Useful info about Marbella

About Marbella.

marbella archMarbella literally translated means 'beautiful sea'. It can trace its beginnings back to 1600 BC and was founded by the Romans.  In 711 the Moors invaded Spain and their influences can still be seen.

However in 1418 the Catholic King and Queen reconquered the town and started a building program of plazas, churches, houses and wider streets.

Marbella's motto is 'Way of Life' and this luxurious town seems to have as much of it as anyone could wish for. Combining its Moorish influence with chic city elegance, the town of Marbella is truly the gem of the Costa del Sol.

orange squareWhether you are looking for a low-key, relaxing retreat or an upbeat lifestyle of parties and entertainment, Marbella can meet the needs of everyone.

It is a favourite location for the rich and famous and is unarguably southern Spain's answer to St Tropez.

Famed for its prestigious charm and upmarket lifestyle, the town offers glitzy habours, designer shops, top-class restaurants, casinos and a variety of nightclubs to satisfy any tastes.

Not forgetting just about every sporting activity under the sun - there are few places which can match Marbella for world-class golf, sailing and tennis.

The Marbella coastline stretches along some 25 kilometres of beaches, from Guadalmina to Cabopino. All are bathed by the Mediterranean sunshine and most are served by beachfront bars and restaurants.

in the parkHere you can enjoy the traditional Andalucian fish and seafood favourites like spit-barbequed sardines, fried fish and local paellas.

Marbella is dominated by the mountain of La Concha (The Shell). At over 1200 metres this contributes to the area's own unique micro-climate.

There are two large parks in the town which provide some welcoming shade in which to spend some time to contemplate, meet friends or just lose yourself in a favourite book.

There is also an amphitheatre at Constitution Park which is frequently used for concerts and performances in the summer.

dali sculptureMarbella has one of the most delightful promenades on the costa.

The Avenida del Mar features many restaurants, magnificent landscaping, and truly captures the elegance that is Marbella.

Pick any evening and you can sit here and see all of Marbella's cosmopolitan society strolling by.

Just off the Avenida Del Mar you will find Alameda Park (above) which houses a collection of sculptures by Salvador Dali.

These were bought by the Marbella government to complete the renovation work on this area and this is now one of the most popular areas of Marbella in which to sit and relax.

The Old Town & Orange Square.

orangesThe old town area is partially surrounded by the ruins of an old Arab wall. It has a honeycomb of narrow streets, whitewashed buildings, old churches and little squares.

Here you will discover many shops, boutiques and homes intermingling to create the atmosphere of a small Spanish village, rather than a cosmopolitan town.

At the heart of the old town is Orange Square (La Plaza de los Naranjos) which dates back to 1485 and is the home of three historical buildings - the town hall, the old governor's house and the Chapel (Hermitage) of Santiago.

In the centre of the square stands a bust of King Juan Carlos. Here also you will find small shops, art galleries, bars and bistros making the square a lively meeting place both day and night.

Depending on the time of year, the colours here can be vibrant, with exotic tropical plants set against a backdrop of white buildings and a deep azure sky - plus of course the gorgeous sight and smell of the orange trees from which it gets its name.

Puerto Banus.

puerto banusNo description of Marbella would be complete without a mention of this famous (or infamous!) port just west of the town.

Built in 1970 the port has grown considerably over the years.

It now includes a casino, a large underground car park, a commercial shopping centre, an aquatic centre and a multi-screen cinema with original soundtrack films.

jose banusWhen José Banús gave his name to the now famous port it was unlikely he envisaged it becoming one of the most famous marinas in Europe.

Puerto Banús is synonymous with wealth, fashion and glamorous parties. Its reputation is high-class and high price-tag!

This is the place to be and be seen in, to be pampered on your yacht and to window-shop at the many world-renowned fashion houses and boutiques.

The nightlife here is buzzing with alfresco eateries, piano bars, live music and nightclubs which are open from dusk 'til dawn.

Definitely not for the faint-hearted!

All within easy reach...

Marbella is an easy 30 minute drive from Malaga airport, with a direct motorway link between the two. The main A7 (N340) coastal road and the new AP7 toll road motorway give easy access to the town and the rest of Andalucia.

Gibraltar, with its famous 'Rock', British lifestyles, Mediterranean climate and duty free prices is only 40 minutes away.

Sevilla is one of the largest towns in Andalucia with an envious history.

For the Atlantic coast consider historic Tarifa, only an hour away and a mecca for wind and watersports. From here you can also book a day trip to Morocco – get to see a bit of Africa!

North-east of Marbella and about two hours away is the beautiful town of Granada with its ever-popular Alhambra Palace.

A day trip to the mountains of Sierra Nevada, the skiing centre of Andalucia, is easily possible. You can leave the house and be on the slopes within two and a half hours.

Nearby you also have the beautiful white villages of Casares and Ronda, with its famous Roman bridge across the gorge.

 

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