One major town on the popular Costa del Sol has everything a visitor could desire. In fact, Marbella is lined with endless sandy beaches, great chiringuitos and Michelin-starred restaurants, as well as a pretty old town to explore. Meanwhile, for those looking for designer boutiques or to sail on a luxury yacht, the town can also offer those. Here we take a brief look at five of the best things to do on a vacation in Marbella on the Costa del Sol in Spain.
1. Beaches of Marbella
Naturally, being on the Costa del Sol, Marbella has gorgeous beaches. In fact, there are 20 to choose from along the coast, all with great amenities like chiringuitos (beach bars), sunbeds and parasols for hire and bathroom facilities. On top of this, most of them have lifeguards on duty from Easter through the end of September. However, one of the best is El Faro, a Blue Flag beach that lies to the west of the port and is perfect for the little ones to splash around.
2.Visit the Old Town
A visit to Marbella isn’t complete without strolling in the Old Town, with its narrow alleyways, whitewashed homes and colorful flowers. Meanwhile, strolling those narrow streets takes visitors to pretty squares, like the Plaza de Los Naranjas, lined with traditional Spanish restaurants. Among the flowering plants, the homes boast terracotta roofs and occasionally, have their exteriors decorated in pretty tiles.
3. Celebrity spotting in Puerto Banús
Located a short distance east from Old Town Marbella is Puerto Banús, one of the town’s flashiest spots. Here, super yachts and luxury cars are the order of the day, along with expensive boutiques and restaurants. Keep your camera handy, as you never know who you could spot while exploring the port, as a number of celebrities enjoy regular visits here.
In the early days, Cary Grant or Audrey Hepburn was often seen in Puerto Banús. Moreover, actor Sean Connery, Rolling Stones’ Ronnie Wood and the late Prince were also often seen enjoying the vibe. In more recent days, Ivana Trump, Eve Longoria, Antonio Banderas and Michelle Obama have been spotted in the famous port.
4. Marbella on the Costa del Golf
Due to its many golf courses, the Costa del Sol is often also referred to as the Costa del Golf, and Marbella has some of the best. In fact, 32 golf courses can be found within a half-hour’s drive of the town. Admittedly, some of these are invitation-only clubs with high green fees. However, there are also more affordable, no-frills courses available for those on a budget. For those new to the sport, Monte Paraiso is close to the center of town and offers relatively short, par-3 holes, allowing newcomers to try their hand at golf.
5. Hike up La Concha
Many views in Marbella are backed by the impressive La Concha peak, which forms part of the Sierra Blanca coastal range. For anyone who wants to escape the crowds, a hike up this mountain to its 1,200 m (3,937 ft) peak is a rewarding experience. Park at El Refugio de Januar and follow the signs to PR-A 168 La Concha and find yourself in a remarkable landscape. Once at the peak, look out over Marbella across the Mediterranean to the Atlas Mountains of Morocco.
Head to the Costa del Sol in 2023 to enjoy all these options and check out more on the official website for Marbella and Andalucía, Spain.
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