Marbella Tourist Information – Things To See and Do In Marbella
For anyone that has visited Marbella they will know that it is like an area of two halves. On the one hand you have the historic old town (known as the Casco Antigua) full of quaint little back streets and tapas bars that come alive at night, and on the other hand you have the modern seafront area which has been developed into a stunning modern playground for the rich and famous.
Marbella lies 58kms to the west of Malaga airport and is now the second largest city in the province. It has over 130,000 inhabitants and around 15% are foreigners or ‘ex pats’. However this figure doubles in the summer as the city of Marbella has its own micro-climate and as a result boasts the best climate in Europe. This is because it is sheltered by the Sierra Blanca mountain range.
Once you arrive in Marbella you will notice a real cosmopolitan feel to it and it is this vibe coupled with the distinct mix of old and new that makes Marbella a great place to base yourself.
The old town
One of the must see places in Marbella is the old town. Take time to explore the alleyways and back streets. Visit the Plaza de Naranja (Orange square) where you can sit and while away the hours or pop into the many art galleries and quaint boutique shops that surround this area. There are also some excellent bars and restaurants just off the Plaza which cater for a trendy crowd.
La Almeda Park
If you cross the road away from the old town you’ll find yourself in a area filled with exotic planting and shady trees. This is known as La Almeda Park. It has a distinct tropical feel about it which shades you from the summer heat of the town.
Paseo Maritimo
Carry on through the park and eventually you will come across the Paseo Maritimo (promenade) You are now entering the new part of Marbella and this is the place to see and be seen. Take a stroll down the Paseo and pass restaurants to suit all tastes. From fine dining establishments to tapas bars, the Paseo is a great place to sit with a glass of something chilled and watch as the beautiful people go about their daily business.
Puerto Banus
Marbella has two Marinas, one in the centre of town and the other 7kms west of Marbella which is known as Puerto Banus. A visit to Banus will give you a glimpse into the lifestyles of the rich and famous. Here you will see fancy cars by the dozen, even fancier super yachts and designer stores such as Prada and Louis Vuitton. It really is an eye opening experience and well worth a visit.
Marbella beaches
There are a series of beaches that make up the Marbella coastline and stretch from Cabopino in the east to Puerto Banus in the west. All the beaches are pristine as you would expect and are home to some of the finest Chringuito’s (beach side restaurants) in the whole of Spain. The facilities on the beaches are second to none and include water sports hire, children’s play areas, disabled ramp access, showers and toilets and sun bed and parasol hire.
Sports and pastimes
It is fair to say that golf is one of the main reasons that many people flock to Marbella. The region has over 15 world class golf courses and they are a major attraction. If golf is not your thing, then why not try a new adrenalin sport known as sphereing. This is where you get harnessed into a large inflatable ball and get sent rolling down a hill at speeds of up to 40mph. If you are looking to break up the beach holiday a little they why not hire a bike and head inland up into the mountains. Here you will see some of the most beautiful scenery that this part of Spain has to offer.
As you can see, Marbella and the area surrounding makes for a great holiday destination for all the family and isn’t called the ‘jewel in the Costa del Sol crown’ for nothing. Instead it offers the would be visitor a plethora of sights, sounds, smells,tastes and experiences. If you then combine all of this with the best climate in Europe, then it isn’t hard to see why the city of Marbella is so popular.
