Area guide
Right before you enter Fuengirola, you have El Higuerón, a luxury, fast-growing hillside residential area.
Right below El Higuerón, you have Carvajal beach — in my opinion the best beach in Fuengirola. Wide golden sand beach, with many chiringuitos and restaurants, and the beach walk is very well taken care of.
A 5-minute walk up from the beach you have the Carvajal train station, connecting you directly to Fuengirola centre, Málaga city, and the airport. Something to point out — there are no other luxury residential areas on the Costa del Sol with a train station.
There's nothing really walkable for a real supermarket, so realistically you do need a car here, or rely completely on home deliveries. It is indeed surprising this area doesn't have a supermarket — hopefully that changes. But aside from that, the train connection and location of El Higuerón handles daily life very well.
Right above El Higuerón, you've got the AP-7 motorway, which makes getting around the coast by car very easy.
Let's move on to the properties. Most communities inside El Higuerón are gated and have 24/7 security, and the whole area is created with a focus on security, with many cameras and controlled entry points.
One thing you notice quickly is how uniform much of the area looks — white façades, flat roofs, minimalist architectural design, and similar apartment blocks repeated across the hillside. That's mainly because most of it was built in the 2000s and early 2010s, and that was the exact design most developers used for new construction at the time. If you're after traditional Andalusian character, you won't find that here.
Then we have the impressive El Higuerón hotel and sports centre. Here you find padel, tennis, gym, pools, and even volleyball courts. Some new off-plan projects do include memberships in the sale, but for resale properties — which is most of the market — it's usually never included. You can still become a member, you just have to pay for it.
Everything that attracts buyers to this area also drives high rental demand. Short-term rentals are allowed in many communities here, which is great for the investor, and for someone who wants a second home and to earn rental income when not there.
But if you're buying mainly for wanting a quiet residential atmosphere, knowing your neighbours, and more of a settled community feel — it's important to understand that some communities here have a constant rotation of holiday renters. So check the rental rules of the specific community, and also how many short-term licenses have already been issued.
The communities here often have high-end amenities — large outdoor pools, sun terraces, and modern well-kept communal areas throughout. The community fees are on the higher end, so be aware of that when you budget.
In short, who is El Higuerón best suited for? I'd say someone who wants modern construction, amazing amenities, incredible sea views, to live right by the beach, and easy access to everything on the coast. It works very well for the rental investor, or part-time resident.
It's probably less suited for someone looking for lower running costs, or a quiet, stable year-round residential atmosphere.
Get in touch — I represent buyers only, so my job is to work for you, not the seller.
Questions
Yes, mainly for grocery shopping since there's no supermarket in the area. Otherwise, the Carvajal train station covers most transport needs, and the AP-7 is close by for driving.
Yes. Short-term rentals are allowed in many communities, and high demand from the area's amenities and location makes it popular with investors and second-home owners.
Mostly modern and minimalist — white façades, flat roofs, and uniform apartment blocks built in the 2000s and early 2010s. Not the place to look for traditional Andalusian character.
Yes, on the higher end, reflecting the high-end amenities most communities offer, like large pools, sun terraces, and well-kept communal areas.
Looking at more than one area? Compare them all in the Costa del Sol area guides, or see how buying works.