Marbella
Marbella is one of the original Costa del Sol
resorts, made famous by becoming Europe's playground for the rich
and famous.
Indeed, mention the name Marbella and it usually
conjures up images of plush hotels, casinos, multi-million dollar
yachts and Ferraris.
But today Marbella is not exclusively for the jet-set. Being only
30 minutes drive to the west of Malaga airport and with the recent
increase in airlines providing cheap flights, the resort is within
very easy reach for most people and has become a popular destination
for hundreds of thousands of holidaymakers each year. Of course,
the main resort of Marbella is predominantly hotels, apartment
blocks and beaches but the older parts of town still remain
and hold the traditional Spanish feel and atmosphere.
Exploring the back streets of Old Marbella will reveal
stately buildings that date back to the 16th century or beyond,
along with small traditional shops, cafes and galleries - a far cry
from the modern Marbella just a stone’s throw away that most people
only know about and see.
Throughout the old town, small plazas lined with local
bars and orange trees add to the traditional feel and are a
great place to take a break and soak up the atmosphere before
heading back to modern day life. To escape the hustle and
bustle further, the Sierra Bermeja Mountains rise up behind
the resort and are ideal for exploring by 4x4 or on foot; plenty of
viewpoints provide opportunities to see the two and a half mile
coastal spread that is Marbella.
At the Western end of that spread is Puerto Banus, Marbella's
own playground for the rich and famous, with it’s modern day
marina packed with large yachts and motorboats, while back in
the town centre you can find world-class shopping and entertainment
together with all the attractions that a top holiday resort could
possibly provide. The Avenida del Mar is the town’s principal
seafront promenade, with countless bars and restaurants
serving only the best quality food and drink. Or if you prefer,
local traditional seafood dishes such as barbecued sardines on a
spit or paella can be enjoyed at the nearby beach huts, or
chiringuitos – well worth a visit.
Dotted around the immediate vicinity of Marbella are numerous
Costa del Sol golf courses, making this part of the Costa del Sol
one of the most popular golfing destinations in Europe. Tennis
clubs, horse riding centers, bike hire, water sports and
air sports such as paragliding all ensure that even the most
adventurous holidaymaker won't be going home disappointed, while the
12 or so beaches that Marbella boasts keep the sun worshippers happy!
The jewel in the crown is of course the
Marbella weather – the area’s
very own micro-climate results in a year-round average temperature
of 19 degrees Celsius and 320 days of sunshine annually.
Shorts and t-shirts in the summer and light trousers and sweater in
the winter are all that's required.
With this kind of weather and the huge diversity within the
immediate area, it's easy to see why Marbella is visited by so many
people time and time again. You can find a selection of highly recommended hotels at discount rates on
our Marbella Hotels page.
Alternatively take a look at our Marbella Villas
page and our Marbella Apartments page.
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