|
|
|
Marbella
is
probably
one of the
best
known,
most
popular
and best
liked
resorts on
the
Costa del
Sol,
within
Andalucia.
With 3000
hours of
sunshine a
year,
along with
a very
agreeable
climate,
it is
difficult
to find
better
conditions
anywhere
in Europe.
La Concha
mountain
in the
Sierra
Blanca
towers
1000
metres
above the
surrounding
landscape
and is a
famous
landmark,
protecting
the area
from the
elements.
This is
just one
point that
makes
Marbella
so
attractive
to
visitors
and
residents.
Despite
its
popularity,
Marbella
has
managed to
retain
some of
its charm
and
Andalucian
character.
Step away
from the
glamour of
the port
area and
venture
into the
old
quarter
where you
will find
the
popular
resting
place, the
Plaza de
Los
Naranjos
(Orange
Square),
leading
off in
every
direction
with a
maze of
narrow
alleys and
streets.
The old
town is
also one
of the
best
places to
shop.
|
 |
|
Here you
will find
a
multitude
of shops
selling
local
wares,
alongside
the
designer
label
clothing
that
Marbella
has become
known for.
Local
crafts
mingle
with
European
fashion,
cheap
leather
goods and
colourful
ceramics. |
|
|
 |
The two
main
beaches in
Marbella
are El
Fuerte and
El
Fontanilla,
both
having all
the
facilities
you would
expect
from a
modern
resort.
Queen
Isabella
once said
'Que mar
tan bella'
- 'what a
beautiful
sea' and
the saying
stuck.
The Paseo
Maritimo
is one of
the best
along the
coast.
Walk the
marble
Paseo and
rest in
one of the
many bars
or
restaurants
or make
your way
to the
centre of
town where
you will
find one
of the
most
attractive
parks,
with its
water
features,
statues
and
beautiful
tiled
benches. |
|
Marbella
also
offers a
selection
of street
markets
for new
and
second-hand
goods.
Here's
where you
are sure
to find a
bargain.
It is the
nightlife
of
Marbella
that
attracts
many
thousands
of
visitors
every
year, with
more than
enough
quality
restaurants,
theatres,
cinemas
and clubs
of every
description.
|
|
|
|
|
It has a
pulsating
nightlife,
a little
more
realistic
than that
of its
close
neighbour,
Puerto
Banus.
Many
establishments
open at
midnight
and party
well into
the next
day. If
its
something
a little
more
traditional
that you
want then
head into
the old
town and
try the
tapas bars
where the
local
cuisine is
fantastic.
The
popularity
of
Marbella
is evident
in the
number and
quality of
its hotels
and
apartments.
Although
Marbella
is busy
all year
round,
during the
summer the
hotels
swell to
capacity. |
 |
|
Marbella
has long
been
popular
with
foreign
residents,
relocating
to Spain
and this
can be
seen in
the price
of
property
in the
area which
has
increased
by more
than 400%
in recent
years.
New
developments
are still
being
built on
every
available
piece of
land and
are
selling
faster
than they
can be
finished. |
 |
Marbella
is well
served by
the local
highway,
the N340,
currently
undergoing
major
improvement,
the
Mediterranean
toll road
and the
coastal
railway.
The centre
of town
can become
very
congested
at peak
times and
within the
old
quarter it
is not
advisable
to drive.
If you
arrive by
car, head
for one of
the many
underground
car parks
and avoid
on-street
parking.
|
|
|
|
|
There are
several
tourist
offices in
Marbella
who are
very
helpful,
speak
several
languages
and will
supply you
with a
handful of
booklets
and a town
plan, free
of charge.
If you
plan to
move to
the Costa
del Sol to
live,
Marbella
is a good
place to
make your
base, if
you can
afford to
live here.
Jobs are
plentiful,
especially
seasonal
work in
the many
bars and
restaurants
or even in
one of the
many
hotels.
There is a
great
DVD guide
available
that
covers
working in
the
Marbella
area, just
£5.99
including
delivery.
One
by-product
of the
areas' new
attractions
is the
employment
available
in the
property
sector.
Many of
the rich
and famous
have made
Marbella
their
home. Set
back from
the town,
beneath
the
mountains
you will
find some
of the
most
beautiful
villas on
the whole
of the
coast. |
|
|
|
|
