Dolan Property
Your trusted Marbella real estate agent and property specialist on the Golden Mile.
5th August 2022
By Michael Dolan
Places to visit in, and around, Marbella
Whether this is your first trip to Marbella; you are a seasoned visitor with a regularly used holiday apartment; or a permanent resident who has made a home here - with its sunny beaches, rich cultural calendar, and mouth-watering food, it is easy to see why the Costa del Sol is the long-running favourite of the British and northern Europeans.
Here are just some of the attractions Marbella holds, and a few of the fabulous places to visit within easy driving distance.
Beaches
A trip to Marbella would not be complete without visiting the beach. 27 km of coastline make this Costa del Sol city one of the most popular tourist destinations in the whole of Spain.
Playa Padre, Ancon, Nagueles, El Faro, La Venus, Los Monteros and Real de Zaragoza beaches (to name just a few) are the reason so many visitors travel to Marbella in Summer. No other coastal city in Andalusia has more Blue Flag awards.
All of the 23 different beaches are idyllic and with their own unique and separate charm’s - from a full-on party atmosphere, family friendly, right through to a chilled relaxed vibe - means there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Starlight
The Starlite Festival is a music and cultural event held yearly from June-Sept at the Quarry, located in the Sierra Blanca Urbanization, Cantera de Nagüeles, Marbella.
It is now established as one of the entertainment events of the season and regularly hosts big name artists such as Elton John, Enrique Iglesias, Lionel Richie, Andrea Bocelli, Ricky Martin, Tom Jones, Plácido Domingo, and many more.
And it is not just the music; there is shopping in the specialised boutiques; dinner at the gourmet restaurant; and you can book a table in the sessions area – where you can listen to the DJs, and experience the full after-show parties, a truly memorable night out.
Puerto Banús
Right next to Marbella is the legendary Puerto Banús. Famed for its mega yachts, designer boutiques, and dazzling nightlife.
A long-time party destination of the rich and famous, you don’t have to spend a fortune to people-watch, and this is where you are most likely to spot some celebrities.
It is a place to see….. and to be seen, where the stars of film and screen, mix with royalty, and the uber wealthy.
Benahavis
This mountain perched village, which is just 20 mins drive inland from Marbella, is home to a multitude of restaurants. This combined with the fantastically high quality of the food has led to Benahavis gaining status as the “Dining Room of the Costa del Sol”.
You can try typically Spanish dishes, cooked traditionally or with a modern twist; as well as a variety of different cuisines from all over the world. One of the most celebrated dishes is solomillo de cerdo aliñado (marinated pork fillet). There is also plenty of locally caught fish and seafood.
Estepona
30 mins drive from Marbella and dubbed El Jardín de la Costa del Sol (the Garden of the Costa del Sol), lies Estepona. The flowers, tree lined boulevards, green spaces, and shaded squares all contribute to the natural beauty of Estepona. It is also home to The Orchidarium, which is the largest botanical garden in Europe and houses hundreds of orchids and tropical plants.
The Old Town of Estepona is stunning, quaint, and traditional all at once. It is a veritable maze of cobbled streets and whitewashed town houses. As it is mostly pedestrianised, you can lose hours leisurely meandering through the streets, and stopping for coffee or a cold drink at one of the cafés.
Malaga
With Marbella only a 45-minute drive from Malaga airport, it is just as easy to take a trip back into the city for a day or two away.
Culturally, Malaga is a hive of art galleries, museums, historical buildings, churches, and the cathedral, plus several shopping malls (Centro Comercial Larios and Vialia Centro in the city, and Plaza Mayor on the outskirts) which make it a perfect place for a day or two spent away from the beach.
And whilst visitors to Spain have always seen the Costa del Sol as a tourism hotspot, Malaga is now emerging as a hub for European business with Vodafone, Google, and Citigroup all recently opening new offices there.
Gibraltar
Drive an hour west, either on the old coast road (N340) or along the new toll road (AP-7) and you will come to Gibraltar. A British overseas territory that takes its identity very seriously - complete with red phone boxes, fish and chip shops and English beer.
For such a small place there’s plenty to keep you entertained. A trip up the “Rock of Gibraltar” is a must. The rock rises 426m above sea level and has huge historical significance, as well as some fantastic views.
It is also home to some of Gibraltar’s most famous residents, the Barbary Macaques (monkey’s). But keep an eye on your belongings as they love to steal anything, especially food.
You will need a passport for entry in and out of Gibraltar as you do go through border control. However, once you are in, you can also pick up any staples you might be missing from the UK (marmite, hot chocolate) at the large Morrison’s supermarket - allegedly the store that reports the biggest profits in the whole chain - must be all those Brits missing their home comforts.
Ronda
Just over an hour’s drive inland from Marbella is Ronda, one of the most extraordinary locations in Spain. Now part of the Sierra de las Nieves Natural Park, the town is literally split in two by the 100 metre deep El Tajo gorge.
Connected by the Puente Nuevo (new bridge), a feat of engineering completed in the late 18th century. It connects the newer part of town, El Mercadillo (the market) with the earlier Moorish part, simply called La Ciudad (the town), and is an amazing sight to see.
Ronda is also home to the oldest bullring in Spain, and the partially intact Baños Arabe (Arabic baths). Plus it has some stunning views of the Serranía de Ronda mountains.
Granada
If you want to venture a bit further afield, then the gorgeous Andalusian city of Granada is only two hours’ drive by car. There is also a bus which leaves Marbella bus station several times a day and is very reasonably priced.
The architecture in the city is breath-taking. Set at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains, with an unmistakably Moorish influence, it is a gastronomic and cultural mecca. A visit to the magnificent Alhambra Palace is highly recommended.
A word of warning though, Granada gets very hot in the summer months of July and August, regularly seeing temperatures in excess of 40 degrees, so it may be a visit best saved for Spring or Autumn.
Property Sales in Marbella
Marbella’s mix of the prestigious, the picturesque, and the more tranquil urbanisations and developments are what attracts such a variety of different people. If what you are looking for is a relaxed way of life with plenty of sunshine, close to a bustling metropolis with lots to do, the Costa del Sol is, without a doubt, the place to buy a property in Spain.
2022 is gearing up to be an exceptional year for property sales. We are seeing a huge demand for all categories of real estate - apartments, townhouses, detached villas - and we are actively looking for all types of properties for our buyers. Whether it is a holiday getaway destination or a family home you are after - Marbella is the place to be. It is a vendor’s market and if you are looking to sell, now is the time.
We understand that choosing a new home is a big step, and for those of you buying or selling a property in a foreign country, it can be very stressful. Our team of real estate experts provide a full ‘hands on’ service. We work in partnership with you (our client), your lawyer and any other professional advisers or consultants. Dolan Property is here to help you through the whole process, every step of the way.
We are based in the heart of Marbella’s Golden Mile and specialise in high quality, desirable properties in prime residential locations; Nagüeles, Sierra Blanca, Cascada de Camoján, East and West Marbella, Istan Road, Nueva Andalucia, and the new Golden Mile in Estepona.
Dolan Property specialists are committed to the highest levels of business and ethical standards, and we are proud members of the Leading Property Agents of Spain (LPA).
