Marbella now boasts its first Dog-friendly Beach

Available to four-legged beachgoers between 15th October and 15th May, the 300-metre long stretch of beach is located at the coast along San Pedro Alcántara at the Costa del Sol, a short drive from Marbella. The beach of Lindavista, to give it its official name, will only be open to dog owners and their pooches in the low season. San Pedro Alcántara is an affluent neighborhood, where luxury apartments can easily cost EUR 900,000 plus and villas for the super rich come with dream-like infinity pools and stunning sea views.

Lindavista beach stretches from the mouth of the Arroyo del Chopo river to the La Guayaba "chiringuito" and is the first dog-friendly beach of its kind in Marbella. Two more applications were put forward by the Town Hall and are being considered by the Junta de Andalusia. Beaches at Artola-Cabopino in the east of Marbella, and El Pinillo have been earmarked to make life easier for dog-owning residents and those who own a holiday home in Marbella and Las Chapas. They would otherwise have to travel to San Pedro Alcántara by car or bus, before they and their four-legged family members could enjoy a stroll along the beach.

Living in Las Chapas

In the east of Marbella, in the district of Las Chapas, the mouth of the Rio Real River is largely responsible for bringing human settlers to the area. It's a lovely spot along the Costa del Sol, with stunning sea views, golf courses, sandy beaches and pine-forested walks.

Not surprisingly, Las Chapas' manifold attractions did not go unnoticed in pre-historic times. Traces of Phoenician settlements, dating back to the 7th century BC, were unearthed in archaeological digs undertaken in 1998. Other finds included Bronze age lamps, bowls and plates from indigenous Iberian tribes and from Greece, probably brought to the Costa del Sol by merchants.

Local attractions include two ancient watchtowers, the Torre Rio Real and Torre Ladrones, as well as the modern residential leisure complex of Cuidad Residencial Tiempo Libre, designed entirely in a Modernist architectural style.

Slightly cheaper than San Pedro Alcántara, where a 5 to 7 bedroom villa can easily cost EUR 7 million plus, Las Chapas is a well-to-do leafy neighbourhood with smaller apartment developments, smart townhouses with gardens and villas set in sizeable plots.

Residents have a good smattering of shops, supermarkets, cafes and restaurants at their disposal without having to travel into central Marbella for their daily requirements. Holiday home owners can avail themselves of a local bus line that links the east of Marbella with the centre of town, a convenient service that saves the cost and trouble of hiring a car.

East of Marbella Property Prices

In neighbouring San Pedro Alcántara a modest 3-bed townhouse can start at around EUR 395,000, but will cost typically EUR 425,000. A luxury second-hand apartment with a terrace, 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms and access to communal gardens and swimming pool will start at asking prices of between EUR 240,000 and EUR 275,000. In Las Chapas it's quite possible to find an apartment for under EUR 200,000.

Although Las Chapas is a desirable neighbourhood, there is still a lot of second-hand property on the market. While the district may not please the super-rich, who are more likely to house-hunt in El Madronal or in La Zagaleta's exclusive developments, the average holiday home buyer can find lovely apartments and townhouses here. Townhouse and villa plots tend to be spacious, with room for a garage and a swimming pool with sun terrace.

Marbella house prices are gradually stabilising and it won't be long now until prices start to go up again. Autumn is a good time to assess a holiday destination where one plans to buy a home. What are local amenities and facilities like when the main throng of tourists have gone at the end of the summer season? What family attractions remain open in the neighbouring resorts?

Las Chapas is a great and safe neighbourhood for families with children and located just a short driving distance from Marbella town centre, where year-round attractions and amenities like shopping, dining and entertainments can be accessed. A local dog-friendly beach will be the icing on the cake!