One of the most distinctive features of this Spanish Costa del Sol are the ferias – the multicoloured fairs and festivals that take place throughout the year, attracting locals and tourists alike from all over the world. See what makes the Feria de San Miguel in Torremolinos and the festivals in Fuengirola stand out.
What will you read about in this note?
- Feria de San Miguel in Torremolinos.
- Unique festivals in Fuengirola, including the Feria del Rosario.
- Colours, flavours and rhythms, or the magic of the Andalusian holidays.
Feria de San Miguel in Torremolinos
This is the most important festival in Torremolinos, celebrated every September in honour of the town’s patron saint, St Michael the Archangel. In 2025, it lasted from 24 to 28 September, marking the symbolic end of the summer season on the Costa del Sol.
The roots of this festival date back to the 19th century, when Torremolinos was still a fishing settlement. The first official programmes for the feria appeared in 1917 and the event gained a pilgrimage character in the 1940s. Today, the Romería de San Miguel is regarded as one of the most important urban pilgrimages in Andalusia.
The Romería de San Miguel, held on the Sunday before the festival, is its key moment. At dawn, a colourful procession sets off from the centre of Torremolinos towards the hermitage at Los Pinares de los Manantiales. Carriages decorated with flowers, horses, singing and dancing create a unique atmosphere of community festivity.
As in many Andalusian cities, the feria is divided into two stages:
- Feria de Día: takes place in the historic city centre, where the streets of Plaza La Nogalera or Calle San Miguel are transformed into dance floors.
- Feria de Noche: brings the fun to the fairgrounds with casetas, or themed tents, attractions for children, young people and adults.
The Auditorio Municipal Príncipe de Asturias then becomes the musical heart of the feria. The stage hosts both flamenco and concerts by popular performers – from local artists to pop stars.
Explore the festivals in Fuengirola
Fuengirola stands out in the Costa del Sol calendar, offering festivals spread throughout the year that showcase the different facets of the town – from a celebration of world cultures to the religious traditions of Andalusia.
The Feria Internacional de los Países (International Festival of Countries) is a unique event that takes place in the spring (this year from 30 April to 4 May). The focus is on the Parade of Nations, a multicoloured procession representing more than 30 countries. The festival showcases a wealth of folklore, music and cuisine from all over the world – from South America and Africa to Europe and Asia.
Traditional Feria del Rosario
The Feria de la Virgen del Rosario is organised in autumn. Then Fuengirola celebrates its most important patronal event, the Feria del Rosario (6-12 October). This is one of the most traditional Andalusian festivals, full of horses, flamenco dancing and processions in honour of Our Lady of the Rosary.
See also:
Fiesta de la Virgen del Carmen, a sea festival in Marbella
A magical night at Torre del Cante. This is one of the most important flamenco festivals
Of particular importance in the calendar of celebrations are three events that attract both locals and tourists. The first is the Romería del Rosario, a colourful pilgrimage to the hermitage of the town’s patron saint, accompanied by traditional songs, music and a joyful atmosphere of communal celebration.
The celebrations always culminate on the main day, 7 October, with a solemn mass followed by a procession with the image of the Virgin Mary through the streets of the city, surrounded by the faithful and religious confraternities. The festivities are rounded off with the evening Flamenco Festival at the Palacio de la Paz, a passionate display of dance, music and song that provides an artistic culmination to the celebrations.
Colours, flavours and rhythms: the magic of holidays in Andalusia
The traditions of the Andalusian ferias are a colourful mosaic of meetings, music, dance and flavours that create the unique atmosphere of these festivities. At the centre of events are the casetas, or festival tents, where locals and visitors feast and dance together, enjoying the festive atmosphere. Flamenco costumes – a symbol of pride and Andalusian expression – also play an extremely important role. The feria is also a time for culinary delights: from cooling gazpacho and creamy salmorejo, to juicy jamón ibérico and crunchy pescaíto frito, to sweet churros served with hot chocolate. All of this is best enjoyed accompanied by a glass of rebujito, or white wine with lemonade, which has become an indispensable drink of this holiday. All this is topped off with flamenco – the music and dance that are the soul of Andalusia
