Although a modern town, Marbella is full of history, found in every corner of the "old town", with its Moorish castle, and famous "Orange Square". There is something for everyone in Marbella, from its spectacular natural environment and outstanding beaches to its most sophisticated hotels and superb restaurants offering refined cooking from around the world.
A minute of History:
A truly Andalucian town, Marbella has always succeeded in conquering its conquerors - Phoenicians, Romans, Vandals, Arabs. A few years ago, the first mosque to be built since the reconquest of Spain by the Catholic monarchs at the end of the 15th century, opened its doors to worshippers and visitors, a few miles from Marbella. This magnificent complex was built by H.M. King Fahd of Saudi Arabia .
General Information:
Marbella is one of the Mediterranean's most representative tourist venues - and a top favourite for travellers. Its impressive infrastructure of hotels, yacht harbours, golf courses, medical facilities, its closeness to Malaga airport are key features, along with good roads, and a beautiful, safe and uniquely historic urban environment. Marbella also has an exceptionally mild microclimate, protected by the impressive Sierra Blanca mountain range, and a cosmopolitan atmosphere provided by a broad mix of nationalities, races and religions coexisting side by side.
Where to go:
During the day, wandering down some tiny backstreet, you can find a small restaurant or bar offering a broad range of typical Spanish wines and snacks which you can enjoy in the company of friendly locals, receptive to cultures and viewpoints from around the world.
From midday onwards, time slows down for everyone the Old Town, Marbella's historic centre. Its time for "tapeo" - eating the delicious small snack offered by all bars, for the "copita", - a small glass of cool wine or sherry - and for "charla" - friendly chats with your fellow clients and the bar owner, before settling down to a leisurly lunch, followed by a well-deserved "siesta" (afternoon nap).
Entertainment from the early evening onwards offers a huge range of possibilities, many of them concentrated in the yacht harbours. Marbella's own port, below the central Alameda square, is a favourite rallying point for young people, but offers things to do to all age groups. Crowds are big at weekends, spilling over into adjoining areas of the town.
Events:
Cities are usually thought to fall asleep in summer but Marbella is different, since luckily there seems to be some celebration or other nearly every day. In this both typical and modern town, with streets and brilliant white houses, the famous celebration of the Moors and Christians regularly took place in bygone times
Amongst key dates on Marbella's calendar of celebrations are the traditional fair or "feria" on, or around 11th June, in honour of the town's patron saint, San Bernabé - Saint Barnabas. The festival of Nuestra Senora del Carmen takes place on the 16th July, is the festival of the men and women of the sea - fishermen and their wives and families.
Comments:
The harmonious coexistence in Marbella of peoples of all nationalities, ideologies, races and religions may have its roots in the history of the town.
As was the case with the rest of Andalucia, the town of Marbella was successively occupied by Phoenicians, Romans and Arabs. Although they came as conquerors, little by little they began to settle down here, feeling more and more at home, and ending up wholly conquered and bewitched by this paradise which is Andalusia, and especially by Marbella, a famous oasis even in ancient times.
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