San Pedro is divided by the main A340 road into two distinct halves. To the north is the old town which retains the charm and traditional character of a typical small Andalucian town, with its small shops, cafes, whitewashed terraces houses and a palm-shaded main square around the church. Thursdays are particularly busy when the local market takes over the streets. There are streets full of new pastel-coloured townhouses, with the most luxurious homes overlooking the mountains behind San Pedro.

To the south of the main road leading down to the seafront promenade, is the rapidly growing new development of Nueva Alcantara, with peaceful avenues of walled villas, brightly-coloured apartment blocks and a new international school, Kings College. Along the beach, there are numerous bars and the much-praised Bora Bora restaurant.

There are plans for a new marina, but before that emerges, you can always pop 2km down the road to Puerto Banús, the famously ostentacious haven for international playboys and the wealthy yacht-loving community and we recommend staying in one of the luxury banus hotels.

Historically, San Pedro was a farming community which benefited from its sheltered situation and a perfect microclimate. Just out of town in Guadalmina, where a golf course and residential development now lie, there used to be a large sugar plantation.

As you head inland towards the Sierra de Ronda mountains you still see rural scenes that have remain unchanged over the centuries, including plough-pulling oxen.

Further signs of the area's history that lie nearby are the remains of the Roman town of Silniana and a bath house dating back to the third century and the Paleochristian Balisilica Church by the sea.

These days, San Pedro's greenery is as likely to be frequented by golfers, with nearby courses including the floodlit La Dama de Noche.