DUQUESA

Have you visited Duquesa and its beautiful port? When we first arrived on the Costa del Sol in 2001, we looked for properties in and around the Estepona area (the next port), which was where we considered living (and now do).

Whilst scouring the area we came across Duquesa Port and I said back then, and still do to this day, that this has the potential to become the new Puerto Banus.

It is only recently (2006) that rumours of a new Disney theme park and educational center in the area have started to hold more solid ground.

If this happens, you can imagine the prosperity that this will bring to the area!

Puerto de la Duquesa is a "little gem" on the Costa del Sol just 70km from Malaga airport and 20km from Gibraltar airport. This wonderful marina and port is ideally situated in front of the town's golf course and has in recent years, become a favourite spot for all types of holiday makers.

Just a decade ago it was nothing more than a local fisherman port, but it has been very sympathetically developed into a charming area with a bustling marina and surrounding shops. It still maintains its original charm and has remained unspoilt compared to the hustle and bustle of other destinations along this stretch of coast.

The marina itself has 300 berths for boats of every size and full facilities are available for those who sail. There is the opportunity to indulge in many water sports from here and even to hire out your own vessel by the hour.

In the summer months there is a street market here once a week offering the usual bargains, especially the leather goods.

The walkways, alleys and streets that form the surrounding area offer a fantastic selection of boutiques, shops, café’s, bars and restaurants. You have restaurants from all over the world here, Indian, Chinese, Thai, British, Scandinavian and of course Spanish, so more than enough choice for anyone. No cars can drive through the main network of alleyways and paths so it makes it very safe for families.

The beach area starts from Estepona in the east and just keeps on going westwards!! Wonderfully clean sandy beaches that have earned the Blue Flag award. Dotted all along the beach are the ubiquitous chiringuito’s or beach bars offering, as you would expect, the freshest fish around.

Also handy for having a watering hole close by when sunbathing!! There is a paseo or promenade both stretching out east and west from the marina itself and again you will find many unspoilt restaurants. The whole area has remained relatively untouched by mass tourism and is in fact a destination of a lot of Spanish holidaymakers therefore retaining the Spanish feel in bars and restaurants.

The nearby town of Sabanillas offers more in the way of bars and restaurants and also has the supermarkets, chemists and post office. There are no high rise properties in Duquesa to spoil the view which is fantastic stretching out over the Mediterranean to Gibraltar and beyond to Africa.

There are many urbanisations here that offer the holiday maker the prospect of private rental for holidays as well as a couple of hotels. For the seasoned traveller there are two camping and caravan sites, both of them front line beach…you can’t get much close than that!!

Duquesa itself has its own golf course La Duquesa which was designed by Robert Trent Jones and finished in 1985. It offers magnificent views of the Mediterranean and is a demanding hillside course with a private clubhouse, although you receive day membership with your round.

Within the immediate area are another good half dozen golf courses to choose from, everyone being first class from Valderrama to Estepona.

Estepona is the nearest ‘big’ town offering a myriad of excursions and things to do for those who like to get out and about on holiday.

Car-hire and taxi services can be found in the central parking area of the port.