Marbella, with about 160,000 inhabitants, is the most famous resort on the Costa del Sol, in the province of Málaga, in Andalusia. Sheltered by the Sierra Blanca, it enjoys a mild microclimate all year. Since the 1950s, when Prince Alfonso of Hohenlohe opened the Marbella Club, it has drawn the international jet set, with villas, yachts, boutiques and golf courses. Many foreigners live here.
The old town
The casco antiguo is the loveliest contrast to the coastal luxury: a maze of white lanes with pots of geraniums, small squares and churches.
- Plaza de los Naranjos, from the 15th century, lined with orange trees, with the town hall, the Casa del Corregidor and the hermitage of Santiago.
- The church of the Incarnation, with its great organ.
- Remains of the Arab castle and walls.
- The Museo del Grabado Español, devoted to printmaking.
- The Avenida del Mar, the walk down to the sea, with ten bronze sculptures by Salvador Dalí.
Golden Mile and Puerto Banús
- The Milla de Oro, the Golden Mile between Marbella and Puerto Banús, with luxury hotels, villas and the Saudi king's palace.
- Puerto Banús, the most famous marina, with huge yachts, sports cars, luxury shops, restaurants and nightclubs.
Beaches and nature
The municipality has about 27 km of coast with beaches such as La Fontanilla, El Faro, Cabopino, with dunes, and Nagüeles. The paseo marítimo lets you walk for kilometres along the sea. Inland, the Sierra Blanca with Pico de la Concha has scenic trails, and the village of Istán is a few kilometres away.
Other areas
San Pedro de Alcántara, part of the municipality, with its boulevard and the early Christian basilica of Vega del Mar, and Nueva Andalucía, "Golf Valley", with dozens of golf courses.
Food and festivals
Beach chiringuitos serve espetos de sardinas, sardines skewered and roasted over a fire, pescaíto frito, gazpacho and ajoblanco. The San Bernabé fair and festivities are in June.
Getting there
Málaga airport is about 50 km away, with direct buses. From Marbella it is easy to reach Ronda, Gibraltar and Torremolinos.