Puerto de la Duquesa
Duquesa Port (Puerto de la Duquesa) is the western-most marina in the Malaga province, located between Marbella and Sotogrande ports and on the edge of the Cadiz province.
It was built in the 1980s and has 328 births. It is a very pretty marina, with no high-rise hotels or buildings and a range of developments offering modern apartments and charming townhouses within easy reach of the sea. Over the years, it has become the very centre of tourism in the area, transforming from a traditional Spanish marina to a hub for the expat community, with an impressive array of bars and restaurants serving food from all around the world.
The marina sits between two beautiful beaches, which tend to be relatively quiet, even in the high season.
It is just a short walk from the fishing village of Castillo de Duquesa, named after its impressive 18th Century fortress, which was built to defend the coast from privateers and pirates. This beautiful structure was occupied by the French in the early 19th century, before being abandoned for many years. In the mid-19th century it was used as the home of the “Carabinieri de Costa” who were responsible for defending the coast and borders and prevent smuggling. It is now a historic monument and a place where events are held, which adds historic value to the newer area of Duquesa Port.
On the other side of Duquesa is the bustling town of Sabinillas, with lots of shops, supermarkets, banks, chemists, schools and healthcare providers. That’s where the C2C Properties office is located too, so we know the area very well.
Why people love to holiday in Duquesa
As we mentioned earlier, Duquesa really is a tourist hub, both down in the port itself and in the surrounding developments either side and up the hill. It is particularly popular with the British and there’s a strong year-round British resident population, as well as thousands who flock here each year for a holiday.
It offers British tourists a taste of home, with lots of English and Irish bars and restaurants serving familiar favourites, with English speaking staff, but in stunning surroundings. But it’s not just British food on offer! You can take a culinary trip around the world during a holiday in Duquesa, with restaurants offering Indian, Chinese, Mexican, Argentinian, Portuguese, Italian and other cuisines, alongside some good Spanish options.
It's a great place to go out in the evening too. There’s a lively bar scene, with karaoke, live music and a great atmosphere, especially during the summer months. There are also events throughout the year which really bring the place to life. The annual Manilva Pride festival is a weekend of concerts and fun in June which attracts thousands, and they also hold smaller events at other times of the year as well.
The beaches are fantastic and surprisingly quiet! There are rocky outcrops perfect for exploring and rock pooling in some areas. In others there are long stretches of sandy beaches which rarely get busy and the beach is dotted with little beach restaurants known as chiringuitos, perfect for lunch on the sand. The seafront promenade makes a lovely place for a stroll too.
Things to do in Duquesa
It’s not just the food scene, nightlife and beaches that make this area so popular for international buyers and holiday makers. There are lots of things to do in this area too.
Duquesa Golf Club, just over the road from the marina, was designed by Robert Trent Jones in 1986. This 18-hole golf course overlooks the sea and there’s a practice tee, as well as a Club House with a great restaurant which often hosts events. It’s considered one of the better value-for-money courses on the Costa del Sol and you can get short and long-term memberships, or simply pay for a round. It’s 40€ for 18 holes, 25€ for 9 holes (30€ on Sundays) and weekly unlimited golf for 199€.
There are also a wide range of watersport options based out of the marina itself. You can hire a boat for yourself and explore the coastline, or hire a boat with a skipper and add on donuts and inflatable rafts for a really exciting experience. There’s also the option to take a fishing excursion, with an experienced team and try your luck at landing a catch.
You can also hire bikes, which is a great way to enjoy the seafront promenade. Or if you’d rather have some power behind you, hire segways and little electric cars for the kids, they are a lot of fun.
Within easy reach of Duquesa
In Casares there’s a 300-meter-long zip wire with incredible views over the mountain which is perfect for thrill seekers. It costs 12€ per person, and although it says all ages can take part as long as they are over 40kg, in fact the minimum age is 14. Casares is also a great base for horse riding and mountain biking and is one of the most stunning white villages on the whole of the Costa del Sol. Visiting the historic centre feels like you’re stepping back in time and the restaurants are spectacular.
Up in the village of Manilva is a wine museum where you can take tours and conduct wine tastings in their vineyard where they are trying to save the local vines. All C2C buyers now get a vine in their name when they make their purchase, in order to support this great cause. Manilva is also home to an annual wine festival on the first weekend in September, which we’d very much recommend. In the hills there are great walks and hikes, and there’s even a Roman bath you can visit.
Nearby Estepona also has a packed schedule of events, a pretty old town and a vibrant culinary scene, including an annual tapas festival, which is a great way to explore the town.
On the other side you’ll find Sotogrande, which hosts an annual polo tournament and festival in July and August, which is free to attend and a real experience.
If you want to be in the centre of the action and within walking distance of Duquesa marina itself, then there are several developments to choose from, within the marina and either side. They are mostly apartments, but there are also small developments of townhouses very close to the port. The most popular developments in Duquesa with our buyers are Marina de la Duquesa, Los Granados, Mikanos, Marina Real, Marina del Castillo.
However, if you’re looking for more peace and quiet, then on the other side of the coast road there are lots of developments around the golf course, with lovely views and facilities, and a choice of apartments, townhouses or villas. These include Duquesa Golf Villas, Ocean Golf Villas, Los Hidalgos Golf & Duquesa Village. There are new developments in the Duquesa area as well, such as Pure South Small Oasis & Blue Sunset which offer the ultimate in contemporary living.
If you’re searching for property in Duquesa, please browse the property options on our website, or contact us with your requirements and we can send you a list of available options.