Fuengirola castle is situated on a small, 38 metre high hill near the mouth of the Rio Fuengirola and was built on the site of an old Roman stronghold.
Much of what remains today was the work of the Caliph Abderraman III, carried out in the early days of the Muslim conquest of Spain.
In 1485, reforms were carried out by the conquering Christians. More changes were made by King Carlos I following a series of attacks by the infamous pirate Barbarossa and then later by the Count of Montemar as a result of smuggling operations in the area.
Napoleon stationed a formidable garrison in the castle in 1810, remaining until 1812 when Spanish troops regained control. During the 19th and 20th centuries, the castle was used to house units of the Guardia Civil.