San Pedro de Alcántara
For this attractive whitewashed pueblo, which has quietly grown in recent years into a ‘piedra’ of a holiday destination, is one of the Costa del Sol’s best kept secrets.
Huddled in the foothills of the Sierra de Ronda mountain range, San Pedro’s jewel may not shine as brashly as its nearby neighbours, Marbella and Puerto Banús, but, rather, gives off a warm glow, echoed in the friendliness of its townsfolk and their willingness to share their traditional way of Spanish life. The main pedestrian area, climbing through the centre of the town, is flanked by individual shops and café bars where you are invited to browse at your leisure or sit and drink in the atmosphere and a delicious cup of café con leche. A walk through the narrow side streets give a privileged glimpse into real Spanish living, something that is hard to find on a coast awash with new property development.
But there is nothing parochial about the culinary fair on offer in San Pedro. The town boasts an impressively eclectic mix of cuisine from delicious informal tapas to special occasion a la carte, Italian pasta to Irish steak, Mexican, Indian, Chinese and everything in between. It would have to be a lengthy stay that could exhaust the choice of eating places in San Pedro- you may have to resort to finding somewhere for lunch and dinner to up the possibility!
But the boulevard is not just for show. Running along its length is an imposing, undulating footbridge. The bridge’s name ‘Un Mar de Sensaciones’ (a sea of sensations) could just as well be in reference to the boulevard itself. For here, there is something on offer for everyone. There are visual delights to be had in the amphitheatre where performances and concerts are held throughout the summer. There is physical satisfaction on offer with 6 different playgrounds providing fun for the even the most discerning young adventurer, space for roller skaters, scooterists and skateboarders to stretch their skills without disapproving looks, and a cycle path runs from one end of the boulevard to the other. And taste is catered for also, with a couple of restaurants sitting on the edge of the boulevard offering indoor and outdoor seating and an opportunity for parents to have a relaxing meal while the children play safely in full view on a large paved area adjacent.
The beach itself is sandy and wide and scrupulously clean. It holds a Blue Flag award for its cleanliness and, because of its size, is rarely crowded. Sun beds are available for hire on parts of the beach and there are several chiringuitos from which to buy tapas and the obligatory sunbathing mojito.
