The fashionable Marbella stretches for almost 30 kilometers along the Mediterranean coast. Its name, translated from Spanish, means "beautiful sea" and everyone who comes to the beach resort to relax and have fun can fully appreciate the merits of Marbella. The city is located in the Costa del Sol and is considered one of the most expensive and prestigious resorts in Europe. Movie stars and multimillionaires stay here, staying in luxury hotels or in their own villas. If you've decided to spend your holidays on the Costa del Sol and are looking for information on what to see in Marbella, don't be limited to expensive restaurants and trendy clubs. The historic center of the city is rich in attractions that can satisfy the history buff's thirst for knowledge.
TOP 10 attractions in Marbella
Avenida del Mar
The alley connecting the Old Town and Maritimo Boulevard is famous for the sculptures of Salvador Dali. The unique open-air museum is often the subject of pilgrimage for tourists from Marbella and the surrounding resorts. You can look at ten works by Dali and several sculptures by the famous Spaniard Eduardo Soriano:
- If you start your excursion from Alameda Park, you will be the first to see the Perseus statue. Opposite her is Soriano's Girl on the Swing.
- Five more works by Dali are installed between them and the fountain in the center of the alley. First - the sculpture "Perseus beheading Medusa the Gorgon", then - "Gala Gradiva" in honor of the artist's wife. This is followed by the statues "Mercurio", depicting the Roman god of trade, "Trajan on a horse" and again Gala, looking out the window.
- After the fountain, you will see sculptures "The Space Elephant" and Mujer Desnuda Subiendo la Escalera - Woman on a Snail.
- The gallery is completed by Don Quixote and Man on a Dolphin.
- The last on the promenade is another sculptural image by Eduardo Soriano.
The alley is lined with marble and on a hot day on Avenida del Mar you can relax on the benches admiring the priceless masterpieces of the great Salvador Dali.
St. Mary's Church
Construction of the largest city church in Marbella began in 1618. The main facade of the temple is still decorated with a red stone portal in the Baroque style, and its interiors were restored after the civil war in 1936 almost unchanged.
The main attraction of the Church of St. Mary is the organ that appeared in the temple in the 70s of the last century. He can be called a record holder among his own kind. The instrument contains 5,000 pipes of various diameters and lengths, made of both copper and wood.
There is a clock on the bell tower of the temple, and several bells in the arches. The tower is the architectural dominant of the old town and can be seen from different points of Marbella.
Museum of Contemporary Spanish Prints
The exposition of this museum is based on a collection of prints by a member of the municipal council for culture Jose Manuel Valles Fernandez. He donated two thousand works to Marbella, which it was decided to place in a historic building in the city center.
The museum opened in 1992 in the old Bazan hospital, built in the 16th century. Now the exhibition numbers about four thousand works of art, including works by Picasso, Dali, Pablo Serrano, Miro and Chillida. The museum participates in educational programs, exhibitions are held in its halls. The gallery has a library specializing in books about art. In the souvenir shop you will find museum catalogs and cute things to remember from your trip to Marbella.
In the former Bazan hospital, you can not only look at the works of famous artists, but also learn the art of engraving yourself. The museum has courses on the introduction to the world of engraving techniques.
Orange square
The very heart of the old city, from which, like rays, narrow streets scatter in all directions is Orange Square. Its construction began in the 15th century. The façades of several historic buildings overlook the square:
- The Ermita de Santiago chapel is the oldest building on the square. It was erected in the 15th century. and the Plaza de los Naranjos itself began with it.
- The municipality, or Casa Consistorial, is located in a mansion built a little later - in the 16th century.
- At the same time, the House of the Corregidor appeared on the square. The royal viceroy lived in a small palace built in the popular Mudejar style with Gothic elements in Spain. On the facade of the mansion, a balcony with a wrought-iron ornamental railings stands out.
- The Plaza de los Naranjos also attracts the attention of the ancient fountain - the same age as the House of Corregidor.
At Casa Consistorial, you will find a local museum exhibit with archaeological rarities discovered during excavations near Marbella.
In the center of the square, under the shade of orange trees, there are tables at which it is pleasant to dine or drink a glass of wine. Orange Square in Marbella is one of the most picturesque places along the entire coast. It becomes especially attractive in spring, when the trees are in bloom.
Ermita del Santo Cristo de la Vera Cruz
Christ's Church of the True Cross in Marbella is one of the oldest buildings in the city. It began to be erected in the middle of the 15th century, and the last reconstruction was carried out in the 18th century, when the small chapel received an extension and became a little more spacious.
On the main facade of the small temple is the main portal made of stone. The rest of the walls of the church are plastered and covered with white paint. The bell tower has the shape of a rectangular tower. Its roof is decorated with white and blue glazed ceramic tiles.
The chapel is located on the square of St. Christ in the historical part of the city. In addition to the church on the square, it is worth looking at the fountain with the sculpture of the Mother of God. If your dream is to learn how to dance flamenco, you will find the best school in Marbella in the square.
Bonsai Museum
It may not seem strange, but one of the most famous tourist attractions in Marbella is called the Bansai Museum in the Arroyo de la Represa park. The ancient Japanese art of decorating miniature trees has found admirers in Spain as well.
The museum appeared in 1992, but some of its exhibits are several hundred years old. The precious collection is recognized as the most unique on the continent. For example, the El Toro juniper, planted 400 years ago, is considered a true masterpiece. In 2003 the master of bansai art Masimo Bandera worked on it.
The collection of the Marbella Museum has olive trees decorated using the bansai technique, which are 300 and even 400 years old.
The museum hosts various cultural and educational events, including classes for teaching ancient Japanese art.
Parque de la Alameda
Marbella is famous for its parks, and one of the most beloved by both residents and guests of the city is De la Alameda. It is located near the waterfront and is famous for its Botanical Garden. Samples of the flora of the Mediterranean and surrounding regions collected on the territory of Topolina Alley make it possible to present all the richness of the flora of the subtropics.
The park features shady alleys, comfortable benches, cool fountains decorated with hand-painted ceramic glaze, and tiled walking paths. Among the tree species presented in the Parque de la Alameda, Mediterranean ficuses stand out, pines - local pines that fill the air with phytoncides, and cypresses, slender candles rushing to the sky.
Avenida del Mar starts from Alameda Park with a collection of sculptures by Salvador Dali.
Golden mile
If you want to see how millionaires live, head to the area called Marbella's Golden Mile. It stretches along the coast for several kilometers. This area is home to luxury villas, multi-million dollar estates, luxury hotels, the best golf courses and business centers.
The Golden Mile was built during the tourist boom in the 60s.last century, when holidays in Marbella became fashionable among the richest people in the world. In this area, you will see the palace of King Fahd of Saudi Arabia and the El Angel Botanical Gardens, the iconic hotels Melia Don Pepe, Marbella Club and Puente Romano.
Pico de la Concha
The scenic mountains surrounding the resort on the mainland side are accessible for hikers. The most popular peak where active tourists like to climb is called La Concha. Its height reaches 1215 meters above sea level, and La Concha is easily conquered even by inexperienced climbers.
Hiking trails for tourists start on the northern slope of the mountain. The longest starts from the village of Ojén. It is more gentle and suitable for beginners and family climbs. The trekking trail from the village of Istan is shorter, but requires more serious physical preparation, as it goes along the steep slopes.
Don't forget sun cream and water when you go for a walk to Pico de la Concha.
Beaches and ports
As befits a Mediterranean resort, Marbella boasts a variety of beaches that can be safely attributed to its list of attractions. The coastline of the city stretches for 27 km and is divided into 24 beaches, each of which has its own characteristics and enjoys the preferences of certain groups of tourists.
The beaches of Marbella can be covered with small pebbles or sand, be protected or have free access, but they are all ideal for a comfortable stay.
The best beach in Marbella, according to the rating of travel companies, is San Pedro Alcantra. It has been honored with the Blue Flag Certificate, a prestigious European award certifying that the beach adheres to standards for the quality and purity of water and safety for holidaymakers.
Popular are also Artala beach in the protected area of Dunas de Artola, free ones - Babalu, Don Carloe and Las Dune, nudist Cabopino and central urban La Fontanilla and Venus beach.
If you are going to Marbella by yacht, the Marina at Puerto Banus, the largest sports port in the Mediterranean, awaits you. Puerto Banus has not only anchorages for luxury yachts, but also opportunities for high-end shopping and luxury entertainment - casinos, nightclubs and Michelin-starred restaurants.
