Hi Twinkey - Winkey. Thought I might as well post the info here so others could see it. I received it as a pm from someone who obviously knows the area well. I've printed it off and put it in the flight bag already. A taxi from the airport to El Tiburon should be 20 euros tops. Maybe 22 at a pinch. Gibraltar is 70 miles from where you are staying and best reached, in my opinion, on one of the tour coaches.
Cheapest price I saw last week for the trip was nine euros, but expect the journey there to take at least two hours because of the number of pick-ups along the way. Going the DIY route, with a bus to La Linea, then walking across, is no quicker, and only cents cheaper. Tour bus is the way to go.
Where you are staying is much nearer to La Carihuela to Torremolinos,and there are lots of restaurants and bars there, including the famous fish restaurant Casa Juan (not to be confused with the two Juan eateries alongside). Well worth a try.
The first street back in Carihuela is crammed with shops, bars and such and a delightful place to explore in the evening.
A ten-minute walk west will take you to the bustling Montemar, where the Dark Side of the Moon is situated. Highly recommended this place, especially at lunchtime. Go early (12.30-ish) to guarantee a table.
On the road back from DSOTM is a road full of English-style bars, many of them with karaoke. You will not struggle for entertainment here.
Henry's bar has a decent menu, and next door, at Ming's (Chinese) they offer an all-you-can-eat buffet lunch (including paella) for only 6.90 euros!
Further along, beyond the Marina, look out for The Potter on the front, and, above it, the Blue Lagoon. Great open-air terrace here with sea views and an excellent choice of eats. Highly recommended.
Also recommended, a trip to Mijas Pueblo. Get the bus at the top of the road to Fuengirola, and at the terminus change for the bus to Mijas. Go on a Wednesday, when there is a flamenco show in the village square. Also enjoy a free glass of wine, courtesy of the local tourist office.
Maybe think about booking a lunch table here on the terrace at the Alcazaba Restaurant. Not expensive and the views are to die for!
When in Torremolinos, I suggest a visit to the tapas bar situated nearest the exit/entrance to the rail station. Friendly place this and pretty cheap, too.
If you are up for a night out to remember, think of a visit to Valparaiso Restaurant, just short of Mijas. Great food, wonderful views from the terrace, and cabaret, too, with dancing and such. Wonderful place.
Hope this helps. I enclose links to websites with lots of useful information for you all.
Have a great holiday. Tony.
http://benalmadena.homestead.com/index.html
http://www.andalucia.com/calendar/mijas.htm
http://www.restaurantevalparaiso.es/
http://www.mijas-villas.com/restaurants.aspx