San Pedro de Alcántara, Guadalmina, New Golden Mile Property & Area Guide

Located just 10 kilometres west from the glitz and glamour of Marbella, the quaint town of San Pedro has become increasingly popular with foreign residents and holiday makers over the past few years. Luckily, it has retained much of its typical Spanish flair and small-town character and is a true reflection of Spanish coastal living.

An ancient farming community once famous for sugar cane, San Pedro today is a refreshingly unspoilt pueblo that features the backdrop of the majestic Sierra de Ronda mountain range.

Only 10 minutes by car from the stylish restaurants and upmarket shops of Puerto Banus, the town offers a refreshing alternative with cobbled side-streets, a charming old town with local shops and cosy coffee bars. Tightly knitted whitewashed houses line the narrow streets that lead to the main central plaza which overlooks a community church, San Pedro is a compact and laid-back area perfect for residents seeking a peaceful day to day routine.

The town offers well-priced supermarkets, quaint little shops, a drive-thru McDonalds, a 24-hour pharmacy, an International College and an A&E department. San Pedro has also recently become a new Mecca for fine dining with the many local and international restaurants along the streets of the old town offering a selection of excellent cuisine to regular local residents and holiday-makers.

Just outside San Pedro you will find the fashionable area of Guadalmina, split into the beach side (Guadalmina Baja) and the mountain side (Guadalmina Alta). The area is the starting point of the New Golden Mile, known for its prestigious Golf Courses and Country Clubs, Five-Star Hotels and pristine beaches.

Facing the main coastal road, San Pedro is a very short trip away from bustling neighbouring areas of Puerto Banus and Marbella. However, San Pedro underwent a stunning transformation in recent years and now offers an array of local amenities that are very much on par with that of its more famous neighbours, hence its popularity among foreign buyers.

San Pedro's quaint streets in the old town are lined with a myriad of local and international restaurants and bars that are expat friendly but nevertheless retain much of the charm of Spanish culture that is less present in other regions along the Costa del Sol. Night revellers can explore the variety of bodegas, discotecas and local salsa bars until the early hours of the morning and get a true taste of Spain and its colourful inhabitants. The Plaza de Iglesia also offers plenty of free open-air concerts which take place at numerous intervals throughout the year.

The beaches of San Pedro also different activities, including jet skiing, water skiing and wakeboarding. A great watersport facility can also be found at Parque de las Medranas.

The recently opened Boulevard offers many activities for children and is already popular amongst the residents. There are plenty of restaurants and bars along this new park to enjoy a cool beer or a glass of wine.

Puerto Banus is only 5 short minutes away: the famous port in known for its fashionable shops and restaurant. You will also find one of the largest and best El Corte Ingles department stores in Puerto Banus!

San Pedro is also a perfect place for Golfer – there are a number of fantastic courses with a 10km radius, including: Los Flamingos, La Quinta, Los Arqueros, Los Naranjos and Atalaya Golf.

San Pedro de Alcántara has direct access to the main coastal road, the N340 connecting it to all other major areas of the Costa del Sol.

Only 10 minutes from Marbella, you will also have easy access to the main bus terminal there. There are a few bus stops in San Pedro de Alcántara and buses run frequently.

Malaga's airport and train station connecting the Costa del Sol with the rest of the world are less than an hour away.

Taxi service in Spain is fairly reasonable and especially recommended for a night out in Marbella or Puerto Banús. You will find plenty of taxi stands around the town centre.

There are a number of private clinics in San Pedro itself, but also very good state hospitals nearby.

As a resident of Spain you will have full access to free healthcare through the National Insurance System. The public health facilities in Spain are fantastic and staff usually speak English or offer free translation services for non Spanish speakers.

If you are not a Spanish Resident, you can apply for European Health Insurance, which is available to all European citizens. This will give you access to the same health care without being a resident in Spain.

There are also a number of Private Health Insurers offering care at reasonable rates, including Mapfre, Cesar and Sanitas.

One of the first things you will notice when living in Spain is the love and care the Spanish devote to their children. Education is a very important factor and is proven by the increasing number of excellent state and private schools.

You will find a number of very good state schools as well as Spanish and International private schools and colleges in San Pedro, including Laude San Pedro, Saint George's. You will also find a large number of International schools in nearby Marbella and Nueva Andalucía.