The ost famous town on – Costa del Sol
The town’s name, according to locals, is from Spain’s first Queen Isabella of Castile´s first visit, who when she came to this place and saw the sea for the first time, called out: “Qué martan bella!”, what a beautiful sea. Marbella has it all: luxury apartments, villas and palaces with thousands of beautiful palm trees and plants. A fantastic seafront promenade goes all the way to Puerto Banus. In San Pedro there is also a nice promenade along the beach.
Marbella covers a 28 km long coastline along the seafront with lots of luxury hotels and even the prince’s palace. In recent years Marbella changed its appearance considerably. It is no longer a village with the typical Andalusian appearance. The population has increased rapidly and the former fishing village has turned into a modern city with about 150 000 inhabitants liveing scattered in hundreds of “urbanizaciones” community’s. During summer time the population nearly doubles. Marbella have a majority of low buildings, which is a significant difference to other holiday resorts in Spain. The municipality is located about 60 km from Malaga and stretches along the coast between the shoreline and the mountains. It gives the area a very special climate all year around. A Place in the Sun. Marbella’s popularity began in 1953 when Prince Alfonso von Hohenlohe opened the Marbella Club and his friends came to enjoy themselves and socialize.Marbella became a “hot spot” in Europe, just as St. Moritz, Gstaad, or Juan Les Pines.
Costa del Golf – Marbella have over 50 golf courses!
Marbella has more golf courses by square km than any other place in Europe, with over 50 golf courses in the county. Here lies the “golf valley” where several of Costa del Sol´s and Spain’s best golf courses are placed. More and more arid areas have been turned into golf courses, carefully managed to remain in top shape all year around. The area is incredibly beautiful. Against the silhouette of the Sierra Blanca, the scenery is breathtaking with rolling green hills, palm trees and orange groves. Because of the microclimate that is formed between the mountains and the ocean the winters are warmer than elsewhere in Europe and the summer is not quite as hot as other places in Andalusia. Between May and October rain is rare, even in the winter it is rare that it rains a whole day, usually it’s showers and after a short while it is sunshine again. Daytime temperature never falls below 20 C degrees, except for some days in December and January. Most common are sunny days that let tourists enjoy the beach in the winter. Marbella has much to offer. Prices are higher than elsewhere along the coast, but what you get in return is quality. First class shops, newly renovated streets, restaurants and exclusive nightclubs. But there are many places to eat, drink and to be entertained without spending a small fortune.
Puerto Banús – Home of the Yachts!
Puerto Banus, where yachts anchor all year round along docks filled with Rolls Royce, Ferrari, Maserati, Bentley, Lamborghini and other eye-catching vehicle´s in Top Gear style. Many of the tourists don’t miss the opportunity the get a snap shot standing beside this beauties. “The Golden Mile” with its jet set life has made the area world famous, Arab sheiks and celebrities appear on right club for the year followed by hundreds of paparazzi´s
Puerto Cabopino – Puerto Banús little brother!
Puerto Cabopino is a smaller version of Puerto Banus, it is a quieter and cozy harbor with its diverse selection of restaurants and promenade. In the daytime the beach is also well worth a visit with its white sands and clear lukewarm water.
But Marbella is much more than that.
The municipality consists of several components that many believe are other villages. Puerto Banus, San Pedro de Alcántara, Nueva Andalucía and Las Chapas are all part of Marbella. The area is huge and extends from Mijas Costa to Estepona. Marbella’s best beaches are those outside the center of the city. The area around Las Chapas, Don Carlos Hotel (Nikki Beach) and Cobopino – most popular among those who worship a sandy beach and clear water.
Marbella – History
Marbella’s history is not something that the ordinary tourist takes the time to get to know. Although there are archaeological findings and documents showing that the city was founded in 900 A.D.
Phoenicians probably founded Marbella already for more than 3500 years ago when they built up the business routes along the south coast of Spain. 300 years BC the Romans ruled and gave the town its first name, Salduba. The Moors invaded southern Spain in 711 A.D. They landed on the coast between Tarifa and Marbella. They built the city wall and maze of streets in the old town and gave the city the name Marbilha. This later developed into Marbella. According to the locals, it was Spain’s first queen, Isabella of Castile, who when she came to this place the first time said: “Qué mar tan bella!”, What a beautiful sea. Mar-bella became Marbella according to that version.
Andres Garcia Baena a local author has recently published an interesting book about Marbella’s history, he does not live at writing books on history, but sell them in the bookstore El Zoco as he runs in the center of Marbella
According to Garcia Barna´s dating Marbella’s earliest data is from 900 A.D. The castle still remaining in the old town center near the orange square was built around 970 A.D. The city was also surrounded by high protective walls, these walls was remowed for new buildings during the 16 century.
