Manilva
One of the most charming aspects of Manilva is that, despite its prime location on the coast, there is a refreshing lack of anonymous sky-scraper construction. Therefore, although tourists are just starting to discover the village (with good reason), it remains intrinsically Spanish. The majority of residents live in the commercial centre which covers just two square kilometers.
Main Sights in Manilva
Within the municipality of Manilva there are several communities. The white village of Manilva itself is located a few kilometers inland from the little fishing village on the coast known as San Luis de Sabinillas or just Sabinillas for short. To the west of Sabinillas there is a quiet yachting marina called Puerto Duquesa with its surrounding residential area and golf course. To the west again is another small fishing hamlet called Castillo de la Duquesa after the castle still found there. West along the coast there are various housing developments as far as Punta Chullera.
The municipality covers an area of 35 square kilometers. There are about 17,000 full time residents and a further 14,000 who reside here on a temporary basis or have holiday homes. The economy of Manilva is based on agriculture and fishing and, more recently, tourism.
The area's agriculture mainly consists of crops grown near the river bed and valleys. The river Manilva is the eastern boundary of the municipality. Grapes consist of a large proportion of the crop - used for the well-known locally produced sweet wines. Some of the finest, grapes, red peppers and garlics are all home grown in this quaint village and are often for sale in roadside stalls, direct from the farmers.
History of Manilva
The town has a fascinating history which dates back to Roman times and still today there are some remarkably well-preserved Roman Sulphur baths and an Aqueduct. The Moors who favoured this location left and the town gradually faded away. In the 16th century the towns of Malaga, Marbella and Ronda were concerned that the coastline to the south of them was unprotected so they offered free land to poorer peasants in the north of Spain. There had to be a catch, indeed there was. Their area was still subject to raids from Moorish and Turkish pirates. To give the new arrivals a fighting chance of surviving a village was sited on a small hill 3km inland.
Directions to Manilva
Because it is simple and unpretentious, Manilva is often overlooked. Although a healthy growing village tourists tend to give it a miss as they rush south on the coast road which does not pass through the village.
To reach the village turn off the A7 (N340) at km 145 on to the A377 in the village of San Luis de Sabinillas. Only 300m on the left hand side notice the municipal tourist office is located in the quaint Villa Matilde, (Monday to Friday from 8.00 to 15.00) and flanked with tall palm trees.
There are many opportunities in the Autumn to buy grapes or raisins by the roadside. On any day you can stop on the bend up to the village to buy some of the best fresh vegetables in the area from the local co-operatives. Look out for the sign "Verduras Pascual".
When you reach the village at the top of the hill park the car and saunter on into the pedestrianised main street, Calle Mar and visit the recently reformed Plaza de la Vendimia where the blessed grapes are trodden as part of the annual festival the first week in September.
If you approach from the Toll Motorway junction or Gaucin to the north, your entrance is dilapidated to say the least. Keep one eye on the road and the other on the magnificent view whilst you skirt round the village to park you car on the far side.
If the summer sun is too hot sit down on a bench in the shade and watch the world go by. Otherwise pass the Town Hall on the left hand side and turn left down Calle Inglesia. Pass the Casa de la Cultura which may feature an exhibition. Continue to the parish church of Santa Ana.
Festivals
There are several festivals throughout the year in Manilva.
See Sabinillas Festivals page.
CAR HIRE
Hire a car is best way to get around! Travel with ease and enjoy the beautiful views! Consult our general Car Hire page for the best deals within Andalucia.
The Church of Santa Ana
The most conspicuous feature of the village is the church and its adjoining cemetery. The parish church is old, but not ancient, having been build in the 18th century. There is nothing particularly distinctive about it, and it has little of interest in the way of adornment or decoration. It is simply a good solid place of communal worship, functional without being flamboyant. It has three naves separated by arches, and having said that all but a Tolstoy has exhausted the well of description. Immediately alongside is a typical Spanish cemetery, with rows of clean, well kept, above-ground tombs. Even the oldest is comparatively recent - dating only from 1877 - and apart from a couple more from the 1890s, they seem exclusively from the twentieth century. What attracts the attention of the foreign visitor however, is the comparative abundance of English names from the late 1980s and 1990s.
GPS Locations
- Main Street (Calle Mar): 36º 22' 40'' N 5º 15' 09'' W
- Iglesia Santa Ana: 36º 22' 33'' N 5º 15' 08'' W
Click here to see our Restaurant Guide.
Property for Sale in Duquesa
Apartments for Sale
315,000
EUR
FANTASTIC APARTMENT WITH SEA VIEWS AND LARGE TERRACE, south facing with abundance of natural light, located in a very well maintained community with a swimming pool and nice gardens, and surrounded by golf courses. Just 1.5 km from the beach and 10 minutes drive both Marina Duquesa and Sabinillas, where you will find all kinds of amenities and leisure areas. Garage and storage room included.
139,900
EUR
FANTASTIC APARTMENT WITH SEA VIEWS thanks to its elevated position. Located in front of the virgin beaches of Manilva ONLY 50M FROM THE BEACH. It is in a quiet neighbourhood close to supermarkets, shops and amenities of the area, public transport, restaurants, as well as with direct exit to the A7, just 15 minutes from Gibraltar and 5 minutes to La Duquesa port.
269,000
EUR
FANTASTIC DUPLEX PENTHOUSE WITH SEA VIEWS. Located in front of the virgin beaches of Manilva ONLY 50 M FROM THE BEACH. It is in a quiet area close to supermarkets, shops and amenities of the area, public transport, restaurants, as well as with direct exit to the A7, just 15 minutes from Gibraltar and 5 minutes from the port of La Duquesa.
269,000
EUR
FANTASTIC DUPLEX PENTHOUSE WITH SEA VIEWS. Located in front of the virgin beaches of Manilva ONLY 50 M FROM THE BEACH. It is in a quiet area close to supermarkets, shops and amenities of the area, public transport, restaurants, as well as with direct exit to the A7, just 15 minutes from Gibraltar and 5 minutes from the port of La Duquesa.
145,000
EUR
FANTASTIC GROUND FLOOR APARTMENT WITH SEA VIEWS, thanks to its elevated position. Located in a quiet area close to supermarkets, shops and amenities of the área, such as public transport and restaurants, as well as 5 MINUTES WALK TO THE BEACH. With direct exit to the A7, only 15 minutes to Gibraltar and just 5 minutes to La Duquesa port.
235,000
EUR
MAGNIFICENT first floor apartment, built with top quality materials, has one of the most attractive views of the Costa del Sol, PANORAMIC SEA VIEWS, over the houses and gardens, green spaces, along the coast. East facing, with nice lumon window terrace, airconditioning hot and cold. The house benefits from communal gardens and two large pools.
165,000
EUR
FANTASTIC APARTMENT WITH SEA VIEWS, located in a quiet and well-maintained urbanization just 500m from the beach, which you can walk through a walkway, closest supermarket is 2 min driving and 5 min from Duquesa port where you will find all kinds of restaurants and leisure areas .
369,000
EUR
Nice apartments with OPEN sea views with gated community with 24 hour security and video control also approx. 260 m2 Wellness area with 2 indoor pools, Gym and Sauna, beautiful tropical gardens with 2 outdoor pools with sea views. Two parking spaces included in the price.
235,000
EUR
Spectacular apartment for sale within a golf resort in La Duquesa. This apartment is renovated and its as large as 180 meters, with a wide and comfortable distribution on the first line of golf. Very bright, it is distributed in two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a furnished and equipped kitchen, a spacious living room and a covered terrace of 80 meters with unobstructed views of the mountain.
187,000
EUR
Beautifull apartment in the city center of Sabinillas, with excellent location sorrounding supermarkets and leisure. Very bright this first floor in east facing, it is spacious and the terrace sorroundings all home is large and comfortable.
215,000
EUR
Fantastic modern style apartment with excellent qualities With two large bedroms and two bathrooms. Located mid way between the marinas of Sotogrande and La Duquesa, on a elevated position, southeast facing with views to the sea and the african coast over mature gardens.
795,000
EUR
Magnificent PENTHOUSE WITH SPECTACULAR SEA VIEWS, located in an urbanization area at a short distance from Sotogrande harbour and close the beach. In impecable condiction, the apartment offers charming living room with fireplace and access to the private terrace, completely equipped kitchen, separate dining area, one garage space and storeroom. It has been reformed recently..
Villas for Sale
195,000
EUR
BEAUTIFUL TOWNHOUSE IN THE CENTER OF SABINILLAS, JUST 5 MINUTES WALK TO THE BEACH. Very well located in the urban center surrounded by restaurants, shops, medical services, banks and all the city services around the corner, and just a 5-minute walk from the beach. The property has a good exit to the A7 so it takes 20 minutes to Gibraltar and 50 minutes to Malaga airport.
1,795,000
EUR
Old spacious completelly reformed in 1998 Cortijo, originally built in 1760, in inpeccable condition and keeping his original style. This property is located on a 9.500m2 plot, with great southwest orientation. The main house comprises of 6 bedrooms all en-suite, a dinning hall, sitting room, kitchen, butler´s pantry, laundry cupboard and a guest WC.
469,000
EUR
BELLA FINCA rustic style in Manilva, with large land which consists of a vegetable garden, it also has fruit trees and its own GREENHOUSE. with direct contact with nature, 2 min. from the coast road, and 5 min from the beautiful beaches. Easy access.
Plots of Land for Sale
158,000
EUR
Urban ground. Geographical Area Golf de la Duquesa. Area Activity The Hacho. Solar radicular in the municipal area of Manilva, in the party of Pedraza, with an area of 884m2, included in the CD-2 "El Hacho" execution unit, in the zone denominated E1, qualified with building typology isolated. Allowed buildability 1.00m3 / m2. Height 2 floors, max. 9m.
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