Chapel Sea Port

Although Marbella has grown and is now synonymous with luxury, its harbour district still preserves the spirit of a fishing village, and devotion to the Virgin of Carmen—official patroness since 2012—remains alive in this chapel, built more than a quarter-century ago beside Cable Beach and the La Bajadilla fishing quay. The building, with its simple lines and snow-white walls, has no defined architectural style, yet it stands out against the blue sea and the moored boats, becoming both a favourite photo spot and a place of prayer for sailors and visitors. Inside, a small image of the Virgin of Carmen is surrounded daily by fresh flowers and candles lit by fishermen before they set out, asking for her protection on the water. The chapel also serves as a spiritual refuge: it opens morning and evening in line with the Mass times of the nearby Parish of the Virgin of Carmen. The great feast day begins with the Dawn Rosary (6:30 a.m.) from the Church of the Encarnación to the beach and continues in the afternoon (6:00 p.m.) when the float leaves the Brotherhood House for the harbour; at 7:00 p.m. the image is taken on board, escorted by dozens of boats sounding their horns. After disembarking, she returns by land in procession to the old town, and the day ends with a popular sardine barbecue on the beach, symbolising unity between residents and visitors. In recent years the Brotherhood has tightened security after several thefts at the chapel, even removing the image temporarily for restoration and better protection. Despite these setbacks, the chapel remains the “kilometre zero” of Marbella’s seafaring faith, a daily reminder that the city was born with a harbour’s face and a heart of salt.