Costa del Sol Guide - Marbella

Marbella Information

Marbella has many beautiful places to visit as well as world class shopping and cuisine.

The Plaza de los Naranjos, named after the orange trees that grow there, was built in 1504 on the orders of the first Christian governor of the town. Roman remains have been discovered in its sub-soil. The fountain in the square dates from 1604, and nearby we can see the hermitage of Nuestro Señor Santiago, the first Christian church in the town, dating from the end of the 15th century.

The Old Town Hall was built in 1572, its exterior having a wide balcony with wrought-iron railing and a splendid Mudejar-style entrance with coat-of-arms and inscriptions, one of which tells of the water brought to the public fountains in 1632. There are fresco paintings in the inside of a religious theme. The Casa del Corregidor, dating from the 16th and 17th centuries and with a stone facade, is also in this square.

Map of Marbella

Map of Nerja

Marbella has more pleasure ports than any other municipality in the province of Malaga. Here some of the biggest luxury yachts in the world can dock, and the ports themselves have become luxury shopping and restaurant areas.

Cabopino has one of the best beaches on the Costa del Sol, with fine, clean sand in a fairly sheltered bay. In this area too is a nudist beach.

Church of Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación was built in the 18th century on the foundations of an earlier 16th century church. Its interior is divided into three naves separated by semicircular arches. Of particular interest outside are the reddish stone entrance and the tower in four sections, dominating the surrounding area with its ceramic tiled roof in the shape of a pyramid. Inside are some valuable paintings and religious jewellery. The old Moorish walls of the 9th century Moorish fortress are just outside, one of the well-preserved fortress towers being situated across the square from the church.

Marbella county covers a total area of 114.3 sq km and 26 km along the coast. It comprises several important urban sites: Marbella, San Pedro de Alcántara, Puerto Banús, Nueva Andalucia and Las Chapas, as well as several suburbs.

Marbella is surrounded by Estepona, Benahavís, Istán, Ojén and Mijas. Being one of the most patent stamps of the past we must show you the alcazaba wall. That is to say, what is most popularly known as "The Castle". This wall held inside it the first and most primitive city of Marbella, although this did not take long in spilling over the walls, extending its arms over what is today known as the old town.

The first references to Marbella can be found in the geographic texts used by Muslim travellers in the Middle Ages. During the Islam period Marbella became a walled in city. The Muslims built a castle and surrounded the city with a moat with just three entrances: "From the Sea" (del Mar), "From Ronda" and "From Malaga". The Castle remains today but the moat and the doors have disappeared.