Travel to Marbella

Travel to Marbella

Marbella is famed for being one of the most charming and stylish holiday destinations in southern Europe. The city is unique in that it offers a touch of the old and the modern, has a great climate, beaches, mountains, golf courses, casinos, a lively nightlife and many other attractions.

Transportation to Marbella

The nearest airport to Marbella is Malaga Airport, some 50kms away from Marbella. However, there are bus and taxi services that make it convenient to get to the city.
Malaga Airport handles both domestic and international flights and is well equipped with amenities to serve passengers. There are regular trains from Madrid and Barcelona to Marbella. Driving to Malaga is another option; if starting from Madrid, take the E5 and follow the signposts that are clearly marked. To drive to Marbella from the east coast and Barcelona, it is best to take the E15 that leads directly into Marbella. The bus network to Marbella does not have many services, but it is cheap and good way to save money if you are not in a hurry.

What to see

The basilica of Vega del Mar fortress is one of the most interesting Visigoth remains to be explored in Spain. This basilica is located in the Old Town of Marbella, which is noted for its rich architecture. There are several beautiful parks in Marbella and in the centre of the city is La Almeda, the best known meeting point for locals. The garden is a full of interesting tropical plants and you can hire a personal horse-drawn carriage to take you around Marbella. Other parks include King Fahiad Gardens, which overlooks the golden mile and Nagueles Park at the foot of the Sierra Blanca mountains. Marbella is alsofamous for its beautiful beaches including the Guadalmina and Fontanilla. Near Orange Square are the ancient ruins of a Muslim castle and at Rio Verde, there are remains of an 18th century Roman village.

Day trips

The ferry crossing to Morocco, on the north coast of Africa, only takes an hour, leaving plenty of time to explore the souks and experience a bit of Moroccan culture. The quaint hill town of Ronda is about 1 hour 30 minutes drive from Marbella. Here in the Andalucian hills you can visit the River Gorge, which divides the 18th century parts of the town from the medieval part. Ronda is also home to the famous Ronda bullring and its curious museum is open to the public most days.

Activities and leisure

Visitors to Marbella have plenty of activities to choose from. Water sports are very popular, with jet-skiing, paragliding, sailing, fishing, deep-sea fishing, windsurfing, diving and snorkelling easily available. Land activities include horseback riding, cycling, archery and go-karting. The golfing enthusiast can arrange for a round of golf at the championship golf courses at La Quinta, La Duquesa and Valderama. Many tour companies also organise four-wheel drive jeep excursions that take you to places that are hard to reach, but which offer spectacular views.

There are several shops at Marbella that cater to the needs of visitors. Souvenir shops, leather goods and handicrafts shops as well as outlets selling branded items. The city is also home to many restaurants, discos, pubs, casinos and game rooms.

Safety issues

Although Marbella is a safe city to visit, it is always best to be on the alert for snatch thieves and pick-pockets. It is advisable to purchase travel insurance whenever you travel, but in particular, if you are planning to participate in the more adventurous activities.