San Pedro de Alcantara

San Pedro de Alcantara

San Pedro de Alcantara, referred to locally as San Pedro, is a small Spanish town just a few minutes from the renowned Puerto Banus and a 15 minute drive from the center of Marbella and its airport. San Pedro de Alcantara is a tourist haven for Europeans of every nationality especially the British as well as German and Scandinavians. During the busy high season holiday months of July, August and September, San Pedro de Alcantara’s population of around 40,000 can literally double in size.

San Pedro de Alcantara Feria

The San Pedro de Alcantara Feria, the last of the summer fiestas on the Costa del Sol, is a very Spanish affair where people from nearby towns as well as throughout mainland Spain join the local residents with their celebrations. Tradition dictates that this celebration is accompanied with a great deal of noise, fireworks, laughter and singing as well as the consumption of copious amounts of alcohol and fine food. Although the San Pedro de Alcantara Feria falls in October, which is outside the normal tourist season, this is the best time to visit if you truly wish to experience ‘authentic’ Spain.

Calle Marques del Duero

The now pedestrianised Calle Marques del Duero, which leads to church square and the beautiful 17th centaury Franciscan church, forms the main shopping thoroughfare. Here you can find a wide range of shops, restaurants, cafes, bodegas and bars where you can quench your thirst or satisfy your hunger. Leading off Calle Marques del Duero are numerous winding streets containing shops and restaurants in traditional whitewashed Andalucian style.

Beach Front and Promenade

San Pedro de Alcantara’s beach front and promenade restaurants have been patronised with celebrities that include the late Princess Diana and Bruce Willis. The fine food and stunning Mediterranean Sea views and of course the beach makes this one of the most very popular areas in San Pedro.

There are some things to remember if you are out for a stroll in San Pedro, firstly be aware that most shops will close during siesta time (14.00 until 16.00 approx) and shops close around 14.00 on a Saturday and do not open again until Monday. Also, locals tend to dine late, so don’t be surprised when the local restaurants and bodegas start to get busy around 11pm.