Marbella Guide
Marbella is world famous for its glitz and glamour, and of course its prime real estate. This seaside city has everything you could possibly need, whether you plan on becoming a permanent resident or you simply want to enjoy a holiday.
Marbella is perfectly situated in the foothills of the Sierra Blanca, on the Costa del Sol in Malaga province. The south of Spain is known for many things, but Marbella tends to stand out amongst the crowd. The city is a favourite because it blends several elements that make the Costa del Sol so appealing to tourists. This includes the Mediterranean Sea, and mile upon miles of sandy blue flag beaches.
Marbella old town is a favourite and a rather unique treat due to its historical ambiance. Imagine for a moment walking the busy streets of Marbella seaside, then turning a corner to be greeted by cobblestone narrow streets, almost hurtling you through time, back to the past. This is only the beginning of what Marbella offers you.
Marbella – Playground for the Rich and Famous
Since the 70s, Marbella has been on the radar as a playground for Europeans upper class. Whether socialites, famous actors, high profile politicians or even a few tech giants, Marbella has attracted them all. Some famous faces even own property in Marbella, like Simon Cowel and Antonio Banderas. But underneath that entire swagger, Marbella has something for everyone.
Besides the cosmopolitan atmosphere and major charisma, you are greeted with diverse beaches and seaside restaurants, a mild climate all year round, and leisure activities for the entire family to enjoy. Marbella and the whole of the Costa del Sol play host to a multitude of famous golf courses, Michelin star restaurants and a world class nightlife.
Marbella’s Motto – “It’s a way of life”
Starting in June, the summer season kicks into full gear, and many flocks to Marbella’s amazing coastline. This is the time of year for festivals or “ferias” as they are referred to in Spain. Marbella as you can well imagine plays host to some of the best ferias the coast has to offer. Events include the Marbella Luxury Weekend, the annual feria that includes a week full of traditional flamenco and plenty of food and drink. The summer solstice is another huge event, where tourists and residents flock to the beach, build huge bonfires, and celebrate the start of the summer season.
If you want art and culture, then Marbella aims to please! It might not be a big city but it does have its fair share of cultural attractions. You can visit the Bonsai Museum which houses a wonderful collection of Bonsai trees from all over the world. Art lovers will enjoy the Ralli Museum, a contemporary art museum featuring works from Latin American artists. There is also the Polígono Gallery, a wonderful space created to emulate the art district in Beijing. The Museo del Grabado Español Contemporáneo houses exhibitions of engraving and art works from national artists.
For more historical places to visit, you can hit the back streets of Marbella and check out the famous Plaza de Naranja ‘Orange Square’. Take a seat in one of the many cafes and sip on some traditional sangria, while taking in the beautiful surroundings of old buildings and charming boutiques. Even more interesting is that some experts believe the first settlement in the Marbella area dates back to the Phoenician occupation in the 7th century, although there is no conclusive evidence of this. The Casco Antiguo (Old Town) dates back to the Roman occupation and was originally called Salduba (Salt City).
Or take a walk towards the beach, just past Marbella’s park to the promenade, one of the favourite places for locals and visitors. The boulevard just in front of the promenade features restaurants of all gastronomies.
Shopping in Marbella & Puerto Banus
Finally, you can’t leave until you’ve done some shopping in Marbella or its sister city Puerto Banus. Between Marbella town and Puerto Banus, you have an impressive mix of independent boutiques, luxury brands and international Spanish high street brands, such as Zara and Mango.
Puerto Banus is another local famous for its high-profile celebrities and party atmosphere. Not to mention the luxury yachts you will see parked in the port! Banus is crammed with designer boutiques, if you’ve got a few hundred euros to spend on a bottle of perfume.
Plan a Trip to Marbella
If you want to know whether Marbella is the best spot for a property investment, then start planning your trip today. There are endless possibilities and price ranges to fit a variety of budgets. You can purchase a second holiday home or invest in a rental property and make high yield returns from the record-breaking tourism.
Regardless, whether you enjoy fine dining, dancing, shopping or just fun with the whole family, Marbella offers the best place to make your escape. Marbella has an exceptionally mild micro climate, protected by the impressive Sierra Blanca mountain range, the winters are mild and the summer months reach 32-35 degrees.
