Information about Marbella-Puerto Banus, Costa del Sol


			Marbella Nueva Andalucia - Puerto Banus - 'Golden Mile' - Marbella Istán and Ojén (inland villages) Markets : Monday (Recinto Ferial, Marbella), Saturday (N.And'a bullring)
	Key Points Click for Guideline Property Values An international reputation for elegance and sophistication, originally 'discovered' as a fishing village and developed, post-war, by Prince Alfonso von Hohenlohe (Austrian aristocrat and later Spanish sole agent for Mercedes and Volvo motor cars). Luxury properties, high demand and high prices. Celebrities, nightlife and entertainment. A 'super yacht' marina (and visitor attraction) at Puerto Banus. A number of golf courses (at Nueva Andalucia) including the floodlit, all-night La Dama de Noche. Nueva Andalucia has good schools, lakes, swimming pools and leafy urbanisations. There are authentic parts, too. Roman bridge at Puente Romano. Marbella still has its fishing harbour and its attractive 'old town' of quaint narrow streets and the Plaza de los Naranjos (Orange trees square). There are two excellent shopping centres, at Puerto Banus and La Cañada (north Marbella). Transport links north and south via the AP7-E15 Autopista - access junction just north of Marbella. About 35mins from Malaga airport.
	Marbella Once just a small fishing village, Marbella, 100 kilometres square and 24 kilometres of beach, is known all over the world as one of the classiest and most beautiful holiday destinations in Southern Europe. It has everything: beaches, mountains, old world charm, cosmopolitan atmosphere and services, countryside and city, and a wonderful climate that keeps the temperatures cooler in summer and warmer in winter than the rest of Malaga province. From Cabopino to Guadalmina, passing through the pleasure ports of Marbella and Puerto Banús, the coastline is fine sand all the way, and the land that goes back from the beaches is a paradise of luxury housing developments, golf courses and beautiful mountain scenery. It is little wonder that Marbella has attracted the rich and famous for many decades, and that many people who come here on holidays decide to stay. The history of the town goes back to Palaeolithic times, as we can see from archaeological remains found in the area. Then the Romans came and settled, leaving clear evidence of their presence in the area, especially in the Las Bóvedas area and the Villa of Río Verde, with its exceptional mosaics. Marbella's old town centres around the Plaza de los Naranjos (Orange Square), which features a wide variety of traditional and modern restaurants. The narrow streets which meander from this point are chock-full of eclectic shops selling everything from Moroccan rugs to summer sandals. Venture out on to Marbella's main street, Ricardo Soriano and designer names such as Versace, Gucci and Escada are to be found. The Costa del Sol's most exclusive area, the Golden Mile, is home to stunning palatial mansions, including King Fahd’s summer palace, and the famous Marbella Club Hotel.
	The Marbella coastline enjoys some of the best beaches on the Costa del Sol. Many a local resident enjoys a morning walk or even jog along Marbella's Paseo Maritimo (promenade) where many traditional Spanish restaurants are also located. The nightlife in Marbella is equally eclectic, ensuring those who visit enjoy the pleasures of the night as much as the alluring sun during the day. Beaches Las Chapas, Los Monteros, Cable Rio Real, Venus-Bajandilla, Fontanilla, Los Nagueles and Rio Verde beaches, all with bar and restaurant facilities. Town beaches with breakwaters, flanked by long, palm fringed promenade. Golf Courses & Sporting Facilities Marbella Golf Club (1km), Golf Rio Real (1 km), Golf Valley (see Puerto Banús introduction for Golf Valley Clubs). Poli-deportivo (municipal facilities with tennis, paddle tennis, basketball, football, gymnasiums, swimming pool), El Casco Tennis Club (5km). Many private gymnasiums. Points of Interest Museum of Contempory Spanish Engraving (Museo del Grabado Español). Old town with remains of old Castillo walls and Ermita de Santiago, 15th century chapel. Bonsai Museum and Gardens, Parque de Alameda & Parque Constitucion (outdoor performances throughout the summer). Nueva Andalucia Heading west from Marbella, one travels along the “Golden Mile”, so named because of the many palatial beachfront villas and the famous Marbella Club Hotel. At the end of the Golden Mile is the world-renowned marina of Puerto Banús. Situated just north of the prestigious marina of Puerto Banús within the boundaries of “golf valley”, Nueva Andalucía has grown to become one of the most sought after residential areas of the Costa del Sol. With a superb infrastructure packed with amenities for all ages, the area has become a definite favourite for residential tourists. As one of the Costa del Sol’s largest and most exclusive new areas, Nueva Andalucía is well designed with carefully maintained streets and luxury homes. Home to the legendary Golf Valley, it sits at the foot of the Sierra Blanca mountains and is only minutes from excellent beaches, Marbella and Puerto Banús. Nueva Andalucía is also fast becoming known for its international cuisine, which ranges from down-home American deli style to serious cordon bleu. Puerto Banús Puerto Banús has become one of the Mediterranean’s most prestigious ports and the marina with its luxury yachts and cruisers surrounded by tasteful residential and commercial buildings is now world renowned. Boasting hundreds of restaurants, bars, shops and other attractions the port’s teeming activity can be seen day or night. Larger shopping centres are to be found behind the main port area and north of Puerto Banús lies Nueva Andalucía and Golf Valley, the heart of the Costa del Golf. Puerto Banús rivals Marbella as Spain’s leading jet-set haunt. Set against the magnificent Sierra Blanca, its superb marina houses some of the largest private yachts and cruisers in the world. There's also a stunning main square paved in marble, attractive palm-fringed boulevard, well-maintained sandy beaches and pleasant pedestrian promenade. Smart apartment buildings with classic Andalucian architecture add to the exclusive feel. Beaches Wide sandy beaches with all amenities located either side of the marina. Golf Courses & Sporting Facilities Within golf valley: Las Brisas Golf, Los Naranjos Golf, Aloha Golf. La Quinta Golf and Sports Club (2km), Los Arqueros Golf (4km), La Dama del Noche Golf Club. Aloha Gardens Tennis Club. El Picadero Riding Stables.
	Shopping Many designer boutiques within the port itself with commercial centres El Corte Inglés and Marina Banús located behind the marina. Ojén Ojen, situated in the hills above Marbella, has retained its village charm and is home to a wine museum. Sampling the flavours of the grape is not all this town has to offer. Situated just minutes from Marbella and all its amenities, Ojén is a white village nestling in mountains amidst stunning scenery. The village is compact and well connected to the coast and towns and villages further inland. The combination of Ojén's proximity to the Coast, and traditional village atmosphere makes it a popular choice for individuals living and working in the area.
	Istán Due perhaps to the hair-raising 45 minutes it takes to reach this village, Istan has remained distinctly unspoilt, but this is changing with new developments. Its older inhabitants can be seen passing the time of day under trees in the squares while the younger generation head to the waterfall to seek refuge from the summer heat or feed the peacocks in the park. Inhabitants of Istán truly know what it is to have a stunning view as amongst its rolling mountains nestles a lake of the most luminous forget-me-not blue. The snakelike drive from the coast is well worth it. The lake is currently (2005) very short of water and not quite the 'sea of aquamarine' you may be led to expect.
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