Puerto de la Duquesa is one of the Costa del Sol's marinas that is enjoyed by sailors and tourists alike. The beautiful port of Duquesa offers full Marina services for boating enthusiasts as well as a myriad of attractions for those with no aspirations to take to the water. For those that a do, a number of companies offer Jet Boat, Wake Board, Boat trips and Scuba Diving. The attractive promenades surrounding the port offer a variety of restaurants, intimate bars and cafes. 

Here are ten popular things to do in La Duquesa:

1. Explore Puerto de la Duquesa: Visit the charming marina filled with yachts, enjoy waterfront dining, and stroll along the promenade.

2. Relax on the Beaches: Spend a day soaking up the sun and swimming at Playa de la Duquesa or nearby beaches like Playa de Sabinillas.

3. Play Golf: La Duquesa Golf Country Club offers a scenic 18-hole course, perfect for golf enthusiasts.

4. Visit Castillo de la Duquesa: Explore the historic fortress overlooking the marina, which dates back to the 18th century.

5. Go Fishing: Join a fishing excursion and try your luck at catching Mediterranean fish or book a boat trip to enjoy the sea.

6. Enjoy Water Sports: Engage in various water activities such as paddleboarding, jet skiing, or kayaking.

7. Taste Local Cuisine: Savor traditional Spanish dishes in the numerous restaurants and tapas bars in the area.

8. Visit Nearby Villages: Explore the nearby towns of Manilva or Casares, known for their picturesque streets and cultural heritage.

9. Attend Local Events: Check out the local events and festivals taking place throughout the year, such as the annual fair or music concerts.

Here are our top 10 picks for you and your kids to do around La Duquesa:

Selwo Aventura: A Safari Day in Estepona!

Selwo Aventura is a safari park like no other! From lions, elephants, rhinos and giraffes to lemurs, zebras, and various exotic birds and reptiles, over 2000 species from around the globe are enclosed in natural pristine habitats. Visitors can wander through tropical and subtropical regions of the park and get up close and personal to cheetahs, gibbons, flamingos, red pandas and meerkats and many more. They have an arcade/game area and a zip-line and trampolines for those brave enough! Follow the paths over the hanging bridges of the park to get spectacular panoramic views. Finally, be sure to book a “Serengeti Safari,” a drive through the heart of Africa in one of the park’s all-terrain vehicles for amazing close encounters with Africa’s most iconic animals.

Take a catamaran tour

Are you looking for a maritime activity to do with children? Well, there are several companies that will bring you the best boat trips in Puerto de La Duquesa. Both children and adults will have a great time with a most entertaining guided tour. You will enjoy spectacular views accompanied by explanations about the town and curiosities that you surely did not know. Most of these activities start in the port.

Visit Castillo de La Duquesa

Immerse your kids in history by visiting the Castillo de la Duquesa, a fascinating castle located in the heart of La Duquesa. As you explore its ancient walls and towers, you can transport yourselves back in time and learn about the castle's rich history. The castle offers a glimpse into the region's past, with interactive displays and informative panels that engage children of all ages.

Castellar Zoo

Situated just outside of the village of Castellar de la Frontera, the zoo borders the beautiful Los Alcornocales Natural Park. The ‘zoo’ de Castellar is not your typical zoo. It was started as a private rescue sanctuary back in 1998 and was finally opened to the public in 2002.For years it remained relatively unknown and unvisited. Word of mouth ensuring its survival. Bit-by-bit things are beginning to change. All of the animals have been rescued by the customs or police. Its location is of no coincidence, conveniently located near the border; most of the residents were victims of illegal animal smuggling between Europe and Africa. 

Day Visit to Gibraltar

The Rock of Gibraltar is also a great place to visit with children. In Gibraltar you find St. Michael’s Cave, Pillars of Hercules, and can go explore the Great Siege Tunnels. But best of all are the monkeys that wander around. You can go by car all the way up to the monkeys or take the cable car. The monkeys are free and wild so please be careful with your belongings. Also, don’t forget your passports.

Bahia Water Park

Get a buzz on the eight rides, including Gran Niagara and Rio Salvaje, plus kamikaze and black hole; there's also an activity pool with a zipline, and another pool with a 1000-litre bucket of water which gets tipped over swimmers. There is also a relatively new (2013)  new children's area with mini-versions of three rides (for up to 1.55m tall) and the largest jacuzzi in Andalucia. This park is in the nearby Algeciras. All perfect for a family day out, the water park also puts on children's entertainment for the whole afternoon everyday, in addition to other occasional shows and performances. As well as restaurants, there's a shady picnic area.

Arcade, Bowling and Laser at Plaza Bahia

Located in the Bahía Plaza shopping center. It has 10 bowling alleys as well as 4 junior alleys adapted for all ages. Various activities such as virtual reality, laser tag, game area, climbing wall, playground and over 85 arcade machines and cafeteria. They have the best laser tag in the area with a 230 square meter maze for up to 16 players with the most advanced technology.

Day trip to learn kitesurfing!

If you have been looking for a sport to share with your children, we invite you to visit Tarifa and get into the world of kitesurfing together. In addition to being a physical activity that will stimulate their psychomotor skills, they will learn to respect the power of nature and to relate to the sea. Kitesurf school in Tarifa offer two types of courses oriented and designed especially for children: private and semi-private. In both modalities, one or two children respectively, will be accompanied by an instructor at all times.The evolution of your children in this sport will depend on the duration of the course you hire. You can be sure that they will surprise you: children’s learning curve is usually very fast.After the hard work, don’t leave the area without visiting the Valdevaquero dunes. A magical place where your kids will be able to run up and down giant sand dunes with incredible views over the dunes, fine sand beach and crystal clear water. You can’t miss it!

Alcazaba Lagoon 

Think you’ve seen it all on the Costa del Sol? Then be ready for a surprise with this unique concept in Europe: turquoise waters, sandy coves, water sports, fusion cuisine and tropical gardens.It certainly has nothing to do with an ordinary swimming pool. Emulating Caribbean beaches with incredible blue tones and sandy beaches, it’s definitely an experience you can put in your agenda this summer.Due to this huge area of fresh water, it is possible to practice a good range of water sports: Paddle surfing, sailing, kayaking, pedal boats, and even windsurfing.In addition to the part of the lagoon reserved for water sports, there are 3 enclosed pool areas to guarantee the safety of the activities.The lagoon is surrounded by a beach of white sand and lush exotic gardens where you can also enjoy a nice walk. 

Summer Camp in Sabinillas!

Sabinillas Camp is sea, sand, sports, entertainment, living. Choose the largest camp in Spain where they live each summer more than 3,000 boys and girls. Designed for the younger set with the latest developments in activities and entertainment, here you will find the most fun experience ever lived. If you want to live something different and original, if you want to participate in an unabashed party games and fun, this is your Camp.

Here are the main reasons why you should retire in Spain:

• Spain is a very safe place to live in. The crime rate is low and you can walk through the streets safely any time of the day or night.
• The Spanish are known for being very healthy, thanks to their  Mediterranean diet and outdoor lifestyle. Spain is ranked the healthiest country in the World. Spain also has one of the highest life expectancy in the World. 
• Spain has great healthcare and you’re rarely more than 15 minutes away from a hospital or clinic. The healthcare system is in the top 10 around the World, above the healthcare systems of Italy, France, Greece, Germany, the UK and Portugal.
• Living up to its name, Costa del Sol is actually the sunniest area in Spain, with shining rays beating down on the region for almost the entire year. South of Spain has the warmest winters in Europe and over 3,000 hours of sunshine a year and up to 15 hours of light in a day.
• Spanish culture is very relaxed and hassle-free.
• Spain has a secure banking system and dependable infrastructure. With 3,100km of rail track the Spanish high-speed AVE trains operate on the longest high-speed network in Europe.
• Spain has a large expat community in Costa Del Sol.
• Once you've the visa to live in Spain or your permanent residency, you can easily travel within the Schengen area.Spain is located on the west side of Europe, making traveling to the American continent fast and efficiant. A flight from Spain to New York is barely 8 hours. 
• As with any retirement destination, it's important to visit La Duquesa, engage with the local community, and consult with experts or real estate professionals who specialize in the area. They can provide you with more detailed and up-to-date information tailored to your specific retirement plans in La Duquesa.

Manilva has several supermarkets where you can find a wide range of groceries and household items. Some popular options include Mercadona, Dia, and Lidl. These supermarkets offer a variety of products at competitive prices. Don't forget to  experience the vibrant atmosphere of the local markets in Manilva. The weekly market in nearby Sabanillas, held every Friday, offers fresh produce, clothing, accessories, and other items. It's a great place to explore and find local goods. The larger supermarket is Carrefour in Estepona or Los Barrios and Supermercado El Corte Ingles in Sotogrande is just a few minutes away. 

The cost of living in Manilva is generally more affordable compared to larger cities and tourist destinations. Accommodation costs, including rental prices for apartments or houses, tend to be reasonable. Utilities such as electricity, water, and gas are typically priced at a reasonable level. Grocery shopping at supermarkets like Mercadona, Supersol, and Lidl offers affordable options. Dining out can be relatively inexpensive, especially when choosing local restaurants and tapas bars. Transportation costs are reasonable, with public buses serving the area. Overall, Manilva offers a relatively affordable cost of living without sacrificing amenities and quality of life.