Marbella is a beach resort in Andalusia, Spain, on the region of coastline known as the Costa del Sol (the sunshine coast). It is well-named as the area averages over 320 days of sunshine each year.
Although there is archaeological evidence to suggest that there has been human habitation in the area where Marbella is situated for thousands of years, it was the Romans who established the town in around 1500 BC. There are remains of Roman sites to be seen today, most notably the Rio Verde Roman Villa with its well preserved mosaic floors, and the Guadalmina Thermal Baths.
In the 1940s Marbella was a small village with around 900 inhabitants. It has seen phenomenal growth as a tourist resort since then and its present population numbers some 120,000. It is particularly well-known as a playground for the wealthy and famous, with many stars of the cinema owning homes here.
The area around Marbella is well-endowed with golf courses and many of its hotels offer specially arranged golfing holidays.
Marbella’s many fine sandy beaches are ideal for children as most of them have the European Blue Flag which is awarded for cleanliness and services. The beaches generally have life guards in attendance and most of them offer a choice of water sports. A popular excursion is a boat cruise along the coastline.
Although one doesn’t immediately think of museums when thinking about Marbella, the city does have a number of them. For example there is the unique Bonsai Museum with its display of more than 300 trees and the Contemporary Engraving Museum which has exhibits depicting the history of the engraving and etching trades.
Marbella also has an important collection of Salvador Dali’s sculptures located in an outdoor setting at the end of the Alameda Walk, a walkway leading from the old town to the beach.
