Marbella town hall has completed restoration work on the Arab garden at the Parque de los Tres Jardines in San Pedro de Alcántara, recovering key elements of its original design and improving conditions for visitors.

The project, carried out through the mayor’s office for San Pedro de Alcántara, included the restoration of the garden’s central fountain, landscaping improvements, path repairs and the installation of new infrastructure to support the site’s long-term conservation.

A major element of the works was the complete refurbishment of the fountain, which is inspired by Arab and Mediterranean landscaping traditions.

The landscaping programme included the planting of 54 fruit trees, including fig, loquat, quince, lemon, orange, pomegranate and carob varieties. Several existing species were relocated to preserve the garden’s original layout, while pruning, cleaning and maintenance works were carried out across the site.

Basketball legend Michael Jordan has touched down at Malaga Airport ahead of a hotly-anticipated golf tournament expected to attract a host of A-list celebrities to the Costa del Sol.

The 63-year-old, widely considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time, landed in Malaga on Tuesday in a personalised Gulfstream G650ER private jet.

The swanky €60 million aircraft carries the American’s iconic ‘Jumpman’ logo on its tail and is registered under the code N236MJ – combining the numbers 23 (the number he wore on the court), six (the number of NBA championships he won with the Chicago Bulls) and his initials MJ.

Jordan, the highest-paid athlete of all time, is understood to be in southern Spain for this week’s LIV Golf Andalucia tournament, taking place at the iconic Valderrama Golf Club in Sotogrande.

Malaga province becomes more and more visible in the eyes of the Michelin Guide. The prestigious publication revealed its 12 new additions to the recommended restaurants section – among them are three restaurants in the province: Ménade (Vélez-Málaga), Lila (Fuengirola) and PuroSushi (Marbella). This brings the total number of Michelin-approved Malaga restaurants to 26, out of the 90 in Andalucía.

Michelin describes the restaurants as “surprises both with spaciousness and tranquil location, offering contemporary Mediterranean cuisine with some international touches” (Ménade), “contemporary bistro, offering truly unique cuisine” (Lila), “a family-friendly Japanese restaurant with a soul” (PuroSushi).

Malaga consolidates its position with the number of stars (12), Bib Gourmand awards (4) and recommendations (26).

Marbella Football Club’s ambitious new stadium has been in design and administrative progress since August 2025. That is when the demolition of the old stadium started. Recently a fresh impetus has been delivered, with the council approving the final plans, so that construction can start.

Bank guarantees of €3.19 million have been delivered, and the main construction phase is expected to start within 2 months. The project is financed wholly by Marbella FC Foundation, and will include a 90-room hotel, parking for 1000 vehicles, a sports centre, shops, and restaurants.

Marbella offers nine assisted bathing points on its beaches for people with reduced mobility until the end of September 2026. The service, which includes amphibious chairs and support staff, requires prior booking at least 24 hours in advance by calling the freephone number 658 618 333.

Details of the assisted bathing service (2026):

Available points: Nine points distributed along the Marbella coastline, including areas of Marbella and San Pedro Alcántara.
Reservations: Booking is mandatory by calling 658 61 83 33 (Beach Department).
Availability: Operational until the end of September.
Equipment: Amphibious chairs and specialized staff for entering and exiting the water.
Improvements: Accessibility has been enhanced to ensure inclusion for people with reduced mobility.

In addition, the municipality is installing 40 new modern public restroom facilities along the promenade and beach areas to improve the overall user experience.

Málaga is once again connected to New York with a daily direct flight. United Airlines has resumed this service with a flight that departed from Newark Airport last Thursday 30th April, and subsequently departed on May 1st from the capital of the Costa del Sol to the Big Apple. This marks the fourth season of service, which will continue until the end of September. The tourism sector hopes this will be the last season operating only during peak season, a matter to be determined in October when the airline finalizes its 2027 schedule. Average occupancy across all flights to and from the Costa del Sol is higher than last year’s figures, with 90% of seats reserved.

Yesterday, the Andalusian semi-final of the MGA Gastronomic Awards 2026 took place at the Benahavís Hospitality School, bringing together young kitchen and front-of-house students from across Andalusia. Throughout the day, participants showcased their talent by preparing dishes and completing practical tests in front of a professional jury, in an atmosphere of hard work, learning and great enthusiasm.

Benahavís Town Council actively supported the event, collaborating in its organisation and backing initiatives that promote the training of our young people and open up new opportunities for them in the hospitality sector. The aim is to remain the world-reknowned centre for culinary experiences on the Costa del Sol.

The finals take place on the 28th of May at Calle Bolivia, 26, Málaga. The event is open to the public with no entrance fee. More details here: https://www.andalucia.org/event/mga-gastronomic-awards/27660102/

Marbella is preparing to experience this tradition once again this year, which had been almost forgotten by the City Council, but which they are trying to recover in recent years. The program includes not only the display of the 25 different crosses, but also complementary activities organized by various groups.

5,000 brochures will be distributed and are available at tourist information points, town hall offices, municipal delegations, and other locations.

Gregorio Sánchez, representative of the San Pedro Alcántara I Active Participation Center (CPA), the winning organization of the 2025 competition, emphasized today the collective and community-based nature of this tradition.

He also noted that “behind each cross lies significant artisanal and teamwork.”

The new border regime stemming from the Treaty between the European Union and the United Kingdom on Gibraltar has not yet been activated. Various institutional and business stakeholders believe that preparations are not yet complete. The European border control system associated with the agreement was scheduled to begin on April 10th, although EU regulations themselves allow for flexibility to avoid operational problems during critical periods or in the event of technical difficulties.

This regulatory provision now facilitates the possibility of a delay without immediate administrative consequences. The Spanish government is considering formally announcing a postponement of its entry into force until June or July 2026, a decision that would allow for the completion of technical adaptations and reduce the risk of incidents at one of the most sensitive border points in southern Europe.

Estepona will once again bring its cultural, gastronomic, and leisure activities to squares, streets, and public spaces with a new edition of ‘Estepona Lives Its Streets,’ an event taking place from April 17 to 19. One of its main attractions will be a free concert by Chenoa in the Plaza del Ajedrez (Chess Square).

The program, presented by Macarena Diánez, the councilor for Culture and Festivals, will offer a wide range of activities for all ages over three days in various locations throughout the city center and its outskirts. Live music, gastronomy, children’s activities, theater, chess, urban dance, and flamenco fashion will all be part of an event that once again transforms the city into a stage for community and participation.

Full program of ‘Estepona Lives Its Streets’

Program for April 17

From 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., the 12th Inter-School Children’s Chess Team Tournament and the 12th Inter-School Secondary School Team Tournament will be held in the Plaza del Ajedrez (Chess Square).

From 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., the 11th ‘Popi’ Cheese Fair, a taste of Málaga, will take place on Calle Real.

From 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., the 15th Tapas Route, ‘Savor Estepona’, will be held.

At 8:00 p.m., the Orchidarium Botanical Park will host the play ‘I Have a Job!’ by the Farándula group.

At 8:00 p.m., the Choir of the Scandinavian School of La Moraleja will perform in the Plaza Antonia Guerrero.

At 10:00 p.m., in Plaza Casa Cañada, the Baroque Trio Sonora Fugitiva will perform the concert ‘Sonatas from Venice’.

Program for April 18th

At 12:00 p.m., in Plaza Antonia Guerrero, the children’s performance ‘NariMagic’ will take place.

From 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Calle Real will once again host the 11th ‘Popi’ Cheese Fair, a taste of Málaga.

The 15th Tapas Route, ‘Savor Estepona’, will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and from 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

At 6:00 p.m., on Calle Terraza, the group Estepona Formation will perform an urban dance show.

At 7:00 p.m., on Montemayor Street in Cancelada, the ‘Sólo Flamenco’ Dance School will perform.

At 7:00 p.m., at the Casa de las Tejerinas, the Estepona Flamenco Association ‘El Patio’ will present the flamenco singing performance ‘El Patio, Canta’.

At 8:00 p.m., on Montemayor Street, the ‘La Ganga’ flamenco fashion show will take place.

At 8:00 p.m., in Plaza Antonia Guerrero, The Vintage Experience will perform ‘DooWap & Heartbeats’.

At 8:00 p.m., at the Diana Shopping Center in Nueva Atalaya, Mónica Garrido will perform.

At 9:30 p.m., in Cancelada, the group Kalima will perform.

And at 10:00 p.m., in Plaza del Ajedrez, Chenoa will give a free concert.

Program for April 19th

From 12:00 to 6:00 PM, the children’s party “The Circus Is Coming” will be held on the Paseo Marítimo, near “Perro I”.

At 12:00 PM, the show “Beat & Melody: A Musical Mission!” will take place on Montemayor Street in Cancelada.

From 12:00 to 4:00 PM, the 16th National Ham Carving Competition, “Popi, City of Estepona” Trophy, will be held on Real Street.

From 12:00 to 10:00 PM, Real Street will once again host the 11th “Popi” Cheese Fair, “Taste of Málaga”.

And from 1:00 to 4:00 PM, the 15th Tapas Route, “Savor Estepona”, will continue.