Malaga Airport is located just 52 km from Marbella. With flights providing transport for over 10 million passangers per year, including a huge timetable to the UK and many more International Flights, you're never far from home. It is also possible to fly to Gibraltar Airport - just 77km from Marbella.
La Basilica de Vega del Mar was a Paleo-Christian (early Christian) church and necropolis (burial site), located near the coast just east of the mouth of the Guadalmina river, in San Pedro, Marbella. The area used to known as Vega del Mar, and is now known as Linda Vista.
Located next to the beach in the Guadalmina urbanisation, the baths date back to the 3rd century and were first discovered to be Roman in 1915. The solid mortar structure has survived the passing of history and weather well, particularly considering the location near the beach.
El Calvario is a town park that has made use of the land around the old hermatige chapel Ermita del Calvario. On this land it was traditional to celebrate the day of the "tostón", a tradition fiesta to roast the new crop of chestnuts from the forest and make a small pilgrimage to the ermita.
King Fahiad Gardens are easily seen from the Golden Mile, they are just below the Saudi Arabian King's house and feature the white 'sword of Arabia' and a small lake with fountain. The photo above was taken around 1994 when the gardens were first inaugurated. Today they are much more mature andf the features are not so clearly defined.
Alhameda is the plaza in the centre of Marbella, near to the Old Town, it is a place where people often arrange to meet. Others go to watch the world go by. The gardens are full of interesting tropical plants and fountains, surrounding by beautiful views. From here you can book your personal horse and carriage trip to see Marbella in style or, if you prefer, stroll on towards the sea along the Avenida del Mar or cross Avda. Ricardo Soriano to explore the old town.
Parque de la Constitución, a large city park was built in the 1950´s just out of the town centre, minutes walk from the beach. It is especially tranquil and was once the garden of a private residence. Parque de la Constitución is one of the most visited parks in Marbella. The park has an amphitheatre that is ocassionally used for outdoor concerts and plays in the summer season, the anphitheatre is beautiful example of traditional Andalucian architecture.
This is a natural park located right at the foot of the Sierra Blanca mountain at the urbanisation Marbella Sierra Blanca, next to the School. It has picnic tables and plenty of shade to enjoy a delightful day out in the country. It has a well equipped barbecue area with tables and cooking facilities.
The magnificent mountain known as "La Concha" (the shell) is part of a range that extends across the skyline to the village of Ojén. Take the road to Ojén and turn left into the beautiful park called Juanar, where the mountainside is covered in pine trees, pinsapos, walnut and olive trees, as well as wild orchids - and some wild animals, including Hispanic wild goats, eagles and Royal owls.
One of the largest flea markets on the Costa del Sol takes place every Saturday morning, with over 120 stalls. It is situated next to the bullring of Puerto Banus is a great rambling flea market, a mini "Rastro" where you can find everything from a wooden elephant to a woolly jumper.
This beautiful Arabian temple overlooks the golden mile just to the west of the city centre (towards San Pedro). It was the first Mosque constructed in Spain since the Christian re-conquest in the fifteenth century. It was built in 1981 by then Prince Salmán bin Abdulaziz in honour of King Fahd bin Abdulaziz al-Saúd of Saudi Arabia.
The Paseo Maritimo (seafront promenade) is ideal to experience and join the Spanish in the traditional "paseo". Flanked by pavement cafes, restaurants, this promenade is one of the most attractive on the Costa del Sol and has the added advantage of being within minutes of the centre of town.
Museo Grabados, Marbella is s also known as Museum of Spanish Contemporary Engravings. This building was formerly the residential palace of the Mayor, Don Alonso de Bazán who donated it to the town to serve as a hospital for the poor. It is a fine example of a 16th century renaissance building.
Marbella Municipal Art Gallery is a relatively small space, though it always has a wide selection of work by local artist collections include paintings, sculptures, and ceramics all year long. Admission is free, and for each new exhibition they host a small event, where you can meet the artists, and other important personalities of the local culture.
The Bonsai museum closed in December 2018. The 25 year lease on the oriental inspired building owned town hall expired in October 2017. The private collection owned by Miguel Angel Caran is seaking a new location. The building is destined to become a municipal library.
Hotel Don Pepe Gran Meliá is located on the seafront, 15 minutes' walk from Marbella Old Town. It offers 3 outdoor pools surrounded by gardens, and a spa; and each luxurious room has a large plasma-screen TV.
This is a bright modern gym, with weights and plenty of cardiovascular machines as well as a selection of classes, including aerobics and step. The atmosphere is friendly and the big windows (open in the warmer months) look onto superb views down onto the bay of Marbella or over at the mountains behind.
This is certainly one of the most progressive sport clubs in the area. They have around 60 classes a week to chose from, 50 strength-building machines and 40 cardiovascular. Apart from the numerous fitness activities and classes, including Spinning, Aerobics, Aero-boxing, Stretching, etc., they also have fantastic state-of-the-art cardio vascular machines.
Inaugurated in 2005, this seriously large and luxurious gym / fitness and wellness centre boasts five areas under one roof. The pool and spa area has a magnificent indoor swimming pool with waterfalls, bubbling massage circuit and water-treatment zone, all with breathtaking sea views over the Mediterranean. The gym/fitness area has the latest state-of-the-art equipment and trained professionals to guide you around, with wonderful sea views as you train.
The Fitness Studio at the 5 star luxury Los Monteros Hotel, is by the side of the hotel and looks out onto one of the 11 tennis courts of what is one of the best tennis facilities in these parts. The Hotel is easy to find on the beach side of the N340 coastal road, heading west toward Marbella town and is right opposite the large landmark, Costa del Sol Hospital.
