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The Andalusia region has a lot to offer in modern amenities and cultural history. Marbella, Spain has a reputation as a playground for the rich and is an important resort for the Costa del Sol economy. Many celebrities take vacations here and the marina is full of luxury yachts. Visitors love the beaches, casinos and designer label shops. The city has been used for the backdrop to several movies and television shows, namely Nip/Tuck, George Clooney’s “Syriana” and Spielberg’s “Munich”.
The city began as a humble fishing village and grew into the tourist magnet we see today, served by the airport at Malaga. The Puerto Banus Marina is very pleasant to stroll around and explore the bars and restaurants. Dining in Marbella offers fine international menus with Italian restaurants, a British restaurant and those specializing in seafood. The traditional dish of paella is a popular choice.
It’s not all luxury living here, there is a fascinating historical quarter in the old part of the city, which dates back to 1600 BC. The Moors from Islamic North Africa left a legacy of wonderful architecture in the region and there is a Moor style castle here. The narrow streets and houses reflect the Moor influence as well as the Spanish. Orange Square is famous for it’s pretty buildings and its 16th century Town Hall. There are also shops, art galleries and bistros in addition to a Tourist Information Office where one can get useful information and street maps.
There are numerous museums in the city and the most unusual one is the Bonsai Museum. This has an international reputation and displays more than 500 examples from 40 different species. Some of the miniature trees have originated in the local Marbella area and others are from as far afield as China. The museum is in a lovely lakeland setting and there are turtles to see in the lake.
Sport is ardently followed here and the resort is famous for its excellent golf courses, some of which were designed by top, professional golfers. Marbella is not far from the Sierra Nevada mountain range, where there are facilities for skiing. For lovers of horseracing, a recently constructed racecourse is a short drive away. The Hipodromo Mijas Costa is built for all weather conditions and operates throughout the year, some races run on floodlit nights during the summer. Race fans can enjoy the bars and restaurants at the track. There are also opportunities to sail and play tennis.
Tags: Beach, Boating, Europe, History, Romantic
