Marbella on the Costa del Sol
Marbella is situated about 45 minutes from Malaga Airport and about 45 minutes from Gibraltar airport. The main airport used for Marbella is still Malaga and you should expect to pay between 65 and 75 euros for a taxi to the centre of Marbella.
The town has so much to offer it's visitors and residents alike and many businesses also operate from the centre of Marbella as it has all the facilities required for the day to day operations of a business.
The town is really split into three main sections. The middle section is the town centre where you will find the majority of shops and offices. Most of the main high street brands can be found in Marbella such as Mango and Zara. There are quite a few cafes, restaurants and bars in the centre as well although the majority are to be found either on the promenade (paseo maritimo) or up in the old town Marbella (casco antiguo).
Marbella Old Town (Casco Antiguo)
As you cross the road from the busy centre of Marbella you will notice a few entrances leading to what looks like some small backstreet shops. As you actually enter this section you will notice that there are many narrow cobbled streets lined with typically Andalucian style houses. Here you will find many small boutiques selling anything from designer shoes to decorations for the hair. It is a great passtime exploring the many wonderful shops scattered throughout the old town. Eventually you will end up in the main square of the old town known as Orange Square (Plaza de Naranjos). Quite simply you are in a square (plaza) of oranges (de naranjos). Right around this square are orange trees which are further surrounded by restaurant after restaurant. Here you will find some of the most popular restaurants in Marbella from gourmet cuisine through to authentic tapas bars.
Marbella Centre
There are many side roads running off of the town centre all hiding more shops, cafes and restaurants. The main street that runs through Marbella is Ricardo Soriano. This street starts just after the Marbella Golden Mile by the copper needle and Burger King and runs right down to the end of the main commercial area. About three quarters of the way along, opposite the entrance to the old town is the park by a place known locally as the "Cafeteria Marbella". This is where you can jump in a horse and cart and be taken on a mini tour of Marbella.
Marbella Paseo Maritimo (Promenade)
Walking this stretch when you are hungry is a torturous journey because of the gorgeous smells of food cooking. On the beach the smell of the grilled sardines carries through the air. On the otherside the vast number of restaurants provide many tantalising smells of both sweet and savoury and there is nothing like the smell of melted chocolate used to accompany the Spanish snack of churros.
The Marbella Golden Mile
Between Puerto Banus and the main centre of Marbella, the access road is known as the Marbella Golden Mile. Traditionally this is where the super rich purchased their homes and even today you can see some of the secluded villas and some of the best hotels on the Costa del Sol.
Useful Marbella Information:
Marbella Restaurants
Marbella Night Clubs
Hotels in Marbella
Marbella Golf Clubs and Courses
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