Is Fuengirola expensive?
If you’ve been pondering this question, you came to the right place!
As a local resident of Fuengirola, I have first-hand experience with the prices of food, drinks, living costs and the costs of travel.
In this article, you will find a detailed summary of what you can expect in Fuengirola and how much you will pay for all the basics.
Is Fuengirola Expensive?
No, Fuengirola is not expensive at all.
Eating out and a night out in Fuengirola is very affordable. Fuengirola also offers a range of accommodation options for every budget.
Fuengirola Food Prices
If you’re planning to shop for food in the supermarket, here is the great news: local food, especially vegetables and fruits are of excellent quality and very cheap!
Almost everything is grown in Southern Spain, including olive oil, so everything fresh you buy from the shop is grown in the same country, and that is reflected in the prices and taste.
Fuengirola has a few different supermarkets where you can get your food, and you can check a dedicated post on those here.
In short:
- Mercadona – best choice for quality and prices, also wide availability but mostly own brand products
- Lidl – second best choice, but limited availability beyond own brand
- Supercor – the most expensive one, but they have some imported British products you can’t get anywhere else
- Dia – also an affordable supermarket where you will find a variety of products (good for healthy & eco friendly options too)
- Carefour – there is a big one in Miramar and has a vast selection of food & household items at good prices
- Aldi – I haven’t been to this one but I’ve heard its very good and reasonably priced
A short note on seasonality – out of the main season (winter months) you can see a bit higher prices for fruits as these are imported and not local.
Here are a few price snapshots from my last supermarket trip (this is from Mercadona):
Fuengirola Restaurant Prices
I’ve been eating out in Fuengirola a lot, nearly every single weekend.
The good news is – eating out is cheap. The bad news – the food quality in restaurants is not that great.
Restaurant Prices
The prices will vary quite a bit. In 99% of the cases, the high price is no indication of the quality of the restaurant.
The most overpriced and worst quality places in my opinion are chiringuitos, the beachside restaurants that have recently been renovated. They may look classy and cool, but trust me – you do not want to eat there.
It’s hard to draw some estimates even though I’ve eaten in dozens of restaurants in Fuengirola, but I will try my best here:
- Paella – 15 – 18 euros per person
- Gambas Pil Pil – 7 – 12 euros
- Salads – 7 – 15 euros
- Calamares (fried) – 12 – 15 euros
- Sardine skewer (espeto de sardinas) – 6- 8 euros
- Gazpacho – around 6 euros
- Filet steak – 25 – 40 euros
- Garlic bread – 2.50 – 5 euros
- English Breakfast – 6 – 8 euros
- Pizza – from 7 euros
Please note these are just estimates and the price will vary depending on where you go.
Best Restaurant Food Deals
To get the best deal on your meal, I recommend checking the ‘menu del dia’ which is usually a 3-course meal for around 10 euros. This is advertised in front of the restaurants and available during the day (so not a dinner option).
Another great way to save is to try tapas restaurants which are a bit off from the main tourist places. You can get a portion of tapas for as little as 3 euros, and will be full after a few of these.
Restaurant Options
I have a few favourite restaurants to which I return, often instead of taking a risk and trying a new one. But that’s not the topic here, you want to know about prices, right?
If you’re on a tight budget, you won’t struggle to find a decent meal in Fuengirola. On Paseo Maritimo, the main coastal promenade of Fuengirola, you will find plenty of low-budget eateries catering to any taste buds.
Another great option is the Calle Moncayo (which I affectionately call ‘the hunger street’) which is tightly packed food indulgence heaven with many restaurant options. The quality will vary, but you will find some of the best deals in here.
Of course, no city is complete without its offering of fast food restaurants, and by the coast, you will find your typical McDonalds and KFC. In the Miramar Shopping center there are a few more options including Subway and a few other burger joints.
Fuengirola Prices Compared to Other Destinations
I have visited all the places next to Fuengirola and here are my general observations:
- Torremolinos is cheaper than Fuengirola (eating out and accommodation)
- Benalmadena is about the same as Fuengirola, maybe slightly cheaper
- Marbella is more expensive than Fuengirola
- Malaga is more expensive than Fuengirola
Fuengirola Travel Prices
Fuengirola has excellent and affordable transport connections to the nearby towns and cities.
You can get to Malaga with the local train for as little as 4 euros one way, and the local bus will take you to Mijas Pueblo with a ticket under 2 euros.
There are also cheap local bus connections to Marbella, Malaga, Ronda and other destinations further south.
Local buses in Fuengirola are also very inexpensive and easy to use, although I personally walk pretty much anywhere instead of using the bus.
Fuengirola Attraction Prices
The most expensive attraction in Fuengirola is the Bioparc – I have visited many times and they increase the prices pretty much every year.
At the moment, you pay nearly 25 euros for an adult. For a family of 4 with two kids, you will end up spending nearly 90 euros for a few hours of fun.
The rest of the more expensive attractions usually involve anything to do with water sports or activities – renting a boat etc.
Luckily, there are also plenty of free things to do in Fuengirola.
Fuengirola Accomodation Prices
Fuengirola has a few luxurious accommodation options which include 4-star hotels, but I would say most of the options available are in the mid-range or lower-budget category.
Especially if you’re looking for an apartment, you’re very likely to get a very good deal in Fuengirola.
Prices for apartments start at as little as 30 euros per night but will be much higher in the main season (late May to mid-September).
Hotels by the coastline with decent quality accommodation will be around 100 euros per night. Of course, there are also plenty of low-budget hostels and other options to choose from, but those tend to be off the main coastal road.
You will always pay a premium if you have an apartment on the front line facing the sea (Paseo Maritimo).
Is Fuengirola Expensive to Live?
No, Fuengirola is not expensive to live at all. I have been living in the city for over three years now, and I think it’s pretty affordable, but of course that depends on your setup.
Rent is quite affordable, especially if you don’t need a big place and can be further from the coastline. What’s expensive is the electricity as you end up using air conditioning a lot, which costs a lot of money.
Is Fuengirola Expensive to Eat Out?
No, Fuengirola is not expensive to eat out. There are lots of affordable restaurants offering a wide variety of gourmet experiences for any budget.
Is Fuengirola Expensive in Pounds?
No, Fuengirola is not expensive, especially if you’re coming from the UK. You can expect much cheaper prices compared to the UK especially when it comes to buying food, eating out or even your accommodation.
Other Frequent Questions
Is it expensive to eat out in Fuengirola?
No, Fuengirola is not expensive to eat out. You can have a decent quality meal with a starter and main course between 20 to 30 euros per person. If you want to eat a lunch, look out for ‘menu del dia’ which is a three-course meal usually costing around 10 euros per person.
How much is a pint of beer in Fuengirola?
A pint of beer costs between 2.50 euros to 3.50 euros in Fuengirola, depending on the place. A small glass of beer (‘cana’) is around 1.50 euros.
How much is a glass of wine in Fuengirola?
A glass of wine in Fuengirola would cost between 2.50 to 4.50 euros, depending on the restaurant.
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