Puerto De La Duquesa - A Modern Marina on the Mediterranean South West Coast

Puerto de la Duquesa is a purpose built resortgracefully until it looks just as much a part of the
town centred on the port. Built during the 1980'scoast as its much older neighbour, Castillo.
the marina is typical of the Mediterranean coast, aEast of the port is another wide beach, this time
wide thoroughfare fronting the quay with barsprotected on the west side by the harbour
and restaurants on two sides, all with great viewsbreakwater and carrying on east, beyond the
of the pleasure craft in the marina. A block stonetown of Sabinillas almost to the horizon. Cubanga
breakwater complete with a lighthouse and a tall,Beach Club sits in the lee of the breakwater. Here
round control tower beneath which is the fuelyou will find food of an International flavour until
bunkering pontoon, a boat storage area with alate at night. Entertainment such as the New
large chandlery and a small supermarket completeOrleans Jump Band is often provided at weekends
the port facilities. On the inland side whiteand in the evenings. Children can hire pedalloes
apartments loom over the port, their heightwhilst their parents hire the sunbeds. Both can
exaggerated by the hill on which they sit. Aenjoy safe bathing in the shallow, sandy, bay
second level, less frequented by the tourists, hascreated by the harbour wall.
two squares, Plaza Chanquette and Plaza FuenteA stream, the boundary between the port and
each with its own bars and restaurants and theSan Luis de Sabinillas, that becomes a raging
local Banco de Andalucia. A third, even lesstorrent after rain in the hills, is now crossed by a
frequented level has slightly more exclusivewooden footbridge making it possible to walk
restaurants; both with fine views over the marinabetween the two places without venturing on to
and a bar. For those who enjoy eveningthe main road. Older residents will remember the
entertainment the local bars provide karaoke,slog in the summer heat through deep sand
quizzes, sports television and live music on prettyaround the end of a foul smelling lagoon to
much every day of the week and many stayachieve the same purpose just a few years ago.
open until the early hours. Behind the port, on theThe same trip in winter, although not as olfactorily
inland side of the modern A7 dual carriageway,offensive, was only possible if the local youths
reached by an underpass, is the Duquesa Golfhad improvised a bedspring, breezeblock bridge
Hotel and golf course.across the torrent. As with so many aspects of
Although a relatively modern creation Puerto de laliving in Spain, everything comes eventually to he
Duquesa was built in a less severe style thanwho waits.
modern edifices and has managed to weather