Marbella Andalucia Spain

Marbella is one of the Mediterranean’s most representative tourist venues and a top favorite for travelers. What was once a small white village of fishermen is now one of the most cosmopolitan places on the Costa del Sol with one of the most famous sports ports of the Mediterranean, Puerto Banus, where some of the most famous yachts have anchored.

The municipal district of Marbella is situated in the heart of the western Costa del Sol, between the sierras of the coastal mountain range and the sea to which it looks out along 24 kilometres of coast. Marbella County covers a total area of 114.3 sq km.

Puerto Banus Travel Guide

Puerto Banus, located just west of Marbella, before you reach the small town of San Pedro de Alcantara is a world famous venue for the rich and the famous. It is the place to be pampered yachtside and ogle those fabulous luxury yachts while sipping a drink at one of the many open air restaurants and bars. The setting is close to ideal, with its impressive mountain backdrop and ocean views.

 

Since its inception some forty years ago, the port has steadily grown and now features a casino, commercial shopping centre, a Corte Ingles department store, marine observatory and a multi cinema with films shown with their original soundtrack.
Nightlife buzzes at Puerto Banus with your choice of alfresco bars, piano clubs and discos while during the day this is a window shopper´s dream with several of the world renowned fashions houses featured here, in addition to small, interesting shops and boutiques.

When José Banús gave his name to the now famous port it was unlikely he envisaged it becoming one of the most famous marinas in Europe. Puerto Banús is synonymous with wealth, fashion, glamorous parties and the ‘highlife & nightlife’. It’s reputation is high-class and high-price-tag. The “place to be” and “to be seen”, this is where the elite classes and would-be famous are to be found.
The area is lined with designer boutiques and restaurants, including well-known venues such as Trader Vic’s and Salduba while other well venues such as the Marbella Club Hotel and Oliviá Valère’s nightclub are just down the road. The marina is home to large expensive yachts and smaller pleasure craft alike, Shaf – King Fahd’s boat is moored near the old tower and is a well known point of reference.

 

The marina is home to a plethora of restaurants and cafés, catering for all tastes from fine dining to burgers and fries. The marina’s increased popularity has led to international chains such as TGI Friday’s opening up, making it within the reach of most people to eat in Puerto Banús. In terms of leisure activities Puerto Banus is home to an Aquarium and a multi screen cinema showing films in English.
Apart from drinking a coffee while watching the coming and going of Ferrari’s and Bentley’s, the most popular pastime in Puerto Banús is probably shopping. It is definately the “in” place to shop for designer labels with stores from Gianni Versace, Hermes, Ralph Lauren and DKNY. Many of the boutiques also stock several designers under one roof such as Mic Mac – Armani, Cerruti, Kenzo; Royal House – Valentino, Christian Dior, Pierre Cardin; and Exseption – Prada, Gucci, Dolce & Gabanna.

If your budget doesn’t stretch to haute couture there are plenty of other interesting shops including Neck & Neck and Jacardi (great kids clothes). The large 4 floor El Corte Ingles department store sells just about everything – a variety of designer names, it’s own clothing lines, sports gear, shoes, home decor – you name it. While the new Marina Banus shopping centre is home to high street names such as Zara and Mango (both Spanish companies), which make a good bargain for tourists with their ranges being decidely cheaper than in most other European countries.

Marbella Travel Guide

Marbella is one of the Mediterranean’s most representative tourist venues and a top favorite for travelers. What was once a small white village of fishermen is now one of the most cosmopolitan places on the Costa del Sol with one of the most famous sports ports of the Mediterranean, Puerto Banus, where some of the most famous yachts have anchored.
The municipal district of Marbella is situated in the heart of the western Costa del Sol, between the sierras of the coastal mountain range and the sea to which it looks out along 24 kilometres of coast. Marbella County covers a total area of 114.3 sq km.
It comprises of several important urban sites: Marbella, San Pedro de Alcántara, Puerto Banús, Nueva Andalucia and Las Chapas, as well as several suburbs. Marbella is surrounded by Estepona, Benahavís, Istán, Ojén y Mijas.

This is undoubtedly the place to be for international high-flyers, with a great range of luxurious, upmarket accommodation. Middlemarket visitors are also well catered for. The are is a Golfers’ paradise.

The accommodation here is spread over a 16-ml area. From the exclusive to middlemarket; budget accommodation-seekers will struggle here, though there are a few “cheap and cheerful” properties to be found. There is certainly no shortage of 3- to 5-star hotels.
Many residential areas are dotted along the coast, with private villas available for rent, there are a few apartment complexes near the centre. For many apartment locations, a car is a must as buses stick to the main road.
With its privileged climate, luxury accommodation, fabulous sports facilities and not forgetting the natural warmth of the town; Marbella is a destination to be reckoned with. There are many large cities near by with lots of cultural spots to visit: Malaga, Granada, and Sevilla, you’re also facing the coast of Africa with frequent short trips leaving from Algerciras. Marbella is very accessible with two airports to choose from (Gibraltar & Malaga) excellent roads and not forgetting the luxury ports.
Great beaches, great climate and a unique offer in sports, gastronomy and entertainment … a visit of Marbella is a guarantee for unforgettable memories.

Locality:

Marbella can be found towards the west end of Costa del Sol, between Estepona to the est and Fuengirola to the east. Malaga is 36 miles east. (Malaga airport 33 mls). It is located on a coastal strip skirted by an extremely busy motorway.
There are almost 2 dozen beaches around the resort, though many are narrow and mostly artificial. Some better beaches are dotted along the coast, but many are difficult to find, as they are not signposted and can be reached only by car. The resort’s central beach is among the most popular, and thus the most crowded.
Marbella is filled with classy boutiques selling top-name fashion labels at sky-high prices. The area around the port offers some of the most exciting shopping opportunities, and boutiques often stay open well into the night. The Old Town has all types of small shops in its warren of tiny, twisting streets.

There is plenty to do here during the daytime. There are many well-known golf courses as well as tennis clubs. You will find all sorts of water sports at the marina. Horse riding at some beaches and inland stables. There are very scenic drives in surrounding countryside if a car is hired. Also the contemporary Latin American art at the Ralli Museum.

The nightlife consists of open-air terraces beside the Puerto Banus marina. The nightclubs are upbeat and expensive, but free tickets are often handed out around the bars. There is a very smart casino in Puerto Banus.
Eating out offers an unlimited choice of restaurants, most of them pricey, particularly in the Puerto Banus area, it is possible, though, to find a more reasonably priced meal in the town. There are excellent beach bar/restaurants specialising in paella and sangria.

Fuengirola Travel Guide

Basically a ribbon development, Fuengirola sprawls for 6½ mls along the beach, extending 1½ mls inland at its widest point. The resort has the feel of a mini-Benidorm, with thickly spread, high-rise buildings catering for the vast influx of mainly British tourists. However, it still boasts a large fishing fleet, and the narrow, generally busy coast road is pleasant enough, stretching the length of the beach. The bustling central tourist-orientated area covers 4 mls of beach front which is roughly divided by the marina and extends rather chaotically inland for ½ ml; city-centre driving is certainly not for the faint of heart or those with a fear of parallel parking.Fuengirola is situated on Spain’s S coast, roughly midway between Torremolinos (to the E) and Marbella (to the W). It is 19 mls SW of Malaga; 16 mls SW of Malaga airport.

 

Basically a ribbon development, Fuengirola sprawls for 6½ mls along the beach, extending 1½ mls inland at its widest point. The resort has the feel of a mini-Benidorm, with thickly spread, high-rise buildings catering for the vast influx of mainly British tourists. However, it still boasts a large fishing fleet, and the narrow, generally busy coast road is pleasant enough, stretching the length of the beach. The bustling central tourist-orientated area covers 4 mls of beach front which is roughly divided by the marina and extends rather chaotically inland for ½ ml; city-centre driving is certainly not for the faint of heart or those with a fear of parallel parking.

Fuengirola is situated on Spain’s S coast, roughly midway between Torremolinos (to the E) and Marbella (to the W). It is 19 mls SW of Malaga; 16 mls SW of Malaga airport.

Costa Del Sol Travel Guide

One of the most popular holiday haunts for British tourists is the coast of Andalucia known as the Costa del Sol that runs from Nerja to Gibraltar . Resorts boisterous and elegant offer every amenity and facility imaginable, all within one hour of Malaga Airport . Miles of sandy beaches, rows of hotels, and over 320 days of sunshine every year. There is something on offer here for everyone. The coastal resorts of Torremolinos, Fuengirola and Marbella are amongst the most popular. Further down the coast are quieter areas that are still developing, such as that of Estepona, a quaint town with a wonderful seafront and a prosperous future in the holiday marketplace.

Since the 1950′s this area has been a popular destination, attracting more and more people each year. The airport, roads, rail and other facilities have grown in accordance with demand. The attraction to holiday and live here is still there. The lifestyle is ‘ideal’ and you can get out of it, what you put in. Golfers who wish to play on first class courses in dry, sunny weather will find all that they want on the Costa del Sol. There are in fact some of the best courses in the world. If sight-seeing is part of your agenda then this wonderful area has much to offer.

 

Within a short distance are major cities worth seeing and on the other extreme are tiny white-washed villages clinging to the mountain sides. Not far from the crowded beaches are true Spanish villages such as Casares , Ronda , Manilva and Sabinillas , all locked in time. Along the coast, tourists of all nationalities are made welcome and there are few places that do not understand English.