Trip from Marbella to San Luis de Sabinillas

Up and coming town

Sabinillas is a popular place for expats working locally and in Gibraltar. It used to be a small fishing village but has grown rapidly over the last few decades. Recent developments have seen the improvements to the towns main street - Avenida Manilva, the construction of the seafront promenade and the construction of an underpass to the main shopping area taking most of the A7 coast road traffic. Sabinillas is fast becoming the commercial and leisure centre of municipality of Manilva.

Old Town

Avenida Manilva is the main entrance road to the old town of Sabinillas. The road is divided with a central reservation covered with mosaic tiles that have a marine motive. It leads to a well kept roundabout with an old olive tree in the centre in front of Piazza San Luis Sabinillas. The roundabout also has mosaic detailing showing a fishing scene. In the town are many squares and gardens as well as bars, cafés and restaurants.

Beach and Promenade

As you continue to walk towards the promenade you will reach the seafront. Here you will find a massive and impressive sculpture in tribute to fishermen. The Paseo Maritimo extends for 2 Km to Castillo village and has been further extended to reach the port of Duquesa. This offers the opportunity for a great seafront walk for a distance of about 3 to 4 kilometres. The “blue flag” beach stretches for 1650 metres between the Puerto de la Duquesa and the Rio Manilva. As well as sun worshipers and watersports, you will see local fishermen launching their boats and using capstan winches to recover them from the sea on their return. A truely working beach that supplies many of the local restaurants with fresh fish. The beach is cleaned daily throughout the summer and several lifeguards and first aiders are available to offer help where and when required.

Cafés and Restaurants

There is a plentiful number of restaurants that face the beach offering a wide range of cuisine including all kinds of international food, Indian, Argentine, German pastries that should meet the needs of all. You will often see restauranteurs of small fish restaurants waiting for the local fishermen to return to select the day’s menu. Look out for the skewered fish being grilled on small boat in the middle of the beach or the tapas bars and friendly 'Churinguitos'. All the restaurants cater for families with a friendly atmosphere.

Craft Market

The busiest day by far in Sabinillas is Sunday when many people come to visit the craft market. It is one of the most popular markets along the coast and definitely not to be missed. The market is currently located at the bottom of the village near the Lidl supermarket. There is also a street market every Friday.

Some attractions close by

Roman Baths

Close to the local Sunday market you will find the popular Roman Sulphur baths of Hedionda. The high sulphur content is due to a sulphur spring that attracted the attention of the Romans 2000 years ago. An arched bathing complex was created of which four chambers still exist. The baths are quite popular on fine Sunday afternoons all year round. Families from the village picnic on the surrounding grass under the shade of eucalyptus trees and the children love the baths.

Castillo de la Duquesa

Just along the coast, next to the port of La Duquesa, is the small coastal village of Castillo. There you will find the 18th Century fortress which stands at the entrance of the village.

Getting there

By Car: Simply take the A7 coastal road south from Marbella. It will take about 35 minutes.
By Bus:Catch the bus to La Linea from the Marbella Bus Station. It will take about an hour. Buses are few and far between so consult the Avanza Bus Timetable.

Have a nice Day

Another great trip from our apartment in Marbella