VIEW to the East

View from the top of Punta Chullera on to the Costa del Sol, Estepona, Puerto Banus, and Marbella

Developments in Punta Chullera:    

hat can you see?  It is the view towards the East along the Costa del Sol which stretches from Punta Chullera past Marbella on to Malaga

Puerto Duquesa

Castillo de la Duquesa

Sabinillas

Manilva

Estepona

San Pedro

Puerto Banus

Marbella

Malaga

Puerto Banus was built in the early 1970s by the architect Jose Banus.  Designed in the Andalucian style of white plaster and traditional red clay tile roofs, this Sports Marina became an early outpost beyond Marbella at a time when expatriates rarely strayed there.  However, the large capacity of this marina attracted the largest of private yachts, and soon Puerto Banus became the home and destination for everybody from film stars to Gulf royalty. 

Puerto Banus has become the social center of the Costa del Sol.  It is home to a multitude of restaurants, bars, and shops.  The Corte Ingles has an excellent department store here, a facility which is surrounded by shopping centers and high-fashion stores.  People come to Puerto Banus to people-watch and be seen.  Where else can you see this many exotic cars parked next to SEATs.  The place is irresistible...... 

osta del Sol.....   It brings forth images from a million travel posters.  Well, from the top of Punta Chullera you can see a good part of it in one view.  This coast is home to a series of old harbour towns and fishing villages that have transformed over the years  into a blend of Europe's playground and peaceful retreat.

Closest to Punta Chullera is Puerto Duquesa.  A modern Sports Marina with nearby golf course, it offers all the necessary yachting services, restaurants, shops, and night clubs.  Catering to the more residential nature of this part of the Costa del Sol, this marina is a very pleasant place to spend the evening. 

Also, take the time to visit the adjacent tiny village named 'Castillo de la Duquesa'.   This is small fishing village built around a ruined (recently renovated) castle, which evidently was home to a Spanish Duchess at one time.  The town has now become rather well known for its multitude of family owned fish restaurants.  They are well worth trying.  Definitely try the local specialty; 'fish-in-salt'.

About a mile into the hills above Puerto Duquesa lies the village of Manilva after which this area is named.   Manilva is famous for its large, sweet, green grapes.  Excellent for eating, a sweet white wine is made from them, aptly named 'Manilva Wine'.   The cultivation of these grapes may hail back to Roman times. 

A little beyond Manilva in the foothills of the mountains are the 'Roman Baths'.  Still operational, a natural spring feeds high-sulpher mineral water from the ground, always at the same rate and temperatures.  Remains of Roman structures, aqueducts, and roads indicate that this was at one time a large resort complex built around the curative powers of this spring.

Sabinillas, a pleasant coastal town, is virtually connected to Puerto Duquesa, and is growing rapidly from a tiny village to the home of a both Spanish and expatriates.  The town also has the nearest pharmacy, supermarket, hairdresser, bank, et.

Next along the coast come Estepona.  A fairly major town, it is also home to the Puerto Estepona, a fishing harbour that has been converted to a sports Marina.  Offering a range of restaurants and nightclubs, it is a popular destination.  Sunday mornings are also busy as the flea market comes to the marina.  Another interesting note is that Estepona is home the only oval bullring in the country.   For more mundane requirements, this the town to go for your car dealerships, hypermarket shopping, etc.

Beyond Estepona, about 20 minutes from Punta Chullera, lie the resort towns of San Pedro de Alcantara, Puerto Banus, and Marbella.  Home to the rich and famous, it attracts millions of tourists from all over the world.  You can find huge yachts in the Puerto Banus sports marina, 24 hour night-life, dining, and Europe's best beaches.  The latest and finest in fashions, dining, entertainment, it is wonderful to spend the day or the evening out on the town.  (Although, if I must admit, it is a relief to come home to the peace, quiet, and views of your own villa at the end of the night)

2006  Punta Chullera™