San Pedro de Alcántara: History, Coast and Parks

Culture

The Ingenio Azucarero was established in 1871 to complete the agricultural and industrial cycle of sugar cane cultivation. The complex included wine cellars and an alcohol factory called La Alcoholera. La Alcoholera (El Ingenio) is a performing arts centre.

The sugar factory at the Trapiche de Guadaiza, built by Juan Bautista Lesseps in 1827, was the first industrial facility in San Pedro Alcántara. On the ruins of the Trapiche de Guadaiza, Manuel Gutiérrez de la Concha established the Granja-Modelo, also known as the Escuela de Capataces, in 1861 as part of the Colonia Agrícola de San Pedro Alcántara. The restoration of the Trapiche de Guadaiza preserved the traditional architecture of the buildings.

The Villa de San Luis was built in 1874 as the residence of the Cuadra family; today, it is the seat of the Tenencia de Alcaldía.

Ancient History

The Basílica Paleocristiana de Vega del Mar is located on Calle Eucaliptos, Urb. Linda Vista Playa, in San Pedro Alcántara, Marbella, Málaga. It is an early Christian basilica with two apses and is considered archaeological evidence of early Christian faith. The site includes a necropolis where approximately 200 burials have been excavated.

The Termas Romanas de las Bóvedas are a Roman thermal building dating from the 2nd century AD. The structure has an octagonal floor plan with a central open core and several niche-like projections. Group visits are scheduled for Saturdays and Sundays from 09:00 to 11:00.

The Torre de las Bóvedas was built between 1571 and 1575 as part of the coastal watchtower network; its entrance is 6.75 metres above the ground.

Coast and Green Spaces

The Paseo Marítimo de San Pedro Alcántara stretches for several kilometres along the Mediterranean and features extensive landscaped areas. It is ideal for photography and was opened with a public cycle path between Marbella and San Pedro Alcántara.

Playa de La Salida offers supervised sea bathing with amphibious chairs; prior reservation is required. Parque de los Tres Jardines is a 95,200-square-metre green space with more than 10,000 plants, divided into an Arab, Mediterranean and Subtropical Garden.

Boulevard San Pedro Alcántara is a 54,000-square-metre urban park and is considered a meeting place for locals and visitors.

Festivals and Sightseeing

The Feria y Fiestas San Pedro Alcántara takes place on 19 October in honour of the patron saint of San Pedro de Alcántara. During the day, it includes a fair in the centre and on Boulevard San Pedro Alcántara; at night, a fair takes place at the San Pedro de Alcántara fairgrounds.

Guided tours of the Basílica Paleocristiana de Vega del Mar are scheduled from 11:15 to 14:00. The municipal Oficina de Turismo San Pedro Alcántara is a modern, 300-square-metre multipurpose building for visitor information.

Other Places

Other places include Los Llanos, Portugalejo, Estepona, La Capellania, Ojén, Valdés, Macharaviaya and Sierra De Yeguas.

For the higher-level travel overview: Málaga.