{"id":28440,"date":"2014-01-21T09:52:53","date_gmt":"2014-01-21T09:52:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.fuertehoteles.com\/?p=28440"},"modified":"2020-01-14T14:02:21","modified_gmt":"2020-01-14T13:02:21","slug":"ten-reason-marbella-not-to-be-missed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.fuertehoteles.com\/en\/destinations\/ten-reason-marbella-not-to-be-missed\/","title":{"rendered":"Ten reasons why Marbella is not to be missed"},"content":{"rendered":"

This beautiful city like no other, settled alongside the sea in the heart of the Costa del Sol,<\/strong> offers visitors much more than the seaside image it has acquired over time. Marbella<\/strong><\/a> is full of surprises, from a historical centre worthy of the most exclusive white village of the Sierra, beaches for all tastes, mountains, endless sunshine, fantastic local gastronomy, culture, leisure to, as you will already know, glamour, yachts and luxury. Yet this only represents one side of the cities charm. Due to this and much more Marbella is simply a must see for visitors of Andalucia<\/strong><\/a>. And just to make sure we have you fully convinced, here are ten reasons why this destination just cannot be missed:<\/p>\n

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1.\u00a0Take a stroll to Puerto Ban\u00fas<\/h2>\n

If Marbella is known all over the world for one thing, it\u00b4s for its luxurious port visited by endless personalities in their luxury boats. If you can allow us to compare the two, ignoring the distance, going to Puerto Ban\u00fas<\/strong> is like strolling along the Hollywood Walk of Fame, an authentic showcase where fortune and fame from all over the world come to Marbella to dress in designer clothes and spend their days on yachts or in high-end cars.<\/p>\n

If you do decide to visit, a stroll in and amongst the famous, a trip on a catamaran or visit to the most exclusive jewellery and clothing stores are activities that cannot be forgotten. But there is more to Marbella than Puerto Ban\u00fas, its promenade and marina also deserve a visit, not forgetting a stroll along the beach.<\/p>\n

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Puerto Ban\u00fas<\/p><\/div>\n

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2.\u00a0Visit the historical centre<\/h2>\n

Marbella\u00b4s historical centre surprises a lot of its visitors. Perhaps the first thing you think of when you hear the city\u00b4s name is Puerto Ban\u00fas, and not its historic centre with white narrow lanes, trellised houses and hanging bougainvillea giving the spot its unique charm. Everybody leaves the centre surprised at the small fishing village spirit that is still alive today; it is a historical centre that certainly deserves to be explored. Admire, amongst others, the Orange Tree Square,<\/strong> where the aroma of orange blossom fills the air. The old city wall or the Encarnaci\u00f3n Parish Church are both perfect ways to complete your tour. Enjoy Marbella\u00b4s delightful hidden secret!<\/p>\n

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Orange Tree Square<\/p><\/div>\n

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3.\u00a0Drop in at the Museum of Contemporary Spanish Printmaking<\/h2>\n

Without a doubt, one museum that cannot be missed is the museum where visitors can find works of Picasso, Mir\u00f3, Dal\u00ed, Chillida, T\u00e1pies and Barcel\u00f3. This genuine treasure is home to more than four thousand prints. The Museum is the first printmaking museum<\/strong> to come out of Spain, and one of the few in the whole of Europe. It can be found in the heart of the centre, just behind the Encarnacion Parish Church, in the former Baz\u00e1n Hospital; an attractive building that represents the public renaissance architecture of the 16th<\/sup> Century that has been declared a Spanish Heritage Site of Cultural Interest.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Museum of Contemporary Spanish Printmaking<\/p><\/div>\n

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4.\u00a0Discover Ist\u00e1n<\/h2>\n

The municipality of Ist\u00e1n is settled within the beautiful surroundings of the Sierra de las Nieves.<\/strong> It is worth mentioning that part of its land constitutes the area designated as a Biosphere Reserve by Unesco.<\/strong>\u00a0 Located in an exceptional setting, perfect for exploring the charm of the mountain villages, surrounded completely by nature, where it appears as though time has stopped. In fact, if you truly wish to see something unique, don\u00b4t miss the opportunity to visit the Casta\u00f1o Santo, a tree that is over one hundred years old and home to a lot of history and many curious legends. Not forgetting the Escalante Tower, the Church of San Miguel, the Water Museum nor the source of the River Molinos or the stunning River Verde.<\/p>\n

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Ist\u00e1n<\/p><\/div>\n

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5.\u00a0Fall in love with Ronda<\/h2>\n

They say that everyone who visits Ronda<\/strong> falls in love with it, not only because of its location, historical monuments, including the Bull Ring (one of the best known, above all for the \u201cGoyesca\u201d fights) but also for its breath-taking canon and the bridge that sits over it\u2026In fact, according to Lonely Planet, Ronda is one of the most beautiful cities in Spain. And no wonder! Its ancient Arab medina structure, its lavish bull fighting culture and its stunning scenery make this village a compulsory stop on for any visitors of Andalucia.<\/p>\n

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Ronda<\/p><\/div>\n

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6.\u00a0Take a trip to Las Chapas beach<\/h2>\n

Marbella is home to more than 30 kilometres of coasts<\/strong> to suit all tastes, from urban beaches with elegant promenades and beach bars to please all pockets, to other practically wild beaches ruled by tranquillity and peace. It is Las Chapas beach<\/strong> that stands out from the list, quiet and not visited often, with golden sands and everything you need for a day at the beach. In the centre, the Venus Beach<\/strong> is perhaps the busiest, yet charming and bustling with swimmers who want to take a dip in the Med and sunbathers enjoying a mojito or sardine skewer in their hammock.<\/p>\n

For those who are in search for a more serene setting, the Artola dune,<\/strong> known as Cabopino Beach is ideal. Surrounded by pine trees, this beach is perfect for nudists, enjoying a good book and relaxing to the sound of the waves. Other recommended beaches are those of San Pedro de Alc\u00e1ntara, Cortijo Blanco, Puerto Ban\u00fas or Puente Romano.<\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n

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Marbella<\/p><\/div>\n

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7.\u00a0Take home a souvenir from Puerto Ban\u00fas Market<\/h2>\n

Does a place exist where you can buy anything you need at a reasonable price? It does! Marbella is not just high prices and exclusive stores. The market,<\/strong> held every Saturday on the outskirts of Puerto Ban\u00fas, is an opportunity that cannot be passed down. Souvenirs of the city, fresh fruit and vegetables, spices, clothing, crafts, jewellery and furniture, from 9 o\u00b4clock on every Saturday mornings. The travelling stall keepers will try their hardest to attract tourists and locals alike to participate in the most authentic shopping trip of the city. It is even worth it just to have a wander around. Pencil it in your diary, their stalls stay put until 2 o\u00b4clock in the afternoon on Avenida de Manolete.<\/p>\n

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Puerto Ban\u00fas<\/p><\/div>\n

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8.\u00a0Take a trip to the centre of Malaga and its museums (Thyssen and Picasso)<\/h2>\n

Over the years, the capital of the Costa del Sol<\/strong> has become a place that no tourist who comes to the area can pass by. From the castle of Gibralfaro that overlooks the city, descending towards the stunning Alcazaba, and ending up in the Roman Theatre, you can discover a unique mix of architecture of diverse styles and eras that make Malaga a place of outstanding beauty. Taking a stroll through the Plaza de Merced, down the streets, calle Granada towards calle Larios and winding up in the Alameda and the Paseo del Parque is an idyllic tour for those tourists who seek to discover history, culture and leisure sheltered by the shade of stately homes, reminiscent of the city\u00b4s glorious past.<\/p>\n

Amongst this maze of streets and lanes, the Thyssen Museum<\/strong> and its collection of Andalusian Art, as well as the Picasso Museum,<\/strong> home to limited editions of the Malaga artist\u00b4s works as well as the house where he was born, are highlights that cannot be missed.<\/p>\n

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M\u00e1laga<\/p><\/div>\n

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9. Route around Oj\u00e9n: from the Refugio to the Juanar Viewpoint<\/h2>\n

The journey of a few kilometres that separate Marbella and Oj\u00e9n<\/strong> along a mountain pass and the glimpse of this white village nestled in the mountains, simply takes one\u00b4s breath away. The sea views over this town and its narrow, white-washed streets both contrast with the dazzling green of the nature that surrounds them.<\/p>\n

Although the medieval castle of Sol\u00eds and the caves of Oj\u00e9n do deserve a visit, the natural setting of El Juanar, in the Sierra Blanca<\/strong> is a compulsory must-see. Ideal for those who seek to enjoy nature in its purest state, it offers a wide range of hiking trails for all levels. The majority of the routes finish in one of the most stunning natural balconies facing out towards the Marbellan Coast, the cruz del Juanar, from where you may appreciate a truly breathtaking panoramic view of the Costa del Sol whether during the day or in the evening.<\/p>\n

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Oj\u00e9n<\/p><\/div>\n

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10. \u00a0Make the most of the Puerto de Sotogrande<\/h2>\n

A select marina that is sure to charm all those lovers of water activities is the Puerto de Sotogrande.<\/strong> Equipped with fantastic facilities and found right next to great golf courses, it is one of the greatest attractions of San Roque, a municipality of Cadiz. A wander along its marina, abundant with restaurants serving exquisite dished is a luxury that this setting, a mixture of sea and architecture, permits. Discover one of the most prestigious marinas in the whole of Europe, up there with Puerto Ban\u00fas, where it\u00b4s the norm to play polo, tennis, padel or to horse ride.<\/p>\n

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Sotogrande<\/p><\/div>\n