CASARES AND MANILVA GUIDE

Casares is a municipality in the province of Malaga, covering an area of ​​about 160 square kilometers, stretching from the Sierra Crestilina to the Mediterranean Sea to the south, with Estepona to the east and Manilva to the west, segmented into 2 main areas: Casares Pueblo and Casares Costa.

The town of Casares, Casares Pueblo, is one of the most beautiful white villages in Andalusia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is located atop a hill in the mountains at 435 meters above sea level, 15km from the beach. It is the birthplace of the ideologue, politician, and writer of great importance in Spanish and Andalusian culture, Blas Infante (1885-1936), with origins dating back to Iberian and Phoenician times (about 3,000 years ago), although its current name is influenced by that of Julius Caesar (61 BC). Characterized by its white-washed and tightly packed houses, narrow winding streets, and typical Andalusian-style squares, the village itself is a charming viewpoint with panoramic views of the sea.

Casares Costa, on the other hand, is an area that has emerged recently as a result of the tourist development of the municipality. It consists of a series of residential and tourist urbanizations distributed around Ancha Beach, which houses golf courses, restaurants, as well as a town hall of Casares.

Manilva, on the other hand, is the last municipality in the province of Malaga, marking the border with the province of Cadiz. Dating back to the times of the early Phoenicians (9th century BC) and separated from the ancient matrix of Casares, it resembles its neighbor, also characterized by a village located slightly inland, but only 3 km from the beach and 2 coastal nuclei or fishing villages, San Luis de Sabinillas and Duquesa, which boasts a Roman castle “Castillo de la Duquesa” and a port “Puerto de la Duquesa” with 328 moorings. Grapes, wine, raisins, and their derivatives of outstanding quality wines have made Manilva included in the Great Wine Route of Malaga.

With a more subdued and reserved rhythm and atmosphere than in neighboring cities, this border enclave of the Costa del Sol is the preferred destination for tourists, national and international residents who want to taste the authentic spirit of Andalusian villages. And although, given its proximity, locals go to neighboring Estepona, Marbella, Sotogrande, or Algeciras for some specific services, in Manilva and Casares, you will find a variety of services and entertainment opportunities close at hand.

WHAT DOES THE AREA OF CASARES AND MANILVA OFFER?

Beaches

The beaches of Manilva and Casares are connected by a beautiful coastal promenade passing through the seafront of Sabinillas, the Puerto de la Duquesa, and the Castillo de la Duquesa.

Casares does not have a long coastline, just 4 km of beach. Playa Ancha, as the name defines it, is 50 meters wide and over 1000 meters long, and it flies the “Blue Flag,” an award won in 2019. It has a beach bar, public showers, and parking lots. It is a perfect beach to spend a quiet day and enjoy its crystal-clear water and brown sand.

The second beach in Casares is Playa de la Sal, with a more rocky coastline, but also more suggestive, it houses the homonymous Torre La Sal, which offers panoramic views of the coast, the Rock of Gibraltar, and the African coast. Also here you will find 2 beach bars with delicious menus.

Also belonging to the municipality of Casares is the unique and exclusive oasis of Alcazaba Lagoon, an artificial lagoon of 1.4 hectares with freshwater and always turquoise waters located 6 km from the coast.

Playa de Piedra Paloma is defined by a beautiful rock, Isla Piedra Paloma, which seems to be thrown by some mythological titan from the shore and hosts one of the few dog-friendly beaches in the area.

Sabinillas Beach is undoubtedly one of the jewels of the Costa del Sol, spacious and long, with fine yellow sand, it is accompanied by the seafront of Sabinillas, where a multitude of traditional bars and restaurants parade with the typical fishing boats for skewers or more modern venues if you prefer and it has public showers and playgrounds.

Castillo Beach is located between the castle and the port of La Duquesa and the Castillo, and is formed by 2 bays that create an ideal environment for children offering moderate waves and shallow depth.

From this point, the beaches of Manilva come together in an almost continuous stretch from La Playa Duquesa, Playa Aldea Beach, Playa del Negro, Playa de Tubalita, La Cala de las Sardinas, and Playa del Gobernador, forming a continuous beach group of 5 km, it could be said the most extensive in the area, with an average width of about 20 meters of coarse sand and crystal-clear waters that also belong to the “Playas de Manilva” Ecological Reserve.

The last beach in Manilva is Playa de los Toros, it constitutes a landmark of the natural heritage of the Malaga coast, located in Punta Chullera, it is characterized by the rocky formation of special scenic interest and ecological richness ideal for underwater fishing.

Restaurants

Along the coasts of Casares and Manilva, you’ll find a variety of restaurants offering delicious local and international cuisine. Some of the best restaurants in Casares Playa, according to visitor reviews and critics, include:

At Finca Cortesin you will find several superb restaurants:

  • El Jardin de Lutz is one of the outstanding restaurants at Finca Cortesin, named after Lutz Bösing, a German chef with a long and successful career in haute cuisine, and the venue offers a unique culinary experience, with signature cuisine based on high quality local ingredients.
  • Restaurante Rei is another renowned culinary establishment at Finca Cortesin, specialising in contemporary Mediterranean cuisine, the restaurant offers creative dishes made with the finest local and seasonal ingredients. Kabuki Raw and Don Giovanni are two other restaurants located at Finca Cortesin.
  • Doña Julia’s Green House is a restaurant that combines quality cuisine with a friendly atmosphere, making it a popular destination for locals and players at the eponymous Doña Julia Golf Club.

The promenade of Sabinillas is a parade of beachfront bars and restaurants, with a wide range of traditional meat and fish dishes, some having their espetos boats right on the beach in front of the restaurant, or international menu. The most interesting and appreciated are Restaurante La Puerta de Elviro, Karabas Grill, Oliver Twist Restaurant, Bar Playa, Marymar, El Varadero, Restaurante La Casita, Bar La Cabaña de Rocío and of course:

In Puerto de la Duquesa you will certainly love Apricus Gastrobar, El Capitano, Victor Grill, Parapiro’s, and Chiringuito de Playa Cubanga, but don’t miss the opportunity to also try the wide variety of international cuisine and have fun in typical English bars with themed parties and even karaoke.

La Taberna 2 and Restaurante Delfines are in Castillo de la Duquesa where there are more restaurants serving local Mediterranean cuisine.

On the west side of Duquesa there are also several restaurants and chiringuitos with different styles and delicious cuisine, some of them are:

Then, in the village of Casares:

Strolling through the village of Manilva, you should definitely pop into one of the bodega bars and sample the local wines.

Shops

Although its offer is not as rich as in the larger neighbouring towns, in the area you will find a variety of shops that can satisfy many of your daily needs.

Sabinillas has 3 large supermarkets, Mercadona, LIDL and Carrefour Express, as well as other local shops offering foodstuffs, cleaning products, personal care products and more.

Also in Sabinillas there are several clothing and shoe shops for all ages and styles.

There are several homeware shops selling furniture, home decor, kitchen items, garden products and much more, the largest and best known being:

The Superasia shop in Sabinillas is a passepartout, offering a wide range of products covering a variety of needs, from household and kitchen items to toys, electronics, clothes, decoration and much more; very popular with local residents and visitors due to its variety of products and competitive prices.

It is impossible to list and mention all the shops in the area, which include newsagents, tobacconists, hairdressers, sports shops, car dealers, gift and souvenir shops, as well as beauty products, professional law firms, notaries, tax consultants, beauty clinics, physiotherapy clinics, doctors’ surgeries and many other services.

Golf and sports

En Casares hay 3 campos de golf:

Finca Cortesin is a world-renowned golf resort that has hosted three editions of the Volvo World Match Play Championship and one edition of the Solheim Cup (2023) and has been recognised on several occasions as one of the top five golf courses in Spain by specialised media such as Golf World and Golf Digest. The 18-hole Finca Cortesin golf course stretches over 6736 metres from the competition tees and there are no two similar holes on the course, allowing players of all levels to enjoy the game. The course design, created by Cabell B. Robinson, offers a unique experience, and after a comprehensive upgrade of its greens in 2017, it is the first golf course in Spain to use a new type of environmentally friendly Bermuda grass. In 2023 Finca Cortesin has obtained the prestigious GEO Certified® seal.

Casares Costa Golf is a 9-hole course situated on a flat terrain, in a secluded valley, offering a varied design and spectacular views. The course, designed by Juan Carlos Martínez, crosses a gentle valley surrounded by vineyards, avocado trees, orange trees and other species typical of the Mediterranean forest. It consists of three par 3 holes, five par 4 holes and a par 5 hole which has become very popular with players on the Costa del Sol due to its challenging design. In addition to the golf course, Casares Costa Golf has a golf school, a fitness room equipped with Technogym, and an activity room offering indoor cyclo classes, pilates, TRX, among others. It also has a wellness area with sauna, Turkish bath, contrast showers and thermal hammocks, and a restaurant “Brasserie de Arturo”, offering a complete experience for golf enthusiasts and those looking for wellness and leisure activities.

Doña Julia Golf Club is an 18-hole golf course, with a length of 5976 metres and a provisional par of 71, perfectly integrated in a natural environment characteristic of the area. The wide greens, with an average surface area of between 700 and 1000 square metres, together with its emblematic tees, wide fairways and views of the sea, are some of the outstanding features of this golf course. Designed in 2006 by Antonio Garrido, a professional golfer with multiple world-class titles to his credit, Doña Julia Golf Club complies with USGA standards in terms of tees, bunkers, drainage and greens, and offers two very varied courses that are suitable for players of all levels.

At La Duquesa Golf Course, designed by Robert Trent Jones and set amidst spectacular scenery, you will find 18 holes of exciting fairways, the 17th hole standing out and providing a thrilling challenge for golfers, with a unique combination of natural hazards and strategic design. In addition, La Duquesa Golf Course also has a practice area, a restaurant where you can relax after your round, a meeting room and a golf shop where you can find everything you need to improve your game.

Those who choose to settle in Casares and Manilva enjoy easy access to some of the most prestigious and renowned golf courses on the Costa del Sol, especially in Sotogrande, Estepona and Marbella. This proximity makes both towns strategic locations for golf enthusiasts and those seeking an active, outdoor lifestyle. Sotogrande is known for being one of the most luxurious and exclusive residential areas in Spain, home to several world-renowned golf courses, such as Valderrama, home of the Ryder Cup in 1997, and the Real Club de Golf Sotogrande, one of the oldest and most esteemed in Spain. The distance from Manilva to Sotogrande is approximately 20 to 25 minutes by car.

ENTERTAINMENT

  • Alcazaba Lagoon is Europe’s largest man-made lagoon, covering 1.4 hectares, with white sand and crystal clear waters that evoke the feeling of being in a Caribbean resort. In addition to swimming or sunbathing, it offers the opportunity to practice a wide variety of water sports such as paddle surfing, sailing, kayaking, pedal boating, windsurfing, kitesurfing and more. With its location close to a golf course and its own restaurant on the lagoon front, Alcazaba Lagoon offers a complete experience for those looking to relax and enjoy fresh water and outdoor activities in a spectacular setting.
  • The Port of La Duquesa has 328 moorings ranging from 8 to 20 metres maximum length. In addition, it offers services such as a slipway equipped with a lifting gantry with a capacity of 70 tons. This port is a focal point for nightlife in the western part of the Costa del Sol, with numerous clubs, shops and bars making it a lively and bustling place. It is particularly popular with the Belgian, French and English communities, who choose it as a meeting point. Amongst the port’s facilities, several typical English bars and clubs offer a personalised menu and activities designed for these expatriate communities, creating a welcoming and familiar atmosphere for those looking for a little piece of home abroad.
  • The Baños de la Hedionda are sulphurous ferruginous baths that date back to Roman times and were remodelled during the Arab period in 2016, when natural pools were added to the complex. It is a square-shaped spa complex, approximately 6 metres on each side, with a spherical vault with pendentives and two barrel vaults. Known for their therapeutic properties, they are a historical landmark in the Utrera massif and in the whole of Casares. According to local legends, their origin is attributed to Julius Caesar, who, relieving an illness in their waters, ordered their construction. Another version tells that the Roman troops found relief from scabies by bathing in them. Regardless of the legends, the healing properties of the Hedionda spring are mentioned in the oldest geographical treatises. To avoid overcrowding, the Casares Town Hall has implemented measures such as limiting the capacity to 24 people and making it compulsory to book access to the site at peak times, from 2 July to 9 September.
  • On Sundays in Sabinillas there is a market popularly known as “Rastro de segunda mano” and “Mercadillo de antigüedades”. It is located in the Recinto Ferial de Sabinillas and offers a wide variety of second hand products, antiques and various items. The market is open from 9:00 to 14:00 hours and has a total of 255 stalls, making it a popular destination for treasure hunters and bargain hunters. The market is held throughout the year, giving visitors the opportunity to explore the offerings at any time of the year.
  • On Fridays from 9:00 to 14:00, on the Paseo Marítimo in the area of La Noria de Sabinillas another very busy street market is held where hundreds of people come in search of a wide variety of products, from clothes, footwear and accessories to flowers and food products, highlighting the representative stalls with products from the Serranía de Ronda or handmade accessories.
  • The last weekend in May marks the celebration of the Romería de la Virgen del Rosario del Campo, an annual event that has become a deep-rooted tradition for the people of Casares. During this festivity, the residents of Casares accompany their patron saint, the Virgen del Rosario del Campo, on an emotional journey to the hermitage by the river Genal, a very Andalusian tradition worthy of their attention.
  • The arrival of summer is commemorated in a special way in Playa Ancha de Casares, with music, dances, food kiosks and of course the traditional bonfires on the night of June 23rd to welcome the summer with a festive day.
  • During the month of July, Friday nights in the Jardines del Rosario, in Casares Costa, are themed nights offering a variety of music, theatre and dance performances for all to enjoy.
  • On the first weekend in August, the Casares Feria is held in the historic centre of the village. For four days, the festive atmosphere fills the streets with activities and celebrations. The Plaza de España and La Carrera are the main stages for dances with orchestras, while the young people’s area of El Llano is transformed into a large open-air discotheque with DJ sessions every night. It is an event full of magic and fun to enjoy in the company of family and friends.
  • Manilva also celebrates many fiestas throughout the year, the most important of which is the Day of the Virgen del Carmen, celebrated on the 16th of July, a deep-rooted festivity in the seaside neighbourhoods of Castillo de la Duquesa and San Luis de Sabinillas, where the patron saint of fishermen is honoured. At sunset, the images of the Virgin are carried in procession to the beach, where they are embarked and taken out to sea in the midst of a seafaring pilgrimage full of magic. Fishing boats and sports boats accompany them on this journey, while the atmosphere is filled with flowers and the sound of boat horns, all in honour of the Queen of the Seas.
  • Saint Anne’s Day (26th July): This patron saint festival in honour of Santa Ana is celebrated in Manilva with great enthusiasm. Locals and tourists enjoy parades of floats, music, dances and musical shows until the early hours of the morning.
  • Day of San Luis de Sabinillas (25th August): The neighbourhood of Sabinillas celebrates its fiestas in honour of its patron saint, San Luis, every year on 25 August. The sea becomes a special stage during this local festivity, which includes sports competitions, music and dances that fill the village with joy.
  • La Vendimia: This celebration stands out for its uniqueness on the Costa del Sol. During the first weekend of September, Manilva hosts the grape harvest festival, coinciding with the end of the grape harvest. One of the most outstanding attractions is the Day Fair, which was incorporated into the fiesta in 1983. A characteristic aspect of this festivity is the treading of the grapes to extract the first must wine of the year, which is then offered to visitors and friends for tasting.

Health care centres

There are also 8 dental clinics, 2 psychology practices and another physiotherapy clinic in the area.

For the LITTLE ONES

Schools

In Casares the Blas Infante Public School covers infant, primary and secondary education.

In Manilva there are 2 private nursery schools, covering ages 0-3 and 0-6 respectively.

Other public nursery and primary education centres are: Escuela Infantil El Castillo, Escuela Infantil Manilva, CEIP Maicandil, CEIP Pablo Picasso, Colegio Publico San Luis de Sabinillas located in Manilva pueblo, in Castillo de la Duquesa and in San Luis de Sabinillas.

IES LAS VIÑAS in San Luis de Sabinillas is the public centre for secondary education.

Entertainment for children

In Casares there are good entertainment alternatives for children, in the Pumptrack Park Casares, a circuit for the practice of any sliding sport on wheels such as mountain biking, windsurfing, skateboarding, skateboards, scooters or skates, which has two inertia circuits, one for the youngest or learning and another for all ages including professional athletes. Location: Urbanizacion Majestic, 116, 29690 Casares, Málaga

The Jardines del Rosario is a regular meeting point for families with children, not only because of the playground in the grounds of the gardens, but also because of the various activities that are organised there for the children. Location: 29690 Bahía de Casares, Málaga

In the Urbanizacion Arroyo Parrilla, in Casares Costa, there is a water park with playgrounds, artificial rainfall and water jets for different ages. Location: Urbanizacion Arroyo Parrilla, 2A, 29690 Málaga

It is important to note that Manilva has a Municipal School of Music, Dance and Theatre, where children of all ages can take classes in flamenco dance, classical or contemporary dance, choir, flamenco singing, classical singing, theatre, as well as learning to play musical instruments such as piano, guitar, saxophone, violin and many more. Location: Calle Dr. Álvarez Leiva, 0, 29691 Manilva, Málaga Contact: 619 73 49 54; emmmanilva@gmail.com

In terms of children’s playgrounds, on the Paseo Marítimo de Sabinillas there are 2 very nice parks where the children of the area meet daily to share moments of play. Also, in the area you will find many other playgrounds equipped with games such as Villa Matilde Park, El Duque Park, Maicandil Playground, La Duquesa Playground or El Huerto Playground among others.

Real estate market

The residential urbanisations of Casares Costa are highly valued and sought after due to their excellent value for money. Of course frontline beach flats are the most expensive, in urbanisations such as La Perla de la Bahia or Casares del Mar, prices vary from 300.000€ to 1.000.000€ depending on size and views.

Other urbanisations of note are Casares del Sol, Camarate or Casares Golf, where 2 bedroom flats are priced from approximately €200,000. While in Doña Julia or Terrazas del Cortesin, you can buy a flat for less than 200.000€.

Townhouses in Casares Costa in Urbanisations such as Bahia de Casares or Majestic Casares, are around 300.000€ with slight variations upwards or downwards depending on individual characteristics.

Currently in Casares Costa there are several new developments with modern qualities and competitive prices from 300.000€ to 600.000€. Luxury real estate in Casares Costa will become a reality with the upcoming flagship development “Marea by Missoni”.

In Manilva, the urbanisations of Duquesa Golf, Alcorrin and Chullera are particularly attractive. In Manilva, properties close to the beach are priced at around 3,000€/m2 per m2, meaning that you can easily find a frontline flat for 300,000€. Moving slightly to the other side of the road, urbanisations of flats abound with a wide choice and unpretentious prices of around €200,000 depending on the size and some individual features of the properties. It is worth noting that in these areas even detached houses are much more affordable, ranging from around €500,000 for a house with top quality construction or new-build townhouses.

Casares and Manilva, defining the borders of the province of Málaga, are economically advantageous options for those looking to enjoy the Costa del Sol in a more authentic and less pretentious way.

Connections

Both municipalities are well connected by the A-7 motorway (N-340), which runs along the coast, providing easy access to other major towns on the Costa del Sol, such as Estepona, Marbella and Malaga, as well as Gibraltar and the province of Cadiz to the south.

  • The centre of Estepona is 13 km away, about 15 minutes by car.
  • Puerto Banús is 25 km away.
  • Marbella town centre is 40 km away, 30 minutes by car.
  • Sotogrande is 15 km away, just 18 minutes drive while Algeciras is 35 km away.
  • The Gibraltar border is 30 km away, where you will also find the smaller but convenient Gibraltar Airport for travel to and from the UK.
  • Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport is the nearest airport and offers domestic and international flights and is approximately one hour’s drive from Manilva and Casares (90 km). Malaga Maria Zambrana RENFE train station is 99 km, 1 hour and 15 minutes drive away.