Construction has begun on a new €1.5 million (£1.3 million) bus interchange in San Pedro Alcántara, Marbella, on Spain's Costa del Sol. The project's design is uniquely inspired by the iconic Andalusian fish dish espeto de sardinas—sardines skewered and roasted over open wood fires on the beach.
Project Details and Timeline
Marbella's town hall has started clearing the two-acre (8,100-square-metre) plot beside the junction of the A-7 motorway and the A-397 Ronda road. The interchange will feature a 1,615-square-foot (150 square metres) passenger building, six bus bays with waiting areas, taxi ranks, pedestrian links, and parking. More than 43,000 square feet (4,000 square metres) of green space will act as a buffer between the transport hub and surrounding roads, according to The Olive Press.
The project is being carried out jointly with the Junta de Andalucía and is due for completion in 2027. Following a recent meeting of the local governing board, San Pedro deputy mayor Javier Garcia announced the commencement of initial site works. This milestone stems from an agreement signed in February 2025 with the regional development ministry (Consejería de Fomento). Under this partnership, the town hall is responsible for preparing the plot, while the regional Junta will handle construction, operation, and ongoing maintenance.
Design Inspiration and Local Significance
Garcia said the architecture was "inspired in an abstract way by an espeto de sardinas," aiming for "a modern and iconic image, representative of the Costa del Sol." An espeto is a traditional Andalusian dish from Málaga, where fresh, medium-sized sardines are skewered on a cane or metal rod and roasted over open wood fires right on the beach.
The immediate phase of the project puts a strict two-month timetable into motion. Over the next eight weeks, construction crews will focus on clearing the site by demolishing existing paving, stripping out a concrete slab and asphalt, and thoroughly cleaning the plot. In an effort to preserve the local environment, workers will also be carefully transplanting any trees that can be saved.
Impact on Tourism and Transport
Marbella is the crown jewel of Spain's Costa del Sol, famous for its luxury resorts, golf courses, and the upmarket Puerto Banús marina. While its official year-round resident population is roughly 150,000, that number skyrockets during the summer peak, reaching an estimated 400,000 as tourists and second-home owners flood the city. Each year, the UK sends over three million tourists to the Andalusian region, with a massive concentration heading straight for the Costa del Sol.
Public transport usage in Marbella has skyrocketed. Total urban bus passenger numbers surged from around two million in 2019 to nearly seven million passengers, according to local media. The city recently launched a dedicated summer tourist bus service to shuttle visitors between major hotspots, such as the San Pedro Alcántara Boulevard and the beach areas, in a bid to ease the traffic jams that plague the city each July and August.
“We are keeping the commitments we made and taking all the necessary steps so that San Pedro Alcantara can finally have a modern, fully functional transport interchange,” Garcia said.
