Now that the warmer weather seems to be upon us (fingers crossed it will stay that way) there is no better place to visit than Marbella and Puerto Banus.

Marbella is Andalucia´s jewel in the crown, and however many times you have visited before, you will always find something new to see and do.

Away from the golden beaches and glitzy night life you will find a more sedate and traditional way of life in the old town. Orange Square is Marbella´s prettiest area, and is home to the 16th century town hall, and tourist information centre.  The narrow streets around Orange Square are packed with small shops, art galleries and pavement cafés, where visitors can relax and watch the world go by.  As its name suggests, orange trees and tropical plants fill the main square with a burst of colour and blossom, depending on the time of year.

Tapas Bars Marbella
Bars and restaurants are plentiful here, and many are situated in the old town.  Some of the more classy restaurants are situated in and around Orange Square, but if you prefer something cheaper and more traditional, there are some great tapas bars close by, including Pinxtos and Gambrinus in the centre of town.

Marbella´s seafront paseo is one of the most stylish in Spain, and elegant fish restaurants sit beside pavement cafes , designer clothes shops and every type of restaurant imaginable – from Spanish to Italian, Chinese to Japanese – they  can all be found here. The Marbella coastline runs from Puerto Cabopino in the east to Guadalmina in the west, and boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in Andalucia.  This cosmopolitan resort is home to over 100 different nationalities, and the town prides itself on its facilities and amenities.

Puerto Cabopino is well worth a visit, and although this fun port has grown considerably over the past two decades, it still retains a certain charm and individuality which you may not find at the bigger marinas.  Small bars and restaurants jostle for position on the harbour side, and the best beach in the area is situated next to the marina.  Water sports facilities are also available at Cabopino plus dolphin spotting trips.  Visitors who want to make a day of it can enjoy lunch at one of the fabulous beach bars or take a stroll up to the main square for tapas or snacks.

Golf Courses Marbella
For golf enthusiasts there is no better place to come than Marbella.  Over 30 top class courses are situated within easy driving distance of the town, and the famous Valderrama Course at Sotogrande hosts the annual Volvo Masters Tournament in October/November. Golf Valley is situated in Nueva Andalucia, just 1km from Puerto Banus, and five courses include Aloha, Dame de Noche floodlit course, Las Brisas and Los Naranjos.

If you are looking for a great place for dinner after a hard day on the golf course, take a stroll down the Golden Mile and give James Hewitt´s Polo House a whirl. Offering superb cuisine in beautiful surroundings, Polo House is a welcome addition to this decadent part of Marbella.

Marbella Hotel Beach Club
Other places worth visiting are the superb and legendary Marbella Hotel Beach Club, which offers an excellent buffet lunch on Sundays, including fresh lobster and every type of delicacy imaginable, or take a trip to Puerto Banus and relax with a drink at Sinatra´s Bar, overlooking the luxury yachts.

If skiing is more your thing, Sierra Nevada, meaning ´snowy mountain range´,  is situated just north of Granada, and only a couple of hours drive from the Marbella. Enjoying such a southern position, skiers and sightseers alike are almost guaranteed sunshine at this beautiful resort – especially during the early spring.

Manolo Santana Tennis Marbella
If you prefer the tennis court to the golf course, the Manolo Santana Tennis Club is one of the best in Marbella. Situated close to the Puente Romano Hotel, the club boasts six tennis courts, four plexi pave and two clay courts, all of which are flood lit. Manuel Martínez Santana, best known as Manolo Santana, (born May 10, 1938) is a former Spanish tennis champ.  He was born in Madrid. In 1965, Santana, who had begun his career as a ball boy and “picked up” the game, led Spain to unexpected victory over the U.S in the Davis Cup, and he became a national hero, receiving the public approval of the Spanish leader, General Franco. Manolo Santana’s vision was to create a Club where adults and children could play tennis, learn from professional coaches and fully enjoy the beauty of a game that he is passionate about. His vision has been accomplished on Marbella´s Golden Mile.

Funny Beach Marbella
Funny Beach is one of Marbella´s most popular amusement parks, and is situated just 1km from the centre of town.  The park is instantly recognizable by the large signs at the entrance, and offers great entertainment for all the family.
As its name suggests, Funny Beach is right on the seafront, and it provides great fun activities for all the family. Activities include motor go-karting on a specially designed track, trampolining, video games, electric bikes and cars, jet skis and cable skiing, plus many other sideshows and entertainments. There are also plenty of rides and activities for smaller children to enjoy. For visitors who prefer a quieter time, there is also a swimming pool with sunbeds and parasols, and a cocktail bar close by.

Marbella Shopping
A mecca for shopping, Marbella´s most famous commercial centre is undoubtedly La Cañada, which is situated just outside town at the Ojen exit of the A-7 motorway. The largest shopping centre on the Costa del Sol, and home to over 150 shops, La Cañada offers free, ample parking as well as regular buses and two taxi ranks. In addition to the shops, La Cañada also boasts restaurants, hairdressers, ten pin bowling and an amusement arcade, multiplex cinema, Alcampo supermarket and Oxigeno Fitness Centre, a state of the art gymnasium.

Marbella has something to offer everyone, and whether you are travelling with the family or looking for a romantic holiday or a few days away in the sunshine, you will find plenty to see and do in this lively town.  And just for the record, the fabulous Marbella Feria is due to start on the second week of June – don´t miss this 6 day extravaganza of music, dancing, and merrymaking in and around the town centre.