A sun-drenched, glamorous spot on Spain’s famous Costa del Sol, the city of Marbella is synonymous with sleek resort hotels, celebrity-filled restaurants, chic bars and clubs and the flashiest marina on the coast. But there’s more to this place than just glitz and glamour. The magnificent Sierra Blanca Mountains provide a backdrop to over 27 kilometres of golden beaches, and there are multiple golf courses, water parks and adventure playgrounds all within easy reach.
While Marbella is well known for its so-called ‘Golden Mile’ – a five-kilometre stretch of luxury villas and apartments, Michelin-starred restaurants, legendary hotels and a vibrant nightlife scene – there is another side to the city. The attractive casco antiguo (or ‘Old Town’) is full of romance with a maze of labyrinthine alleyways, flower-draped balconies and whitewashed buildings from the Renaissance era. At its centre lies the pretty Plaza de los Naranjos – a quaint square filled with orange trees, terraced restaurants serving up traditional fare and the 15th-century Ermita de Santiago church. Other sites here include the Avenida del Mar – a plaza dotted with statues by Salvador Dalí.
There’s something for everyone in Marbella, whether you’re wanting to wine and dine in flashy restaurants or kick back and relax on the beach. Developed around a coastal village to the west of the city, Puerto Banús is a marina that contains high-end shopping malls, restaurants and bars – it’s well worth a visit to enjoy the sunset while sipping on an icy-cool cocktail.