The Province of Málaga has a city that is picturesque Spain. At the very bottom of the country is where the Mediterranean Sea begins to fade. However, Marbella could not be more of a Mediterranean paradise. Silky, warm sky blue waters, marvelous sunshine, and the breathtaking views to accompany them. It's a city of 140,000 people, but since it has been born out of resort town, you can expect that most people are situated closer to the sea. There are still 15th-century walls that were built by the invading Arab forces, and bits of the castle towers still remain where they stood all those years ago. The city is lauded for its archeological findings and continued importance in this field. Of course, Marbella is one of the first points of Spanish civilizations that North Africa meets. The Puerto Banús is the most lavish marina along the coast. Here you’ll find privately owned yachts and small sailboats. Both locals and wealthy foreigners use the marina to tie up their boats and enjoy the beach or go for a walk along the nightclub scene. The sandy beaches roam on and on for 27 kilometers, and their natural beauty is only beaten by the Sierra Blanca Mountains.
Take it slow
You’re by the famous Spanish coastline, there’s no better way to spend your first day than to follow a good old Spanish tradition. Have a siesta at Plaza de los Naranjos which is an open space in among some fantastic buildings. The plaza dates back into the 15th century and thus is situated in the Old Town. It was eventually won back from the hands of the Moors after a Christian campaign sought to turf out the Islamic invaders. Now, however, it's a place of serene Spanish beauty. Flowers of orange, yellow, purple and white litter all over the ground enriching the atmosphere. The buildings are whitewashed, glazed in pure white paint as indeed is the Mediterranean tradition. There’s outdoor seating for the multiple cafes that offer a light lunch and a mid-day coffee. There’s also an abundance of restaurants that also serve chilled alcohol during the lunchtime. It's a nice place to come and gather with friends to socialize and talk about the day’s events. In classic Spanish style, the history of the monarchy is also on display with a statue of King Juan Carlos I. The Chapel of Santiago is a Gothic-style place of Catholic worship. It’s the oldest religious building still standing in the plaza which was also built in the 15th century.
A view of blue
It just wouldn’t be a sea resort without a fabulous marina and Puerto Banús does not disappoint. The ocean blue color of the water is so stereotypically the Mediterranean, it's calm and smooth, awesome for a slow ride down the coastline. The marina is popular with all manner of wealthy characters, from business executives, movie stars, sports heroes, and of course the aristocratic class. It's little wonder, the marina is surrounded by cafes, boutique shops, whitewashed residential homes that have a mixture of 2-floor and 3-floors. As soon as the sun says goodbye for the day, the shoreline erupts in color, with yellow hues and reds business signs lighting the water. Those that want to host a gathering on their own yachts do so in their own small section on the western side of the marina. The smaller boats all have their own places to tie themselves to the shore and here is where you will find businesses that offer rental services. Be sure to book early if you do, as the marina sees 5 million visitors every year so demand is high.
The Golden Mile
It has the word ‘mile’ in the name but the Golden Mile is actually around 4.8 miles of Spanish coastline. Marbella has some the best beaches the country has to offer, and wherever there are beaches, you will find luxury. The Golden Mile consists of brilliant restaurants, cafes, historic buildings, churches, beaches, marinas, and hotels. It's the stretch from as far east to as far west that the city can manage at its most southern point. The Andalusia region is one of the autonomous regions of Spain, and it plays host to Marbella. And you can see the region’s influence on the food that is served in the restaurants namely seafood. For a long time, the coasts have been fished for their richness sources and cooked in tapas dishes. Everything from fresh tuna to mussels has found their way into the plates of the locals and tourists. The way seafood is usually eaten in this region is by frying it, and the food on the Golden Mile is no different. You can get some excellent fried prawn and chorizo salads to go along with your espresso. The Golden Mile is also actually quite calm for most of the year. Many tourists will situate themselves on one of the beaches and the locals will be going about their daily lives of shopping and socializing. For the majority of the stretch, it's a peaceful walk as the hot humid air slowly breezes up and down the coastline. The waters are content and rarely do you see high curling waves forming and crashing onto the shore. Nevertheless, there is a lighthouse called the Faro de Marbella, built in 1864. It's 29 meters high and it has modern automatic timers and uses photoelectric cells to shine brightly across the water and land, warding off any ships. It also acts as a landmark for local fisherman that may not have ships with radar.
Source Jorg Wiengrill
Planting a flag
Marbella is a Mediterranean city, so you can expect to be competing with other tourists to make your way through its cobblestone side streets and beautiful architecture. So why not just always have a place to stay and not have to book yourself into a hotel everytime you want to enjoy the city? As you might expect in such a popular destination in Spain, there are Apartments for sale Marbella has to offer. With over 20 years of experience in helping clients to find a property that specifically fits their needs, there’s more than a chance that something will suit you. Whether you need 2 apartments or 4 bedroom penthouses, there is a property that is modern and tailored for your needs. You have the pick of best residential areas in the city, from Los Flamingos, Estepona, East Marbella, Elviria, Casares and Puerto Banus too. Every apartment is blessed by a gorgeous view and from no matter what angle the home or apartment may be facing, you have a view out toward the Mediterranean Sea. Choose to be a little further inland and closer to what the action is, then you will be walking distance from all the bars and restaurants. If you want to be a little more subdued and value your peace and quiet, then a property closer to the mountains on the eastern side of the city will be great for you.
The White Range
To the south, you have the eternal blue of the sea, but toward the north, you have the Sierra Blanca Mountains. Sierra Blanca stands for ‘White Range’ and this is because the amount of vegetation at the foot of the mountains leaves a lot to be desired and thus the pale cream limestone is exposed. The highest point is at around 1,275 meters above sea level. The mountains have an almost uniform shape of their peaks with a triangular outline. Thus if you fancy a hike up the mountains for a day you will need to ditch your trainers and most likely get a pair of proper hiking boots to grip the steepness of the slopes. The best way to get to the mountains is by the Marbella Town roads, as there is no real back dirt road to get on. The views that you get from the peak called Pico del Lastonar are breathtaking. You can see the new boats and yachts that are coming to port from miles away. Cruise ships can be seen dancing on the edge of the horizon and fisherman out at sea casting their nets. By far it's one of the best things you can do in the city is to climb up the mountains to see Spain as you’ve never witnessed before.
Marbella is typically laid back and very inviting to everyone. It's not going to match the business of other Spanish cities like Madrid and Barcelona, but it is the second largest city of Andalusia. It's got enough of a nightlight atmosphere to make you forget where you are. During the day you might even see some of the most famous people from around the world sailing into the marina. The calm waters allow for late night swims but also, a chance to sail the coastline from end to end most days. The apartments are spectacular. You may be surrounded by some ancient buildings but the homes and apartments are entirely modern. Painted in the sheer white color, they set the perfect serene Mediterranean scene. The seafood is a fresh as it gets with batches of catches coming in all throughout the day. Marbella is a stereotypical Spanish sea town resort, in all the best ways imaginable.
