This is a renovated one-bedroom apartment of 65 m² built area, located in San Luis de Sabinillas, in the municipality of Manilva on the western Costa del Sol. The property sits on the second line from the beach, within the town centre, with shops, pharmacies and other daily amenities within walking distance. The building dates from 1986 and the apartment has been recently refurbished, including a renovated kitchen and bathroom, marble flooring and a 6 m² terrace. A communal pool and lift are available in the complex. Sabinillas functions year-round as a local Spanish coastal town rather than a seasonal resort, which shapes the character of the immediate surroundings.
Within the comparison set, this property occupies a distinct position. Aquamar in Torre del Mar (from €269,950) and Etherna Homes 2 in Estepona (from €269,000) are new-build developments, offering modern construction standards, contemporary energy efficiency and developer warranties, but at a 20%+ premium over this apartment's €220,000 asking price and typically further from established town centres. Lantana Residencial in Mijas starts lower at €205,000, though Mijas spans both coastal and inland positions with varying proximity to amenities. The Sabinillas apartment trades new-build specification for immediacy and location: a renovated interior within a 1986 building, under 200 metres from the beach, and inside a functioning town with pharmacy, supermarket, schools and health centre in the immediate radius. The western Costa del Sol around Manilva is generally priced below Marbella-Estepona prime areas, and the volume of 1,351 recorded property transactions in the area indicates an active resale market, relevant for future liquidity. Proximity to both Málaga and Gibraltar airports broadens rental catchment, particularly towards British visitors via Gibraltar at 26 km. Against new-build competitors, buyers effectively weigh lower entry price and walkable town infrastructure against lower thermal efficiency, no on-site parking and a north orientation, the standard trade-off between refurbished coastal resale and new construction in this region.
Key characteristics of location, homes, project phase and points of attention.
The apartment is situated in the centre of Sabinillas, approximately 178 metres from Playa de Manilva and about 1.5 km from the marina at Puerto de la Duquesa. Supermarkets and a pharmacy lie within 250 metres. The town sits at roughly 11 metres above sea level on flat terrain, on the coastal strip between Estepona and the province of Cádiz border.
The property offers one bedroom, one bathroom, 65 m² of built space and a 6 m² terrace with covered section. It suits occupancy as a permanent residence for one or two people, a holiday base, or a rental asset. The layout is compact and functional, with a lift in the building and a communal pool. No private parking or storage room is included in the listed features.
This is not a new-build development. The building was completed in 1986 and the apartment has since been refurbished, with a renovated kitchen and bathroom reported. Delivery is immediate, as the property is completed and habitable. Purchasers should apply the usual technical diligence for a building of this age, including an inspection of installations and community documentation.
The property offers a single bedroom and a single bathroom within 65 m², which limits capacity for larger households. The orientation is north, and the listed views are urban and street views rather than direct sea views. No private pool, private parking space or storage room is listed among the features. The EV charging point identified in the area is 9.7 km away.
This property fits several recognisable situations. A single person or couple seeking a permanent coastal home with everything in walking distance will find the town-centre position practical: pharmacy, supermarket, health centre and schools are all nearby, and the terrain is flat. Buyers looking for a lock-up-and-leave holiday apartment benefit from the compact 65 m² format, lift access and the fact that Sabinillas operates year-round, so the area does not empty out between October and May. Investors targeting the rental market should note the second-line beach position under 200 metres from the sand, the renovated condition, reducing near-term capital spend, and the proximity of the Duquesa marina, which draws visitor traffic. Conversely, the property is less suited to buyers who need two or more bedrooms, private parking, direct sea views or all-day sun on a south-facing terrace; the north orientation and urban views set clear expectations on those points. Buyers reliant on an electric vehicle should also note that the nearest listed charging point is 9.7 km away. For those who value walkability, local infrastructure and immediate availability over new-build specification, the profile aligns well.
The apartment has been recently refurbished, with the kitchen and bathroom specifically renovated according to the listing data. Flooring is marble throughout, walls are finished in white, and the living area has large windows that supply natural light, though the north orientation means this light is consistent rather than sun-filled. The 6 m² terrace includes a covered section, allowing use in warmer and cooler weather alike. The building itself dates from 1986, so the structural frame, façade, roof and communal installations are of that era; the listing reports the condition as excellent and recently refurbished at apartment level, but purchasers of a 1986 building should verify the state of communal elements, plumbing risers, electrical supply, lift maintenance and pool installation, through the community minutes and a technical inspection. An energy certificate applies to the property; no specific rating is supplied in the data, so it should be requested during due diligence. Typical for buildings of this period, thermal insulation standards will be lower than current new-build requirements, which may affect heating and cooling costs. There is no private garage or storeroom. The overall picture is a refurbished interior within an established building, which is a different value proposition from new construction with modern efficiency standards.
The asking price is €220,000 for a completed, renovated one-bedroom apartment of 65 m² built area, which equates to roughly €3,385 per built square metre. Within the comparison set, Lantana Residencial in Mijas starts at €205,000 and Aquamar in Torre del Mar and Etherna Homes 2 in Estepona start at €269,000 and €269,950 respectively, those being new-build developments rather than a refurbished 1986 property. The property is available immediately, subject to the standard purchase process. Buyers should budget separately for purchase costs (transfer tax, notary, registry), community fees for the building and the communal pool, and annual IBI property tax.
Sabinillas is the coastal centre of Manilva municipality, and daily life here follows the rhythm of a working Spanish town rather than a gated resort. The apartment's position in the town centre places a supermarket at 246 metres and a pharmacy at 59 metres, meaning most routine errands can be done on foot. Within a 2 km radius there are some 34 restaurants, four cafés and three pharmacies, plus a health centre, three primary schools and one secondary school, a level of everyday infrastructure that supports year-round residence, not just seasonal stays. The beach at Playa de Manilva is under 200 metres away, and the flat terrain (a slope of less than 1 per cent towards the sea) makes walking and cycling realistic alternatives to the car for local trips. The promenade and Puerto de la Duquesa marina, 1.2 km along the coast, provide the main evening and weekend focus: restaurants, bars and a pleasant waterside walk. The apartment itself is compact: a living area with large windows, one bedroom, a renovated bathroom and kitchen, and a 6 m² terrace oriented towards the street and surrounding rooftops. Given the north orientation, direct sunlight on the terrace will be limited, which is worth bearing in mind for buyers who prioritise all-day sun. The communal pool adds a recreational option within the building. In practical terms, this is a low-maintenance, walkable base in a town that remains active outside the summer months, with Marbella 34 km east and Algeciras 32 km west along the A-7 coast road.
Daily life around the apartment is structured by the town fabric of Sabinillas. The nearest supermarket is 246 metres away and the pharmacy 59 metres, so routine shopping is a matter of minutes on foot. The health centre in the area and a hospital at 5.7 km cover healthcare needs. For education, three primary schools and one secondary school sit within 2 km. The beach promenade and Playa de Manilva, under 200 metres away, serve as the main recreational artery for walks and swimming, with the swimming season running approximately five months at water temperatures of 20°C or above. Puerto de la Duquesa marina, 1.2 km west, adds restaurants and a leisure focus. Transport-wise, the area is served by seven public transport lines with 34 stops, connecting Sabinillas with Estepona, Marbella and inland Manilva. Malaga-Costa del Sol airport lies roughly 74 km by straight line, with Gibraltar airport about 26 km, the closer option for UK-linked travel. Algeciras (32 km) and Marbella (34 km) are the nearest larger cities. Given this density of services, a car is useful for regional trips but not strictly necessary for daily life.
The map shows the apartment's position in central Sabinillas: the beach under 200 metres to the south, the supermarket and pharmacy within the same block cluster, and Puerto de la Duquesa marina a short walk west along the coast. Golf courses at Doña Julia and Finca Cortesín sit slightly inland, with Estepona and Marbella along the coast to the east.
Approximate area · exact address shared on request
Sabinillas occupies the western end of the Malaga Costa del Sol, in Manilva municipality, roughly midway between Estepona (about 15 minutes east) and Sotogrande across the Cádiz border. Marbella is 34 km and Málaga city 82 km east; Algeciras is 32 km west and Gibraltar roughly 26 km. This position places the property closer to Gibraltar airport than to Málaga's, and within easy reach of both the Costa del Sol resort corridor and the Cádiz coast around Sotogrande and Tarifa. The setting is urban and commercial rather than residential-estate in character.
The nearest beach, Playa de Manilva, is 178 metres from the property; La Duquesa beach is 1.5 km and Playa de Casares 2.2 km. The marina at Puerto de la Duquesa is 1.2 km away. Golf options cluster nearby: Doña Julia at 1.6 km, Finca Cortesín at 3.4 km, the Golf Academy Albayt Resort at 4.0 km and Estepona Golf at 5.4 km, an unusually wide choice within a short drive. The hospital is 5.7 km away and the nearest EV charging station 9.7 km. Malaga-Costa del Sol airport is approximately 74 km straight-line (around 40–45 minutes by car via the AP-7/A-7), while Gibraltar airport is about 26 km straight-line. Marbella (34 km), Algeciras (32 km) and Málaga city (82 km) frame the regional access points.
| Beach Distance | 1.5 km |
| Gibraltar (GIB) | 26 km |
| Malaga-Costa del Sol (AGP) | 74 km |
Source: OpenStreetMap, Google Maps
The location records approximately 3,845 sunshine hours per year historically, with an average annual temperature of 18.5°C, figures consistent with the western Costa del Sol's reputation for long, dry summers. The swimming season, defined by sea temperatures at or above 20°C, runs around five months, roughly June to October. The town sits at 11 metres above sea level on terrain that slopes less than 1 per cent towards the sea, so there are no significant hills between the apartment and the beach, relevant for older residents or anyone who prefers flat walking routes. The coastal position moderates temperature extremes, with sea breezes in summer. Immediately inland, the terrain rises towards the Manilva vineyards and the Sierra Bermeja range further east, offering walking and cycling routes within a short drive. The microclimate here is marginally warmer and more Atlantic-influenced than Marbella further east, being closer to the Strait of Gibraltar.
Source: Open-Meteo (2020–2025 average)
The beach offer centres on Playa de Manilva, 178 metres away, plus La Duquesa (1.5 km), Playa de Casares (2.2 km) and Playa de la Chullera (3.5 km). The Duquesa stretch is a long, dark-sand beach backed by the promenade and chiringuitos, and the adjacent marina adds a small-port character uncommon on this part of the coast. Golf is well represented: Doña Julia (1.6 km) is a public-access 18-hole course, Finca Cortesín (3.4 km) is one of Spain's recognised championship courses and has hosted the Volvo World Match Play, and Estepona Golf and the Albayt academy extend the options. For organised sport, Complejo Deportivo Las Viñas lies 2.8 km away. Puerto Estepona is 8.4 km east. Within 2 km of the apartment, the count of 34 restaurants and four cafés indicates a solid everyday dining scene rather than a purely seasonal one.
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: VL930014
Source: Wikipedia, Wikidata, INE, Junta de Andalucía
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