What interesting places are worth visiting in Marbella? Mountain in Marbella.

This city is considered an elite resort throughout Spain, where many Europeans and slightly fewer of our compatriots come. Marbella is a harmonious combination of new technologies with age-old traditions. It should be taken into account that some 70 years ago Marbella was just a small village where less than a thousand people lived. Today, at least 130 thousand people live here. And there are a bunch of tourists who “discovered” Marbella in the middle of the last century. The place is very romantic, and even its name, which is a combination of two words, means “a lot of water” and “mountain”. It is true, yes.

A few words about what attractions you can visit in the beautiful and luxurious city of Marbella.

Marine Avenue (Avenida del Mar)

On this street in the very center of the city, behind La Alameda park, there is a collection of ten sculptures by Salvador Dali. This, of course, is what the city is famous for, and many come to the city almost to take a walk along this avenue. In addition, the wide, marble-lined pedestrian street attracts with fountains and benches. The car can be left in the central underground garage. The alley ends with a road along the sea, and behind it there is a beach.

Puerto Banus Port

This port city is located 8 kilometers from Marbella. This is a great walking place. Fashionable yachts are moored in the port, which you can sigh at. Well, maybe even go for a ride, if funds allow. The place is beautiful, very clean, the water is clear, the nature is beautiful, oh! The port is relatively young, built in 1970. In general, Puerto Banus is a very expensive holiday destination for wealthy Europeans. For example, the Shaf London yacht, which belongs to the King of Saudi Arabia, is moored somewhere here. Not weak! The embankment connecting the port with the city is nicknamed the “Golden Mile” for its luxury mansions and villas.

Old town of Marbella

Elite Marbella's old town is a great place to stroll. The old town has small and very cozy streets, small cafes and elegant boutiques. A very special place!

Orange Square (La Plaza de los Naranjos)

This square is located in the center of the Old Quarter, next to the main street. Construction of the square began back in the 15th century! The city hall building stands on the square, and the square itself is surrounded by old alleys with snow-white buildings and residential buildings. Well, the square is called that because it is buried in the shade of orange trees. The place is very picturesque. In addition to the city hall, there are other beautiful buildings, art galleries, shops, and cafes. And also, the fortress walls built during the Arab rule of the city. Orange trees make this square special, and it is especially pleasant to watch how the seasons change the appearance of the square - sometimes the trees are covered with snow-white flowers, sometimes the branches bend under the weight of the fruits. Romance!

Monastery and Chapel of Santiago (Ermita de Santiago)

The small Catholic church, built in the 15th century, is a fairly well-known landmark of the city. It is located on the Square of Oranges, which I wrote about above, and is the oldest Christian church in Marbella. The chapel, with its rectangular nave, tiled roof, and richly decorated Moorish-style interior, is definitely worth a visit.

Address: Plaza los Naranjos, 9

Parque de la Alameda

The park near the embankment is popular with both citizens and tourists. It’s very cool to take a walk here, admire the tropical plants, and sit by the fountain in the traditional Andalusian style. Cultural events and live music concerts are also often held here.

Bonsai Museum (Museo del Bonsai)

This museum is located in the beautiful Arroyo de la Represa park. Actually, here you can admire the Bonsai collection (trees in miniature, Chinese art), as the name already implies.

Address: Avenida Doctor Maiz Viñals

Museum of Contemporary Spanish Engravings (Museo del Grabado Español Contemporáneo)

The museum opened its doors to guests in 1992. It is located in the former 16th century Bazan hospital. In this museum you can admire the works of such masters as Picasso, Joan Miró, Antoni Tapies, Eduardo Chillida and many others.

Church of Our Lady of the Incarnation (Iglesia de la Encarnación)

The Iglesia de la Encarnacion was built around the 17th century. This building is very important to local residents. Inside the small baroque temple you can admire statues of patron saints (eg Saint Bernabe). Also inside is one of the largest musical organs in the area, which is called Sol Major - Big Sun. The church is open from 8.30 to 20.00 from Tuesday to Saturday, on Sunday the same, but with breaks during the day, on Monday - a day off. This church is located on Plaza de la Iglesia.

Square of Saint Christ (Plaza de Santo Cristo)

The square can be found in the historical part of Marbella, in the Bario Alto area. In the center of the square there is a beautiful fountain with a statue of the Virgin Mary facing the chapel. The main attraction of the square is the chapel of Santo Cristo de la Vera Cruz, and the flamenco school, which is considered to be the best. In Marbella. As for the chapel, it is worth noting that it was built already in the 15th century, although it was actually reconstructed and completed in the 18th century. The chapel with its tiled roof and white walls can be seen from afar. More precisely, you can first see its square bell tower, covered with colored ceramic glaze.

Ruins of the Church of Saint Pedro of Alcántara (Basilica San Pedro de Alcántara or Basílica Paleocristiana)

This is a very important archaeological monument, which dates back to the 6th century AD. This is one of the ancient examples of Christian churches of the Iberian Peninsula. The existence of the basilica was discovered only at the beginning of the 20th century. Today you can go and admire the ruins of the church (15 minutes drive from the center of Marbella to the west along the coast). Many exhibits from the found church are in the National Archaeological Museum of the country.

Address Urb. Linda Vista Playa, C/ Eucaliptos, San Pedro Alcántara

Marbella (Spain) is the most popular resort in the Mediterranean, located in the province of Malaga. This ancient Iberian settlement managed to be not only a Roman port, but also an Arab fortress. With the development of the tourism industry, the small fishing town has turned into one of the world's luxury resorts. According to the 2010 census, Marbella has a population of 136,322, but in June-August (the high beach season) this figure increases to 700,000.

Geography and climate information

The municipality of Marbella (Spain) is the second largest settlement in the province of Malaga. Its area is 143.3 square kilometers. The length of the coastline is twenty-six kilometers.

Marbella is protected from the influence of continental air currents by the Sierra Blanca mountains (part of the Cordillera-Betica system). This results in a mild climate, ideal for a wonderful holiday. The average annual temperature is eighteen degrees Celsius, and there are at least 320 sunny days throughout the year.

The resort of Marbella (Spain) has the following borders: in the north - the municipalities of Ojen and Istán, in the northwest - Benahavis, in the east - Mijas, in the west - Estepona. Several rivers flow through the city - Rio Guadalamina, Rio Real and Rio Verde. Thanks to the reservoir on the latter, Marbella is provided with fresh water.

The ecosystem of the mountain slopes that surround the city is represented by coniferous Mediterranean forests, where you can also see ferns, eucalyptus, cherry and chestnut trees. As for the fauna of the nearby forests, it is distinguished by species diversity - foxes, deer, and rabbits live there. Badgers, martens and squirrels can also be seen. The mountains are inhabited by a large number of birds - falcons, vultures, golden eagles, hawks.

History of the city's formation

Marbella (Spain) is a place with a mild climate, a convenient coastline, coniferous forests with a lot of wildlife, and extensive caves. It is not surprising that these territories have long attracted people. The remains of prehistoric man were found in caves located in the areas of Las Chapas Nagueles. Archaeologists have found evidence of the fact that Marbella was developed back in the Paleolithic era. Among them are stone tools and rock paintings, made using red paint and amazingly retaining their brightness to this day.

Before the Phoenicians came to these lands in the eighth century BC, local Iberian tribes, living mainly along the Rio Verde and Rio Real rivers, were under the rule of the kingdom of Tortessos.

The Phoenicians built metallurgical plants and created iron mines in the occupied territories. All this is confirmed by the characteristic transformations of the landscape. In addition, the Phoenicians made purple from sea shellfish.

As historians suggest, in the ninth century BC (the period of Carthage), Marbella was a trading post and was called Cerro Torron.

It has been officially proven that on the site of the Old Town (the historical quarter of Marbella) there was a Roman settlement of Salduba.

From the time of the Visigothic state (period of existence - 418-718), the foundation of the early Christian basilica of Vega de Mar and the necropolis have survived.

Middle Ages

During the period of Muslim rule, all of Andalusia was part of the Cordoba Caliphate. Thanks to the Arabs, the city walls of Marbella were seriously fortified and the Alcazaba fortress was erected. The local population grew mulberries and figs, produced silk and developed agriculture.

When the power of the leaders of the Cordoba Caliphate began to weaken, small separate kingdoms - taifa - were formed in the state of Al Andalus. Marbella was one of them for some time, but soon came under the influence of the Taifa Algeciras.

Christian period

On January 29, 1485, Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon - Catholic kings - sent troops from Seville to the Emirate of Granada - the last stronghold of Spanish Muslims. Before the assault, it was also planned to take Malaga, which played the role of the main sea gate of Granada. Before this intermediate goal stood two well-fortified fortresses - Marbella and Ronda. During the siege of the latter, Ferdinand II sent a message to the defenders of Marbella demanding surrender. When the Arabs learned that the Christians had occupied Arcos de la Frontera and were successfully besieging Ronda, they put forward their own terms of surrender, asking for a month to think. The king gave them half the time.

Marbella surrendered without bloodshed. This happened on June 11, 1485 - the day when the memory of Saint Bernabe is honored. Since then he has been the city's patron. For many hundreds of years, local residents have been celebrating the holiday of the liberation of their lands on a special scale.

After the departure of the conquerors, Marbella (Spain) began to noticeably transform. Thus, new buildings were actively erected, the main square of the city, the Orange Square, appeared, the sea fort of San Luis and the Church of Saint Christ were built.

Recent history

At the beginning of the nineteenth century, deposits were discovered in Marbella. Thus, the era of industrialization began. In addition, the agricultural sector developed at an active pace.

The end of the nineteenth century was a difficult period for the region's economy. Due to the high cost of charcoal, the price of local steel was higher than that of competitors used in the production process. In addition, viticulture - the main area of ​​​​agriculture - was affected by the grape plague.

Against the general background of poverty, a group of oligarchs began to stand out sharply; the middle class did not exist as such.

New direction

As part of the total economic crisis, local authorities decided to focus on holidays in Marbella (Spain). The tourism infrastructure began to actively develop. The first hotel (Comercial) opened its doors to vacationers in 1919. Proclamation of the Second Spanish Republic and the Civil War 1936-1939. shook the whole country. Little Marbella also could not stay away from the most important historical events, so the process of hotel construction was suspended for some time. The city entered a new stage of tourism development in the 1950s.

Marbella (Spain). Attractions

Of particular interest are the ruins of the Alcazaba fortress, built during the reign of the Arabs. This unique architectural monument is more than nine thousand years old.

Around the central square there are interesting Renaissance buildings - the Casa Corregidor, the Town Hall and the Chapel of St. Santiago.

The religious center of the city is the square in front of the Church of St. Mary of the Incarnation, built on the site of an Arab mosque.

Eixample

This historic area is located between the Old Town and the waterfront. On its territory there is a botanical garden of amazing beauty. On the seaside boulevard you can see a collection of ten sculptures by Salvador Dali.

What else is remarkable about Marbella (Spain)? Reviews from travelers about visiting the ancient city lighthouse are always admiring. This ancient structure is located opposite the seaport, west of Avenida del Mar. There are countless restaurants on the marble embankment. Today, an entertainment complex operates on the territory of the port. In addition, the Eixample has a summer city theatre, a park and a recreation area.

Golden Mile

The most luxurious residences were built in this area - the Fahd Palace, the Puente Romano and Marbella Club hotels. The specified area is a four-kilometer avenue that separates the central part of the city from the port of Banus.

Nueva Andalusia

The area was developed during the tourism boom of the 1960s on a site that was once a steel mill. Currently there is an agricultural colony and the Angel Botanical Garden.

San Pedro Alcantara

Previously, this area was agricultural. On its territory there were plantations, vegetable fields, and citrus orchards. The oldest building is the sugar factory building. Not far from the San Pedro embankment are some of the most important archaeological sites of the city - an early Christian Visigothic basilica and Roman baths.

Las Chapas

Currently, archaeological excavations are being carried out in this area of ​​the oldest Phoenician settlement, located on a cape at the mouth of the river. Rio Real. Unique lamps and ceramic dishes decorated with inscriptions in ancient Greek have already been discovered.

Holidays

According to tourists who have visited Marbella, the locals love to have fun. For example, the main city holiday - St. Bernabe's Day - is celebrated for a whole week. Ceremonial events are held both during the day and late in the evening. All residents dress up in national costumes.

Between July and October, the districts of Marbella celebrate their holidays. The most famous of them are Santa Marta, Leganitos, Salto del Agua, Trapiche Miraflores and Divina Pastora.

Transport connection

Most people travel around the city by bus. Three major roads pass through the Costa del Sol. Is there any in the city of Marbella No. The nearest “air gate” is 38 kilometers away (in Malaga).

There are four ports - Puerto Cabopino, Puerta Marbella, Puerto Banus and Puerto Bajadilla. The dimensions of the latter allow it to accommodate large cruise ships.

Conclusion

Today, Marbella on the map of Spain is no longer a small fishing village, but a famous resort of world importance. Hundreds of thousands of vacationers come to this wonderful region every year. Hospitable Spain will delight any tourist with the warm sea and gentle sun. Marbella, photos of which are presented in the article, is the leader in attendance in Andalusia.

Luxurious fashionable resort. It is often called the Spanish Riviera, the “second Monaco”. Here, on the cozy sunny coast of the Costa del Sol, prestigious hotels and luxury villas have been built; The most expensive yachts are in the port. The name Marbella means "beautiful sea".

Marbella – city and municipality (photo: Ispanez 10)

Marbella is located in the south of the country, in Andalusia. Marbella stretches in a long strip from Gibraltar. It is protected from continental winds by the ridges of the Sierra Blanca mountains. It is adjacent to Istán and Ojen on the north side, the municipality of Benahavis on the north-west, Estepona adjacent to Marbella on the west, and the resort of Mijas on the east.

Walls of the Arab fortress Murallas del Castillo (photo: Francisco Sanchez Cervan)

In ancient times, the Iberians lived on the site of modern Marbella, the Phoenicians mined iron ore here, the Romans built villas and baths, and cultivated vineyards. From the time of the Visigoths, the foundations of the early Christian temple of Vega de Mar remained. Under the Muslims, Marbella was part of the Cordoba Caliphate. Catholic kings liberated the city in 1485. In the 19th century, iron ore mining resumed in the surrounding area, but at the end of the century the city was gripped by an economic crisis. The means to escape poverty was the development of tourism infrastructure. After World War II, the small town turned into the most luxurious resort in Spain.

Beaches of Marbella

Beautiful sandy beaches stretch along Marbella and its immediate surroundings. The best of the 24 local beaches are considered to be the suburban Playa de San Pedro Alcántara and the Playa de la Carihuela beach around .

The busiest areas of the beach coast are located near the port of Banus. The most popular is Puerto Banus beach. In the new part of Marbella, next to the port, there is a cozy Venus (Playa de Venus) with dark sand. Artola Beach (Playa de Artola) is 10 km away from the city, it is located next to the Dunas de Artola ecological reserve. Guadalmina Beach (Playa de Guadalmina) is located 4 km west of the port of Banus. The crowded Playa Del Faro extends around the Faro lighthouse and sports port. The infrastructure of Marbella beaches is equipped at a high level.

Attractions

Naranjos Square

Arollo de la Represa Park

Bonsai Museum

Avenida del Mar

Venus Beach

Del Faro Beach

Fontana Beach

Golden Mile

Puerto Banus Beach

City of Puerto Banus

San Pedro Alcantara beach

Early Christian Basilica of Vega del Mar

Guadalmina Beach

Bahadilla Beach

El Cable Beach

Artola Beach

The old town is centered around Naranjos Square - Orange Square. It consists of two historical districts: Barrio Alto in the northern part and Barrio Nuevo in the eastern part. The white houses on the cozy streets have been beautifully restored. In the heart of the Old Town, the ruins of the Arab fortress Murallas del Castillo (Las) are preserved - a monument of Muslim culture of the 15th century. The Moors' fortress was built on Roman ruins.

Naranjos Square

Orange Square (photo: Peter Cook)

The picturesque Plaza de los Naranjos is planted with citrus trees. The architectural ensemble of Naranjos Square was formed in the 15th century. Here are the buildings of the Ermita de Santiago Chapel and the Municipality, the Corregidor House, and a 16th-century fountain.

The City Council building (Ayuntamiento de Marbella) houses the Municipal Museum (Colección Municipal de Arqueología de Marbella) with a rich exhibition of finds from the Paleolithic, Neolithic, Chalcolithic, and Bronze Age eras. This house has retained much of its late medieval appearance.

Arollo de la Represa Park

Arroyo de la Represa - a beautiful park, botanical garden, open-air flora museum, descending to the magnificent city promenade. There is an exhibition of bonsai trees (Museo del Bonsai) with a unique private collection of mini-trees belonging to Miguel Angel Garcia.

Museum of Contemporary Spanish Prints (photo: Marbéllate)

In the Gothic building of the Bazán Hospital (16th century), the Grabado Español Contemporáneo (Modern Spanish Engraving) Museum has been opened since 1992 - unique, the largest in the country. Works by Picasso, Antonio Lopez, Miro, Chillida, Dali, Tapies are exhibited here.

Avenida del Mar

An outstanding collection of Dali's sculptural works is presented on Avenida del Mar. These are originals, and they are displayed on a city street without barriers. The collection of sculptures by Salvador Dali was purchased with municipal funds. The walking area is paved with white marble.

Church of Saint Mary of Encarnacion (photo: Arnstein Rønning)

The current Catholic Church of St. Mary Encarnación (Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación) was built in the 15th century. From the outside, the temple looks modest; it is decorated only with a relief main portal and a gate mosaic. The interior decoration amazes with the abundance of gilding and luxurious carvings. The church organ, with its own name Sol Major, is considered the largest on the coast.

Alameda Park (photo: Harvey Barrison)

Alameda Park (Parque de la Alameda) overlooks the seaside streets and promenade of Marbella. Sculptors, artists, carving and embossing masters sell their works here. Exotic shrubs and trees grow in the park; it hosts live concerts and cultural events.

Square of Saint Christ (photo: Maria Victoria Rodriguez)

Square of the Holy Christ (Plaza del Santo Cristo) in the historical district of Bario Alto is famous for the picturesque Chapel of the Holy Cross of Vera Cruz (Ermita del Santo Cristo de Marbella) with a bright ceramic dome on the bell tower. Here is the most famous flamenco school in Andalusia (Flamenco Ana María).

Events, holidays, events

Saint Barnabe's Day - Patron Saint of Marbella (photo: Stacy Bamon)

In May, a mass pilgrimage takes place in Marbella to a holy place in the mountains - Cruz de Juanar. At the beginning of June, the city celebrates the day of its patron saint, Saint Barnabe. The fun lasts a week: street concerts thunder, shopping areas are decorated with flags, beer, wine and traditional tapas are sold all around. Semana Santa (Holy Week) is marked by solemn processions of religious brotherhoods. In October, the city noisily celebrates the Feria San Pedro Alcantara.

Marbella's summer festival "Starlight" is one of Europe's largest music and entertainment events, with concerts in a huge outdoor area and discos, taking place in July. It lasts for a whole month.

Neighborhood

Basilica of San Pedro from Alcantara

Ruins of the early Christian basilica of Vega del Mar (photo: kakov) Tony Smith

The ruins of the early Christian Basilica of San Pedro from Alcantara (Basílica paleocristiana de Vega del Mar) are an archaeological site of the 6th century. The monument is located a quarter of an hour's drive from the center of Marbella.

Golden Mile

Paths between Puerto Banus and Marbella (photo: Ole Byskov)

The four-kilometer stretch of promenade between the Gran Meliá Don Pepe hotel and the port of Puerto Jose Banus is called the “Golden Mile” (Milla de Oro). The best hotels and exclusive villas in Marbella are built on these slopes.

Rally Museum (photo: Museo Ralli)

On Marbella's Golden Mile there is a unique Rally Museum (Museo Ralli) with collections of Latin American art. Here are works by Chagall, Dali, Miro and Moore, Andre Masson, Max Ernst.

Port city of Puerto Banus (photo: Marc)

Puerto Banus (Puerto Jose Banus) is a small port city, a mooring place for the world's most luxurious yachts, and an area of ​​exclusive sports entertainment. Not far from the pier you can see the majestic Moorish tower La Torre - it now houses a restaurant.

How to get to Marbella?

Plan your route by public transport from any city:

How to get from Malaga airport to Marbella without transfers?

The most convenient and inexpensive way is to take the Shuttle Bus directly from Malaga Airport to your hotel in Marbella for just €15 per person. You can buy a ticket.

If you are 3-4 people, you can order a private transfer from Malaga airport to your hotel in Marbella. Transfer prices start from €60 – this is a little more expensive than a shuttle bus, but it is comfortable and convenient. You will be met with a sign at the airport even at night and taken to the hotel door. A child seat is provided free of charge. Check transfer prices.

How can I save up to 20% on hotels?

It’s very simple - look not only on booking. I prefer the search engine RoomGuru. He searches for discounts simultaneously on Booking and on 70 other booking sites.

Marbella is mistakenly considered a terrible and very expensive city in Spain. In fact, it is a great place to vacation and even live and work. It has a large Spanish population, stunning old town, beautiful culture, fantastic food and wonderful weather all year round. There are plenty of things to do in this city. And it doesn’t matter who you came with, family, friends, a couple or alone.

Here are ten things that will help you enjoy your vacation to the fullest.

A day at the beach. No matter what time of year you visit Marbella, a trip to the beach will leave a lot of impressions. The Costa del Sol boasts kilometers of sandy beaches, the best beach can be found 10 kilometers from Marbella. All these beaches are famous for their famous drinks and typical Mediterranean cuisine right on the sand. The beaches and sea along the entire coast are clean and safe for swimming.

Paseo Marítima. This sea alley stretches for 6 kilometers along the coast. Not a single holiday is complete without her participation. The picturesque promenade is especially suitable for leisurely walks and communication with the local population, when on Sunday all the Spaniards enjoy the traditional promenade. This is where you will be able to enjoy an unforgettable sunset.

Old city. The historic and picturesque old town is a gem for tourists. It includes the city's main street, Avenida Ricardo Soriano, and the beautiful La Alameda park. The old town almost feels like a Marbella village in its own right, with its ancient architecture, labyrinth of cobbled streets, art galleries, bars and eateries. In the center there is an orange square full of orange trees and tropical plants.

La Alameda Park. Due to the fact that the old town is located in the south, you will find a beautiful park with many tropical plants. It is popular among tourists and locals as a quiet and secluded place to take a break and relax. It is home to a large central fountain decorated with traditional Andalusian tiles.

Avenida del Mar. Lovers of surreal art can find an impressive collection of original sculptures by Salvador Dali displayed outdoors in the heart of Marbella.

Parc de la Constitution. This is a true oasis of calm. This wonderful place to visit is known for its beautiful trees, colorful flowers and children's park. Its features include an astronomical observatory, cafeterias and an open-air amphitheater where opera, theater productions and concerts are performed.

Shopping. This city is ideal for shopaholics. The streets are lined with shops and dotted with boutiques selling unusual gifts, toys, clothing, shoes and accessories.

Marbella culture. The city has everything you need to enjoy its cultural life. During the summer months there is a packed program of concerts, dance, jazz and theater performances. The theater offers plays in Spanish and English. It is also worth visiting the Bonsai Tree Museum, which houses one of the most important collections in Europe. For an even more busy schedule, head to the city of Malaga and visit the Picasso Museum.

Family Fun. On the city's beaches there is a lot of entertainment for the whole family, such as karting, trampolines, video games, electric bicycles and cars, attractions, swimming pools, as well as restaurants with a children's menu and bars with live music. There is also a bowling alley, a children's theater and, of course, beaches. For older people, there are activities such as a water park, scuba diving, jeep safaris, mountain trekking on horseback and visiting the gorges of the region.

One of the many pleasures of visiting this city is the local food. Treat yourself to one of the many restaurants that offer both unique and familiar dishes. And all this at relatively low prices.