If you're looking for a city with a perfect climate, you could hardly ask for better than Marbella. Located in Spain's Andalusia region on the Mediterranean Sea, Marbella is one of the premier destinations on Spain's famous Costa del Sol.
In recent years, Marbella has become the place to be, particularly as a beach resort for the rich and famous. Under the influence of the city's former mayor, Jesus Gil, significant investment was made to assure that Marbella became a premier destination. That means more than beaches, however, as Marbella offers an excellent array of museums, concerts, theatrical productions, and other cultural events and activities.
Marbella's long history is believed to have started in the Paleolithic and Neolithic ages, based on archaeological evidence in the area. From that ancient history, it came under Roman influence at which point it was named Salduba. The city obtained the name Marbella during Islamic domination, which resulted in the castle and walls being built in the city. The castle can still be seen today although the moat, walls, and other defensives have disappeared.
The Roman influence in Marbella can still be seen in a few places. The remains of the Rio Verde Roman Villa offer beautiful mosaic floors, which provide a hint of the lavish villa that once stood in the city in the 1st century. You can also see the ruins of the Guadalmina Thermal Baths, which were built around a small lake. Today, clay pipes, marble plaques, and ruined walls are all that remain of these once luxurious baths.
The city itself is beautiful, with the city center containing some of the most notable sights. The Plaza de los Naranjos is the centerpiece of the city geographically and socially a picturesque square surrounded by orange trees. From there, Marbella spreads out in a series of twisting, narrow avenues and beautiful boulevards with parks and gardens spotted throughout the city. Also stop by the Bonsai museum or the Museo del Grabado Espanol Contemporaneo for some excellent exhibits.
If you're looking for things to do, Marbella won't let you down. Aside from the beaches themselves, Marbella is famous for its numerous water sports and excellent sports facilities. It is also extremely popular with those who like to play golf. The city has numerous festivals throughout the year including Carnival in February and Feria in June, both of which are colorful, energetic displays of the Spanish love of life. Feria, in particular, features Flamenco dancing and people wear the very best of their regional dress. With a rather different feel, the city celebrates their patron saint, Virgen del Carmen, on July 16th with a procession of fisher boats that are decorated with flowers.
Marbella has it all - culture, climate, entertainment, excitement, heritage, and more. All you have to do is show up.
