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Marbella © Spanish National Tourist Board

Overview: Situated 25 miles (40km) southwest of Malaga, the few miles of coast between Marbella and Puerto Banus is Spain's answer to Monte Carlo. Spain's elite, and Britain's more successful felons, have flashy holiday homes in the surrounding hills, and swanky yachts in the marina. Marbella is the Costa del Sol's best quality holiday resort - the restaurants and bars are more stylish (and expensive) and the town has been spared the worst excesses of concrete development that have blighted neighbours such as Torremolinos.

The old town of Marbella is hidden away and retains some of its medieval charm, and has some good clothes shops and restaurants. The more exclusive Puerto Banus, six miles (10km) to the west, is where you will find the casino and the seriously large yachts. Those holiday visitors who drive just a few miles inland, to the villages in the hills around Ronda, will discover a Spain completely untouched by tourism with village markets and tapas bars to be explored.

Restaurants: Restaurante Messina, Ocean Club Marbella, Tango and Zozoi are the top-rated dining spots while on holiday in Marbella.

Nightlife: Marbella's best bars are Ana Marias, Frank's Corner, La Notte Piano Bar and Stones Music Bar. Clubs worth trying while on holiday in Marbella are Olivia Valere, Café del Mar and Oh Marbella.

Negatives: Marbella can be expensive for some tourists.

Nearby Attractions

Ronda Situated on a towering plateau in the mountains 30 miles (48km) inland from Marbella stands Ronda, one of the loveliest and most historic towns in the region. Ronda is a popular day-trip for holidaymakers on the Costa del Sol wanting to escape the...  see full details

Granada and the Alhambra Granada, a high altitude city of romance and folklore, boasts one of the most popular tourist attractions in Spain, the Alhambra palace-fortress. Built by the Nasrid rulers in the 14th century the Alhambra is the most important and spectacular piece of Moorish architecture in...  see full details