Manilva is situated on the western extreme of the Costa del Sol, inserted between Manilva River and "El Arroyo de Calatraje". Its enviroment is made up of even, low ridges, separated by small streams. On one of these low ridges, the one of "Los Martires", the town is situated. Its population of more than 5,000 inhabitants is distributed over five urban centres: Manilva, Sabinillas, El Castillo, Hondacavada and El Puerto de la Duquesa, as well as in numerous housing estates.

SABINILLAS SEASIDE PROMENADE   

Important archaelogical findings have been found in its municipal district, amongst which the ones of "El Cerro del Castillo", from the end of the Bronze Age, stand out. Around the Sixteenth Century, and due to the insecurity of its beaches and its roads, Marbella, Ronda and Gibralatr ask King Carlos V, for more protective measures and hence the "Torre del Salto de la Mora" is built, which years later, will give rise to the population centre of "El Cortijo", the origin og the present Manilva.

     

SABINILLAS CHURCH

Interesting to visit are the Parish Church of Santa Ana, dating from th Seventeenth Century and the castle of Sabinillas, built during the reign of Carlos III in order to safeguard the coastline.

Amongst its varied festivities worthy of note are the Romeria of "La Virgen de Fatima", celebrated on the 27th of June; the festivity of "La Virgen del Carmen" in July; the festivities in honour of San Luis the Sabinillas, the town's Patron Saint; and, on the first weekend in September, the traditional "Feria de la Vendimia" is celebrated.

The gastronomy of Manilva finds its roots in the typical Andalucian cuisine. the typical dishes are grapes, raisins, goat cheese, honey...anf those contributed by the local fishing industry like fish and fresh seafood. To drink, nothing better than the moscatel wines produced in the local wine-cellars.