COSTA DEL SOL TIPS & ADVICE

We are soon to complete on a property in Carvahal near Fuengirola. We need some advice on the best places on the Costa del Sol to buy furniture, lighting, shower screens or information on places to visit or eat etc. Does anyone have any idea when the Ikea in Malaga will open?

Re IKEA how long is a piece of string? This is Spain so it could be anytime between now and Armageddon - and does anyone know yet if they even have the licence to clear the ground becuase last I heard they didnt.

Lots of places in the Funky Town area to buy what you want - Miramar centre and the road to Mijas has bed shops furniture shops etc - also Corte Ingles in Fuengirola - if you venture further afield there is a Leroy Merlin DIY store at La Cañada shopping centre on the motorway just outside Marbella.

For places to visit Funegirola Zoo is brilliant - but you cannot beat the Crocodile Park at Torremolinos - next to the water park!! Its where you will see me in the flesh - I am the big 85 year old with 5 25 year old wives!!

Hi Janmet,

I am from your neck of the woods almost ( I live in Hartlepool).

I believe IKea Malaga is opening before the end of the year but the one in Sevilla isn't too bad a journey along the Jerez tollway route.

Leroy Merlin (Malaga or La Canada) is good for bathroo fittings / showers screens and I think they do lighting also and garden / patio stuff.  Al Campo next door at La Canada are really good and reasonable for most household goods - electricals, laundry and kitchen stuff etc.

Good luck in your new home.

Caroline

Hi Janmet

my brother lives in Carvajal.Where have you bought as I know the area very well? Good luck for your final move

Leroy Merlin is OK, Bauhaus (just past Malaga airport) has better service IMHO (German training perhaps?). Next to Bauhaus you'll find Conforama, which is IKEA in disguise. IKEA itself, I have heard, is opening in August....or "the autumn".....or sometime this side of Armegeddon, according to who you believe. (Smiley is usually right about everything, so I'd go with his estimation). If you decide to go to IKEA Sevilla, you don't need to take the Jerez toll road, you can go via Antequera. Allow a couple of hours, and if you have the time, try to visit the Minas de Rio Tinto, not much further past Sevilla and really cool. It's the original Brits in Spain enclave! AKI, next to Carrefour Los Patios, Malaga (not much further than Bauhaus really) has some great deals, if not quite the same range of goods as the former two stores.

God, I just re-read all that, and I sound like a right anorak!

It seems to be a standard theme that on new properties you must fit your own shower screens and bath screens. I would like to know where these are availble at a good price also if the fitting can be included in the price. If not does anyone know of a reliable shower screen fitter? Also the name of a reliable plumber and electrician would be useful.

Some people may prefer shower curtains, so that's probably why the developers leave it up to you. Why not let your fingers do the walking? Check your local Paginas Amarillas under "mamparas de bano" (there should be a squiggle over the "n", but can't find the option).

Electrician & plumber, in a new build? Oh-oh! Can't think what you need them for, but you could ask the developer who he used - after all, they'll know their way round the property best.