Menu
Marbellaprestigious international resort and yachting center on the Mediterranean coast of the Costa del Sol in Spain. The ancient port city is located in the province of Malaga, in the historical region of Andalusia. A special microclimate, excellent world-class tourist infrastructure attracts many visitors to Marbella. Here they are expected by cozy beach hotels, luxury hotel complexes of international chains, and atmospheric restaurants. Colorful festivals and celebrations are held in Marbella throughout the year.
The nearest airport to Marbella is located in Malaga (Málaga – Costa del Sol Airport), 57 km northeast of the city center. From the airport to Marbella can be reached by regular bus. You can use taxi services. Or you can rent a car, in particular from Gowerla M Rentacar, by booking a car in advance on gowerla-rentacar.com. If you decide to rent a car at the airport, head to Marbella on the N340 road. This route goes along the sea coast through numerous resort villages. In parallel, the toll highway Autopista del Mediterráneo (AP-7) was built, which runs along the foothills away from the sea. Here the traffic is much freer, higher speed is allowed, you can get to Marbella in half an hour.
During the period of Moorish rule over the Iberian Peninsula, Muslims built a new citadel on the site of a Roman fort. The fortress was surrounded by a prosperous city that belonged to the Caliphate of Cordoba.
In June 1485, the Moorish fortress surrendered without bloodshed to the mercy of the troops of the Catholic kings of Castile. In 1554, Charles V ordered the construction of a powerful citadel in the expanding port city.
By the middle of the 17th century, sugar cane was brought to Andalusia from the American colonies of Spain. On the coast, irrigated by mountain rivers, plantations sprawled, and sugar factories appeared in Marbella, which gave impetus to the economic prosperity of the city.
At the beginning of the XIX century, Marbella became the locomotive of the industrial revolution in the Spanish kingdom. In the spurs of the Sierra Blanca, reserves of iron ore and other minerals were discovered. In 1832, the first blast furnace in Spain was built here. Soon the ironworks of Marbella smelted 75% of the pig iron in the country.
By the end of the 19th century, the deposits were exhausted. Decades of prosperity gave way to a crisis, industry fell into decay, factories closed. Marbella has become a quiet provincial town. But at the beginning of the 20th century, the mild microclimate, long beaches and wonderful landscapes attracted European travelers to Marbella planted with jasmine and orange gardens. Guests received the first hotel, which opened here in 1918.
Tourists usually start their walk around the city with a visit to the old quarters of Marbella, which have preserved the layout of the XV-XVI centuries. The surviving part of the fortress walls and watchtowers built by the Moors in the 10th century has been restored. Orange Square, surrounded by Renaissance buildings, is decorated with an elegant marble fountain. It is worth visiting the ancient church of Ermita del Santo Cristo and the chapel of Ermita del Calvario.
The Renaissance mansion houses the Museum of Contemporary Spanish Engraving. It exhibits more than 4,000 graphic works by famous artists, including works by Pablo Picasso and Antoni Tapies, surrealists Salvador Dali and Joan Miro, avant-garde artist Pablo Serrano.
One of the alleys of the vast Arroyo de la Represa Park will lead you to the Bonsai Museum, which displays dozens of miniature landscape compositions.
Admission is free, opening hours: 10:00-19:00. Interesting traveling exhibitions are held at the Casa Grande Gallery. Inspection is free, doors are open from 11:00 to 21:00.
At the piers of the port of Marbella, the tower of the 29-meter lighthouse (El Faro de Marbella), erected in 1974, rises.
Its searchlight flashes every 14.5 seconds, the light is visible at a distance of 22 nautical miles (44 km).
A wonderful place for walking is the picturesque promenade of Marbella.
The Paseo Maritimo promenade stretches for 6 km. From here you can go to one of the city beaches and sit in some atmospheric bar, where it will be pleasant to relax under the sound of the surf.
The beaches of Marbella deserve special attention.
Clean sand, clear sea water, excellent service and impressive mountain views.
By visiting Marbella and driving around its main attractions in a car rented from Gowerla M Rentacar, you will gain wonderful impressions and positive emotions for the year ahead!
