| One of the most important beach resorts on the | | | | preserved mosaics, and you will always find local |
| Costa del Sol, Marbella is known as the holiday | | | | guides ready to fill you in with the cultural details. |
| destination of European business tycoons. An | | | | The great advantage is that these ruins are very |
| open port to the Mediterranean, Marbella is a | | | | close to the beach of Guadalmina, west of San |
| flourishing city in Andalusian Spain and one of the | | | | Pedro, so you're actually close to other sights on |
| oldest inhabited places in Europe. The mountains | | | | the tour. Furthermore, there is also the city's |
| of Marbella have hidden the secrets of the | | | | mosque, a tribute to the city's Islamic past, and a |
| Paleolithic and the Neolithic people for millenia. Like | | | | great pride for the Arab community of Marbella. |
| its southern Spanish relatives: Alicante, Valencia, | | | | As for museums, one highly recommended place |
| Sevillia and others, the city still preserves the | | | | to go is the Museum of Spanish Contemporary |
| vestiges of five different conquering cultures. | | | | Engravings. Formerly a residential palace, belonging |
| Founded by the Phoenicians, Marbella also knew | | | | to Don Alonso de Bazan, it served later as a |
| Carthaginian occupation in the area of Rio Real. | | | | hospital for the poor. It houses and exhibits works |
| Later, it was a Roman base known under the | | | | of Picasso, Chillida, Tapies and some other great |
| name of Salduba. The cities fortifications date | | | | names in the Spanish patrimony. To pass from |
| back to the Muslim rule, when the city castle was | | | | museums to open air sights, that's one great idea |
| also built. Even the name of Marbella is of Arab | | | | for any sightseeing tours. Marbella boasts some of |
| origin, Marbi-la, from which it derives. The city | | | | the most beautiful parks and gardens in Spain, |
| entered a period increasing development some | | | | where every small area is valued, and planted |
| seventy years ago, and it has maintained this | | | | with flowers. There are Naguelas Parque, Parque |
| upward trend to the present day. | | | | de la Constitucion, La Alameda, Parque de las |
| The main touristic attraction is the large seafront | | | | Medranas and others all worth a visit if you have |
| promenade, which may just prove ideal for the | | | | the time. |
| traditional Spanish "paseo". There are cafes and | | | | Marbella is as crowded at night as it is by day, |
| restaurants, souvenir boutiques and tea houses, | | | | since the Costa del Sol has an abundance of |
| but most of all, there is the soft golden sandy | | | | restaurants, discos and nightclubs swarming with |
| beach and clear blue sea. This is the final | | | | people. Here are some of the best spots to have |
| destination spot for most European tourists, | | | | fun in the warm nights of Marbella. Ana Maria's will |
| above any other sight in the city. Furthermore, | | | | entertain you with fun flamenco shows, for rock |
| the promenade has the advantage of being within | | | | music, try Frank's Corner, and if your after the |
| just a few minutes walk from the old centre. | | | | chic high life of Marbella, La Notte Piano Bar is |
| Part of the old civilization, remnants of a Roman | | | | great place to visit. Stones Music Bar should also |
| settlement and now a popular tourist attraction | | | | be mentioned, as it offers a friendly atmosphere |
| are the Roman villas and baths. They have well | | | | of Karaoke sing-alongs and sports matches. |