Marbella Information

Located in the region of Andalucia on the Costa del Sol, Marbella is Spain’s answer to St Tropez and here, as in its French counterpart, you will find the rich and famous.

Neolithic and Palaeolithic remains have been found in Marbella. It was a Phoenician settlement and later the Romans arrived. They called the town Salduba – city of salt.

The Moors arrived in this part of Southern Spain in the first decade of the 6th century and they called the town Marbil-la. The castle walls that are found in parts of the town date from this time.

When Prince Alfonso de Hohenlohe’s car broke down near the town in the 1940’s he realised what a gem the place was and decided to exploit its special qualities. In 1954 he opened the hotel Marbella Club. Then the rich and famous flocked to the resort and Marbella’s name became synonymous with luxury and pleasure. Thanks to its climate and golf courses, in a mere 50 years, a sleepy fishing village has become and international hotspot.

The focal point is the Old Town, which is still partially surrounded by the ruins of the old Arab wall. Orange Square with its ancient stately buildings, tall trees and exotic tropical plants is the nerve knot of the town and here you will find shops and restaurants to suit all tastes.

The cobblestone streets wind through alleys, past immaculate facades, and balconies decorated with flowerboxes bursting with geraniums and carnations. There are tiny, typically Andalucian squares and interesting nooks and crannies, such as the Balcón de la Virgen (Balcony of the Virgin Mary) set in the window of an old whitewashed house that houses a restaurant.

Marbella is also famous for its wonderful beaches and its marina, where luxurious yachts arrive from all over the world. It has beautiful boutiques, luxurious hotels, shopping centres and a vibrant nightlife.