From Wikitravel

Marbella is one of the Mediterranean's most representative tourist venues and a top favorite for travellers. What was once a small white village of fishermen is now one of the most cosmopolitan beach resorts on the Costa del Sol in Spain.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By air

Malaga Airport (Aeropuerto Pablo Ruiz Picasso) is serviced by most European carriers otherwise fly in to Gibraltar, both airports are around 30 minutes drive from Marbella centre.

[edit] By car

The main coast road (N340, now known as the A7) connects the major towns along the whole southern coast and Marbella is approx 30 minutes drive along the N340 from the provincial capital, Malaga. If you are prepared to pay the toll fee (around 4-6 Euros depending upon season) you can take the new AP-7 road which runs parallel to the N340, but with less traffic and higher speed limits means you will reach your destination more quickly.

[edit] By bus

Long distance buses run from a terminal on the motorway, about one km up from the beach.[1]

There are high quality regular bus services along the length of the Costa. Although cheap, the buses can run to their own timetable (!) and are often very busy in summer.

[edit] By train

There is a train service between Fuengirola and Malaga, which due to be extended to run further down the coast to Marbella in the near future.

[edit] Get around

• Hire Car - all the major car hire firms are represented, but the best value will probably come from local firms. Small car for around 80-90 euros a week in off season.

• Taxis If travelling any distance agree the fare in advance. Official rates should be displayed inside any licensed taxi. Phone 952 823 835

[edit][add listing] See

• The Old Town & Orange Square - although a modern town, Marbella is full of history, its origins date back to 1600 BC so it's fair to say there is a little part of history to be found in every corner of the "old town", with its Moorish castle, and famous "Orange Square". The historical old quarter with the Andalucian/Moorish mix can still be found with its flower filled balconies and narrow streets.

[edit][add listing] Do

• Golf - If you love golf then Marbella has spectacular golf courses that have been designed by the likes of Seve Ballesteros, Peter Alliss and Clive Clark. There are more than 40 quality courses to be played throughout the Costa del Sol making it a perfect destination for the golf enthusiast. See also: Spain section of main Golf article

• Horseracing - about 15 minutes from the centre of Marbella is the Hipodromo Mijas Costa [2]. The recently built all weather racetrack has meetings throughout the year including floodlit night racing on summer weekends. The course also boasts plenty of entertainment including bars, music and restaurants.

• Ski - Marbella is the perfect base to visit the famous Spanish Ski resort of Sierra Nevada (1.5 hours away by car)

[edit] Learn

• Don Quijote [3] Spanish school in Marbella is a great school where you can take 4-6 hours of courses a day. All courses including beginner courses are taught entirely in Spanish.

[edit][add listing] Buy

Shopping Centres:

• El Corte Inglés - Ramon Areces 29660 Puerto Banús Tel. 952 90 99 90
• Marina Banús - C/ Ramon Areces, Centro, (opposite El Corte Inglés). Puerto Banús

Clothing:

• New Yorker - Ramon Areces, s/n Centro Comercial Marina Banús 29660 Puerto Banús
• Versace - 29660 Puerto Banús Tel. 952 81 02 96
• Casta & Puro - Avda. de la Ribera Complejo Gran Marbella 29660 Puerto Banús Tel. 677 29 50 57

[edit][add listing] Eat

• Al Dente & Champagne Bar - Urb. Jardines del Puerto, Puerto Banús; tel. 952 90 61 81 - Italian restaurant

• Babilonia Restaurant - Ctra. de Istan - Km.0,8 29600 Marbella; tel. 952 82 88 61 - Italian & international

• Brown's Bar and Bistro - Pino Golf de Don Carlos 18 Elviria, Marbella; tel. 952 838 604 - British cuisine

• El Argentino - Centro comercial elviria; tel. 951 310 087 - charcoal grill

• El Oceano - CN 340 Km 199, Miraflores; tel. 952 587 550 - international

• La Meridiana - 0.1 km N, Cno. la Cruz, S/N, 29600 Marbella; tel. 952 776 190 - international

• Trader Vic's - Urbanización La Alcazaba, Puerto Banús; tel. 952 816 100 - international
• La Taverna del Pinxto, Avenida Miguel Cano 7 (One block from Playa de Venus). Basque style tapas. Set lunch 9 euros, tapas 1,50.  edit

[edit][add listing] Drink

Most late night action takes place in Puerto Banús, or in one of the clubs along the 7 km road there.

• El Catalonia, Puerto Deportivo Marbella Local 4 MARBELLA - MÁLAGA (In the Marbella port.), ☎ +34 625 54 85 97, [4]. Opens 1700. Relaxed, water front dining and drinking spot. Serve fresh, local food for dinner. Host private events. Spanish/English/French spoken.  edit
• Dreamers - Ctra.N-340, Km.175. Rio Verde 29660 Nueva Andalucia; tel. 952 812 080

• La Notte -0.1 km N - Cno. la Cruz, S/N, 29600 Marbella; tel. 952 777 625

• Nikki Beach - Playa Hotel Don Carlos Carretera de Cadiz 29600 KM. 192 ; tel. 952 836 239

• Olivia Valere - upscale restaurant, bar and disco; Ctra. de Istan - Km.0,8 29600 Marbella; tel. 952 82 88 61

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Budget

• Pensión Aduar, Calle Aduar 7, Old Town, ☎ +34 952 773 578 (info@pensionaduar.com), [5]. Probably the cheapest beds in Old Town. Also has triples and quads, Single 15 euros, double 25.  edit
• The Hostal, Calle Isaac Peral, old town. Shared bathrooms, roof terrace, no breakfast. Bar with pool table. Single 20 euros.  edit

[edit] Mid Range

• Alanda Hotel and Spa [6] (*****) Boulevard Principe Alfonso Von Hohenlohe, S/N,Marbella Telephone : 952899600. (There are another two NH hotels in Marbella [7] if this one is full).

• Gran Hotel Guadalpin Marbella Spa [8] (*****) Principe Alfonso de Hohenlohe, cn40 Km.179, Tel. 952 243 242

• Marbella Club Hotel [9] (*****) CN340, Km 180,Marbella Telephone : 952822211

• The Townhouse [10] (hostel) C/Alderete 7 Plaza Tetuán, Marbella Telephone : 0034 952 90 17 91 Fax : 0034 952 90 17 91

• The Beach House [11] (hostel) Urb El ChaparralCN. 340 km 203 Marbella Telephone : +34 95 249 45 40 Fax : +34 95 249 45 40

[edit] Splurge

• PV-Holidays Terrazas Costa del Sol holiday village+33 1 58 21 55 84, A brand new self-catering holiday village. Has views of the Costa del Sol and the rock of Gibraltar. Developed around a main square dominated by patios, fountains and palm trees, the village offers many leisure activities: swimming pool, water games, activities and kids clubs for 3-18 year olds. 50km from Malaga Airport and 5 minutes from beach.
• Pierre & Vacances Caledonia Golf Resort, ☎ +33 1 58 21 55 84, [12]. New for summer 2009 located just 25km from Marbella. Apartments are spacious, comfortable and equipped with air-conditioning, a balcony and kitchen area. The residence is built around a swimming pool.  edit
• Gran Melia Don Pepe Hotel(34) 952 770300, Discover the secret of Marbella at the palatial Gran Melia Don Pepe, the 5-star luxury resort situated in the heart of Spain´s idyllic Andalucian region. Verdant gardens, sleek aesthetics, and a distinct Mediterranean air drape the sumptuous resort, imbuing Gran Melia with a warmth and grandeur all its own.

[edit] Get out

• Gibraltar - visit the historical British Colony, climb the famous rock and see the mischievous Barbary Apes. NB You will need your passport as the Spanish Guardia operate a full border control.
• Puerto Banús - is the famous yacht marina, lined with popular bars and restaurants, and a veritable posers' paradise. Plenty of late night bars and the odd celebrity are to be found here, but don't forget your wallet, it's not cheap! Some 7 km along the beach.

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