for a period of 5 days, would be around 170 euros. That price goes higher in the main season.
What do you need to rent a car in Fuengirola?
A valid driving license is required, along with your ID.
Can I rent a car for a month or longer in Fuengirola?
If you need a car for an extended period of time, the best idea is to find small local car rental companies in Fuengirola, where you can get a better deal for long-term rentals.
What is the cheapest car hire price for Fuengirola?
The cheapest car hire is usually in the shoulder season or off season (winter and spring months), where you can pay around 150 euros for a 5-day car hire.
What rental companies have the best prices in Fuengirola?
To find the best prices for car rental Fuengirola, I always recommend using Discover Cars, which will populate the best prices and quotes from small local but also big international car rental companies, giving you lots of options to find something within your budget.
What is the best car rental in Los Boliches Fuengirola?
There is no need to look for a specific company in Los Boliches. You get the best deals and prices if you go to Discover Cars, which will populate the best prices and quotes from small local and big international car rental companies, giving you many options to find something within your budget.
Final Thoughts
I hope this article provided great options for finding the perfect car rental in Fuengirola and tips that will make driving in the city much safer. I have also included many options for exploring with a car, within a short journey from Fuengirola.
If there is anything that is not included in this article, leave a comment below and I will be happy to answer any questions you might have.
Please also check below my recommended services and travel tips for planning your trip.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links – if you decide to book using one of the links, I will earn a small commission that helps me run this site. This is at no extra cost to you.
