If you are looking for a holiday that offers great beaches, wonderful all-year round climate, unique leisure facilities, gastronomy and entertainment, then choose Marbella, its way of life will enchant you.

Although Marbella is a fairly modern town, it still has an interesting history and a significant architectural heritage. 

Some experts believe the first settlement in the Marbella area dates back to the Phoenician occupation in the 7th century, although there is no conclusive evidence of this. The Casco Antiguo (Old Town) dates back to the Roman occupation and was originally called Salduba (Salt City).

From the beaches and enclaves of east Marbella through to the western municipal of San Pedro de Alcantara, Marbella offers so many activities and facilities.

In the famous Plaza de los Naranjos « Orange Square », you can while away hours, sipping sangria, taking in the beautiful surroundings and people, visiting the charming boutiques and gift stores. 

The labyrinth of tiny streets and alleys that surround Orange Square will reveal further small shops selling all forms of trinkets, fashion and souvenirs and there are some excellent restaurants and bars for a young and trendy crowd.

Cross the road from the Old Town and you find yourself in La Alameda Park, filled with exotic plants and trees, leading down to an open exhibition area; where you can enjoy a permanent exhibition of Dali sculptures and temporary art and media exhibitions during the year.

Down from the park is the Paseo Maritimo (Promenade); this is one of the favorite places for locals and visitors. The boulevard is filled with restaurants of all gastronomies, with terraces facing out to the beautiful Mediterranean. 

Golf

 

The Costa del Sol isn't known as Costa del Golf for nothing and Marbella is right at the heart of it. There are more than ten golf courses near the centre of Marbella. With over 300 days of sunshine, playing golf can be enjoyed year round.

Beaches

 

The Marbella coastline stretches from Cabopino through to San Pedro de Alcantara. 26 kilometres of golden sandy beaches, shelving down to the calm Mediterranean Sea.

To the east, Cabopino port and beach are home to a couple of laid-back and economical Chiringuitos (Beach Restaurants), the beach right next to the port has sun-beds for hire and is a popular kite surfing spot. As you move west away from the port, the beach becomes a nudist spot. Head west to the popular area of Elviria and the famous Nikki Beach and then on to one of the most beautiful and natural stretches of beach, which joins Elviria and the urbanization of El Rosario.  

Marbella town’s beaches are well equipped, with water sports facilities, beach restaurants line the golden sands, cooking sardines on the spit,  the waters are calm, ideal for family beach days. Head further west into Puerto Banus and you have a mix of family beach zones and hedonistic beach clubs, where you’ll likely bump into a few celebrities and paparazzi. 

Finally, you reach San Pedro de Alcantara, at the western limits of Marbella. Here the wide, palm-fringed beaches are more laid-back, backed by a beautiful promenade and restaurants.

Shopping

 

If you want to combine a beach holiday with a shopping trip, Marbella is an excellent choice. Between Marbella town and Puerto Banus you have an impressive mix of independent boutiques, luxury brands and international Spanish high street brands.

The luxury Puerto Banus is crammed with designer boutiques.

Marbella Old Town is a good shopping destination and La Cañada Shopping Centre on the highway above Marbella, is home to chain stores, boutiques, supermarkets, DIY stores. Here you’ll find the largest Apple store in Spain, Habitat and Marks & Spencer!

Most shops and businesses are open from Monday through to Saturday from 9:30 to 13:30 and from 16:30 to 20:00. Many smaller shops close on Saturday afternoons. 

The bigger shopping centres and supermarkets are open from 10:00 to 21:00 without closing for lunch. They are also sometimes open on Sundays. 

During the high season some shops stay open past 22:00.

Gastronomy & Nightlife

 

Whether you enjoy fine dining or traditional tapas, some of the best restaurants on the Costa del Sol can be found in Marbella. The Old Town combines budget tapas with some real fine dining establishments. If you want to eat and then party, you’ll find what you’re looking for in Marbella. Glamorous beach clubs, stylish cocktail bars, rowdy tapas until the early morning. These are our private recommendations.

 

Fish Restaurants

La Barca : +34 952 82 44 59  restaurantelabarca.com

Lobito de Mar : +34 951 55 45 54  grupodanigarcia.com

Los Mellizos : +34 951 33 18 22  losmellizos.net

Altamirano : +34 952 82 49 32  baraltamirano.es

 

Tapas

La Venencia de Pepe : +34 952 85 79 13  bodegaslavenencia.com

Arco Tapas Bar : +34 952 76 53 89 

The Farm : +34 952 82 25 57 thefarm-marbella.com

 

Nacional Restaurants

La Navilla : +34 952 86 20 85  lanavilla.com

Paella’s y Mas : +34 952 82 25 11  restaurantepaellasymas.com

Messina (Michelin *) : +34 952 86 48 95  restaurantemessina.com

El Lago (Michelin *) : + 34 952 83 23 71  restauranteellago.com

Skina (Michelin **) : + 34 952 76 52 77  restauranteskina.com

 

Internacional Restaurants

The Harbour : +34 952 86 55 34  theharbourmarbella.com

Cascada Marbella : +34 951 56 78 49  cascadamarbella.com

Da Bruno Cabopino : +34 952 83 19 18  dabruno.com

Garum : +34 952 858 858 garummarbella.com

La Mar  : 

 

Argentinian Restaurants

Origen : +34 951 352 164 origenasador.com

Hacienda Patagonica : +34 951 545 279 haciendapatagonica.com

 

Sushi Restaurants

Ichiban : +34 952 90 00 06  ichibanmarbella.com

Genji : +34 657 88 51 85

Tahini : +34 952 90 29 36  tahinisushibar.com

 

Italian Restaurants

Stuzzikini : +34 952 77 59 94  stuzzikini.com

Tartufo : +34 622 19 19 84  iltartufo-ristorante.com

Davero : +34 951 13 41 49

L’Angolino : +34 952 86 50 52

Casa Tua : +34 653 99 86 70 casatuamarbella.com

 

Mexican Restaurant

Gallo Marbella : +34 952 76 34 22 gallo-marbella.webnode.es

 

Beach Restaurants

Trocadero Arena : +34 952 86 55 79  grupotrocadero.com

Bono’s Beach : +34 952 83 92 36  bonobeachmarbella.com

Karma Beach : +34 952 90 38 27

Lumma Beach : +34 690 84 81 82 luumabeach.com

La Plage Casani : +34 952 83 78 62 laplagecasanis.com

Soleo Marbella El Fuerte : +34 951 56 28 87  soleomarbella.com

La Red : +34 952 82 14 50

 

Delicatessen

La Casa del Jamon : Avda. del Fuerte, 4  lacasadeljamon.net

Goyo Marbella : C/ Alonso de Bazán, 3  goyomarbella.com

Local Events

 

Every year, there are numerous events organized in Marbella. They take place, in both the winter and summer months. The events give visitors a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the local culture and traditions.

Religious events such as the Virgin del Carmen or the celebrations in honor of Marbella's patron Saint, San Bernabé are popular local celebrations. The Tapa Feria is another one that comes highly recommended. Here are some recommended local events that should not be missed! 

The Three Kings parade takes place on the 5th of January. The parade is always a huge hit with children who can see the three Kings accompanied by their favorite cartoon characters, all hurling sweets as they pass by. The floats carrying the Kings pass through Marbella's main streets Huerta de los Cristales, Severo Ochoa and Ricardo Soriano.
Marbella 

The Romeria de la Cruz de Juanar takes place every year on the 3rd of May. The Romeros (participants) go by foot to the “Cruz de Juanar” (altitude 1.160m). Legend has it that several fisherman got disorientated in the fog. When the fog cleared, the Juanar peak in the Sierra Blanca served as a guiding point back to safety. They decided to express their gratitude by creating the yearly pilgrimage. 

Marbella's patron Saint is San Bernabe (Saint Bernard). Every year there are celebrations in his honor that start around the 11th of June and last for a week. The day fair and nightly celebrations take place all over Marbella, but in particular, in the Albarizas area. Flamenco, dancing, plenty of drinking and eating, concerts and parades. 

Virgen del Carmen. The Virgin of the sea. Celebrations take place on the 16th of July. The parade passes through the traditional fishing port, to Puerto Banus and onto the Marina. The Virgin is eventually put back in the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Encarnacion. Plaza de la Iglesia, 29601 Marbella 

The Tapa Fair, also known as Marbella de Tapas is celebrated yearly in early August. It takes place on the Avenida del Mar. Some of Marbella's finest bars and restaurants prepare Tapas which can be tasted. Entry is free, but Tapas have to be paid for. Not to be missed.

Day Trips

 

Malaga is one of the oldest cities in the World with close to 3000 years of history. It offers a wealth of amenities and attractions. Cultural highlights include the Picasso Museum, Thyssen museum, the Centre for Contemporary Art (CAC), the Alcazaba, the Gibralfaro castle and the Cathedral. The city also offers an ample selection of beaches, shops and restaurants. 

 

Puerto Banús is an oasis of luxury. This well-known residential area is located a short distance from Marbella and offers high quality services, many shopping boutiques and a beautiful marina. 

 

Ronda is located approximately 50 km south-west of Malaga and 30 km from Marbella. It is steeped in history and culture. Celts, Phoenicians, Romans and Muslims have all left their mark. Ronda is located in one of the most privileged locations in Andalucia, perched on a cliff overlooking the surrounding countryside. 

 

Gibraltar is a corner of England in Southern-most Spain. With only 6.8km2 of area, Gibraltar offers a surprising quantity of things to see and do. Tax free shopping, a trip up the rock, the siege tunnels, St Michael’s cave and, of course, seeing Gibraltar's most famous inhabitants, the Barbary apes. 

 

Mijas Pueblo

Perched on the hillside high above the sea, Mijas Pueblo is a traditional whitewashed Andalusian village and is just 20 minutes from the nearest coastal resort of Fuengirola.

The pueblo has managed to retain a very authentic Spanish feel and although now a major tourist attraction, it has definitely not compromised its charm. Many visitors who come here will admit to Mijas Pueblo holding a special place in their hearts.

If it’s fantastic views, to die for restaurants, and a bit of culture you’re after, then Mijas Pueblo is the place.

 

Tarifa

Tarifa is located at the southernmost tip of the Iberian Peninsula, on the Costa de la Luz and across the Strait of Gibraltar from Morocco.

The beaches of Tarifa (Bolonia, Punta Paloma), have become famous for being the best in the entire Iberian Peninsula.

In Tarifa, you will see one of the best preserved castles in all of Andalusia it was built in 960 by Abd-ar-Rahman III.

The Puerta de Jerez is an arch that serves as a passage to the Historic Center and the Food Market. It is tremendously beautiful to walk through its alleys, some of which are really narrow, and see the traditional limestone houses.

 

The Caminito del Rey is a path built into the walls of the Gaitanes gorge, between the municipalities of Ardales, Álora and Antequera.

It is a pedestrian walkway of more than three kilometers (in addition to 4.8 kilometers of accesses), attached to the rock inside a canyon, with sections of a width of just one meter, hanging up to 105 meters high above the river, in walls that become vertical.

The passage of time deteriorated it a lot: almost the entire route lacked a railing and there were collapsed segments, leaving only the support beam. In 2014, works began to rehabilitate it. A new walkway was built, with wood paneling along its route.It has been known in the past as the "world's most dangerous walkway".

 

The Antequera Dolmens Site 

The Antequera Dolmens Archaeological Site, included in the List of World Heritage Sites of te Unesco, is made up of the Dolmens of Menga, Viera and El Romeral in Antequera, Malaga, and is considered one of the best and best-known examples of European megalithic complexes. Megaliths were the first forms of monumental architecture in European prehistory and were developed, according to data currently available, from the beginning of the 5th millennium BC, the Neolithic period, about 6,500 years ago.

 

The Cueva of Nerja is located 158 meters above sea level and is, at 4,823 meters, one of the caves with the greatest topographic development in Andalusia. It has three entrances, two subcircular torches and, next to them, an entrance enabled one year after the discovery, in 1960, for the access of the visits.

The 5 most brilliant cities in Andalusia

 

Andalucía is the southern most region of Spain and the most populated of all seventeen autonomous communities with over 8 million inhabitants.

The name dates back to the Arabic ‘Al-Andalus’, which referred to the regions of Spain that came under Arabic administration, in various periods between 711 and 1492.

The all year round mild climate enjoyed in Andalusia makes it one of the most popular destinations in Spain for travelers and holiday-makers who come to enjoy both summer and winter sun vacations.  

Nevertheless Andalusia has a whole lot more to offer and the different provinces are very distinct in their character, flavor and landscape.