Marbella in Spain has long won the status of a modern, sophisticated resort, where hundreds of thousands of travelers flock every year. Of course, first of all, the place attracts tourists with its azure sea waters and sandy beaches. But its attractions also play an important role in the high popularity of the resort. Among them, you will find natural objects, historical monuments and entertainment points. To understand how rich the city is in interesting locations, just look at the photos of Marbella’s attractions. Well, we did not limit ourselves to just picturesque photos and decided to take a detailed look at the most attractive places of the resort.
Old Quarter
One of the main attractions of Marbella in Spain is the historic quarter of the city. The old district is located in the very center of the resort, not far from the coastal area, separated only by a highway. The quarter is a combination of colorful winding streets and white buildings decorated with lush vegetation and miniature flower pots. There are both residential buildings and a variety of cafes with souvenir shops. The sidewalks in the area deserve special attention: many of them are elegantly decorated with sea stones or laid with tiles.
The historic quarter looks quite clean and well-kept, which was helped by its recent restoration. One part of the streets is very lively and noisy, the other is more peaceful and sparsely populated, so it will be very interesting to wander here and look at different corners with their own unique atmosphere. Local chapels, miniature churches, and museums will make you linger in the area. Well, the main attraction of the Old Quarter is, of course, the Orange Square, which we will talk about in more detail below.
Orange Square
The square got its name thanks to the orange trees planted along its perimeter. For several centuries, this place was the center of political and commercial life in Marbella, Spain. Today, the small square has turned into a picturesque island filled with cafes and restaurants, where tourists relax at tables in the shade of orange groves. In addition, it is here that the most interesting historical sights of the Old Quarter are concentrated. Among them, it is worth seeing:
- Chapel of Santiago. This is the oldest religious building in Marbella, dating back to the 15th century. It is a small rectangular structure with rich interior decoration, including icons and statues of saints.
- Magistrates’ Court. The landmark, like the chapel, is one of the oldest buildings in the city. Built in 1552, the courthouse is notable for its arches on the upper tier, as well as its façade with Gothic architectural elements and Renaissance details.
- City Hall. The building was erected in 1568, and today all visitors to the square can admire the ancient sundial that has been preserved here.
To help you navigate the sights of Marbella’s Old Quarter, we recommend that you contact the tourist office located in Orange Square. Here you can ask for a map of the area and get all the information you need.
The main church of Marbella
If you are wondering what to see in Marbella and its surroundings, we recommend visiting its main church. Although the construction of the temple dates back to 1618, its decoration was completed by Spanish architects in the middle of the 18th century. The external appearance of the church is quite modest. The only, most notable detail of the external facade is a multi-colored panel laid out of ceramic tiles, which indicates all the nationalities that once lived in Spain in Marbella.
The interior of the church looks much richer than its exterior. The central place in the church is occupied by a gilded retablo (Spanish version of the altar), made in the Baroque architectural style. The main figure in its composition is a miniature statue of Saint Bernabé, the main protector and patron of Marbella. In his honor, local residents annually organize spectacular celebrations with elegant processions in June. Do not forget to pay attention to the monument of the Saint, which is located at the entrance to the temple. In addition to the altar, the organ is also of interest inside, but choral music concerts are not held here.
- Opening hours: Monday through Saturday, the attraction is open from 08:00 to 22:00, Sunday – from 09:30 to 22:00
- Admission: Free, donations welcome.
- Address: Plaza de la Iglesia, 29601 Marbella, Malaga, Spain.
Embankment
The central promenade in Marbella, Spain is a spacious promenade area that stretches along the coast for 7 km. This is a great place for leisurely tourist walks surrounded by palm alleys. On the one hand, you can look at the picturesque seascapes and appreciate the local beaches. On the other hand, you are greeted by a promenade of hotels, cafes, bars, shops, children’s attractions and fairs.
The Marbella embankment makes for some very beautiful shots, especially at sunset. One of the city’s main symbols, the white lighthouse, is located here. The place is perfect for both morning and evening outings, and is a great spot for cycling and rollerblading. The attraction is especially crowded in the evening, when restaurants and shops fill up with tourists. At this time, walking along the embankment is quite safe: firstly, there is excellent lighting, and secondly, the streets are constantly patrolled by local law enforcement officers.
Puerto Banus
To get a complete picture of the sophisticated resort of Marbella in Spain, you should definitely take a look at the Puerto Banus harbor. The popular place on the coast is literally permeated with the spirit of luxury and pathos. Expensive cars, luxury yachts, wealthy women and men in branded clothes – all these are bright pieces of the mosaic that form the overall picture of the glamorous life of Puerto Banus.
The port was built in 1970 and quickly transformed into a fashionable area with expensive boutiques and restaurants. The main attraction of the harbor is the giant yacht pier, which includes 900 mooring places. The port offers boat rentals: for example, renting a small yacht for 4 hours will cost €1,000. However, many tourists visit Puerto Banus not to leave a large sum of money here, but to watch how others do it.
Avenida del Mar
Among the attractions of Marbella in Spain, it is worth highlighting the Avenida del Mar boulevard, a kind of open-air museum dedicated to the work of Salvador Dali. The spacious pedestrian street, paved with marble, is literally dotted with the artist’s surrealist sculptures made of bronze. It is noteworthy that the sculptures presented on the boulevard are genuine works by Salvador Dali. At the same time, there are no barriers or security, so visitors can safely explore the sculptures and even touch them with their hands.
Besides everything else, Avenida del Mar is not only an ideal place to get acquainted with Dali’s works, but also a good option for a pleasant pastime. There are many benches on the territory where you can rest after visiting the museum. The alleys here are decorated with lush green flower beds and palm trees, as well as babbling fountains. On both sides of the boulevard there are cafes and shops. There is an underground parking lot under Avenida del Mar.
Alameda Park
Marbella in Spain is also famous for its picturesque parks. And one of the most popular modern complexes is called Alameda. The landmark appeared at the end of the 16th century, gradually expanded and today has become a rather popular place for recreation. This cozy and well-kept park becomes a real salvation for vacationers in the unbearable heat. The sidewalks of the complex are paved with marble, which provides additional coolness.
In the center of Alameda, it is interesting to look at the large fountain, decorated with a panel with the coats of arms of Andalusian cities. The park benches deserve special attention: some of them are covered with ceramic tiles with atmospheric images of Spain. The park has attractions for children, an ice cream stand, and a cafe where you can have a cup of coffee.
Constitution Park
What else to see in Marbella, Spain? If you have a free day, do not miss the opportunity to visit the Constitution Park. The complex was built in the 50s of the 20th century and initially served as a nursery for seedlings intended for landscaping neighboring cities. Today, rare subtropical plants brought from different countries of the world grow on its territory. Mediterranean cypresses are especially common, forming an entire alley here.
Over the past decades, the park has transformed into a popular place for family leisure. It has a children’s playground and a cozy cafe. It is a well-kept, quiet place where it is pleasant to hide from the scorching rays of the sun. In the summer, the park opens a theater season, when various musical performances are held in the local amphitheater, designed for 600 spectators.
Castle walls
This attraction will immerse you in the history of Spain and take you to the medieval era, when the Moorish civilization flourished in Marbella. The castle’s defensive walls are the only thing left from the once mighty Arab fortress, built in the 9th century. When constructing the structure, mainly hewn stone was used, due to the strength of which the fortress walls were able to withstand and partially survive to this day.
Today, the historical landmark adds a special charm to Marbella and fits harmoniously into the city landscape. The castle gates are located in the Old Town and can be visited absolutely free of charge. A detailed overview of all the ruins will take no more than an hour. A look at the fortress walls will be interesting not only for lovers of medieval ruins, but also for admirers of the history of Spain, as well as any inquisitive tourist.
La Concha Mountain
One of the most picturesque natural attractions worth seeing while in Marbella, Spain, is La Concha Mountain. The majestic mountain range is clearly visible from many city points, but the main object of tourist attention in this chain is its peak. Its height above sea level reaches 1215 m. It is at this point that the main viewing platform on La Concha is located.
To get to the top of the mountain, you will have to overcome quite a difficult climb. The tourist is offered two routes to choose from – northern and southern. The first is easier, 11.2 km long in both directions. However, the beginning of this route is in the mountain village of Istan, located 20 km northwest of the center of Marbella.
The southern route starts near the historical center of the resort, you don’t have to leave the city, but this route stretches for 25 km (in both directions). At the same time, 18.5 km of them run exclusively through mountainous terrain. For unprepared travelers, such a walk can be a real challenge, so it is important to assess your strength in advance. If you decide to overcome the route, be sure to take care of comfortable shoes and clothes for long climbs, do not forget about water and food. As a result, all your efforts will undoubtedly pay off with unforgettable impressions and mesmerizing panoramas opening from the peak.
Juanar Viewpoint
Another interesting attraction is located 8.5 km north of Marbella in the mountains of the small town of Ojen. The place is really worth visiting, because few people know about it. We are talking about the Juanar viewpoint, from where unforgettable mountain and sea views open up. The location will also delight you with its diverse flora. And perhaps you will even be able to see the mountain goats that live here.
You can get to the place by car, following the signs in Ojen to the Refugio de Juanar hotel, next to which is the entrance to the tourist mountain zone. Then you only have to drive (or walk, if you wish) about 2.3 km along a narrow mountain road to the south of the hotel, and the breathtaking bright panoramas will finally open up to your eyes.
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Conclusion
These are perhaps the most attractive sights of Marbella, photos and descriptions of which only prove that this resort in Spain deserves special attention. Our list presents various locations, which together provide the opportunity to spend an unforgettable vacation in the city and its surroundings. At the same time, all places can be visited absolutely free of charge, almost at any time.
