Whilst it doesn’t have the glitz and glam of Puerto Banus, you will not go to bed at 22.00 out of boredom either: it’s nightlife has enough options to keep you out of the house, from late dinners with Flamenco shows (ore even Celtic music!) to bars and discos (well, yes, karaoke included). The housing options here are practically limitless: detached houses, town houses, apartments in gated communities, all vary in location, price and looks, so one’s tastes must be really particular in order not to be met.

In a totally different register form the casual Estepona, Sotogrande is the largest privately owned residential development in Andalusia, and it is where some of the richest and most powerful families of Spain have summer homes. What was originally a gated community in the municipality of San Roque, turned into one of the most luxurious urbanizations – in 2006 it was featured in The Times, as having the most expensive homes in Europe. Layout-wise its a 20 square kilometers stretch from the Mediterranean Sea, back into the foothills of Sierra Almenara mountain range, providing contrasting views of sea, hills, cork forests, the Rock of Gibraltar and Morocco. Built like a port – or more like a city on the water – Sotogrande is a wide display of up-market houses and apartments with mooring places under the windows and it is well-known for its architectural diversity: with styles varying from the traditional Andalucian to mid century modern, all the way through 21st century design and even more unusual designs, including moorish/mudejar style homes and even a Swiss chalet. If that wasn’t enough, it has a river – Guardiarro – an Estuary, artificial lakes, a Natural reserve wild park with wildlife, a top class Marina, a Polo club, incredible beach bars and restaurants and 5 golf courses, including the world famous Valderrama. A true magnet for the jet-set families – with their children usually enlisted in Sotogrande International School – Sotogrande is an unique experience for residents and visitors alike.

To say that La Duquesa is low profile would not be at all far from the truth, since people who only visited the coast never heard of it, and this applies to some of the permanent residents as well. But in fact, it has one of Costa del Sol’s best marinas – Puerto de la Duquesa – vast amounts of unspoiled natural scenery and authentic local character, while sharing the fantastic climate and all the excellent services and infrastructure of the rest of the Costa del Sol. Easily reachable in just an hour drive form Malaga airport, La Duquesa feels like miles away from the busy resorts packed with noisy holiday makers. Closer to the Ocean, it benefits from a more dramatic landscape with Mediterranean vegetation mixed with the oceanic one and its practically surrounded by wide beaches, fully equipped with fine sand, sun beds and many chiringuitos. Less traffic than in the rest of the areas, attractive promenades surrounding the port with a variety of restaurants, bars and cafes, an extensive range of spacious apartments, residential complexes with shared pools and gardens, modern villas, highly rated international schools and the charming La Duquesa Golf and Country Club. Add the bonus of still being able to find half-deserted beaches in proximity – a rare treat considering all the touristic hype, and maybe La Duquesa deserves a second look (and thought) when looking for a place to reside, be it permanently or part-time.

Towns and Urbanizations in Coastline West:

ESTEPONA

New Golden Mile – Estepona Municipality (Malaga Province) Beach: 5-10 min drive / Airport: 55 min/ Golf: 10 min drive / International School: 15 min drive

Valle Romano – Estepona Municipality (Malaga Province): Beach: 5-10 min drive / Airport: 55 min/ Golf: 10 min drive / International School: 15 min drive

Estepona – Estepona Municipality (Malaga Province) Beach: 5-10 min drive / Airport: 55 min/ Golf: 10 min drive / International School: 15 min drive

Selwo – Estepona Municipality (Malaga Province) Beach: 5-10 min drive / Airport: 55 min/ Golf: 10 min drive / International School: 15 min drive

Benamara – Estepona Municipality (Malaga Province) Beach: 5-10 min drive / Airport: 55 min/ Golf: 10 min drive / International School: 15 min drive

El Padron – Estepona Municipality (Malaga Province) Beach: 5-10 min drive / Airport: 55 min/ Golf: 10 min drive / International School: 15 min drive

El Presidente – Estepona Municipality (Malaga Province) Beach: 5-10 min drive / Airport: 55 min/ Golf: 10 min drive / International School: 15 min drive

Bel Air – Estepona Municipality (Malaga Province): Beach: 5-10 min drive / Airport: 55 min/ Golf: 5 min drive / International School: 10 min drive

Costalita – Estepona Municipality (Malaga Province): Beach: 5-10 min drive / Airport: 55 min/ Golf: 10 min drive / International School: 15 min drive

Cancelada- Estepona Municipality (Malaga Province): Beach: 5-10 min drive / Airport: 55 min/ Golf: 10 min drive / International School: 20 min drive

Los Flamingos – Estepona Municipality (Malaga Province): Beach: 15 min drive / Airport: 55 min/ Golf: 10 min drive / International School: 20 min drive

El Paraiso – Estepona Municipality (Malaga Province): Beach: 10 min drive / Airport: 55 min/Golf: 10 min drive / International School: 20 min drive

Benavista – Estepona Municipality (Malaga Province) Beach: 15 min drive / Airport: 55 min/ Golf: 5 min drive / International School: 20 min drive

Diana Park- Estepona Municipality (Malaga Province): Beach: 5-10 min drive / Airport: 55 min/ Golf: 10 min drive / International School: 15 min drive

Atalaya – Estepona Municipality (Malaga Province): Beach: 15 min drive / Airport: 55 min/ Golf: 10 min drive / International School: 15 min drive

Hacienda del Sol – Estepona Municipality (Malaga Province) Beach: 5-10 min drive / Airport: 55 min/ Golf: 10 min drive / International School: 15 min drive

SOTOGRANDE:

Sotogrande Puerto – San Roque Municipality (Cadiz Province) Beach: 5-10 min drive / Airport: 1h (Malaga) – 15 min (Gibraltar)/ Golf: 10 min drive / International School: 15 min drive

Sotogrande Marina – San Roque Municipality (Cadiz Province) Beach: 5-10 min drive / Airport: 1h (Malaga) – 15 min (Gibraltar)/ Golf: 10 min drive / International School: 15 min drive

Sotogrande Costa- San Roque Municipality (Cadiz Province) Beach: 5-10 min drive / Airport: 1h (Malaga) – 15 min (Gibraltar)/ Golf: 10 min drive / International School: 15 min drive

Sotogrande Alto- San Roque Municipality (Cadiz Province) Beach: 10 min drive / Airport: 1h (Malaga) – 15 min (Gibraltar) / Golf: 10 min drive / International School: 20 min drive

Sotogrande Playa- San Roque Municipality (Cadiz Province) Beach: 5-10 min walk / Airport: 1h (Malaga) – 15 min (Gibraltar)/ Golf: 10 min drive / International School: 15 min drive

Sotogrande- San Roque Municipality (Cadiz Province) Beach: 5-10 min drive / Airport: 1h (Malaga) – 15 min (Gibraltar)/ Golf: 10 min drive / International School: 15 min drive

San Diego – San Roque Municipality (Cadiz Province) Beach: 5-10 min drive / Airport: 1h (Malaga) – 15 min (Gibraltar) / Golf: 10 min drive / International School: 15 min drive

San Enrique – San Roque Municipality (Cadiz Province) Beach: 15 min drive / Airport: 1h (Malaga) – 15 min (Gibraltar) / Golf: 10 min drive / International School: 20 min drive

Torreguadiaro- San Roque Municipality (Cadiz Province) Beach: 5-10 min drive / Airport: 1h (Malaga) – 15 min (Gibraltar) / Golf: 10 min drive / International School: 15 min drive

San Roque- San Roque Municipality (Cadiz Province) Beach: 15 min drive / Airport: 1h (Malaga) – 15 min (Gibraltar) / Golf: 10 min drive / International School: 20 min drive

Guadiaro- San Roque Municipality (Cadiz Province) Beach: 15 min drive / Airport: 1h (Malaga) – 15 min (Gibraltar) / Golf: 10 min drive / International School: 20 min drive

Pueblo Nuevo de Guadiaro- San Roque Municipality (Cadiz Province) Beach: 15 min drive / Airport: 1h (Malaga) – 15 min (Gibraltar) / Golf: 10 min drive / International School: 15 min drive

LA DUQUESA:

La Alcaidesa – La Linea Municipality (Cadiz Province) Beach: 5-10 min drive / Airport: 1h 5 min (Malaga) – 20 min (Gibraltar)/ Golf: 10 min drive / International School: 20 min drive

La Duquesa – Manilva Municipality (Malaga Province) Beach: 5-10 min walk / Airport: 1h 5 min (Malaga) – 20 min (Gibraltar)/ Golf: 10 min drive / International School: 20 min drive

San Luis de Sabinillas – Manilva Municipality (Malaga Province) Beach: 5-10 min walk / Airport: 1h 5 min (Malaga) – 20 min (Gibraltar)/ Golf: 10 min drive / International School: 20 min drive

Manilva – Manilva Municipality (Malaga Province) Beach: 10 min drive / Airport: 1h 5 min (Malaga) – 20 min (Gibraltar)/ Golf: 10 min drive / International School: 20 min drive

Casares Playa – Casares Municipality (Malaga Province) Beach: 5-10 min walk / Airport: 1h 5 min (Malaga) – 20 min (Gibraltar)/ Golf: 10 min drive / International School: 20 min drive

Doña Julia- Casares Municipality (Malaga Province) Beach: 10 min drive / Airport: 1h 5 min (Malaga) – 20 min (Gibraltar)/ Golf: 10 min walk / International School: 20 min drive

Punta Chullera Manilva Municipality (Malaga Province) Beach: 5-10 min walk / Airport: 1h 5 min (Malaga) – 20 min (Gibraltar)/ Golf: 10 min drive / International School: 20 min drive