The municipality covers an area of 35 square kilometers. There are about 17,000 full time residents and a further 14,000 who reside here on a temporary basis or have holiday homes. The economy of Manilva is based on agriculture and fishing and, more recently, tourism.
The area's agriculture mainly consists of crops grown near the river bed and valleys. The river Manilva is the eastern boundary of the municipality. Grapes consist of a large proportion of the crop - used for the well-known locally produced sweet wines which keep badly and are best drunk when new.

The town has a fascinating history which dates back to Roman times and still today there are some remarkably well-preserved Roman Sulphur baths and an Aqueduct. The Moors who favoured this location left and the town gradually faded away. In the 16th century the towns of Malaga, Marbella and Ronda were concerned that the coastline to the south of them was unprotected so they offered free land to poorer peasants in the north of Spain. There had to be a catch, indeed there was. Their area was still subject to raids from Moorish and Turkish pirates. To give the new arrivals a fighting chance of surviving a village was sited on a small hill 3km inland.

Because it is simple and unpretentious, Manilva is often overlooked. Although a healthy growing village tourists tend to give it a miss as they rush south on the coast road which does not pass through the village.

To reach the village turn off the A7 (N340) at km 145 on to the A377 in the village of San Luis de Sabinillas. Only 300m on the left hand side notice the municipal tourist office is located in the quaint Villa Matilde, (Monday to Friday from 8.00 to 15.00) and flanked with tall palm trees.

There are many opportunities in the Autumn to buy grapes or raisins by the roadside. On any day you can stop on the bend up to the village to buy some of the best fresh vegetables in the area from the local co-operatives. Look out for the sign "Verduras Pascual".

When you reach the village at the top of the hill park the car and saunter on into the pedestrianised main street, Calle Mar.

If you approach from the Toll Motorway junction or Gaucin to the north, your entrance is dilapidated to say the least. Keep one eye on the road and the other on the magnificent view whilst you skirt round the village to park you car on the far side.