I have to admit, even after living in Fuengirola for over three years, I did not know what the ‘Fish Alley’ was, despite having been there many times.
So in this article, unlike a one-time travel blogger on a short holiday, I will give you the local view of what’s known as the Fish Alley, or as me and my husband affectionately call it ‘The Hunger Street’.
You may notice I have not included any pictures from the area as it’s usually full of people and not the prettiest place to photograph, but I will venture there again to capture the spirit of the street and update this post as soon as I have them.
What is the Fish Alley in Fuengirola?
It’s a local name (although no locals I know use it) for Calle Moncayo, which runs parallel to the Paseo Maritimo, not far from the Fuengirola Marina.
There is no clear explanation of how the street got its name, but it could be from the history of Fuengirola as an old fishing village, and this may well have been the first big street where new fish restaurants opened up.
The street is about 1 km long, lined with restaurants and bars from each side, with each of them having a small terrace outside and a member of staff trying to lure you in. It’s a very narrow road in one of the oldest parts of the city, so not exactly the most picturesque place to enjoy your meal, and not exactly authentic either.
The first time I visited this place was on my first holiday in Spain over 10 years ago. Back in those days, it was actually fun to sit down and enjoy a good meal with a local guy passing by and playing the guitar. Even though it was busy, it was still very Spanish in the best sense of the word.
These days it’s a very different experience – as soon as you walk in, you are approached by a waiter from every single restaurant you pass, and decline invitations to sit down for a meal. After doing this the first 5 times it gets very annoying, and you still have a while to walk if you want to make it at least to the middle of the street.
The restaurant selection here is not amazing – and there are almost no seafood speciality restaurants. Most of these are old establishments that survive purely on tourism – that means that there are crowds of people who return here every year, no matter how bad the restaurant may be.
As you sit down for a meal, you get approached by street sellers trying to sell you everything from sunglasses, fake handbags, football shirts for kids, and even carpets! It’s not just one, there is a constant flow of these guys passing by a number of times per day, and after a while, it can really ruin the meal. During the course of one meal, you may encounter 15 people harassing you quite easily.
At dark, this area is the perfect place for muggers and there are also a lot of drugs circulating in the area. It’s not uncommon for young girls to have their drink spiked with drugs, and unfortunately, I know of at least two cases of this, one was in this specific area.
Where is the Fish Alley in Fuengirola?
I have marked the location on the map below.
Is the Fish Alley in Fuengirola Worth Visiting?
As you can probably estimate from the info I shared earlier, I’m not a fan, and I would not recommend anyone to visit. Just a recap of the pros and cons of this street:
- super busy in the summer, nearly impossible to find a seat in a decent restaurant
- constant harassment by street sellers
- not a nice area of Fuengirola
- no view or atmosphere
- gets super busy and very loud
- muggers and drugs are problems in the area
- you might find it ok to try having a lunch here if you want to see it
- better options are getting a drink in one of the corner bars which have a terrace facing the sea
Best Restaurants in the Fish Alley in Fuengirola
If you’re looking for a good place to eat, feel free to stroll through the Fish Alley and try one of the places there if you’re looking for a good deal menu options. The restaurants normally have menu offers and daily menu combinations which are good value for money, but you get what you pay for.
If you’re looking for a nice place to eat, with good food, atmosphere and good service, I would recommend some of the places I have visited many times in the area, which include:
- Casa Pasta Spaghetteria – this is just a short walk away from the Fish Alley, this restaurant chain has three establishments in Fuengirola but this one is the prettiest one! Traditional Italian cuisine is prepared to perfection in a beautiful setting close to the Old Town Fuengirola. Click the restaurant link to see my review with images.
- Picoteo Restaurant – a small restaurant on the square next to the main post office, one of the liveliest areas of the old town. They specialize in tapas meals and have wonderful options on the menu. The restaurant has a small terrace and a very cozy interior.
For a full list of best-recommended restaurants in Fuengirola, check my article here.
I hope this article answered all the questions you might have about this area of Fuengirola. In case there is something specific you wanted to know, feel free to leave a comment below!
Fuengirola: Recommended Day Trips & Experiences
- Caminito del Rey Day Trip with Guide – explore the world-famous pathway of the king, and admire the stunning views from the gorge El Chorro. Includes pick up in Fuengirola, entrance to Caminito del Rey and helmets.
- Day Trip to Gibraltar – with pick up from Fuengirola with a minibus, with free time in Gibraltar for shopping and an optional tour of the nature reserve.
- Gibraltar Sightseeing Day Tour – a more structured day trip with a full tour of the nature reserve, showing you all the highlights, with free time for shopping. Pick up from Fuengirola.
- Ronda and Setenil de las Bodegas Day Trip – see the famous Puente Nuevo bridge in Ronda, with one of the oldest bullrings in the country, and admire the homes and restaurants built into caves in Setenil. Pick-up in Fuengirola – includes a walking tour of Ronda and a complimentary glass of wine in Ronda.
- Day Trip to Granada with Alhambra Tour – see one of the architectural wonders of Spain, the Moorish Palace complex of Alhambra, with free time to explore Granada. Includes pick-up from Fuengirola, tickets to Alhambra and a guide.
Explore More In Fuengirola
Los Boliches, Fuengirola: What to Do, See and Where to Eat
Torreblanca, Fuengirola: What To See, Do & Where to Stay
Fuengirola Boat Trips: Best Options & Things to Keep in Mind
A Complete Guide to Fuengirola Beaches: All You Need to Know
Best Things to Do with Kids on Your Trip to Fuengirola, Spain
