Fuengirola is a hugely popular year round resort. In the summer time it is a haven for watersports, families and Spanish golfers. In the autumn, winter and spring Fuengirola becomes a golfing paradise to sun seeking golfers, offering some of the best golf courses along the Costa del Sol along with a wide range of great value hotels. In this article we share with you how to book budget golf holidays in Fuengirola. You will be amazed at the low cost but high quality packages that can be put together!
When are the hotel and golf costs at their lowest?
As a long time resident in Spain I love the heat and thoroughly enjoy playing golf in the baking August sun. The summer months are generally the quietest on the golf courses and offer the low season rates. The hotels and airlines however are in their peak seasons and charging peak season prices.
The best months to benefit from the low season rates for flights, hotels and golf are the second half of November, December January and the first half of February.
Early bird and Twilight Green and prime time fees
Many golf courses offer Early Bird and Twilight green fee rates. As you can imagine, Early Bird tee times run from sunrise for the first hour or so of the day.
Sunrise on the Costa del Sol is not as bad as it sounds. It becomes light enough to play in the winter from around 7.45am. Early mornings will need another layer of clothing to deal with the single digit temperatures until the sun climbs higher.
Like Early bird, Twilight golf can make a significant saving on the prime time green fee. In general the twilight rate is applicable for the last three and a half hours of light for the day, which means that completing 18 holes might necessitate some generous “gimmes” to keep the pace of play suitably quick!
Each golf course makes it clear that you might not complete 18 holes with a Twilight green fee.
Which golf courses should I play close to Fuengirola?
Does low cost golf mean the golf courses are in bad shape? No. The golf courses are beautiful! They are priced lower during the months of late November, December, and January to reflect the demand around the holiday season. This is great news for us as we can combine the low season rates of the hotels with the mid and low season rates of the golf courses and create a bargain golf holiday!
There are some golf courses that are more difficult than others. I am not a fan of mountainous golf courses. I just do not hit the ball straight enough therefore narrow fairways and steep elevations don’t suit my game. You need to pick the right golf course to suit your style. Close to Fuengirola we are lucky to have a selection of superb golf courses of differing styles.
Mijas Golf
The star of the show for me is Mijas Golf. With two 18 holes championship courses, Los Lagos and Los Olivos offering broad fairways, large quick greens, these exquisite golf courses are just 3km from Fuengirola.
Both golf courses are genuine championship venues designed by the legendary Robert Trent Jones. Built to offer a challenging and deeply satisfying experience to golfers of all levels, each of the 36 holes at Mijas Golf is designed to be a hard par but easy bogey. Perfect for both low and long handicap players.
La Cala
The La Cala Resort in the hills above La Cala is a 20 minute ride from Fuengirola offering 3 golf courses. The Asia Course is the most technical of the three and places value on straight hitting. The Americas course is the one on which I usually score the best thanks to the wider fairways! The newest of the courses, The Europa course is pretty, it offers some good scoring opportunities and also has some of the toughest holes you will find anywhere. On a good day I find Europa to be the most satisfying.
El Chaparral
Set in a hinterland above El Faro, El Chaparral is set in a pine forest. The clubhouse is a beautiful tranquil place to enjoy pre golf coffee and apres golf dinner with drinks. The golf course offers reasonably wide fairways, but miss them at your peril! The fairways are often lined with terminal rough and serious trouble is often close to the putting surfaces. It is a tough but fair test of golf. The journey from Fuengirola to El Chaparral is 20 minutes.
Santana Golf
Similar in style to the Mijas Golf courses, hard par, easy bogey, Santana Golf is highly regarded by both local and visiting golfers. Salvador Gallardo, the Director of Golf, and an old friend of mine, along with his team take great pride in presenting Santana Golf in impeccable condition for every guest that comes to visit. It is a delightful course to play. Like Mijas Golf the terrain is largely flat with some gentle climbs which makes it walkable for those that do that sort of thing. The playing experience is first class. Everyone has a good day at Santana Golf
Calanova
Set in the hills above La Cala and adjacent to the La Cala Resort. Calanova is an achingly beautiful place to play golf. The views from the clubhouse and the golf course are incredible. Famous locally for having an outstanding pro shop, Calanova is not a long course, but does place a premium on hitting fairways from the tee. If you can master the tee shots then you will score well at Calanova.
The key thing about a golf holiday is that the golf needs to be good. All of the courses we have mentioned here will deliver a great experience. Just make sure that you choose the golf course to suit your game!
Which Hotels should we consider?
We have researched and sampled a full range of hotels in Fuengirola from 5 star super luxury to 2 star hostel. Here we will share with you the Hotels that we recommend for the ideal golf holiday on a budget in Fuengirola. We have also prepared some examples of packages that we can put together for you.
Illunion Hotel – 4 Star
The Ilunion Hotel is located right on the seafront promenade, offering its guests stunning views of the Los Boliches beach.
Its 180 rooms are beautifully decorated, comfortable and equipped with all the necessary amenities. Depending on each guest’s needs, the rooms range from the Double Standard Room (bright, fully equipped, 16 sq m room) to the spacious Superior Room with sea views (guests can enjoy a fully furnished private terrace). All the rooms have free wi-fi, satellite TV, air conditioning, a mini fridge and a work area with a desk and an armchair.
Some of the facilities that the hotel guests can enjoy include a recently refurbished swimming pool on the second floor, the hotel’s restaurant where guests can savour the regional cuisine of Malaga prepared with only the freshest ingredients and private parking (extra cost).
Ilunion Hotel is also pet friendly. The little members of the family will receive a welcome kit to ensure a comfortable stay. Owners must be sure to read the document of acceptance of conditions or talk to the reception.
Another aspect that sets Ilunion Hotel apart from others is that they have universal accessibility. The hotel has 14 adapted rooms with enough space for people with reduced mobility, smart automation system (emergency button, alarm clocks with vibration or lighting system, adapted telephone) and Braille system. The bathroom has a portable shower chair, a roll-in shower and support rails.
Example offers:
*Prices are based on 2 people sharing a twin room. 4 Players. Buggies included at some courses. Prices are correct at time of writing and are meant for illustrative purposes.
Yaramar Hotel – 4 Star
Overlooking the popular Los Boliches beach in Fuengirola, Yaramar Hotel is focused on offering its guests a taste of Andalucia through promoting events in the area, the exquisite cuisine and the high quality service.
The hotel has all the facilities you may want for an unforgettable stay. On the first floor, facing the sea, guests can enjoy a wonderful swimming pool and a jacuzzi. Guests who want to keep fit can do so at the hotel’s gym, free of charge.
If you want a bit of pampering, be sure to visit Gloria’s Beauty salon. When it comes to entertainment, the Aquarium Discoteque is the perfect place to enjoy good music and dance the night away. The hotel also has an entertainment team which will prepare fantastic shows as well as offer dance classes and more. Since Yaramar is an Adults Recommended hotel, there are no facilities or entertainment for children.
In addition, the hotel also has a private parking for those visiting by car (for extra charge and subject to availability) and a doctor’s facility for any health concerns.
The 242 rooms are decorated in a simple, functional manner with floor to ceiling windows that offer brightness and stunning views of the sea. All the rooms are equipped with free wi-fi, satellite TV, air-conditioning and heating, safe box, a fridge-minibar, hair dryer, a telephone and coffee or tea maker.
Enjoy both local and international cuisine at the hotel’s La Sirena Restaurant where they serve both breakfast and dinner buffet. There is also a Snack Bar right next to the pool that offers cool drinks and light snacks. Sun loving guests will be thrilled by the Riviera Beach Club, situated right on the beach with sun loungers and parasols, offering its guests seafood and fish dishes as well as the famous tapas.
Hotel Yaramar also has 2 cocktail bars where guests can enjoy their favourite drink while listening to live music.
Example offers
*Prices are based on 2 people sharing a twin room. 4 Players. Buggies included at some courses. Prices are correct at time of writing and are meant for illustrative purposes.
Apart Hotel Myramar – 3 Star
A great choice for families, couples or individuals, Hotel Myramar is virtually a small holiday town with all the facilities and entertainment in one place. Situated just 10 minutes walk from the beach and about 15 minutes to the centre of Fuengirola, Hotel Myramar is perfect for sun lovers and those who would like to explore the charming city.
There are 229 comfortable apartments (studio, 1 or 2 bedroom apartments) equipped with modern appliances and facilities. Each apartment contains a fully functional kitchen with a hob, fridge and microwave. The bathroom contains shower/bathtub, hairdryer and toiletries. There is also air conditioning, satellite TV, a telephone and a safe box. The sitting area comes with a comfortable sofa, armchairs and coffee table. Each apartment has a lovely terrace where guests can admire the wonderful views while sipping their morning coffee.
Myramar has 2 outdoor pools (one for adults and one for children) as well as a heated pool which maintains a temperature of 30 degrees C (a swimming cap is compulsory here).
The hotel’s gym is equipped with state of the art machines and personal trainers are at your disposal to make sure you achieve your fitness goals. After a good workout, you can enjoy a relaxing massage and the saunas and jacuzzi in the wellness area. A physiotherapist is also available on request.
Other facilities include 10 padel tennis courts (including 2 courts for children), a kids club with a professional team of entertainers who will keep the little ones busy and amused for hours, a meeting room where different events can be held (catering service is available on request) and a mini golf course.
Guests who want to enjoy exquisite food can do so in one of the 3 on site restaurants. Olea Restaurant has an open kitchen where guests can watch as the chefs masterfully prepare their dishes. In the Colonial Restaurant guests can enjoy breakfast and dinner services with traditional Mediterranean cuisine as well as delectable aromas from Italian, Mexican, Indian and Asian cuisine. Those who do not want to wander far away from the pool for a bite to eat and a drink, Aqua Bar offers a variety of alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks and delicious snacks.
Example offers
*Prices are based on 2 people sharing a twin room. 4 Players. Buggies included at some courses. Prices are correct at time of writing and are meant for illustrative purposes.
Hotel PYR – 3 Star
The 3 star hotel is located right on the seafront, with stunning views of the Mediterranean sea and the beautiful harbour. The hotel is close to many shops, restaurants, bars and tourist attractions worth visiting.
Hotel Pyr, which was built in 1975 and fully renovated in 2010, has 220 comfortable studios and apartments ranging from classic studios (40 sq m, ideal for 3 people), one bedroom apartments (52 sq m, capacity for 4 people), two bedroom apartments (130 sq m, for 6 people), penthouse apartments (70 sq m + 200 sq m solarium with shower and hammocks), Suites and Adapted Unit.
All the rooms have fully functioning kitchens with appliances, air conditioning and heating, a bathroom with shower and/or bathtub, hairdryer and toiletries. The rooms are beautifully furnished with comfortable sofa beds, coffee table and dinner table with chairs.
Guests can bask in the sun at the outdoor pool which is heated between November and March and enjoy a drink and a light snack at the pool bar. There is also a children friendly pool. The pool is surrounded by a beautiful, manicured garden.
Other facilities include a Cafe Bar with a homely terrace and breakfast buffet, convenient vending machines, a terrace with a solarium, free wi-fi throughout the hotel, private parking (for an extra fee), reception desk open 24 hours that will be happy to help and guide you. The hotel is pet friendly (enquire about the rules and requirements first).
Some of the local activities in the area include diving, sailing, water skiing, motor boating, jet skiing, mountain biking, golf. The reception will be able to steer you in the right direction and even book the preferred activities for you.
Example offers
*Prices are based on 2 people sharing a twin room. 4 Players. Buggies included at some courses. Prices are correct at time of writing and are meant for illustrative purposes.
Hotel El Puerto – 3 Star
Just 30m away from the beach, Hotel El Puerto has an ideal location for guests who want to enjoy the sea and the beach but also the city.
The rooms are spacious and bright with free wi-fi, air conditioning, TV with national and international channels, toiletries and a shower in the en-suite bathroom. All rooms have a little furnished terrace. For a fee, you can rent a mini fridge or a kettle. Also, you can opt to have a sea view room or a city view room.
One of the most attractive features of the hotel is the Sky Bar located on the rooftop, next to the pool. Here, guests can enjoy alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks and tasty snacks while taking in the breathtaking panoramic views of the sea, harbour and the city.
El Puerto houses the Visual restaurant where guests can sample mouth watering local delicacies or international dishes.
The hotel is pet friendly. The limit is 1 pet per room, weighing a maximum of 10 kg. Contact the reception prior to arriving to find out the conditions.
The friendly staff at the reception can advise and guide you as to what activities are available in the area and also assist you with the bookings.
Example offers
*Prices are based on 2 people sharing a twin room. 4 Players. Buggies included at some courses. Prices are correct at time of writing and are meant for illustrative purposes.
Do you need to hire cars?
The plus side of hiring a car is the convenience of moving between your hotel and golf courses. The down sides are the time and frustration it takes at the airport to collect the car, the cost, some might say navigating between Hotel and golf course and of course not being able to enjoy a cold beer after the game.
If you budget approximately 10 euros per person daily that will probably cover all of the taxi or Uber costs for airport and golf transfers. Everything you need for your apres golf enjoyment in Fuengirola is within walking distance . It really is that easy.
What apres golf activities in the neighbourhood?
The choice of restaurants and bars in Fuengirola is epic! There is something for every taste and every budget. Here we have listed our collective favourites.
Bars:
Dry Martini Bar
If you are looking for a lively place where you can have a drink with friends in a fantastic ambience, Dry Martini Bar is the place to visit. Situated across the street from the beautiful Parroquia de Nuestra Señora del Rosario, in the centre of Fuengirola, Dry Bar Martini is a popular bar for its variety and high-quality drinks that it offers.
They have a large selection of gin and tonics as well as a variety of “twists” (ginger, peppermint, strawberries, red grapefruit and many more) to personalise your drink.
However, if G&T is not your thing, Dry Martini also has an assortment of beers, wines, cocktails and spirits. You will surely find something that you will love on their extensive drinks menu.
The atmosphere is vibrant with the staff doing everything possible for the guests to have a great experience. Some evenings there is live music or a DJ.
O’Briens Pub
Pub O’Brien is a traditional Irish Pub situated on Calle Cruz, a street bustling with bars and restaurants, near the seaside boardwalk.
The pub is beautifully decorated with dark wood and charming antique-looking objects and pictures. There are plenty of seating options, either at the solid wood bar area, indoors or outdoors, ideal for people watching.
O’Brien’s has several big-screen TVs for guests to enjoy sporting events. The staff here are very pleasant and will make sure that you feel at home.
As one would expect from an Irish bar, O’Briens serves cool beer perfectly poured in iced glasses. There are plenty of beers to choose from, from local ones to Irish beer brands. Besides beer, guests can also enjoy G&Ts, wines, sprites, cocktails as well as non alcoholic drinks.
The atmosphere is lively, especially in the evenings when it’s cooler. They sometimes have live music.
Temple Bar
Another popular Irish bar, Temple Bar is situated on the popular ‘fish alley’ of Fuengirola where many bars and restaurants can be found.
The inside of the bar is spacious with very nice, simple decor that gives it an airy feeling. Guests can sit either inside- at the bar area or one of the many tables and chairs- or outside watching the world go by. Temple Bar has several TV screens both inside and on the terrace since this is a place where both locals and tourists go to enjoy football games and other sports.
One of the most popular local beers to be enjoyed here is Mahou, served iced cold. But if you are a bit Ireland-nostalgic, grab a pint of Guinness or Kilkenny. The bar also serves lip smacking cocktails, gin & tonic, wines, vodka- you name it, they have it.
The staff couldn’t be friendlier, always with a smile on their faces and ready to help you.
Restaurants
La Carihuela Chica
The perfect place to enjoy Spanish and Mediterranean cuisine in a beautiful setting with gorgeous views of the sea.
La Carihuela Chica specialises in fish dishes, however, the paellas, soups, meats and seafood are also worth trying. The house specialities include sea bass, Gilt Head Bream, Snapper, Halibut, Turbot, Monkfish (and more) all cooked either in salt, baked or grilled.
The menu is extensive, containing starters, salads, soups & creams, fish and deep-fried fish, paellas and rice dishes, seafood, meats, desserts and a wines list to match the variety of the menu. With such an ample offer, guests will have no trouble finding their perfect dish.
All the ingredients are fresh and expertly cooked by the chef who adds modern twists to traditional dishes.
La Carihuela Chica is the perfect place for families, couples or groups of friends to enjoy some of the best fish dishes Spain has to offer.
La Galeria – A gallery of 8 different restaurants – amazing place
La Galeria is the first Gastro Market in Fuengirola with 12 stands that offer a rich variety of national and international specialities in a lively, comfortable setting.
The Mercado has 9 spaces where guests can enjoy incredible food (Japanese, Mexican, Italian, Greek, seafood, Ibericos, Spanish, grilled meats and croquettes) a cafeteria and 2 spaces for drinks- La Galeria Copas with a wide variety of cocktails, Gin & tonics, beers, rum, whiskey, vodka and non-alcoholic drinks, and Cruzcampo Origen- a beer factory where guests can enjoy a freshly brewed caña.
All the food stands use the best, well-known caterers in the area to ensure an excellent experience even for the most demanding palate.
Located a step away from Plaza de Constitucion, in the centre of Fuengirola, La Galeria is open from Tuesday to Sunday (closed Mondays) from 9 am to midnight.
Casa Portofino
Casa Portofino is a great choice for those who enjoy Italian gastronomy. The restaurant is easy to find, situated right on the Paseo Maritimo with magnificent views of the sea.
Casa Portofino has a varied menu with dishes based on meat, sea food, pasta and rice dishes or vegetarian options. The food is cooked to perfection and plated with the utmost care. The portions are generous and the price-quality ratio is fantastic.
The menu of the day is well worth checking out. It consists of a starter (a choice between Tomato soup, Caprese salad, Bruschetti, Gambas Pil Pil, Mussels and salad with sheep’s cheese and honey), main course (chicken breast in creamy mushroom sauce, Fettucini Pil Pil, Sea Bass fillet with tartar sauce, grilled entrecote, chicken skewer or grilled sole) and a homemade dessert.
They also have different offers such as 2 rib-eye steaks (500g each) for 2 people and a bottle of wine for 31 euros.
Usually, on Saturdays there is live music.
Casa Roberto
An enchanting golf-themed restaurant, Casa Roberto can be found in the centre of Fuengirola, on Calle España number 10.
At Casa Roberto there are surprises in every corner. The decor is every golfer’s paradise with old golf clubs hanging from the ceiling and pictures of all the great golfers and golfing moments from the past hanging from the wall. There are also Spanish elements of decor that give the restaurant a very cosy and traditional feel.
Casa Roberto is a landmark, deeply rooted in the neighbourhood, having opened its doors in 1968. Since then, they have perfected their menu, adding modern twists to traditional dishes.
The menu is generous with starters that contain soups, salads, seafood and more. The meat section includes duck, chicken and pork dishes, plus mouthwatering stew (Goulash). Those who love grilled meat can choose between spareribs, lamb chops, entrecote steak, fillet steak or chicken kebab. The Specialities section has very appealing dishes such as grilled monkfish kebab or Zarzuela (a must-try seafood stew). There are also plenty of fish and seafood options.
The service is quick and the staff is very friendly contributing to the fantastic, warm atmosphere that you will find at Casa Roberto.
Restaurant Bodega Charolais
If you like fine dining in a stylish but cosy atmosphere, Restaurant Bodega Charolais is the place to visit. The restaurant offers Basque-Andalusian cuisine with high-quality, traditional dishes with innovative touches. The passion and dedication of Floren (the owner) and the staff have earned the restaurant a well-deserved Michelin star.
The menu is varied, ranging from simple dishes to more nuanced ones such as Oscietra Caviar or Kokotxas (cheek) of hake in green sauce. Guests are spoilt with choice. There are amazing starters, pasta and gratin dishes, meat dishes and fish dishes. Everything is cooked to perfection and plated beautifully.
The owner’s passion for wine has led him to gather almost 500 references in the restaurant’s cellar. Floren is constantly trying new wines, which means that there will always be new brands outside the menu.
In 2008, Bodega Charolais opened a unique establishment right next to the restaurant that focuses on tapas and wine. Guests have two seating options, either in the beautifully decorated restaurant or on the terrace. There is also a private room for events.
Summary
Fuengirola has everything. Amazing golf, tremendous accommodation choices and a nightlife to suit the taste of the Gastronome and Guinness drinker alike. Making a booking in the mid winter low season allows you to enjoy this amazing experience at a staggeringly low price . Lets not forget that a week of winter sun will do wonders for your soul not to mention your golf game!
Drop us a line, let’s see if we can help you.
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