Marbella and its surrounding resort areas offer substance and style despite the seemingly endless tales of deception and backhanders in local government, the skyline of cranes and the influx of brash high-spenders and D-list celebrities during the summer months. From idyllic mountain villages and Roman mud baths, to Michelin-starred eateries and world-class clubbing, Marbella offers an intriguing mix of old Spain and Eurotrash.
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01
Essentials
| 01 |
Be sure to travel beyond Puerto Banús' glittering lure and head into the hills beyond Estepona for a sense of history and breathtaking mountain scenery. |
| 02 |
After a lunch of paella, spend an afternoon on the beach, between Puerto Banús and Mistral Beach. |
| 03 |
Drive to Tarifa and the Costa de la Luz for windswept beaches, beautiful sand dunes, surfing and a buzzing bar scene. |
| 04 |
Benahavis is a picturesque white-washed village packed with restaurants; head into the hills for roast goat, lamb chops and suckling pig. |
| 05 |
Visit Marbella's pretty Old Town during fiesta time and find the alleyways packed with locals dressed in Flamenco finery, dancing, drinking and eating. |
| 06 |
Don't expect to dine earlier than 22.00, unless you fancy eating in an empty restaurant; at around 23.00 Spanish families and children arrive for dinner. |
| 07 |
It might be the 21st century, but everything still shuts for three hours of siesta. Most restaurants are also closed on Mondays. |
| 08 |
The beach club has arrived. Nikki Beach was first to set up its all-white affair, with Puro and Café del Mar coming last year. |
| 09 |
Soak in Manilva's therapeutic mud baths in Hedionda, which date back to Roman times. |
| 10 |
For an old-school flavour of the coast, head to the port of Sotogrande. Also, catch a polo match and charter a yacht to take you out for the day in the Med. |
02
Hotels
Independent and easy
The Townhouse
7 Calle Alderate, Plaza Tetuán
+ 34 952 901 791
townhouse.nu
Dependable chain
Ritz-Carlton Villa Padierna
Carretera de Cadiz, 166km
+ 34 952 889 150
ritzcarlton.com
Premium
Las Dunas
Urb. La Boladilla Baja
Carretera de Cadiz, 163.5km,
Estepona
+ 34 952 809 400
las-dunas.com
03
Dining
Fast breakfast
Starz, Kiosk 3, Centro Plaza
Nueva Andalucía
+ 34 952 816 313
Leisurely breakfast
Terra Sana
8-9 Calle las Malbas,
next to Casino Marbella
+ 34 952 906 205
Mid-morning coffee
El Jardin
Aloha Gardens s/n, Nueva Andalucía
Lunch with friends
The Beach House
Urb. Coto do los Dolores
Carril del Relojero, Elviria Hills
+ 34 952 839 458
thebeachhouse
marbella.com
Picnic spot
Near the Roman ruins of Baelo Claudia, in Bolonia, 15km north of Tarifa, and at the foot of Europe's highest sand dune.
Lunch on your own
Passion Café
Centro Comercial La Colonia
San Pedro de Alcantara
+ 34 952 781 583
Sunset cocktails
Purobeach
Laguna Village, Playa el Padron
Carretera de Cadiz, 159km,
E15 Exit Estepona Este
+ 34 951 316 699
purobeach.com
Dinner for two
Messina
12 Aveneda Severo Ochoa
+ 34 952 864 895
restaurantemessina.com
Best alfresco dining
Arroyo Hondo
Carretera de Casares,
10km, Casares
+ 34 952 895 152
arroyo-hondo.com
Big dinner with friends
MC Café
Marbella Club Hotel
Bulevar Principe Alfonso
von Hohenlohe
+ 34 952 822 211
marbellaclub.com
Drink after dinner
Room
9 Calle Jesús Puente
Puerto Banús
+ 34 952 907 140
roommarbella.com
Late drinks
Bambina
5 Pasaje, Casco Antigua
www.bambina.es
On the tiles
Olivia Valere
Carretera de Istan, 0.8km
+ 34 952 828 861
oliviavalere.com
04
Reading
Bookworld España
Branches in San Pedro de Alcantara, Puerto Banús and Gualdalmina
bookworldespana.com
05
Essentials
Farmacia Playa del Duque
Avenada Playas del Duque,
Puerto Banús
+ 34 952 817 872
06
Shopping
Something you can't get anywhere else
Earthenware dishes from the Saturday market in Nueva Andalucía.
Lost luggage - where to buy shirts, socks and underwear
Centro Comercial Costa Marbella
Carretera N-340, Puerto Banús
+ 34 952 909 990
elcorteingles.com
Something for the kids
Toys from Imaginarium
Centro Comercial, Marina Banús, Local 203, Puerto Banús
+ 34 952 817 326
imaginarium.es
Something for someone you love
Jewellery from Gomez y Molina
Paseo Benabola, Puerto Banús
+ 34 952 817 289
gomezymolina.com
Something for yourself
Fashion from Elite
8 Benabola
Puerto Banús
+ 34 952 812 621
07
Two hour tour
Head up the road to Málaga:
| 01 |
Museo Picasso Málaga
Palacio de Buenvista
8 Calle San Agustín
+34 952 127 600
museopicassomalaga.org |
02 |
CAC Málaga
Calle Alemania
+ 34 952 120 055
cacmalaga.org |
03 |
Gibralfaro Castle
11 Camino Gibralfaro |
08
Limousine/car
Limousines Premier
290 Avenada Velazquez, Málaga
+ 34 902 119 692
limousines-premier.com
09
Transport
Take a taxi
A cab ride from Marbella Old Town to Puerto Banús will cost around €12. Car hire is also cheap.
aurigacrowncarhire.com
10
Fitness
Good Gym
Oxigeno
Centro Comercial, La Cañada
+ 34 952 903 864
oxigenofitness.com
Good running route
The 6km beach front on Marbella's palm-tree-lined Paseo Maritimo.
Alternative diversion
Golf at Valderrama, Finca Cortesin, Las Brisas or San Roque.