Marbella
Marbella is another resort on the Costa del Sol just 30km west of Fuengirola and has a population of 125,000 inhabitants.
Marbella pictures
The city is known to be a preferred destination of the rich and famous, so that mentioning the name Marbella automatically conjures up the image of luxurious Marbella hotels, casinos, yachts and Ferraris. However, the city is not exclusively indwelt only by jet-set people, because since the recent increase in low-budget airlines providing cheap flights, more and more “usual” tourists have found their way to Marbella and enjoy the local facilities each year.
No matter if wealthy or not – the weather is probably the main reason why people come to visit the region: Marbella has its very own micro-climate, resulting in an annual average temperature of 19°C and 320 sunny days.
Today, the main resort of Marbella consists predominantly of hotels, apartment blocks and beaches, but the older parts of the city still remain and keep the traditional Spanish charm and atmosphere. In Old Marbella, many stately buildings can be found that date back to the 16th century or beyond, along with small traditional shops, cafes and galleries - a huge difference to the modern Marbella just a stone’s throw away that most people only know about and see.
To escape the hustle and bustle, the Sierra Bermeja Mountains rise up behind the resort and are ideal for an excursion by car or on foot; several observation points provide magnificent views over Marbella and its golden beaches. In the close vicinity of the city, visitors can enjoy the great variety of golf courses, making this part of the Costa del Sol one of the most famous golfing destinations in Europe, as well as other recreational facilities like tennis clubs, horse riding centres, bike hire, water and air sports etc.
Just a few kilometers west of city centre, travellers will find the quarter Puerto Banus, Marbella's playground for the rich and famous, which provides a modern marina packed with large yachts and motorboats, world-class shopping and entertainment centres, high-quality restaurants and many other attractions.
Marbella is only 50km from Malaga, so why not take a shuttle bus from Malaga Airport to Marbella in order to reach your destination in less than one hour?
