The municipality is soon to be able to boast the biggest butterfly farm in Europe. Work is already taking place on a 1,500 square metre site in the Retamar area near the Buddhist stupa and the attraction should be open some time next year. The farm will be home to some 2,000 exotic butterflies of 150 different species from all over the world which will be seen flying freely around visitors’ heads. The complex will also consist of a laboratory where visitors will be able to observe the butterflies’ reproduction process and biological cycle, as well as space for seminars, exhibitions, school workshops and illustrated talks.

After a long wait Fuengirola has become the province of Malaga’s fifth official “tourist municipality” after Benalmádena, Torremolinos, Nerja and Ronda. This distinction, awarded by the Junta de Andalucía, is aimed at improving competitiveness and encouraging a higher quality of services in towns with large numbers of visitors. The agreement was signed at the end of last week in Fuengirola by the Mayor, Esperanza Oña, and the regional head of Tourism, Sergio Moreno. In figures the distinction means an extra injection in the town by the regional government of 1.8 million euros. Measures to be carried out include integrating the municipal tourist information offices into the Andalusian network; the creation of a new website; and the updating and maintenance of the tourist signposting.