Marbella
Why visit Marbella? Let’s count the ways…
Hmmmm… There are actually quite a number of reasons to visit
Marbella, but let us just give you ten.
- 1. Weather
- 2. Beaches
- 3. Historical Treasures
- 4. Luxury
- 5. Nightlife
- 6. Cuisine
- 7. Architecture
- 8. Shopping
- 9. People
- 10. Culture and Language
Marbella is blessed – it sits between the mountains and the Mediterranean Coastline. As such, it is gifted with a pleasant micro-climate, with warm, sunny summers and relatively mild winters. All in all, the climate is very mild throughout the year, around 19ºC on the average. Summers are not too suffocatingly hot and winters are not too cold. It is just perfect for a day at the beach and for dining al fresco. Winters are warm and dry – during the days, light clothing would suffice, though you will need a jacket in the evenings.
Life’s a beach – even more so if you are in Marbella. Marbella,
with its miles upon miles of coastline, boasts of crystal clear
waters, top rate beach facilities and the luxurious marinas and
yachts. There is the Golden Mile and Puerto Banus – where swimming
and other water sports activities are distinct pleasures.
Marbella is aptly named “Beautiful Sea”, that is Mar (for sea) and
bella (for beautiful). It is blessed with 27 kilometers and have 24
different beaches in the municipality.
Marbella is a treasure trove of historical monuments as it has a rich and colorful history. Taking a leisurely walk through Marbella’s Old District is like going back in time. Marbella is sure to surprise and amaze you with all the historical riches that it offers – buildings, museums with great collections of artifacts, churches and castles.
When it comes to luxury and self-indulgence, Marbella sure comes in at the top! It is, after all, Spain’s version of Monte Carlo. The trappings of luxury are to be seen everywhere – from the swanky hotels, the latest and most expensive models in cars and yachts, and even in the people themselves. Marbella is a great place to go royalty and celebrity watching, as this place is one of their stomping grounds.
Party, party, party! The nightlife in Marbella is simply
amazing.
You are faced with a lot of choices on how you can spend your
evening – relaxing at Paseo Maritimo and breathing in the cool
night air, at Puerto Banus, where you can rub elbows with
celebrities, at the Plaza de los Naranjos where you can sit at the
summer terraces while listening to top international bands.
There are also a whole spectrum of bars, pubs, nightclubs, discos
and casinos. What’s more, bars feature live music – flamenco, jazz,
rock and roll, hip hop, techno, and so much more.
If you want more quiet nights, there are plenty of pubs where you
can just hoist your beer mugs while enjoying your time with
friends. There are also upscale restaurants where you can have a
romantic night with your significant other.
Casinos, cybercafés and piano bars are also some options.
Hey, there are so many things to do at night. So, put on your best
party frock and explore Marbella at night. It is quite an
unforgettable experience.
Mmmm… good! Marbella has a wide and diverse selection of Spanish
and international cuisines. There is a long list of restaurants and
tapas bars waiting to be discovered.
You will wonder how in the world a small town such as Marbella has
so much to offer when it comes to food. It is a gastronomic haven
with so many delightful epicurean surprises. You can choose to dine
al fresco, or by the relaxing atmosphere of Marbella’s many plaza.
You can choose to dine in style, with all the works and get a
glimpse of how the other half (the rich and the famous) lives. You
can choose to immerse yourself in local culture and choose to eat
Spanish cuisine. Or, you can travel around the world and taste the
various cuisines from different cultures and countries. You can
even just sit and eat Marbella’s famous gelatos.
Whew! Marbella has a wide array of choices – local, national and
international cuisine are yours for the taking. The only question
is: will you have enough space for all these in your stomach?
Whatever you choose, you are sure to enjoy a hearty, fully
satisfying gastronomic experience in Marbella.
Aside from the swanky hotel buildings, shopping complexes and
ultra-luxurious houses, there are quite a number of great examples
of Mudejar, Baroque and Renaissance architecture.
Marbella, or Salduba as it was formerly known, used to be a quiet
fishing village in Spain. However, it was transformed when Prince
Alfonso von Hohenloe opened the Marbella Club, which was and is an
impressive and extremely well appointed hotel. That started
Marbella’s ascent into becoming one of the playgrounds of the crème
de la crème, towards its becoming, what one writer described as the
“Costa with the Mosta”.
There are still some old buildings that were preserved over time,
especially at the Old Quarter. Marbella showcases a mix of
architectural styles, which shows the wide variety of cultures and
civilizations that once held their sway over the city. There is a
delightful combination of Renaissance, Baroque, Gothic and Moorish
styles.
The Old Quarter with its narrow streets, white washed houses and
tree-filled town squares are reminiscent of a past that still
manages to make its way into the present. Indeed, Marbella
showcases a wonderful mix of the old and the new, of history,
urbanity, simplicity and style.
Notable buildings and architectural structures are the Plaza de Los
Naranjos, the Town Hall, the fountain that is to be found in the
Plaza de Los Naranjos, the Church of Our Lady of the Incarnation,
the Alcazaba and so much more.
Marbella is a true shopper’s haven. It is home to a great
selection of designer brands and upscale stores, including top
brands such as Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Emporio Armani, Gucci and so
much more! This really is a shop-till-you-drop haven and we’re not
kidding! You can also search for good bargains at the markets of
Marbella, which sell a wide array of products – vegetables and
fruits, clothes, shoes, spices, and many more.
Shopping in Marbella seems to be a very intrinsic part of their
culture. Marbella has several large shopping centers, designer
boutiques, craft stores, gift shops and hypermarkets, both in and
around Marbella.
The heart of your shopping experience should start at Marbella’s
main thoroughfare – the Avenida Ricardo Soriano. This avenue is
lined with the best shops and the really expensive and ultra
exclusive brands. You will certainly have an excellent time
browsing – and buying! – in these shops. Just be prepared to make a
big hole in your pocketbook.
If you are looking more for crafts and gift items, the Old Town is
your next stop. It has a fine selection of craft stores, gift
stores and art galleries. Here, you can buy beautiful handcrafted
ceramics, religious items, souvenirs and so much more. You will
surely enjoy exploring the narrow streets to see if there are
delightful surprises (little boutiques) that are tucked away in the
alleyways and narrow streets.
Then, tuck those shopping bags under your arm and head straight for
Puerto Banus, which also has some very exciting things to offer
you. Now, if you have some Euros left from your last two
expeditions, go straight to the different market, which is a
hunter’s paradise. Indeed, there are great bargains in Marbella’s
markets – which exude the air and enjoyment of a local flee market.
Opening Hours:
Stores in Marbella usually open between 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Some stores close at lunchtime and siesta time (1:00 p.m. or 2:00)
and they reopen at 4:000 p.m. or 5:00 p.m. However, larger shops
are usually open even during siesta hours. Most of Marbella’s shops
and shopping centers are closed on Sundays. If they do open
(especially in Central Marbella), it will only be for a limited
number of hours in a Sunday.
Marbella’s warm and sunny atmosphere is quite contagious – and it reflects in its people. The locals are warm and friendly. They will readily welcome you with open arms. And since Marbella is a favorite haunt of the rich and famous, Marbella is a good place for celebrity watching.
Marbella is filled with museums and art galleries that will give
you a glimpse of the city’s artistic inclination and zest for life.
The museums are filled with art works (some by Picasso and Miro),
artifacts and sculptures.
Although Marbella may not be the center of the arts; it still has a
lot to offer. The range is equally diverse and diverting – ranging
from the Museo del Grabado Español Contemporáneo and the unique
Museo del Bonsai. Art lovers may also check out the art scene by
visiting the numerous art galleries, chief of which are the Galeria
Municipal de Exposiciones and the Casa Grande gallery.
At the Avenida del Mar, you will get a wonderful artistic treat –
here you can take relaxing walks while appreciating the complete
sculpture works of the renowned Salvador Dali. What’s more, it’s
free!
Marbella is also a great place to study Spanish. For what better
way can you learn a language than by speaking to native speakers
while you soak in the sun or while you are on a shopping spree?
