Marbella Facts

Marbella county covers a total area of 114.3 sq km (44 sq miles) and 26 km (16 miles) of coastline.

Latitude: 36.5167
Longitude: -4.8833
Altitude (feet) 124

The population is estimated: 116,000

Time difference to London - Time zone GMT +1 hour

Weather and Climate:
Winter (October to March) 14°C - 20°C (61°F - 69°F) spring-like with occasional showers.
Summer (April to September) 24°C - 26°C (75°F - 85°F) comfortable and dry.
Average Number of Days with Precipitation: 45 days

Quick Facts:
Major Industry: tourism
Electricity: 220 volts, 60 Hz; standard two-pin plug
Country Dialing Code: 34

Marbella Centre - Parque Alameda, Avenida del Mar

Nestled in the centre of Marbella just off the main street, Parque Alameda or Alameda Park is a shady retreat full of exotic trees from around the world. With numerous benches it is an ideal place to escape the midday sun and kick back and relax and breathe in the aroma of the jasmines and bougeanvillas. At the centre of Parque Alameda lies an impressive circular fountain, Fuente Virgen del Rocio, with scenes of the El Rocio Pilgrimage.

Fuente Virgen del Rocio

A stroll down from the white marble steps towards the sea will lead you to Avenida del Mar. This is a pedestrianized avenue which is one of the most relevant works to have been undertaken in the past few years. It used to be an abandoned park but in the 1990s it was excavated and converted into an underground car park, now covered by ivory coloured marble, ornate fountains and a complete collection of bronze sculptures by the infamous artist Salvador Dali. With attention to cleanliness and detail, the marble floors are always immaculate making this one of the prettiest parts of Marbella.

Paseo Maritimo and Puerto Deportivo

Lifeguard Tower, Marbella beach

Marbellas coastline covers over 25 kilometres from Banana Beach (El Cable) to Puerto Banus. The actual promenade or Paseo Maritimo stretches for seven kilometres and will take you from the far end of Marbella past the Golden Mile.

Beachfront, Marbella

The white balustrade runs all along the promenade which is interspersed with palm trees, chiringuitos, and cafes. This makes for a very pleasant stroll any time of the year.

Heading towards the fishing port

Along the way you will discover the Puerto Deportivo or marina, where there are a collection of al fresco cafes and eclectic bars. Here you can admire the boats and watch the fish feeding in the clear water.

Parque de la Constitución - Constitution Park

Right in the heart of the city is Parque de la Constitución or Constitution Park. Set back across the road from the Skol Apartments this is one of the most tranquil and beautiful areas of Marbella. The park is close to the seafront and is a favourite shady retreat and resting place for locals and visitors. It houses a children's park, a cafe, a small astronomic observatory and also an amphitheatre which is frequently used for concerts and plays in the summer. The park is filled with many colourful and seasonal flowers and is always well maintained.

Fishermans Port

At the east entrance to Marbella, by the big, blue Single Home building and the sunken ships roundabout, you will discover the Fishing Port. It is often overlooked by tourists as it is set away from the main hub of Marbella centre. Still a working port, it is an authentic dining experience and one of the best locations to eat fresh fish in the area. Just a short walk from the beach you can dine during the day or at night under the stars in one of the specialist fish restaurants. All of the restaurants do "Sardinas al Espeto" which are sardines grilled over an open fire. Be sure to find out what the special of the day is!

Arroyo de la Represa Park and Bonsai Museum

A short walk up from the old town will bring you to the beautiful stone walled park Arroyo de la Represa. This park was one of the first works to be undertaken by the former Mayor Jesús Gil and the landscape architect Miguel Angel Vico. It is two kilometres long by half a kilometre wide. There are numerous artificial lakes which are home to an impressive collection of ducks and turtles and the odd rabbit or two!

In the heat of the day you can find the ducks snoozing amidst the long grass and the turtles basking on the rocks soaking up the sun. There are sports areas, a children's park and a cafe.

In the heart of the park you will discover the famous Bonsai Museum. Unique in Spain it holds a superb exhibition of over 300 bonsai trees from 40 different species some dating back to over 300 years old. It is recognized to be one of the best collections in Europe and has the best wild olive tree collection in the world! The museum also houses examples of nature close to Marbella, some of which are in danger of extinction such as the Pinsapo Pine.

The miniature works of art are housed in a modern building placed on rafts above the water which contains fish and turtles. A true oasis of calm and tranquility, these trees are lovingly cultivated by their owner Miguel Angel García.

The Old Town - Casco Antiguo, Plaza de los Naranjos

Marbellas historic centre Casco Antiguo, or The Old Town, is characterized by white-washed streets, historic churches and squares, restaurants and tapas bars, and a growing number of boutiques and shops. Work your way around the maze of traditional cobble stone back streets and soak up the atmosphere of unspoiled traditional Spain.

A church in The Old Town

At the centre lies Plaza de los Naranjos (Orange Tree Square) which dates back to around the time of 1485. Here you will find 16th century structures like the town hall and a pretty chapel.

The Town Hall, Orange Tree Square

Partially enclosed by an ancient Arab wall, this area is the perfect place to breathe in Marbellas rich history while enjoying a drink or two in a local tapas bar. You will also find the Tourist Information Centre where you can pick up free leaflets and maps on Marbella and upcoming events.