Murals in Fuengirola: street art in the heart of the Costa del Sol

Once associated with its working-class character and dilapidated townhouses, today it attracts tourists from all over the world. Fuengirola’s El Boquetillo district has undergone a remarkable metamorphosis. As part of the EU-funded Paseo de los Murales project, more than 20 monumental murals have been created here, telling the story of the town’s history and its fishing traditions.

How did the urban revolution in the El Boquetillo district go?

Fuengirola is a well-known resort on the Costa del Sol, which for several years has been associated not only with beaches but also with street-art. The working-class El Boquetillo neighbourhood from the 1960s had for decades been seen as grey and neglected. As part of the EU’s EDUSI strategy, the city decided to transform it through art.

As a result, a monumental collection of murals has been created on the walls of buildings on Calle La Paz and Calle Valladolid since 2023 – as part of the Paseo de los Murales project. The initiative was financed by European funds and led under the auspices of City Hall. The final piece was created at the end of 2023, when the Vida Marina mural by Not Japi was unveiled on Pasaje María Barranco.

More than twenty large-format murals decorated the facades of El Boquetillo and the works were created by artists from Spain and abroad. The aim was to enliven the public space and create an 'outdoor museum’ that can be visited free of charge 24 hours a day. Next to each painting is a plaque with the name of the author and a description of the work. You can start your walk along the 'mural trail’ at El Boquetillo market – a few minutes’ walk from Plaza de la Constitución, or you can take bus number 2.

The most famous murals in Fuengirola and their creators

„La magia de los sueños” – Kato

The most recognisable work in the collection is 'La magia de los sueños’ by Fabián Bravo Guerrero (alias Kato). The mural depicts a girl, 'wrapped’ in late twilight, holding a glowing starfish. On the horizon is the silhouette of Sohail Castle – one of Fuengirola’s symbols. Kato wanted to convey that even in the darkest moments one can find the light that leads to dreams. The work was created in 2023 and was nominated in the international Street Art Cities competition for the best mural in the world.

„Mirar hacia el pasado” – Nesui

The second mural awarded in the Street Art Cities competition is Nesui’s work. The work shows a contemporary woman wearing sunglasses reflecting a scene of traditional fishing on the beach in Fuengirola. The mural combines shades of blue and orange to reflect the harmony between the past and present of fishing traditions.

Murals, a tribute to nature

A wide variety of works have been created within the Paseo de los Murales. Among the best known, it is also worth mentioning:

• „Adaptarse o…” (Adapt or…) – Lidia Cao’s mural tells the story of a boy learning to live in a new environment. It was inspired by overcoming difficult situations through willpower. The work connects to the neighbouring Murfin mural, symbolising the dream and the dreamer.
• „Bioluminiscencia” – a work by Manuel Delgado Díaz (Murfin). The artist has created a fantastic, surreal underwater world full of colourful characters and dialogue for the audience to let their imagination run wild.
• „Vida Marina” (Marine Life) – a mural by local artist Alejandro Bermejo del Río (alias Not Japi), calling for the protection of the Mediterranean ecosystem. The organisers remind us that up to 20 per cent of the species in the Mediterranean – including the ambulatory turtle – are endangered, so the artwork is intended to raise awareness of the need for sustainability.
• „Un mar en tus ojos” (The sea in your eyes) – a mural by El Alfila. The artist used a poetic text about immersion in the dark sea and inner struggles – a mysterious poem appears in the work and the outline of Sohail Castle appears in the distance.
• „Garden. Un homenaje a la naturaleza y la mujer” – Galician artist Lula Goce has created a mural that pays tribute to nature and the women who live in the neighbourhood. The flowers and the figure of a woman symbolise the life and strength of the women of El Boquetillo.
• „Niña con barco, Leive” – in creating it, Mon Devane was inspired by Picasso’s painting of a girl with a boat – in his version, the girl is holding an orange boat and the model is the artist’s daughter.
• „¿Y tú, de qué barca eres?” (What boat are you from?), a mural by Francisco Alarcón Pérez depicts a scene from a fishing port. The artist refers to an early 20th century question used in Malaga to identify family origins.
• „La Yaya” – Lalone honours the memories of older women doing the work of fishing – in the mural, the artist celebrates the strong women who have influenced her life.
• „Mirada Mediterránea” (Mediterranean Gaze) – Steve Camino has captured the blue of the sky and sea and the light of the Costa del Sol beaches in his work.

In honour of tradition – renovation of murals from the 1980s.

Fuengirola has a tradition of street art, dating back to the early 1980s. In 1982, the 'open museum’ project was initiated, resulting in murals by renowned artists including Manuel Barbadillo and Julio Le Parca. As the works began to deteriorate over the years, the city council initiated their restoration in November 2024. The first work to be restored is 'Eriana’ by Barbadillo – located on the façade of the Milano building on Avenida Juan Gómez Juanito. Next in line for restoration are 'Liberación’ by Julio Le Parca – on the Hotel Las Palmeras and 'Module 483′ by Pedro Escalona, as well as the murals 'Screens’ by Alfonso Fraile and 'Night and Day’ by Enrique Brickmann.

The mural project has brought a new identity to El Boquetillo. The neighbourhood has become colourful, more welcoming but, especially importantly, a popular destination for tourists. As a result, Fuengirola has, within a few years, become one of the most interesting places on the map of European street-art – showing how to become an outdoor 'open museum’.