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.

Estepona Travel Guide

Estepona is on the S coast of Spain and is the most westerly resort on the Costa del Sol. It is 52 mls SW of Malaga and 47 mls SW of Malaga airport. It is positioned on the coast, just off the main Malaga to Cadiz road. The Sierra Bermeja mountains rise to the N, but the town centre is flat.Estepona town is primarily a developed fishing village, much less commercialised and more authentic than neighbouring resorts. With many of its traditional elements intact, it has a less polished atmosphere; older folk chat outside their front doors in the evening, eyeing the passers-by as they have done for years. The buildings appear more ramshackle than in other Costa del Sol resorts, with modern apartments next to plainly time-worn establishments. However, it is by no means behind the times; there is a pleasant, modern seaside promenade and harbour area, and the needs of tourists are well provided for. The whole Estepona resort area, however, covers around 14 mls of coastline, which means that accommodation can be rather isolated, far from the main amenities.

Estepona is well suited to families or couples looking for a quieter, less commercialised resort. The accommodation is quite varied and ranges from, from centrally located budget pensions to sprawling 5-star spa resorts some miles outside town; 10 apartment complexes including a nudist option.The main beach in Estepona is generally wide with coarse sand and some pebbly sections; it is backed by a wide promenade with a few eateries. Jet-skiing and parasailing are quite popular in summer. Beach quality deteriorates either side of the town centre, so don’t count on a decent beach out of town.

Shoppers will find the central streets claim the best shopping areas, with small local shops selling handicrafts, leather goods, ceramics etc. A few quite expensive local boutiques.Entertainment in Estepona is generally beach and water-based activities; exploring the old town including Los Remedios church and the clock tower, Torre del Reloj (organised tours every Thurs, departing from the tourist office); the bullring, just outside town, has 4 small museums (local history, archaeology, palaeontology and bullfighting); Sierra de las Nieves Nature Park; tennis; golf; deep-sea fishing.

Nightlife is limited, apart from whiling away the hours at local drinking establishments.Eating out offers traditional “tapas” bars and the odd Argentinian restaurant in the town centre. The speciality is seafood, with not a lot else on offer.

Getting around the area is made easy with frequent buses which run between Estepona and Marbella, with a semi-regular service between Estepona and Malaga, Torremolinos and Fuengirola. Less frequent runs to other resorts. For transportation within the resort, there is a rather expensive taxi service, operated from the sole rank at the harbour, just E of the tourist office.