Places
Marbella has been a place of settlement for human beings since prehistoric times.
The sites of Rio Real and Rio Verde confirm that the Phoenicians and Carthaginians also passed through these lands.
Some historians believe that today’s Marbella may have been founded by the Romans.
Marbella has in San Pedro Alcántara a paleochristian basilica from the 4th century, considered one of the most remarkable constructions of the Visigothic period in Spain. The temple is surrounded by an ancient necropolis and numerous artefacts were found on the site, which are on display in the National Archaeological Museum.
Marbella surrendered to the troops of Ferdinand the Catholic while it was under Muslim rule on 11th June 1485, and became a town that depended directly on the kings, so they directly appointed the person who would govern the town, i.e. the corregidor of Marbella.
Marbella, from its origins, had several economic activities that brought wealth to the city, such as trade, agriculture, fishing and let us not forget the mines located in Sierra Blanca, where the exploitation of its mineral deposits led to an industrial boom in the city. In the 19th century a series of laws were passed that favoured the latter sector, which meant that the province of Malaga came second in the country in terms of industrialisation.
At the beginning of the 20th century this model was difficult to maintain, the industrial fabric was changed and mining extraction passed into foreign hands and the land was distributed in large estates.
Marbella in the middle of the 20th century, thanks to its first promoters, personalities such as José Banús, Alfonso de Hohenlohe and Ricardo Soriano, began its path towards tourist development.
Marbella has 28 kilometres of coastline, with wonderful beaches, the best known being Guadalmina, Puerto Banús, San Pedro de Alcántara, Nueva Andalucía, Rio Verde, Nagüeles, El Faro and Los Monteros.
One of the beaches that is becoming more and more known and visited by tourists looking for natural beaches, is Cabopino Beach, which borders the protected Artola Dunes. On this beach there is a nudist area. This is the beginning of Marbella’s dune protection area or Cordón Dunar Marbellí, which extends to the mouth of the Río Real. In the Artola Dunes, which has been declared a Natural Monument, the Torre de los Ladrones (Tower of Thieves) is located.
Marbella is not only sun, beach and parties, there is also a place for nature lovers and hiking enthusiasts, so you can go to Sierra Blanca to enjoy the place.
Marbella has large green areas to enjoy such as El Pinar de Nagüeles, the Vigil de Quiñones Forest Park, and the Arroyo de la Represa Park. The Parque de la Constitución, located near the Paseo Marítimo, houses an auditorium where theatrical and musical performances are staged during the summer season.
The Marbella Golf Valley is home to some of the best golf courses in Europe. The superb facilities of these golf courses, the climate of the Costa del Sol, and the standard of its events make it a destination for golf lovers, who in many cases not only purchase a property as a second home, but also make it their permanent residence.
The best golf courses are: Santa Clara Golf Marbella, Aloha Golf Marbella, Atalaya Golf Marbella, Marbella Golf Country club, Golf Marbella Club Villa Padierna, Los Naranjos Golf Club, Marbella Club Golf Resort, La Quinta Golf&Country, Cabopino Golf Marbella, among others.
Marbella has four maritime marinas for lovers of maritime sports: Puerto Deportivo Marbella, Puerto Deportivo La Bajadilla, Puerto Cabopino, being Puerto Banús the best known and most representative at international level, for its impressive yachts, its nautical and commercial offer, with exclusive boutiques, international restaurants, and with a spectacular nightlife with lively bars and nightclubs.
Thanks to the good climate and its location it is also possible to practice almost all year round other sports such as tennis, paddle tennis, horse riding, diving, etc.
Marbella has a great casino, and the best beach clubs on the coast, where you can enjoy music and food by the sea in a paradisiacal place.
One of the most powerful festivals in Spain is Starlite, which includes concerts, film premieres, fashion shows and a charity gala.
Marbella is glamour, leisure and of course culture, as it is one of the most famous and exclusive cities in the Mediterranean and the pride of the Costa del Sol. It also has a wide range of health and beauty centres, if you want to relax.
If you travel to the Costa del Sol, a visit to Marbella is a must. You can shop in luxurious boutiques, dine in unforgettable restaurants, practice any sport, have fun in its beach clubs, etc.
Marbella is divided into three main areas:
– Marbella, San Pedro Alcántara and Nueva Andalucía-Puerto Banús, with a large offer of luxury hotels along its entire coastline.
Marbella is known as The Golden Mile, the area located from the west of Marbella-centre to Puerto Banús. This area is one of the most exclusive and sought after property areas in Europe.
The Golden Mile was the site chosen by Prince Alfonso de Hohenlohe to build the luxurious and well-known Marbella Club Hotel. The hotel opened its doors in the mid 1950’s and began to attract international businessmen, famous actors, European aristocrats, making Marbella one of the most sought after destinations in the world.
Today it has some of the finest villas, flats and penthouses to be found in southern Spain.
It is a welcoming city, both for nationals and foreigners, being multicultural, which makes you feel at home.
PLACES WE RECOMMEND VISITING:
– In the heart of the old town we find the Plaza de los Naranjos, which dates back to the end of the 15th century, and where we can see the Town Hall, the old Casa del Corregidor, and the Ermita de Santiago. In the historic centre we can still see the remains of the wall that surrounded the city in the Muslim period and the Arab castle.
–The Chapel of San Juan de Dios and the Chapel of Santo Cristo de la Vera Cruz, both from the 16th century, as well as the Church of La Encarnación from the 17th-18th century.
– The Museum of Contemporary Spanish Engraving, with works by Picasso, Miró, Tapies and Chillida, among others.
–The Cortijo Miraflores Cultural Centre. This mansion was built in 1704. Nowadays we can highlight in it, the Archaeological exhibition, the Oil Museum, part of the Municipal Archive, mainly the historical collection, as well as several rooms for conferences and Exhibitions. The remains of a cave hermitage whose origin dates back to between the 8th and 10th centuries and the remains of ovens were discovered just behind this building.
–The Ralli Museum, dedicated to the diffusion of Latin American and European contemporary art.
–The Avenida del Mar where you can admire a collection of sculptures cast in bronze by Bonvicini and designed by Salvador Dalí.
–The Archaeological Sites, such as the Paleo-Christian Basilica of Vega del Mar, in San Pedro de Alcántara, the remains of the Roman Villa of Río Verde, in Nueva Andalucía, the Roman Baths of Las Bóvedas in Guadalmina or the six Almenara Towers located along the coastline of Marbella.
–Aventura Amazonia Marbella. The largest adventure park in Andalusia, and one of the leading theme parks on the Costa del Sol. It has 6 adventure circuits and includes the largest zip line between trees in Andalusia with a length of 240 metres.
– Puerto Banús. Puerto José Banús, better known as Puerto Banús, is a luxury marina, one of the most important in the world. If you visit Marbella and you like nautical sports, you cannot miss it. Many of those who visit stay in the area.
