Location

La Duquesa is located next to the coastal town of Sabinillas, not far from the inland village of Manilva and 12 kilometres west of Estepona. It is a largely modern “suburb” of Manilva municipality centred on the tranquil marina.

In recent years it has developed a thriving community of expats, a robust property market and a wealth of attractions for all ages. It is a convenient 30-minute drive to Gibraltar and 45 minutes from Málaga (via the tollway) – with long stretches of beach and a picturesque mountain backdrop. Perhaps no longer a “best-kept secret” but still unknown to many who drive past on their way to Sotogrande (or Estepona in the other direction) and don’t notice the turn-off.

The much-vaunted quality of life that is one of the Costa del Sol’s key attractions is dazzlingly evident in La Duquesa.

The area itself is a well-organised mesh of spacious apartments, residential complexes with communal pools and gardens, excellent cafés serving a mixture of classic Spanish cuisine and health-conscious light lunches, laidback bars and excellent restaurants.

The sports marina is a haven for boating enthusiasts (and watchers), while the La Duquesa Golf and Country Club was designed by the legendary American golf architect Robert Trent Jones. There are plenty of other top golf courses a short drive away (including Royal Valderrama).

Evening activities in La Duquesa are dominated by the marina. Lined with stunning yachts and high-end sports cars, the port offers a diverse choice of restaurants, including cuisine from all over the world, and bars catering for the higher end of the local market.

Manilva’s strategic position, close to the entrance to the Mediterranean, has resulted in a long history of settlement in the area going back to the Stone Age.

In recent years traces of these early settlers has been found in caves in the Sierra Utrera, a ridge of limestone which runs behind the town. There is also a historically important Bronze Age hill fort which is currently the subject of a programme of excavations by experts from across Europe.

Like all Spanish towns and cities in Andalusia, Manilva has an annual Feria (festival) or fair, which in Manilva’s case is held in the second week of August, to coincide with one of Spain’s public holiday’s, Ascension Day on 15 August.

Estepona is a cozy little fishing village on the Costa del Sol, just outside the tourist crowds of Torremolinos, Fuengirola and Marbella, only 50 minutes by car from Málaga airport.
 
It has five kilometers of sandy beaches and a modern pedestrian boulevard with small-scale apartments. Behind this boulevard, Estepona is still an authentic Andalusian fishing village, with restaurants, terraces, bars, cozy squares and a big shopping street. Here you won’t find the big brand stores, instead you can discover all kinds of local dishes at the local retailers. In short, a quiet cozy Spanish seaside town with a friendly population.
 
Golf enthusiasts will really enjoy themselves here and can practice their swing on a different course every day of the week. The picturesque harbor of Estepona invites you to relax. Fish restaurants serve the most delicious fish dishes directly from the sea on your plate.

Sotogrande is a residential area of ​​2000 hectares, in the Spanish municipality of San Roque. With first-class luxury properties and recreational opportunities as its basis. It is located in an environment that was designed and inspired by a certain vision of how life should be lived.
 
Here you can find five golf courses, squash, fronton and tennis courts, a marina which runs between the various restaurants, boutiques and bars (actually a small Venice), a riding school, various luxury restaurants, bars and hotels. The resort is completely fenced and is permanently monitored. About 200 luxury apartments and 3000 villas have been built, mostly with a private swimming pool.
 
Every Sunday morning there is also a very nice antiques and art market to stroll through.

Casares is a 20 minute drive from the apartment and is one of the most beautiful and famous white villages in Andalusia. Because of the hilly location of the village it is visited by quite a lot of tourists.
 
When you arrive at Cascares it’s hard to resist the temptation to stop several times and take a picture of the view of the village. From a distance, the village seems to have run away from a postcard.

There is a parking lot in front of the village from where you can walk into the village quite easily. During this walk you kan feast your eyes with fantastic views. The best route to follow is the way up. Every time there is a steeper street around the corner that leads you further up.

Marbella is one of the fashionable seaside resorts in Andalusia and is located to the west of the Costa del Sol, between Fuengirola and Estepona. It faces south towards the Mediterranean Sea, with the impressive Sierra Blanca mountains at his back, the highest peak being at 1200m.
 
Marbella has more than ten golf courses and Puerto Banús is the most prestigious pleasure port of the Mediterranean.

It is the most famous resort of the Costa del Sol and has a reputation as one of the most glamorous holiday destinations in Southern Europe. Discovered by the world’s jet set in the 60’s, Marbella stands for luxury and quality experiences – some of Europe’s most high-quality real estate can be found here, as well as first-class golf courses and some of the world’s best beach clubs.
 
Ideal for people who love going out to nice beach bars and clubs. But don’t forget to visit the old Marbella with its nice picturesque squares, alleys and restaurants. Highly recommended for a visit in the morning and afterwards in the afternoon for a nice walk on the long dike.