This duplex penthouse is located in Puerto de la Duquesa, directly on the marina of La Duquesa on the western Costa del Sol, in the municipality of Manilva, Málaga. The property offers 156 m² of built space across two levels, with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, sea and port views, and a south-easterly orientation. The asking price is €520,000 as a fixed price for an existing home completed in 1985 and delivered key-ready. The beach of La Duquesa lies approximately 0.6 km away as the crow flies, and the apartment includes a private storage room and a tourist rental licence.
Within the wider Costa del Sol context, this duplex penthouse occupies a different segment from current new-build offerings. Comparable new developments such as Aquamar in Torre del Mar start from €269,950, Lantana Residencial in Mijas from €205,000, and Etherna Homes 2 in Estepona from €321,000. Those figures are starting prices for smaller units; at €520,000 fixed for 156 m², this property equates to roughly €3,330 per square metre, which is competitive for a marina-front position with three bedrooms, two terraces and a rental licence. The western Costa del Sol around Manilva and Estepona generally trades below Marbella and Benahavís, while offering flatter terrain and a quieter environment than the central corridor. The location closer to Gibraltar (about 25 km straight-line) than to Málaga Airport (about 74 km) distinguishes it for buyers travelling via UK routes, and the 32 km distance to Algeciras connects the area to Cádiz province. The area records 1,351 housing transactions per year, indicating an active resale market with reasonable liquidity. Against new-build competitors, the trade-off is clear: buyers here obtain location, space and an established licence, but not modern construction standards, on-site amenities or developer guarantees. Median provincial income of €16,450 contextualises the local economy, which leans on tourism, services and expatriate residency. For buyers weighing licence-backed rental income, the existing permission carries weight in a market where new licences face growing restrictions.
Key characteristics of location, homes, project phase and points of attention.
The property sits within Puerto de la Duquesa marina, 0.3 km from the marina centre and 0.6 km from Playa de la Duquesa in a straight line. The surrounding area is flat, with a gradient of only 2.3% towards the beach. Sotogrande's marina lies 8.9 km away, and the larger towns of Algeciras and Marbella are 32 km and 35 km distant respectively.
The duplex layout places two bedrooms and a bathroom on the main level, with a private master bedroom, second bathroom, roof terrace and a work space upstairs. Air conditioning provides hot and cold climate control. A lift serves the building, and a private underground storage room offers space for a small car or general storage, which is uncommon for marina-front properties.
This is not a new-build development. The property was completed in 1985 and is offered key-ready in good condition. The kitchen is fully fitted, furniture is optional, and the home can be occupied immediately after purchase. Any refurbishment needs would be at the buyer's discretion and cost.
The property does not include a dedicated parking space; only a storage room with space for a small car. It is an apartment within an existing 1985 building rather than a modern development, and there is no private garden or pool. Security features are limited to an entry phone. The building predates current energy-efficiency standards typical of new construction.
This property aligns with several recognisable buyer situations. A buyer seeking a second home with sea views and walkable amenities will find the marina-front position and proximity to the beach practical. Buyers who work remotely can use the upper-level extra space as an office, supported by the quiet private master floor. Investors may note the existing tourist rental licence, which permits legal short-term letting, a distinguishing feature in a market where licences are increasingly restricted. Families or part-time residents benefit from the two-level layout, which separates the sleeping quarters and offers three bedrooms within a walkable neighbourhood with schools and a health centre. The property is less suited to buyers who require a dedicated parking space, a private pool or garden, or a modern new-build specification. Buyers sensitive to seasonal dynamics should also consider that a marina environment is busier in summer and quieter in winter, which affects both living comfort and rental occupancy. Overall, the home fits buyers prioritising location, licence status and layout over contemporary construction standards.
The apartment dates from 1985 and is presented in good condition with a fully fitted modern kitchen, white cabinetry and integrated appliances, as confirmed by the interior photographs. Fitted wardrobes are present in the bedrooms, and climate control consists of air conditioning units providing both hot and cold functions, a standard but functional solution rather than a full central system. The bathrooms and finishes reflect periodic maintenance typical of well-kept resale properties of this age; a technical survey remains advisable to assess the state of installations, plumbing and electrics, which in buildings of this vintage may be partially original. The dual-terrace configuration is a structural advantage: a covered terrace off the main bedroom provides shade and year-round usability, while the upper sun terrace exploits the south-easterly orientation for morning light and open views. The building includes a lift, an important practical feature for a duplex accessed across two levels. Security provisions are basic, comprising an entry phone system. The private underground storage room with space for a small car adds practical utility. Buyers comparing this against new-build alternatives should weigh the character and maturity of the property against modern standards of insulation, glazing and energy performance, which are not documented here.
The asking price is €520,000, fixed, for an existing home sold key-ready. This covers 156 m² of built area with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, two terraces, a storage room and an active tourist rental licence. As a resale property from 1985, the price positions itself in the mid-range for marina-front homes on this stretch of the Costa del Sol, where location and licence status are the main value drivers. Furniture is available as an optional extra, so the final purchase sum may vary depending on whether furnishings are included. Availability is immediate upon completion of the standard Spanish purchase process.
Daily life in this duplex penthouse revolves around the marina setting. The main level combines an open-plan living and dining area with a fully fitted kitchen and large windows facing the port, with two bedrooms and a shared bathroom on the same floor. One bedroom opens onto a covered terrace with views over the marina and the sea. The upper floor functions as a private level: a master bedroom, a second bathroom, and a large terrace oriented to the south-east, receiving morning and midday sun, with views along the coastline and the port. There is also an additional interior space suited to a home office or study, which reflects a practical response to remote working. The immediate surroundings are those of an established marina quarter: restaurants, cafés and shops within walking distance, with 33 restaurants, four cafés and three pharmacies counted within a two-kilometre radius. Education is covered by three primary schools and one secondary school nearby, and a health centre serves the local area. The rhythm of the neighbourhood shifts with the seasons, lively in summer months, considerably quieter outside the main tourist period. Because the flat terrain and the concentration of amenities make most daily errands walkable, a car is convenient but not strictly necessary for day-to-day living. Public transport is available through five lines and 29 stops in the area, supporting car-free mobility to surrounding towns.
Life around La Duquesa is shaped by the marina and the coastal strip. Puerto Deportivo de la Duquesa lies 0.3 km from the property, effectively on the doorstep, offering berths, waterfront dining and a year-round social hub. Playa de la Duquesa is 0.6 km away in a straight line, reachable on foot in a few minutes over flat terrain. Golf is well represented: Doña Julia Golf Club sits 2.5 km away, the Golf Academy at Albayt Resort 4.9 km, and Estepona Golf 6.3 km. The sports centre Complejo Deportivo Las Viñas is 3.0 km from the door. Daily amenities within two kilometres include 33 restaurants, four cafés, three pharmacies, a dentist, three primary schools, one secondary school and a health centre, a density that supports full-time residence rather than only holiday use. Housing activity in the area is substantial, with 1,351 transactions per year, indicating a liquid and active resale market. The neighbourhood sits at 14 metres above sea level with a gradient to the beach of just 2.3%, meaning nearly all local movement is on flat ground, relevant for older residents and cycling.
The map shows the duplex penthouse in Puerto de la Duquesa, with the marina immediately to the west and Playa de la Duquesa a short walk south. Golf courses at Doña Julia and Estepona Golf lie inland, and Sotogrande sits along the coast towards the Strait of Gibraltar.
Approximate area · exact address shared on request
La Duquesa occupies the western end of the Costa del Sol, in the Manilva municipality of Málaga province, between Estepona and Sotogrande. The position is closer to Gibraltar than to Málaga, which shapes both travel patterns and the character of the area: quieter and less built-up than the Marbella, Puerto Banús corridor, 35 km to the east. Regional references are Algeciras at 32 km and Marbella at 35 km, with Málaga city at 83 km. This places the property in the more tranquil, lower-density part of the coast, at a lower price level than central Marbella while retaining coastal infrastructure.
Accessibility is a mixed picture typical of the western Costa del Sol. Gibraltar Airport is roughly 25 km away in a straight line and handles mainly UK routes; Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport is about 74 km away, with the drive commonly taking around an hour by car. Alicante, at approximately 465 km, is not a practical option. Sotogrande's marina is 8.9 km away, while Marbella lies 35 km and Algeciras 32 km distant. The source data cites roughly 15 minutes by car to Sotogrande and 25 minutes to Puerto Banús. Locally, five public transport lines with 29 stops serve the area, providing connections along the coast without a car. For motorists, the A-7 coastal motorway links the area eastwards to Estepona, Marbella and Málaga, and westwards towards Sotogrande and Algeciras. A car remains useful for regional travel, golf visits and airport transfers, although daily errands are walkable.
| Beach Distance | 0.6 km |
| Gibraltar (GIB) | 25 km |
| Malaga-Costa del Sol (AGP) | 74 km |
Source: OpenStreetMap, Google Maps
The climate data indicates an average annual temperature of 18.5°C, consistent with the mild Mediterranean conditions of the Málaga coast. The swimming season extends to five months with sea temperatures at or above 20°C, roughly June through October, which is relevant given the 0.6 km distance to the beach. The elevation of 14 metres and the 2.3% gradient to the shore mean the home sits essentially at sea level on flat terrain, no hills to negotiate on the way to the water. The south-easterly orientation of the terraces brings morning sun and shields the worst of the late-afternoon heat in summer, while the covered terrace extends outdoor use into spring and autumn. Rainfall on this stretch of coast is concentrated in the winter months, with long dry spells from late spring to early autumn, making outdoor living the default for much of the year.
Source: Open-Meteo (2020–2025 average)
Beach and marina recreation dominate the leisure options here. Playa de la Duquesa, 0.6 km away, is the nearest beach, with Playa de la Chullera a further option at 2.6 km. The marina itself, Puerto Deportivo de la Duquesa at 0.3 km, provides the immediate recreational anchor with waterfront restaurants and nautical activity. Puerto de Sotogrande, one of the most regarded marinas on the Andalusian coast, is 8.9 km away. Golfers have three courses within roughly 6 km: Doña Julia at 2.5 km, the Golf Academy Albayt Resort at 4.9 km and Estepona Golf at 6.3 km. For organised sport, Complejo Deportivo Las Viñas lies 3.0 km away. The combination of a swimmable five-month season, flat coastal walking routes and the density of restaurants within two kilometres supports a leisure pattern built around the sea rather than around urban attractions.
Source: OpenStreetMap
| Month | Avg. Temperature | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|
| January | 12.0°C | 75 mm |
| February | 13.0°C | 44 mm |
| March | 14.2°C | 146 mm |
| April | 16.2°C | 61 mm |
| May | 19.4°C | 30 mm |
| June | 23.0°C | 9 mm |
| July | 25.9°C | 1 mm |
| August | 26.2°C | 4 mm |
| September | 23.3°C | 23 mm |
| October | 20.0°C | 69 mm |
| November | 15.5°C | 94 mm |
| December | 13.2°C | 76 mm |
Flat
Ref: VL066525
Source: Wikipedia, Wikidata, INE, Junta de Andalucía
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