Marbella - Holiday on the sunny Costa del Sol

Marbella holidays

Often the name of the Andalusian coastal town of Marbella is associated with the word luxury. But even if here the rich and famous frolic on the beaches and marinas, the city on the Costa del Sol also has quite a lot to offer for a small budget.

Marbella is situated in Malaga province about 57 kilometers from the provincial capital and has around 130,000 inhabitants. A third of them are foreigners, as well as English and German pensioners who are here for the pleasantly mild climate during winter.

Although the city extends with its suburbs and various housing developments now over 26 kilometers along the coast, Marbella has preserved in the historic centre the typical Andalusian charm.

So you can stroll in the hillside town through narrow alleyways among whitewashed small houses and decorated with flowers, discover cozy wineries and enjoy your coffee below orange trees.

The best place for that purpose is the beautiful Plaza de los Naranjos, where plenty of orange trees provide shade. The restaurants and cafes here have draped their tables around a fountain from the 17th Century.

Historic buildings are the Town Hall from the 16th Century in which a tourist information office is housed, and the Ermita de Nuestro Señor Santiago, a small church of in the 15th Century. It was the first church that the Spaniards built after the reconquest of Marbella.

Nearby is the Plaza de la Iglesia, in which one finds the remains of the Arab city wall from the 9th century. The main attraction of the small square is the church of Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación.

Only a few steps from here is worth a visit to the Museo del Grabado Español Contemporáneo in Calle Hospital Bazán, where are displayed the works of Picasso, Miró and Tàpies. Anyone interested in Asian gardens should visit the Bonsai Museum in Parque Arroyo, where you can enjoy the landscaped gardens in miniature form.

Blessed with good weather, most Marbella visitors are attracted of course to the beaches. With sunbathing, swimming and water sports can be enjoyed here a pleasant holiday. The most popular beaches include the suburban Playa Venus Bajadilla and Playa Fontanilla. A little further away at Playa Nagüeles there is an exclusive feel; after all, here is located the famous Marbella Club.

Only in the marina of Puerto Banus, where anchor up to 40 meters long yachts, the celebrity factor is even higher. Here, the luxury leisure travelers take to shop and celebrate in the boutiques and restaurants in the exclusive Harbour mile.

Who loves to play golf on holiday, should come to Marbella in the months of October to April; then the temperatures are mild and it rarely rains. However, not only the climate is ideal for golfing, but also the exclusive sites that are located in an excellent setting.

Marbella, the cradle of luxury on the Costa del Sol

The past full of the glamour of the famous international jet set or the fact that it is the residence of the rich and famous around the world has made the city of Marbella one of the most popular international resorts.

Magnificent beaches and endless entertainment are two of the main attractions of this gem on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea; however, if we are thinking about a holiday in this city we should not miss the opportunity to discover some of its most significant corners, among which are:

The Golden Mile. This is without doubt one of the areas most visited by tourists, where are situated not only the most luxurious hotels but also the homes of very famous personalities as the residence of King Fahd.

La Nueva Andalucia. In this enclave, one of the most influenced by the tourist boom can be visited the remains of the Roman town of Rio Verde or the Botanical Garden El Angel.

El historic centre and its extension. Between the sea and historic old town is situated in this area where is particularly outstanding the Faro of Marbella and the Avenida del Mar, which consists of a broad set of Salvador Dali's sculptures. The historic centre itself is definitely worth a visit, with cobbled narrow streets and charming squares.

The District of Las Chapas. One of the most important historical areas of Marbella where there is a Phoenician site from the eighth century BC and where there are also situated two significant watchtowers.