Once a fishing village, and now one of Europe´s most famous resorts, Marbella is both elegant and intriguing.

Having lived here 14 years, I never tire of Marbella and there is always something new to see or someplace new to visit.  The Plaza de los Naranjos in the heart of the old town is a must if you haven´t visited before – quaint cobbled streets and a main square with street cafés and overhanging orange trees  make up this attractive part of town.  There is no better place to relax and watch the world go by with a glass of fino and a plate of tapas.

One of my favourite parts of coastal Marbella is the Avenida del Mar – a marble avenue with Dalli statues leading down to the sea.  It really is one of the most elegant walkways you will come across in Marbella, and ends up on the main paseo, beside the sea.  The excellent Corner Bar is close to the top of the avenue, and serves a superb Sunday roast between 1 and 5pm.  Great news now that winter is round the corner.
Along the paseo itself, one of my favourite haunts for a drink is the Banana Tree – located on the Western part of the paseo.  Serving all types of exported beers, and typical Brit food, you are always assured a warm welcome here, and the prices are great for Marbella.  If you are looking for something a little more upmarket, Pasta Da Bruno has a restaurant closeby overlooking the sea, and the usual excellent service and fabulous Italian fare is in evidence.

Some of the best tapas bars in Andalucia are situated in Marbella, and my favourites include Gambrinus, Cañas y Tapas and Pinxitos – all of which are situated between the main Avenida Ricardo Soriano and the beach.  Favourite dishes served are:- baby red peppers stuffed with prawns, foie gras paté with caramalised onion on toast, melted camembert with sweet pickle, mixed seafood salad and the best Spanish omelette you will taste on the Costa del Sol.  We like to try a couple of tapas in each, and visit as many bars as possible – making a full day of it.

Being so close to the Mediterranean, fish features heavily on many menus, and you will be hard pressed to find fresher seafood than in Marbella´s fishing port.  When you are coming into town from the East, (Calahonda direction) as you pass the car showrooms on the left you will come to a roundabout with a fishing boat submerged in the middle, and you will see a large blue-mirrored building on the left with Single Home written on the side.  Turn left at the roundabout here and you will find yourselves in the actual fishing port.  The restaurants around here are unbeatable for fish, and many charge per weight (the fish not you).  Octopus and squid are among the favourites, but the usual suspects such as boquerones, hake and fresh prawns are also served up.

If you are feeling energetic, one of the most picturesque walks you can take is along the paseo from Marbella to Puerto Banus (about 5km).  This is a great walk in Autumn or winter, when you can watch the sea crashing onto the beach.  We normally stop en route at Victor´s Beach Bar, which is about half way between the two resorts, for coffee and breakfast.   The walkway reaches the beach just short of Puerto Banus, and another 5 minutes across the sand takes you directly into the Marina.  We normally enjoy lunch at the Lonestar Brasserie or The Red Pepper when we are in Banus, and there are plenty of other great bars and cafés to choose from.

Just inland from Marbella is the beautiful white town of Ojen, and if you want to be a bit more adventurous, take a trek through the amazing Sierra de las Nieves just to the West of the town, where you can immerse yourself in the countryside and  see some of the most amazing flora and fauna on the Costa del Sol.  Alternatively, a just another ten minutes up the Ojen Road is Monda with its majestic castle and whitewashed houses.

If you are into skiing or snowboarding, the Sierra Nevada mountain range is only a 2 hour drive from Marbella, and boasts some of the best ski resort facilities in Europe.  Ski school is available for kids and adults, and there is plenty of cheap and cheerful accommodation close to the village.  Prices are reasonable and skis, equipment and boots can be hired from shops in the main square.  Granada is the nearest city to the Sierra Nevada, and if you fancy combining a ski trip with some sightseeing, particularly the Alhambra Palace, this city offers a superb range of accommodation.

Marbella comes to life in the evening, and after a long day on the beach, you will have no shortage of places to go at night.  Try the flamenco bars in and around the old town, which often have live entertainment.  Many of the performers play here because of their passion for flamenco, and some of Andalucia´s most famous talents come from this neck of the woods.

For the younger crowd, there are discos and nightclubs aplenty in the centre of town, and many of the late bars stay open well into the next day.  Not for the faint-hearted, Marbella´s nightlife is legendary, and attracts visitors from all over the Costa del Sol.

To sum up, whether you visit Marbella with your family, with your partner or just fancy a weekend away on your own, there is something here to suit everyone.  The flights from the UK are cheap, the accommodation is plentiful, the climate is unbeatable and the entertainment is first-class.