Marbella Tourist Guide & Marbella Resort Information. Costa del Sol, Spain

Marbella Tourist information & resort guide

Top Great Things to Do In Marbella

Description of Marbella

Marbella as from the 1960's enjoyed more elegant visitors, gaining a reputation as the smartest resort on the Costa del Sol. This has been promoted by the local authorities and there are more top quality cars per head of population than anywhere in Europe, In the long run this means that the resort is more expensive to either live in or visit than other resorts on the Costa del Sol, and is a jet set resort.

Marbella boasts a Millionaires mile where the rich & famous have there holiday homes.

Marbella's stretch of coast is called the Golden Mile

Fabulous beaches, magnificent church, beautiful seafront and a vast array of restaurants, cafes, bar , pubs, nightclubs and alway popular Spanish tapas bars Marbella has it all.

Marbella beach

Marbella seafront restaurant

Tapas Bar Marbella

Location of Marbella

• Located on the Costa del Sol in Andalusia, roughly half way between Malaga 56km to the east & Gibraltar to the south west

Transfer time Airport Marbella

Approximate package holiday coach transfer time 1 hour 30 minutes

Attractions in Marbella

Arab Castle of Marbella (Murales Del Castillo)

The castle was built from the stone of the older Roman town of  in the same location, and noticeable Roman architecture such as pieces of pillars can be seen in the walls.

Originally the castle was built in the 10^th century by the an Arab Caliph as a 90 x 160 metre rectangle.

In the 14^th century the castle was enlarged and the surrounding walled town covered an area of 90,000 square metres.

The Moors changed the towns name from Salduba (Salt City) to Marbil La and after it's fall to the Spanish Christian army in 1845 the name changed to Marbella

The walls & castle are the only remains of the Muslim town.

See Arab Castle location on our Marbella Map

Top Great Things to Do In Marbella

Click 'Find Things to Do' below to view Top Attractions & Things to Do & to Book.

Basilica Vega del Mar

• Built in the 4^th century by Visigoth's is a Paleochristian church
• Bus route 45
• Address: Urbanizacion Linda Vista Baja, San Pedro de Alcantara, Marbella, 29600

Bonsai Tree Museum (Museo del Bonsai)

The Museo del Bonsai contains a large & beautiful collection of fabulously groomed miniature trees some of which are quite large bonsai trees. There are also rock plantings and a landscaped oriental feel.

Some of the trees are naturally dwarfed by the conditions in the Spanish mountains.

Open daily 10:00 to 13:00 and 16:00 to 19:00.

Located in the vast Parque Arroyo de la Represa,

See Bonsai Tree Museum location on our Marbella Map

Bovedas Watch Tower (Torre de Bovedas)

• A round watchtower Located  on the coast half way between Marbella & Estapona in San Pedro de Alcantara, Marbella, 29678

See Bovedas Watch Tower location on our Marbella Map

Del Duque Watch Tower (Torre del Duque)

• A square watchtower Located  on the coast 40 metres from Plaza Beach and 150 metres east of Puerto Banus marina
• The tower was originally built around the 10^th century by the Moors and later rebuilt in the 16^th century by the Christians for coastal defence mainly against Barbary pirates.

See Del Duque Watch Tower location on our Marbella Map

Fort of San Luis (Fuerte de San Luis de Marbella)

The fortress was built in 1554 by Charles V.

Within the fort are:

• Church of the Holy Christ of the True Cross (Iglesia del Santo Cristo de la Vera Cruz)
• Calvary Chapel (Ermita del Calvario)

Marbella Bull Ring in (Plaza de Toros de Marbella)

• Probably the best bullring on the Costa del Sol with bull fights every Sunday evening. It is also used for other events such as concerts, theatrical shows and anything that requires a large audience.
• The Plaza de Toros de Marbella has a capacity for 9500 people and opened in 1964.
• The bullring is open from 10 am to 2 pm for sightseeing.

Address Plaza de Toros de Marbella, C/ Salduba, s/n, Marbella (29603) Malaga

Located at Av. de la Reina Victoria with the junction of Calle Felipe II on google maps

See Bull Ring location on our Marbella Map

Roman Baths

• Roman baths remains
• Bus route 45

Parque Auditorio de la Constitucion

• A beautiful park a few minutes walk from the sea front
• Address:Avenida de La Fontanilla, s/n, Marbella, 29600

See Auditorio de la Constitucion location on our Marbella Map

Old Roman Bridge

The bridge was located on the Via Augusta a Roman main road that conected Cadiz to Rome

Orange Square (Plaza de los Naranjo)

Restaurants in Orange Square

The Plaza de los Naranjo, Orange Square in English is the main square in the centre of Marbelas Old Town.  It is crambed full of restaurants & bar cafes and although overpriced is extremly popular with an enjoyable atmosphere amongs the square's trees.

One of the best times of the year is late on when the orange trees are in full blossom & leven ater on when full as the oranges.

Most of the buildings in Orange Square were built in the 15 & 16^th century.

Attractions within Orange Square:

• The Seville Orange Trees, the bitter orange that is used for Marmalade.
• Casa del Corregidor built in 1552, now a restaurant using the same name.. Look at the upper 2 floors, especially the stonework behind the larger balcony & the 4 arched windows on the top floor.
• The  Town Hall
• Marbella Official Tourist Information Office. Look above the door to see the Sundial on the wall.
• Centrally in the quare is the bronze bust of King Carlos I.
• Magistrates Court
• Chapel of Santiago
• 16^th century Fountain
• Very popular place to be on New Year's Eve

See location of Orange Square on our Marbela Map

The Town Hall(Ayuntamiento)

Villa Romana de Rio Verde

• Ruins of an ancient villa built around the 12^th century
• Bus route 45
• Address: San Pedro de Alcantara, Marbella, 26678

Marbella Beaches

Marbella has some wonderful sandy beaches that are ideal for either relaxing in the sun or taking up some of the water sports on offer.

El Cable Beach (Playa El Cable) | El Faro Beach (Playa El Faro)

La Bajadilla Beach (Playa La Bajadilla)

La Fontanilla Beach (Playa de la Fontanilla) | Casablanca Beach (Playa de Casablanca) |
Nagueles Beach (Playa de Nagueles)

Nikki Beach Club | Funny Beach Watersports, Beach club, Karting, & Fun park

El Cable Beach (Playa El Cable)

Playa El Cable is a popular beach 1,300 metres long and about 100 metres wide next to the harbour wall tapering to nothing as you go eastwards.

Located immediately east of the marina, Puerto Pesquero de Marbella

See El Faro Beach location on our Marbella Map

El Faro Beach (Playa El Faro)

Playa El Faro Marbella

Located next to the Marina

• A small 300 metres c 30 metre  beach that is very popular beach with plenty of facilities
• Protected by breakwaters & the harbour wall

See El Faro Beach location on our Marbella Map

La Bajadilla Beach (Playa La Bajadilla)

• A sandy beach  700 X 40 metres

Located immediately west of the marina & next to the entrance to the marina, Puerto Pesquero de Marbella

See La Bajadilla Beach location on our Marbella Map

La Fontanilla Beach (Playa de la Fontanilla)

La Fontanilla Beach is a narrower beach, 30 metres wide X 850 metres long

• Playa de la Fontanilla is a more secluded beach of imported sand protected by breakwaters

Casablanca Beach  (Playa de Casablanca)

• A much quieter beach
• Great if you want to get away from the hustle & bustle of a busy beach

El Cable Beach | El Faro Beach

La Bajadilla Beach

La Fontanilla Beach

Nagueles Beach

Nagueles Beach (Playa de Nagueles)

• Located in the Golden Mile (Milla de Oro) area, and close to the Marbella Club
• A top quality blue flag beach of pale golden sand
• Very popular
• Facilities: Showers, toilets, lifeguards
• Sports: Surfing, pedalo boats

Nikki Beach Club

Nikki Beach Sunning

World famous jet setting Nikki Beach has clubs in Miami Beach, FL USA; Saint Tropez, France; Saint Barths, French West Indies; Marbella, Spain; Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Marrakech, Morocco; Koh Samui, Thailand.

The place to go to be seen or to look at the beautiful & people who want to be seen.

Nikki Beach are much more upmarket than your general beach Chiringuito (a Spanish beach bar), with higher quality furniture, decor & glamorous sexy atmosphere create a magnet for better off clientele.

Season: Last week in April to end of September.

Nikki Beach Location

Nikki Beach is located on the beach at the Playa Hotel Don Carlos, 11 kilometres east of Marbella's centre

Playa Hotel Don Carlos, Carretera de Cadiz Km 192, 29600
Marbella, Malaga, Spain
Telephone: 34.952.83.62.39

Funny Beach Watersports, Beach club, Karting, & Fun park

Funny Beach

At Funny beach you will find:

• Beach bar & restaurant with Food & Drinks
• Sun beds
• Karting
• Fun park for the kids
• Range of Watersports
• Large Car park

Located 1.5 kilometres from central Marbella along the A7 coastal road towards Fuengirola.

See Full details of Marbella's Funny Beach

Marbella Marinas & ports

Marbella marina

Marbella marina

Puerto Pesquero de Marbella

• The eastern marina in the centre of Marbella with storage for 600 boats in the size range of 20 100 feet.
• The Marina built 1982

La Bajadilla Marina

• La Bajadilla Marina has berths for nearly 400 boats

Other Marinas in the region

Cabopina Port

• Cabopina Port has berths for nearly 200 boats & located half way between Marbella & Fuengirola

Jose Banus Marina

• Also called Puerto banus Marina 9km west of Marbella
• Named after the property developer who built this fabulous marina
• Berths for 550 motor boats

Marbella Nightlife

Marbella has a rich selection of bars many with exciting nightlife. Our list of great bars, clubs & nightlife is on a seperate page

Marbella Shopping

• You will find a large selection of top boutiques selling all the top end designer named clothes in the narrow Moorish style lanes in the old town
• La Canada Shopping park

Marbella Restaurants

A selection of the very wide range of restaurants in Marbella

Messina Restaurant

• Excellent reviews
• One of the best restaurants in Marbella

Located on the main road 100 metres from the sea front between the 2 marinas

Av. Severo Ochoa, 12, Marbella, Spain

Messina restaurant Marbella

El Portalon

• Top quality Castilian cuisine Spanish menu
• One of the best restaurants in Marbella for Spanish cuisine

Carretera de Cadiz 178, Marbella, 29660

Taberna del Alabardero

• Another great restaurant
• Overlooking Puerto Banus marina

Muelle Benabola, A 2, Marbella, 29660

Dublin Cafe Bar

• Cafe & bar

Dublin Cafe, C/ Camilo Jose Cela 4, Marbella, 29600

Valentino Ristorante Italian

• With Italian Favourites

Valentino Ristorante Italian, Edif. 2000, Avda el Fuerte, Marbella   4elephone 952 858 775

Beckitts Brasserie

• International cuisine

Beckitts, C/ Camilo Jose Cela 4, Marbella 4elephone 952 868 898

Sushi Katsura Japanese Restaurant

• Japanese Sushi Restaurant

Sushi Katsura Japanese Restaurant, Edificio Granada, Avda. Ramon Gomez de la Serna 4, 29600 Marbella, Malaga  4elephone 952 863 193

La Madrilena

• Seafood & Spanish food

La Madrilena, Paseo Maritimo, Edif. Mediterraneo, Marbella (Near Hotel El Fuerte) 4elephone 952 828 484

Chiringuito Pepe Bar & Restaurants

• Beach Bar
• Seafood, Spanish Food, Tapas

Chiringuito Pepe, El Faro beach, Marbella

Hard Rock Cafe

Marbella Weather Forecast

Marbella  4 day weather forecast including t Max & Min temperature in Fahrenheit, type of weather, Wind direction and speed in miles per hour.

Click the More >> link, bottom right of forecast for more information:

• Morning, afternoon & evening temperatures
• 7 day forecast
• Next weeks forecast
• Spanish rain map

Tree top adventure at Amazon Adventure in Marbella

Amazon Adventure kid on a net rope bridge

Amazon Adventure stick bridge

Have great fun in this new tree top adventure park, Aventura Amazonia in the Elviria district of Marbella

Safety equipment and safety instruction is provided.

There are various routes that can be explored, from nice & easy for the kids through to high adrenaline producers for the brave that ends with the longest zip slide in Andleucia

• Travel from tree to tree via
  • Rope bridges
  • Stick bridges with gaps
  • Rope bridges with obstacles
  • Swing from rope to rope
  • Zip lines
• Tree ladders
• Climbing frames
• Scramble net climbs

Circuits

 Most circuits have the very popular zip line suitable for that circuit.

Kids

A short circuit of 15 challenges designed for young ones with easy obstacles to negotiate at an average height of 1.7 m

Explorer (Explorador)

A circuit for young daredevils with 14 challenges at an average height of 3 m

Jungle (Jungle)

A more challenging circuit of 12 challenges at an average height of 4 m ideal for both young adventurers & adults.

Adventure (Aventura)

More complex route with 14 challenges at an average height of 6 m ending with a 240 metre zipline ensuring an exhilarating end to the Adventure route.

Sportsmanship (Deportive)

The most complex of the circuits for serious fearless adventurers. The circuit has an average height of 19m

Age, Height, weight & fitness Limits

Age From 6 to 65 year old

Height Over 1.15 metres

Weight Under 130 kg

Fitness No special degree of physical fitness is required. The circuits are not recommended for people with physical or mental disabilities.

Entrance

Entrance allows for

3 hours stay that includes

• Safety training
• Safety Equipment harness, double safety anchorage with carabiners & zipline pulleys.
• Repeat use of the circuits

Address: Avenida Valeriano Rodriguez 1, Elviria,Marbella

Website

Marbella Public Transport Buses

Destinations from Marbella

Local Marbella Bus Services

L1 La Canada Central Marbela Puerto Banus

L2 Las Albarizas Central Marbela Xarblanca

L3 Bus Station Central Marbela La Canada Bus Station

L4 San Pedro El Angel Puerto Banus

L5 El Salto Taquilla Bus Playa Esteban San Mateo

6 Bus Station La Canada Central Marbela

L7 Las Chapas Marbella Central Marbela Bus Station Nagueles

Night Buses  Ant. Bomberos Marbella Central Marbela P. Banus S. Pedro Alcantara

Local Marbella Bus Services

Download a bus timetable in PDF format

• All buses from Marbella

Marbela Bus Station

Avda. del Trapiche s/n. 29600 Marbella (Malaga)

Useful Telephone Numbers

Marbella Bus Station Tel: 952 76 44 01 Tel: 952 36 01 91

Portillo buses Tel: 902 143 144

Marbella Public Transport Railways

The nearest station to Marbella is Fuengirola Train Station railway station, with trains to Malaga Airport, Malaga and Costa Blanca resorts inbetween

Marbella Public Transport Airport

The nearest airport to Marbella is Malaga Airport

Airport Transport

Recomended method

use one of the specialised Airport Transfer Companies who transfer between your hotel / Apartment & the Airport

Buses

Malaga Airport Marbella Bus Service.

Journey Time 45 minutes.

Approximatly an hourly service

Operator Portillo

Marbella Churches

Church of Our Lady of the Incarnation (Nustra Senora de la Encarnacion)

Marbella church Nustra Senora de la Encarnacion

Catholic Cathedral is also called in the centre of the old town of Marbella.

Built in the early 17^th century  with a marvellous Baroque doorway.

The Cathedral had to be restored after the Spanish Civil War.

Marbella Official Tourist Information Offices

Plaza de los Naranjos - Orange Square

Plaza de los Naranjos, 1, Marbella, 29601

Orange Square is full of restaurants.

Paseo Maritimo

Glorieta de la Fontanilla, Marbella, 29602

Map