San Pedro de Alcántara, which is more commonly known as just San Pedro, can be found 10km to the west of Marbella, it has a population in the region of 26,500, and is accessible from A7/N340 or the AP7 (toll road). It also has access from the C339 from Sevilla and Ronda. It is a typical Spanish town, with lovely gardens, tranquil parks and delightful plazas, and architecture characteristic of Andalucia. If you go via Nueva Alcantara, you will find the newly built promenade, which stretches along the length of the wide golden sand beach.
There are many new developments to be found within easy reach of San Pedro de Alcantara. It has its own good amenities, and is not far from either Marbella or Puerto Banus, just 47 minutes (63.6km) from Malaga Airport via the AP7 or around an hour via the A7. San Pedro de Alcantara is surrounded by hills, and sits on a plain, Vega de San Pedro de Alcantara. The area around San Pedro is very fertile and offers an abundance of crops, which is reflected in its rich local cuisine.
San Pedro came into the existence in the 1860s, due to the Marques del Duero, who in 1867 established a farming community there, it was originally named by the Marques after his mother and preferred saint, Petra de Alcantara Irigoyen. The Marques intention was to build a new town, and he purchased a number of farms, and then grouped them together and named them ‘Colonia de San Pedro Alcantara’, a royal decree was passed on 26 March 1867.
Today San Pedro is a bustling town, with a popular beach, huge underground car park, thriving shopping areas and many restaurants. Despite its growth, San Pedro retains its traditional Spanish charm, with the Church in the main square as its focal point. Outside of the town, in the direction of Estepona, is a commercial centre ‘La Colonial’, which provides a variety of shops, restaurants and bars. San Pedro is an area in much demand because of its close proximity to everything.
San Pedro Amenities
San Pedro is easily accessible via the A7/N340 coming from either Cadiz or Malaga, and from Ronda and Seville via the C339. The AP7 (toll road) is much quicker during peak times, which runs from Torremolinos to Estepona. Both Malaga and Gibraltar Airport are under an hour by the AP7, and equidistant. Malaga Airport has many more flights. Buses run from San Pedro to most major towns along the coast, and also Ronda, Algerciras, La Linea (next to Gibraltar)Seville, Granada, Cadiz, and Cordoba.
The promenade runs by the long and golden sandy beach, doted with palm trees, and some super chiringuitos (fish restaurants). Here you can find the fashionable Bora Bora and Guayaba Beach Clubs, where they serve international cuisine. Both beachside and in the town, there are plenty of tapa bars, restaurants and cafes. In the town centre there are plenty of interesting little shops and a post office.
As a result of where it is located, San Pedro has plenty of clinics, health centres and hospital both within San Pedro and in close proximity. There is Clinica del Rio, Triay Medical Centre, and Mutua Universal San Pedro. Not far from San Pedro are the HC Marbella International Hospital (3.9km/9 mins), Hospital Quiron Salud Marbella (16.4km/21 mins), and the state run Hospital Costa del Sol (18.3km/19 mins).
San Pedro is home to the Laude San Pedro International College, there is also the Calpe School, an English language primary school. In addition, you can find a wide selection of good schools in close proximity to San Pedro, starting with Nursery and going up to 18 years of age. There is the German School in Elviria, The British International School, Entoga the International Infant School, Marbella Montessori School, Colegio Saint George’s School, to name but a few. For more information, on the wide range of private schools on the Costa del Sol, please see: https://www.international-schools-database.com/in/malaga-costa-del-sol
San Pedro Activities
San Pedro has in total 5 kilometres of beach, divided into two Playa Cortijo Blanco and Playa San Pedro. As with most beaches on the Costa del Sol, there are all the usual sports activities available, jet ski rentals, Tuga Beach Paddle Surf Rental Centre.
Whilst not in San Pedro, there are a wide range of activities close by in Marbella, where additional water sports are available including: scuba diving, fly boarding, wind surfing, kayak, canoeing, and para-sailing, there are also sailing lessons available, and you can hire motor boats or sailing boats. The nearest water park is on Mijas Costa, just 30 minutes from Marbella. There are many more options available, including fishing, for more information see: www.activitiesmarbella.es/activity/watersports.
There is the Cableski & Wake Board Centre, just outside of San Pedro, and for the children, at the far end of San Pedro de Alcantara Boulevard there is Happy Days, providing entertainment in the form of a bouncy castle, a synthetic ice skating rink, and mini golf. There is also Alex’s Skate School, where children can learn to skate, Club de Paddle in Nueva Alacantara (tennis and paddle), and Costa Jump a trampoline park. The nearest water park is on Mijas Costa, just 30 minutes from Marbella.
In nearby Benahavis, you can go Canyoning and Climbing. You could also go hiking, cycling, skating, skateboarding, trampolining, skydiving and karting. In addition, to San Pedro’s beaches, the area has beautiful beaches, in Marbella itself there is Playa Fontanilla, within walking distance of the centre of Marbella.
Not far away in Marbella, there are Gala Nights and the occasional concert held at Puerto Romano, and the Starlite Marbella Festival is an annual event. This year Texas, James Blunt, and Il Divo will be performing, along with a host of well known Spanish and international stars.
San Pedro Golf Courses
The Costa del Sol is also known as the Costa Golf, and Marbella boasts a plethora of excellent golf courses, these are some of the best:
San Pedro Golf Club Atalaya Golf & Country Club (13 mins/7.5km)
Monte Paraiso (19 mins/14km) Aloha Golf (16 mins/7.5km)
Villa Padierna Golf Club (14 mins/8.5km) Marbella Club Golf Resort (20 mins/10.9km)
Santa Clara (26 mins/22.9km) Rio Real (27 mins/21.5km)
Santa Maria (29 mins/27.6km) Los Naranjos (11 mins/5.1km)
La Quinta (9 mins/3.7km) Artola (33 mins/31.5km)
For more information on Golf Courses in the area see: ww.myguidemarbella.com/golf/golfcourses
San Pedro Tourist Attractions
Bulevar Park – opened in December 2014 and covering an area of 54,000 square metres, offering 6 distinctive children playgrounds, a skating rink and an open air theatre. Running through the wonderful footbridge, which connects the two different areas on either side, and designed to mirror the sea. There are a few bars and restaurants along the way, providing a place to sit and people watch. There is a cycle lane that runs through the boulevard.
In Plaza Iglesia (Church Square), you will find San Pedro de Alcantara Church, built in 1866 by the Marques del Duero, who in some respects founded the early San Pedro. It is a modest but interesting church.
Nearby, in a eucalyptus forest, close by the Guadalmina river, is the Basilica de Vega del Mar, which was an early Christian church and burial site. Now just the remains of the Basilica can be found, but they are extensive, and include the foundations, and evidence of the burial site.
If you are looking for authentic Spain, the most traditional Spanish town on the Costa del Sol, is San Pedro de Alcantara, with its many Tapas Bars, Cafes and little shops, Plazas and pretty little streets. It is in an extremely good location too, close to Marbella and Puerto Banus, within an hour to the airport, good transport links and all other amenities. There are a varied range of new developments to choose from, and a lot of work has been carried out, and continues to be carried out on the infrastructure.
