The famous Costa del Sol in Spain has many beach resorts, but Marbella is one of the best because of its historic old town, which is full of culture, charm, and lively Spanish vibes. The old town of Marbella is in the city’s beautiful casco antiguo (old quarter). It has small streets, colourful plazas, and historic buildings that will take you back to the city’s beginnings.
A Look at the Old Town of Marbella
The old town of Marbella is built around the beautiful 16th-century La Plaza de los Naranjos, which is right below the ruins of the mediaeval Castillo de Bil-Bil. The ancient city hall of Marbella is surrounded by this famous square’s tropical orange trees and fountains. There are a lot of winding cobblestone paths that lead off from the plaza and lead to secret areas and architectural gems.
Important historical sites
A big part of the appeal of Marbella’s old town is that you can learn about its long past at places like
The Moorish Walls, built in the 10th century, surrounded the old town with cypress-lined walls.
La Plaza de la Iglesia and the Ermita del Santo Cristo de la Vera Cruz, a beautiful church built in the 1600s.
The artistic centre of Marbella is in the Casa del Corregidor, a mansion from the 18th century.
Paseo de la Alameda is a beautiful street lined with palm trees and buildings that show off Marbella’s history.
The Museo del Grabado Español Contemporáneo has pieces by some of the best modern artists in Spain.
El Beso de Marbella is a sculpture that honours a famous picture of a pair kissing that was taken in 1945.
Traditional Building Styles
The buildings in Marbella’s old town have whitewashed fronts, wrought iron balconies, decorated grilles, and clay roofs. Brick and stone lanes that aren’t very wide lead to secret gardens and pretty plazas with fountains and flowers.
Local food and dining
People come to the busy tapas bars and restaurants in Marbella old town to relax between sightseeing tours. These places are tucked away on side streets and alleys. Enjoying traditional Andalusian dishes and seafood while eating on a patio or in a plaza is a real way to feel like you’re in the area.
Shopping and stores
With its narrow, pedestrian-only streets lined with independent shops, craft stores, and artist workshops, the old town is a nice change from buying at Marbella’s resorts. Part of the appeal of the neighbourhood is shopping for clothes, gifts, and accessories with an old-world feel.
Walks and tours with tapas
Getting around the beautiful maze of Marbella’s old town is fun when you go on tapas trips or follow suggested walking routes like Calle Camino de Altos to Calle Apretorias. This place has a lot of different layers that can be seen by exploring the mix of busy and quiet streets.
Losing yourself in Marbella’s old town’s atmosphere and history is like getting lost in Andalusian culture. The town’s charming lanes, plazas, historic sites, and classic architecture are all surrounded by the Mediterranean.