Marbella is one of the classic resorts on the Costa del Sol, made famous by becoming the holiday and residence destination for the rich and famous, the movie stars and royalty. There are the multi-million dollar yachts and Ferraris, especially in Puerto Banus.
Marbella is also home to some immense luxury villas from 3 to 12 million Euros for the jet-set, Arabs and multimillionaires from allover the world.
But Marbella is also a very normal town with extensive tourist resorts and urbanizations for the “normal and medium” budget. Being only 35 minutes drive from the Malaga airport and with the increase in airlines providing cheap flights, Marbella is within reach for most people.
The older parts of Marbella town still remain and hold the traditional Spanish atmosphere. In general, Marbella is not for cultural visits. Marbella is predominantly characterized by its hotels (also 1 or 2-star hotels), golf courses and excellent beaches.
The back streets of the Old Town in Marbella still have buildings that date back to the 16th century with many small traditional shops, restaurants, cafes, bars, shops, and galleries. In the town center of Marbella you can find many of the best and most famous world-class shops. The Avenida del Mar is the town’s principal seafront promenade with countless bars and restaurants for any budget.
Marbella has numerous towering apartment buildings. The famous Golden Mile is lined with luxury residences, shops and beautiful gardens. In the area there are many new urbanizations built to excellent quality standards.
The 16th century town hall in the Plaza de los Naranjos (Orange Square), has one of the most beautiful gardens in town. The plaza is named after the numerous orange trees that line the streets. The Plaza de los Naranjos is considered the heart of the city and has numerous galleries, shops, bars, churches and bistros.
The city has a vibrant City Theatre of Marbella (Teatro Cuidad de Marbella) which features many music events and shows throughout the year.
Mabella has 28 km beaches. From Cabopino to Guadalmina, passing through the ports of Marbella and Puerto Banus, the coastline is fine sand all the way. The Paseo Maritimo borders the sandy beaches and stretches from Marbella right along to Puerto Banus.
Set against the stunning backdrop of the “La Concha” mountain Marbella is a mixture of old and new, with stylish buildings. Typical Andalusian houses are situated along the picturesque alleys of Marbella’s Old Town. Marbella’s main boulevard, Avenida Ricardo Soriano is home to many stylish boutiques and shops, while the gardens at “Parque de la Alameda” make for a nice place to sit and relax, especially during those hot summer days.
Marbella has a distinctly cosmopolitan atmosphere.
Image credits & Marbella Old Town.
