How to Get the Most out of Your Puerto Duquesa Holiday
Situated on the well-established Golden Mile of Manilva, Puerto Duquesa is an old fishing village turned top holiday spot for all the family.
Boasting a backdrop of wondrous mountains, a classy boat port attached to miles and miles of volcanic sand, Duquesa’s natural setting is simply breath taking.
So How Do I Get There?
Duquesa is easily reachable from Malaga and Gibraltar airport. Buses run from both to the port and taxis are readily available on arrival. The route is also very straightforward from either arrival point so anyone picking you up will not have too much trouble picking you up either.
What Accommodation is Available?
Duquesa has many different options for rental. You can opt for a luxurious penthouse that on a clear day will overlook the African country of Morocco or go for two and three bedroom apartments that have a wonderful view of the beach and pool areas. Small, inexpensive but plush studios are also copious in the port for those only looking for a place to crash after a day or night out. Most apartments are serviced with 24-hour security and can be rented daily, weekly or monthly.
How About the Grub?
Duquesa port is built on three levels. On the lower floor of the port there are your usual locals such as Chinese and Indian, however one eatery known for its deliciousness is a family run place called ‘The Mexican’. Opened about 7 years ago, starting out with only 4 tables, The Mexican has become one of the biggest and most reputable restaurants in the port. Its standard has never slipped and the price is still very reasonable. Top tip; go for the big burrito.
If you venture up to the second floor there are a couple of mediocre Italian restaurants which have the norm of pasta and pizza however a short stroll down the beach will introduce you to the local ‘churringitos’. Fresh prawns in garlic oil, seasoned calamari and tapas that melt away in your mouth, these traditional Spanish restaurants are the choice for those in the ‘know’.
Shall I Pack My Dancing Shoes?
Duquesa has some great bars to socialise and meet people. Whilst Marbella may be better for the clubbing scene, a fun night can be had in the port. The Oasis bar on the waterfront is probably the most popular. Live music is played most nights and has an excellent reputation mostly due to the singer ‘Pete Black’ who has become one of the most respected performing artists on the whole of the coast. If you are after a more trendy type of vibe, then head up to the second floor. Bar Duquesa is rather swanky and the two next door are just as posh. A few feet down and around the corner is the ‘Sports Bar’. A masculinity boasting mecca, the walls are decorated with plasma TV’s playing all Saturdays football and late night boxing. You can even get a good pint of Guinness there, cheers!
What if I Fancy a Stroll, any Towns Nearby?
Sabinillas
Slightly busier than the port, this is the ‘local’ part of Manilva. Tapas bars and cute coffee shops are dotted all around and the main two supermarkets are built here. ‘Sabi’ also has a local GP who is fluent in English just in case you need a health check-up. It is also the main stop for buses en-route to places such as Puerto Banus and Malaga airport.
Castillo
A 5-minute stroll down the beach the opposite way from Sabinillas is the town of Castillo. Meaning ‘castle’ in Spanish, it hosts a beautiful ancient ruin, the scene of a historic battle. Most weekends there is a market selling different types of trinkets and collectibles and once a year becomes home to a hippy type festival. This event is a great opportunity to gain insight into the younger generation’s emerging culture.
Are There any Decent Day Trips?
Being just over an hour’s drive from the port is the British colony Gibraltar. Well known for its huge rock, Gibraltar is an exciting day trip for those who are interested in feeling what Britain could be like with good weather. The road signs are the same, the red telephone boxes are the same and Gibraltar even has British policemen. You will need your passport and any pounds you have can be used as currency. The runway for the airport is on last measurement, the smallest in Europe. Watching a Boeing 747 make a safe landing on this tiny strip is a nail biting experience. Cigarettes and booze are duty free; however, there are certain limits as to how much you can bring back to Spain. Make sure to check the current limits before you stock up; you will get stopped otherwise.
Last but not least is the journey up “the rock.” You can jump on a cable car that will take you top of it, which itself is a memorable ride. On a clear day you will be able to experience the rare pleasure of seeing three beautiful countries at the same time, Gibraltar, Spain, and Morocco. Be careful of the native monkeys though, they like anything in plastic bags and will quite happily mug you while you are enjoying the scenery.
Spain has been a top holiday spot for years. As the port is still not as popular as some other Spanish tourist destinations, it gives holidaymakers the chance to experience the pleasures this country has to offer but at the same time keeping those home comforts nearby.
This article was written by Misty Angel on behalf of Travel Republic, who offer some of the best Holidays in Spain. Misty Angel is a seasoned traveller, having visited many of the world’s travel destinations.
