The diversity of Andalucia appeals to holidaymakers who are attracted to the qualities which make it a destination to return to year after year.

Blue flag beaches, bustling resorts and historic fishing villages sit amiably alongside stunning ports, world class golf courses and beautiful scenic landscapes. A mature infrastructure provides first class and plentiful access.

Getting to the area could not be easier, with the main airport in Malaga a mere 50 minutes drive from our properties and the best resorts. Malaga is served by many airlines from the UK, with a range of low cost options, including Jet2, BMI Baby, Easyjet and Mytravel Lite. It is also served by the charter airlines including Brittania, and First Choice, along with scheduled services from British Airways and Iberia.

The Local Area and towns:

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Estepona | La Duquesa | Puerto Banus | Sotogrande | Marbella

Southern Spain in General:

With miles of sandy beaches and the best all round climate in Europe, the area caters for all ages, offering a multitude of choices for every visitor. From the beach with all its attractions to mountain villages waiting to be discovered.

The region’s history dates back to Phoenician times and has since been a home to Greeks, Romans and Moors, all of whom have left their mark on the area’s architecture and culture. Perhaps less well known is the area’s culture, often in the shadow of its neighbour Seville, the Costa and the Malaga province are home to some of the finest Flamenco shows, tapas restaurants and secluded Andalucian villages.

The region’s infrastructure is well organised with the new Autopista del Sol providing access from Malaga to Estepona and beyond to Gibraltar. The old N340 coast road is a little slower but offers some lovely sea views as it winds its way along the coast. Links between Granada, Seville and Cordoba are easily accessible for those wishing to venture further inland.

This region of Spain boasts such a high number of world class golf courses, so much so that it is dubbed ‘The Costa del Golf’. For families there are theme parks, including water parks, go-karting, safari parks and many beautiful public gardens and lovely marinas such as La Duquesa. For those seeking authentic Spain there are the ‘pueblos blancos’ of Manilva and Casares as well as the beautiful town of Ronda. For some the main areas of attraction are the many bars and clubs in Puerto Banus and Marbella. The following pages will give a more in depth information on what we consider the most attractive coastline in Europe.

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Estepona

Estepona is a large coastal town approximately 10 minutes from the villa. It is well known for having kept its Spanish charm and character. However, all facilities are here, with an abundance of bars, restaurants, and shops.

The many cafes and tapas bars serve traditional Spanish ’raciones’ and the older part of the town reflects a forgotten time of donkeys and horses, with its narrow streets and cobbles. Also to be found are unusual, cheap and friendly shops and bodegas. In the centre of Estepona is La Rada beach the town’s most popular beach. It is 2.6km long and has an attractive promenade alongside. Located throughout are Chiringuitos (beach bars), which serve traditional tapas, or a choice of cosmopolitan style dishes. Located at the west end of La Rada beach is the marina.

El Cristo beach is situated in a lovely cove to the west of the marina, with a number of beach bars. It makes an ideal place for long days in the sun. This is a popular beach that gets quite crowded at summer weekends. It’s a lively beach with music at some of the beach bars.

There are a number of quieter beaches to the east and west of Estepona such as Playa del Castor. Reached via a track, this is a place where you can relax away from the bustle of modern life. The marina at Estepona is situated at the west end of the promenade. A lovely place to take a stroll and have a look at some of the magnificent boats moored here. The marina area has an excellent choice of bars and restaurants to suit all types. There is a market here on a Sunday morning.

Estepona is still a relatively unspoilt haven on the coast, friendly, cosmopolitan in one breath, very Hispanic in another.

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La Duquesa & Manilva

The jewel of the Southern coast.

The Southern coast’s best kept secret, La Duquesa is just 5 minutes drive from our villa. An oasis of peace, in an area that has retained a distinct Andalucian charm and character, La Duquesa offers serenity and relaxation for a holiday like no other on the Southern coast of Spain.

The perfect place for a morning croissant and coffee, overlooking the variety of craft that jostle in the marina, the stunning port of La Duquesa provides the ideal location for all types of water sports and boating activities. The area has clean crystal clear waters and over 8km of European blue flag award beaches. Manilva itself has preserved Roman and Moorish ruins, and also manages to conserve it's traditional rural heart whilst offering the more contemporary pursuits that the modern port can offer.

The attractive promenade around the marina is home to a tempting selection of family restaurants, bars and cafés. Options for eating include French, Italian, Chinese, Indian, Thai and of course, Spanish with its fresh, local fish. Situated a short walk from the port is the La Duquesa Golf and Country Club with an 18 hole course offering wonderful sea and mountain views. As well as golf, on offer are tennis, squash, and a fully equipped gym. Other golf courses are close at hand and full details of all courses within easy reach of our properties are featured on this website.

Whatever you’re looking for on holiday you’ll find it at La Duquesa & Manilva. A 15 minute drive takes you either into the heart of Puerto Banus, with its vibrant night life and bustling shops, or alternatively take life at a slower pace in the quiet villages of Casares or Benahavis. So if a laid back evening meal and moonlit boats bobbing in the harbour is for you, La Duquesa is most definitely the right choice.

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Puerto Banus

Lying approximately 6km west of Marbella, Puerto Banus is about a 20 minute drive from the villa.

You could be forgiven for thinking it is La Duquesa on a larger scale in both size of port and marine craft, although here you are likely to rub shoulders with all kinds of celebrities including the titled rich and famous as it is a favourite stop for royalty of all nationalities.

The Playa Levante beach lies north of the town and holds a European blue flag. Very long, wide and clean, the beach offers all of the usual facilities with the additional plus point being its close proximity to such a thrilling town.

It really is an experience not to be missed, and it’s easy to enjoy a pleasant evening wandering up and down the marina pontoons, and then sit in one of the many bars, watching the world (and his wife) go by.

As with La Duquesa, Puerto Banus enjoys a beautiful setting, with its stunning mountain backdrop and sparkling ocean vistas.

From being a shopper’s dream during the daytime with some of the most famous fashion houses, vibrant shops and boutiques, Puerto Banus becomes a lively cosmopolitan port in the evening, blessed with an abundance of bars and clubs to suit all tastes.

The bullring plays host to a popular street market every Saturday morning where all sorts of bargains can be bought. Stalls spread out in all directions offering a wide range of goods, especially antiques.

To enjoy a bird’s eye view of the port’s magnificent position, take one of the regular boat trips departing from the central promenade. Then all you have to do is lie back and dream, and when you return to shore, let Puerto Banus turn those dreams to reality.

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Sotogrande

Sotogrande is a luxury resort on the Mediterranean coast. Enjoying a relaxed location, Sotogrande is approximately 5-10 minutes drive from the villa. Sotogrande is a quiet area based around a wonderful marina. Fine restaurants and bars line the water’s edge.

Although the town livens up during the summer months of July and August, Sotogrande continues to thrive during the cooler months with its major regattas attracting many spectators. With several top class sailing events drawing vessels from all over the coast, Sotogrande is fast becoming a top attraction for winter sailors.

Within the port there are several good bars, restaurants and small shops, and a market operates on Sundays and Wednesdays featuring antiques and crafts. Away from the port and along the main N340 highway, lies the generous, soft, clean and sandy beach, with a selection of bars and shops close by as well as the usual sunbeds and showers immediately on the beach. If you’re after something a little more remote, continue along the N340 highway towards Malaga, and you will find a series of small coves with wonderful, secluded beaches. Whilst they have very few facilities, you can be assured of peace and quiet alongside calm, shallow waters.

Sotogrande is world renowned as a polo venue and it is played here throughout the year, with many weekend tournaments throughout the summer. Within Sotogrande itself is the protected natural area of the Guadiaro estuary. The estuary is of particular interest to bird watchers but anybody can enjoy a stroll along the wooden walkways.

An ideal base for golf holidays, Sotogrande is just minutes away from a number of golf courses, including the world famous Valderrama course.

With breathtaking views of the Straits of Gibraltar, the town offers visitors a complex picture, calm and serene on one hand, yet bustling, vibrant and thrilling in the many sporting activities it hosts. Whatever it is you’re after, you’re certain to find it in Sotogrande.

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Marbella

Marbella is, without a doubt, one of the Costa del Sol's major tourist centres, thanks to the high quality of the facilities and services it provides. Puerto Banús, one of the main focal points for tourists in the town, houses an exclusive leisure area inside the excellent facilities of its marina. But Marbella is also a paradise for golf lovers. A dozen magnificent courses allow the golfer to play the sport before the unusual backdrop provided by the sea and the mountains. The historic part of town, sitting on a beautiful bay, shelters lovely corners of a typically Andalusian flavour, with whitewashed houses and orange trees adorning the streets and squares.

Marbella is deservedly one of the Costa del Sol's prime destinations. Its excellent climate, beaches, natural surroundings and its major sports complexes are just some of the countless attractions which this town on the Málaga coast offers.

From Cabopino to Guadalmina, Marbella offers the visitor 26 kilometres of beautiful coastline with a succession of sun-drenched beaches equipped with all kinds of services, which include modern hotels, residential complexes, shops and restaurants. The beaches of San Pedro de Alcántara, a major population centre less than ten kilometres from Marbella, are a fine example of the balance struck between nature and tourist development.

Sports lovers will be in paradise in Marbella. A dozen magnificent golf courses allow the sport to be played at the highest level year-round, in surroundings of striking natural beauty.

Those who prefer water sports will find the town has three marinas where they can take up the activity they prefer.

In addition, Marbella has several riding schools, tennis clubs and other facilities to suit the most varied tastes. All this, and not forgetting the enormous possibilities the Sierra Blanca hills offer for all kinds of outdoor pursuits.

The historic quarter of Marbella

At the foot of the Sierra Blanca hills, on a beautiful bay, is Marbella's historic quarter. A delightful layout which displays its typically Andalusian charm through neat whitewashed façades decorated with grilles and geraniums or the orange trees which spring up on every corner.

The heart of the town is plaza de Los Naranjos, from the Renaissance period, flanked by noble buildings such as the City Hall (16thcentury) and the old Chief Magistrate's Office (17th century).

In the small church square you will find the Greater Church of la Encarnación, built in the 16th century. In this same setting stands one of the two towers which formed part of the city's old Arab fortress, from the 9th century.

Testimony to the city's Roman origins are the many archaeological sites to be found in the area, outstanding among which are the Paleochristian basilica of Vega del Mar, the Roman baths of Guadalmina or the Roman villa of Río Verde.

The considerable cultural offer of Marbella is completed by the Spanish Contemporary Engraving Museum, considered to be the most important of its kind in Spain. Situated in the Hospital Bazán (16th century), it houses an interesting collection of engravings from the 19th and 20th centuries, with works by grand masters of the stature of Picasso, Miró or Dalí.

Gastronomy, festivals and surrounding area

Fried fish, "ajoblanco" (cold soup with almonds, oil and garlic) or "gazpacho" are some of the tasty suggestions from Marbella's cuisine. Under the Designation of Origin Málaga standard, excellent sweet dessert wines are produced.

From Marbella's calendar of festivals, it is worth highlighting the Fair and Festivals of San Bernabé, which are held during the first half of June. The programme includes concerts, bullfighting festivals and other activities.

Holy Week and the festivals in honour of Marbella's patron saint, San Pedro de Alcántara, which take place in October, are other red letter days.

Countless excursions can be made from Marbella all along the Costa del Sol. A few kilometres from town is Mijas, a traditional mountain village whose coastline has much to offer the tourist. Torremolinos, Estepona, Benalmádena and Fuengirola are other locations with a deep-rooted tourist tradition.

The natural surroundings provide incredible landscapes in the Sierra de las Nieves Nature Reserve, in the heart of the hills of Ronda. Deep in the Sierra Blanca hills, very near Marbella, are Istán, a town famous for its springs, and Ojén, of great ecological wealth.

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The Golf Courses of the area and the Costa del Sol

The map below shows the main golf courses of the region.

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