Marbella City, Practical urban living

There are so many things to do in Marbella City Centre that it’s hard to get bored. The centre of the Old Quarter is the Plaza de los Naranjos (Orange Square). The plaza is surrounded by a lot of notable buildings and structures- the town hall or ayuntamiento (16th century), the Renaissance fountain (15th century) and the Casa del Corregidor (17th Century) are just a few. The Plaza is a great place to start your wanderings across the Old Quarter – it is romantic, with its narrow streets, tree-lined squares and balconies adorned with flowers. The narrow and winding streets show the town’s Moorish influence, while the trees in the squares were planted by the conquering Christians.

Here are some places that you should look into at the Old Quarter:

• Avenida del Mar, which has a beautiful promenade along the sea and has ten non-original sculptures by Salvador Dalí on permanent exhibition. It is an open-air museum worth visiting.
• The Iglesia de Santa María, which stands in the Plaza de los Naranjos. A beautiful red stone entrance done in the Baroque style adorns the main façade. This was built in 1618 and its interior underwent restoration after the Civil War in 1936. You can find an old but amazingly, functional organ. It is the most important of all organs built in Spain for the last 125 years. It fills the chapel with the sonorous and worshipful sounds – it has four manual keyboards and a 36-note pedal.
• The Santa Maria de la Encarnación, which was built in 1505. The parish was rebuilt in 1712, with Pedro del Castillo and Salvador Gávez spearheading the construction. The construction and sculpting of the main façade was finished in 1756. This is located in the Plaza de la Iglesia, another pretty square that is also lined with fruit trees that provide welcome shelter for those who want to rest from their meanderings.
• Las Murallas del Castillo, which holds the remains of the Arab castle and the old city walls. Built in the 10th century during the Caliph period, this castle was once surrounded by towers that served as lookouts. Sadly, all the towers are gone, victims of the ravages of time. Currently, part of the castle and its walls are being restored.
• The Old Governor’s House, which was built in 1552 and still has the original stone façade that is decorated with a three arched balcony and some shields.
• CouncilChambers, this is located within the Town Hall. The chambers are divided into two floors. The second floor is fascinating – its walls are covered with murals that date back to 1572, the ceiling is designed with carvings in the Neo Mudejar style.
• Museo del Grabado Español Contemporáneo, engravings & graphic pieces are the focus at this contemporary Spanish art museum with workshops.

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. From the sea shore, strolling along this extensive Promenade is one of the many pleasurable things you can do in this luxury and cosmopolitan city.

Due to its location in the very heart of the town, el Puerto Deportivo de Marbella (leisure port) is frequented by locals and also much visited by tourists. The pleasant atmosphere of its bars, proximity to the beaches and wide range of nautical competitions, regattas and sailing lessons for children make this an interesting place to visit. It is structured on two levels: the “terraces of the port”, which often host events and shows, are on top and the premises and nautical facilities are below, along with the Club. The beaches of Marbella are dotted with well-known Beach Clubs at which a different sort of day on the beach combining gastronomy, live music and luxurious comforts can be enjoyed.

Every year each city in Spain holds a fair or “feria”, which is usually a week-long celebration that takes place in city squares or fairgrounds and is a big part of the social and religious calendar. Fairs are particularly popular in the spring and early summer when the weather is more temperate. Festivities in a fair vary from city to city but usually include a parade, outdoor parties with food, drink and dancing, music concerts, rides for older and younger children, fireworks and dance performances.

The Marbella fair takes place in the middle of June and always revolves around the festivity of San Bernabé, patron saint of Marbella, which is celebrated on the 11th of June. It lasts for about a week and most shops close at lunchtime so the whole community can enjoy the festivities. The fair is divided into two distinct parts: Day Fair, which takes place from the beginning in the Old Town and the Alameda Park and Night Fair, which takes place near the La Cañada Shopping Centre. There is plenty to eat, like typical Spanish paella, barbeque, cotton candy, churros con chocolate (donut-like pastry eaten with hot chocolate), candied apples, popcorn, lupins, fresh coconut and other typical fair food.

The town hall of Marbella decorates the streets with flags, posters and colourful garlands, large parasols and tarpaulins are placed around the city to give the streets more shade.

Located at the gates of the historic center of Marbella, we find the Alameda Park, which has become a famous landmark in the city center, a few meters from the promenade. Alameda Park is a beautiful place in which marbellís and tourists gather to escape, in minutes, from the hustle and bustle of the city. It has, as its core, a large fountain surrounded by lush vegetation, palm trees, beautiful Andalusian tile benches and shade everywhere. In the higher season months, you’ll also find a small fairground and things to keep the kids happy while you eat a delicious cake with hot chocolate or an Iberian ham sandwich at La Canasta-bakery and pastry shop of own production.

The Parque de la Constitución is a large park between the main avenue and the beach that was created in the 1950s to offer a peaceful green zone – and that’s exactly what it is. There’s a little cafe where you can sit and enjoy a coffee or beer while watching the kids play.

Pirate’s Park, located right on the seaside promenade, is a family leisure park with inflatable castles, ball parks, trampolines, rides and all the things children love.

Monkey Park, is another popular option, especially when it’s rainy, as it is an indoor park with an adjoining cafeteria/bar from where to watch your kids play. Additionally there are several outdoor public playgrounds with swings and slides for children to meet and interact, the most popular ones located right above the yacht harbour.

The area of the Puente Málaga (or Málaga bridge), provides a lovely pedestrian area, lined with trees, where you will find yet another childrens’ playground and a lake with ducks and turtles. Just north of the Puente Malaga is Marbella’s skate park, where children from around the age of 10 and up meet with their scooters, bikes and skateboards.

The municipal sports complex “Polideportivo Paco Cantos” offers activities for children as well as being a lovely place to go for a walk, ride a bike or skating on the marble lined Parque de Los Enamorados just below.

Another thing that we invite you to do in Marbella is to visit the Parque del Río, also known as the Parque de la Represa. In addition to the artificial lake populated by ducks and turtles, this park includes other places of interest such as the Bonsai Museum, the Viewpoint beside the Lake with Geyser, a cafeteria and a skate park. About 50,000 square metres with fun and entertainment for all ages. For these reasons, it has been awarded twice as the best “Urban Park of Costa del Sol”.

You will wonder how a small town such as Marbella has so much to offer when it comes to food. It is a gastronomic haven with so many delightful epicurean surprises. You can choose to dine al fresco, or by the relaxing atmosphere of Marbella’s many plazas. You can choose to dine in style, with all the works and get a glimpse of how the other half (the rich and the famous) lives. You can choose to immerse yourself in local culture and choose to eat Spanish cuisine. Or, you can travel around the world and taste the various cuisines from different cultures and countries.
You can even just sit and eat Marbella’s famous gelatos.

Marbella has a wide array of choices – local, national and international cuisine are yours for the taking. Whatever you choose, you are sure to enjoy a hearty, fully satisfying gastronomic experience in Marbella.

Taste the authentic flavours and ambience of Andalucía in popular local restaurants such as Casa Curro, fresh fish dishes at La Relojera, Los Mellizos, Paco Jiménez, El Canuto or Los Cañizos, Restaurante Gaspar, which has a different handwritten menu every day, Asador Santiago, Marisquería La Pesquera, etc. If you want to eat some “tapas”, Bodeguita El Callejón, El Estrecho, Taberna la Niña del Pisto, El Cordobés, El Patio de Mariscal or Altamirano are some of the best.

Alameda Park is an oasis in the middle of the town, this is an unusual park in that its floor is covered in cooling marble tiles below a canopy of exotic trees whose rich foliage makes this a refreshing spot even at the height of summer. The trickling water of a large fountain adds to this sense, making it a very pleasant spot to sit and relax, or watch the children play on the mini-carousel and other kids’ rides and games.

The Parque de la Constitución is a large park between the main avenue and the beach that was created in the 1950s to offer a peaceful green zone – and that’s exactly what it is.

The Parque del Río, also known as the Parque de la Represa, has about 50,000 square metres with fun and entertainment for all ages. For these reasons, it has been awarded twice as the best “Urban Park of Costa del Sol”. In addition to the artificial lake populated by ducks and turtles, this park includes other places of interest such as the Bonsai Museum, the Viewpoint beside the Lake with Geyser, a cafeteria and a skate park.

Walking along the coastal promenade you’ll spot stylish beach clubs such as Amare Beach Pool and Lounge, Bocana Beach, Mahiki Beach and Palms Beach. Or head to Playa Padre Beach Club, a beachside spot with a welcoming, communal feel. The elegant beachside venue of Cappuccino for a refined setting in which to enjoy good company, outdoor drinks and good food.

The main public hospital for Marbella, the Costa del Sol Hospital, is located in Marbella East roughly 10 minutes drive from the City Centre. There are also the private Ochoa Clinic, the Premium Clinic and Quiron Hospital in Marbella City Centre.

A 15-minute radius includes all the services and amenities you could wish for, including dining, shopping, schools, supermarkets, racquet clubs and several world-class golf courses.

Within the city centre itself, is Swan’s International College – Primary School (for ages 3 to 12), just behind the El Corte Inglés in the area of El Capricho. The French International School of Marbella offers the French curriculum for kindergarten and elementary schoolers. A short drive out from Marbella City centre and within the Golden Mile is Swan’s International College- Secondary School campus as well as the brand new British School of Marbella campus. In Nueva Andalucia, about a 15-minute drive from the city centre is Aloha College International School, one of the leading English-speaking private schools in Spain. In Marbella East there is The English International College (EIC), as well as the German School, both of them offering education for children from 3 to 18 years of age. Heading West towards San Pedro is St. George’s School (ages 3 to 8), Calpe School (ages 2 to 11) and Laude San Pedro International College (ages 3 to 18).

The majority of the complexes of Marbella City Centre are known for being safe and secure. The proximity to amenities, schools and activities makes it very popular with families.

Marbella City Centre is a short 10-minute drive to Puerto Banus. Depending on the time of year you can get to Puerto Banus by driving directly through the Golden Mile on the N-340 or via the A-7 highway above.

It’s a 35-45 minute drive from the Malaga-Costa del Sol International Airport to Marbella City Centre. Gibraltar Airport is just over an hour’s drive. In both cases, it depends on whether you take the faster toll roads or the public highways, and the time of year.