Marbella Promenade to Boost Tourism & lifestyle.
The plans have been in the making for several years, but today the main paseo between La Cala de Mijas and Marbella is completed. This project has two main purposes: to make the coast more attractive to tourists; and to help protect the coast from natural erosion.
The emphasis has been to use natural materials where possible, with 55% consisting of wooden walkways, and 13 % pressed concrete and compacted clay. The building work has been constructed in two phases. The first involved the construction of a path between La Cala de Mijas and El Juncal beach restaurant in Riviera del Sol, which involves a distance of 3,073 metres; and the second will be from El Capricho to Calahonda Royale, a distance of 1,334 metres.
The objective of the project was “to preserve where possible the natural charm and the landscape of the Mijas coastline”, the project has been headed by the mayor of Mijas – Ánge lNozal- who has designed an initiative which- when finished – will cost two million euros- financed by the provincial government’s ‘Plan de Inversiones Productivas’.
The bigger plan, was that one day, Marbella, Estepona & Mijas, will be connected by one Paseo, more than 50 kms in length, and with no obstacles for pedestrians, enhancing an already stunning coastline.
The building work is expected to make beaches in the Calahonda area much more attractive for locals, and tourists alike; boosting Costa del Sol property prices, and rental potential.
Connecting the whole Costa del Sol
Mijas and Estepona joined the project relatively late; as Marbella has completed all the promenade. Six years, more than 6,000 metres of new promenade, and an investment of more than 11 million euros have meant that the Marbella seafront is now linked from La Bajadilla port to the beach in San Pedro Alcántara. Only a dozen kilometres are left, and only a few hurdles to overcome, to join up all of Marbella’s 27 kilometres of seafront promenade, allowing residents to skate, cycle, and walk at leisure.
Estepona´s project is the most ambitious, and involves joining up more than 20 kilometres of coastline via 12 pedestrian paths, thereby connecting areas of seafront promenade and coastline which are isolated at present. It will also open up previously inaccessible parts of thee coast for people to enjoy.
Initially there were extensions to the promenades at La Chimenea-Playa Bella, Cabo Bermejo-Residencial San Jaime, and Mar Azul-Hotel Kempinski.
The total cost is around 4 million euros – Seventy per cent has come from funding under the Plan Qualifica, and the remaining 30 per cent paid by the council.
As in Marbella & Mijas, the new stretches of coastal path in Estepona include pedestrian walkways, wooden bridges, and compacted clay or paving, depending on the characteristics of each area. The extension of the seafront promenade has been completed in different stretches: Hacienda Beach-La Chimenea, Punta de la Playa, Kempinski-Laguna Village, Laguna Village-Dominion Beach, Dominion Beach-Bahía del Velerín, Residencial San Jaime-Park Beach, Saladillo, Benamara-Playa Baños, and Alcazaba Beach-Pinillos.
At the moment, building in the Marbella direction (through the Guadalmina area) is not included in the most immediate plans for the coastal path, although, as Estepona’s Town Planning councillor admits, “nothing is impossible”. The connection between the two municipalities will not only have to pass through Guadalmina but also Isdabe, where many properties are very close to the beach. “It can be done. We have to think of different options to find the most suitable one for each stretch,” says Susana Arahuetes.
As in Marbella &Mijas, the idea of extending the seafront promenade in Estepona is not only for tourism but also for environmental reasons and the need to protect the coast from natural erosion.
There is no doubt this extension will boost the local economy through tourism, and it will heighten already growing interests within the Marbella property market.
“The problem we are finding is that many of the walking areas that already exist are no use because they come to an end and they are not in good condition. The idea is to provide continuity and encourage people to walk. With some of the new stretches, we will put an end to situations which exist at present, such as having to use the car to travel from one residential development to another because there is no other way,” explains the councillor.
Cliffs, streams and stony areas have acted as natural barriers for years, making it impossible for people to walk for very far beside the sea. Now, the plans, put into effect by these Town Halls on the western coast, will mean that many of these obstacles have been overcome, and more of the coast can be enj
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The Don Carlos Hotel, Nikki Beach, Funny Beach, Sala Beach and many other (if not all) of the known places organize events, special lunches & diners and theme nights where one can enjoy!!! Anything from barbeques, pool parties, champagne parties, Sunday brunch, beach club diners and so on and so on!!!
As we all know the Costa del Sol offers many year round attractions and things to do. There are attraction parks, water sports, boat rentals, museums, cinemas, bike rentals, inland (rural) adventures, para gliding, horse back riding, 50+ golf courses to choose from, And of course in winter time you can even ski in Sierra Nevada at only a 2 hour drive from Marbella.
