SAN PEDRO
If you haven´t been to San Pedro for a year or 3, be prepared for a shock. This town has seen one of the biggest face lifts on the coast but has it kept its Spanish charm?
San-Pedro-Alcantara is located just 60km from Malaga airport and is just ten minutes away from Marbella. It has great road links from the toll road to the north and the old N-340 to the south, as well as a busy bus station with nationwide service.
One of the nicest things about San Pedro is that despite being situated just minutes from the glitz of Marbella and Puerto Banus, it is a regular Spanish town with loads of tradition.
The original town as seen today dates back to the 1860’s but it wasn’t until the 1970’s that tourism became the backbone of the towns’ progress with the implementation of electricity, water and telephone connections.
The new car park under the central Avenida Marques del Duero provides easy access to the pedestrianised central streets of San Pedro. Here there are many wonderful shops and boutiques to choose from, as well as the usual array of bars and cafes.
At the north end of this avenue is the main church square. The parish church was built in 1866 by the Marques del Duero and sits adjacent to the Villa San Luis which now houses the Deputy Mayor’s office. Together these Colonial style buildings create a lovely feel for this plaza which comes alive during the ferias and fiestas. Throughout the town of San Pedro there are hotels and pensions (hostels) catering for every price bracket and a wonderfully original array of restaurants. Most of them are typically Andalucian and the food is amazing.
Down towards the beach area, the other side of the N-340 coast-road is the new urbanisation/development of Nueva Alcantara. This still has a few years of development to go, but already and exciting mix of restaurants and cafes can be found here catering for all age groups and budgets. Also situated here are beautiful urbanisations many of which have apartments available for private holiday rental.
Major improvements to the beach area have made it a real place to escape to in the long hot summer months. There is a Paseo Marítimo (promenade) that runs along a 1km stretch of the beach and is great for joggers or walkers alike. Dotted alongside the Paseo are fantastic restaurants too, with fresh fish being the order of the day!! For those who enjoy a walk, it takes about an hour across the beach to the east to get to Puerto Banus and a stroll to the west takes you along to Guadalmina and the luxurious villas in the area and the beautiful golf course.
On a historical note, to the west end of the Paseo are the Roman Ruins dating back to the 3rd Century A.D. and also the ruins of a Christian Basilica. These archaeological remains are well documented and the history of the local area is fascinating.
Thursday morning is market day in San Pedro which is set up at the Feria ground to the back of the town. As well as selling the usual souvenirs and leather goods, it is also a great produce market.
As well as having the usual religious celebrations throughout the year, San Pedro celebrates its own fiesta during the second week of October and is the last ‘summer’ Feria. The streets are decked out with festive bunting and there are casita's or street bars all along offering cool beers and hot food!!
Other useful Numbers:
Tourist Office. Located in Avenida Marqués del Duero: 952 785 252
Taxi: 952774 488
Bus Station: 952 78 13 96
Basílica Vega del Mar: 952 781 360