7 Reasons to Visit Marbella

Marbella, the coastal resort area of southern Spain’s Costa del Sol, is best known for its 27km of sandy Mediterranean beaches, expensive villas and resorts, upscale shopping, and oceanfront estates where the rich and famous have come to play for years. A city within the province of Málaga, Marbella’s cosmopolitan vibe and Andalucian traditions and hospitality are more reasons two million people visit each year. As a centre of opulence and style, here are seven reasons you may want to add this fabulous Spanish city to your bucket list:

1. Convenience
Visitors love the ease of getting to Marbella. Travel time from Málaga airport to Marbella is only a short 40-minute drive by private shuttle transfer, which makes visiting the area appealing, especially to international tourists who may have travelled for most of the day.

2. Beaches
If you are a beach lover you are going to appreciate that Marbella is home to 23 beaches stretched out along the coast. There are even a few beaches within walking distance of the city’s centre, including Playa Fontanilla, which is by far the nicest and one of seven Blue Flag beaches in Marbella. Another beach, Playa del Cable (also known as Bounty Beach) is a trendy spot 3km east of town, and caters to the young (and the young at heart!) with DJ’s spinning tunes amongst a relaxed vibe.

3. Restaurants
Once you’ve travelled from Málaga Airport to Marbella, you may want to fill up on some lunch or dinner. As a luxury destination there are plenty of fine dining restaurants, but there are also plenty of establishments offering good local food at reasonable prices. Check out Bar el Estrecho in the Old Town for Spanish tapas, or Carlos y Paula in Elviria for fresh fish and paella while taking in the ocean views.

4. Los Naranjos Plaza
Built in the 16th century and expanded into the 18th century, Los Naranjos Plaza (Plaza of the Orange Trees) is a favourite area among tourists, especially first timers. Impressive historical buildings are worth a look, including the Ayuntamiento (City Hall), Casa del Corregidor (House of the Magistrate) and the Capilla de Santiago Apóstol (Chapel of Saint James the Apostle). As a reminder of days gone by, Los Naranjos Plaza is best enjoyed from one of many terraces set around the square.

5. Festivals
Various festivals throughout the year see a spike in tourists traveling in from Málaga Airport to Marbella. Experience the Marbella Carnival in February or March, Marbella International Film Festival in June, the Reggae Festival in July, and the Opera Festival in August. There are also many other local fiestas along the coast to be enjoyed throughout the summer.

6. Golf Courses
With its reputation for attracting the wealthy, it’s no surprise Marbella boasts more than 30 golf courses in and around the city. Among the most famous are Valderrama, Sotogrande, Las Brisas and San Roque. The closest is Marbella Golf and Country Club, located 5km east of the city centre.

7. Excursions
There are many places to see outside of the city, if you desire something a little different. A day trip to the Andalucian town of Ronda is a popular choice and only an hour’s drive northwest of the city, while the Rock of Gibraltar is an hour’s drive east along the coast. If you fancy big cities, Seville, the largest city of southern Spain and the birthplace of tapas is only a two and a half hour’s drive away.

Getting There

Travel to Marbella is super-easy with many airlines offering direct flights from London. Choose a flight on British Airways, easyJet or Ryanair among others and be in Málaga in under three hours. A private shuttle service is a popular choice for getting from Málaga airport to Marbella and will have you at the door of your hotel in 40 minutes.