Marbella

Beaches

With 27km of beaches in Marbella, you can pick your spot based on what you're after. Some stretches specialise in watersports, some in family-friendly fun and some areas are dedicated to nudism. To the east of Marbella, the beach of Guadalmina is one of the most popular with families and if it's busy then the wide beach of San Pedro Alcantara is a good bet for some space. The beaches in the centre tend to be most crowded as well as more stony than the others, whilst out to the west of the town the huge beaches of Casablanca and Nagueles sit in front of large hotels, more popular with the partygoers and singles.

Centre

The heart of the action, the centre of Marbella combines the charm of the Old Town's cobbled streets with lively bars that come alive there at night. There's a bullring which has been a centre for many forms of entertainment for centuries. Restaurants, bars, hotels and clubs abound on Avenida Ricardo Soriano, which runs from the Old Town through downtown, making it a very popular spot day and night. A Marbella hotel here will put you near the beach and right in the centre of the action.

Puerto Banús

Connected to the centre by the Paseo Maritimo (the promenade) is Puerto Banús, the port region of Marbella. Popular with the rich crowd who arrive largely by sea, the area has been regenerated recently with the addition of lots of places to stroll and relax. Known for its seafood restaurants as well as its lively nightlife, the port is rapidly becoming the place to see people and be seen when you're on holiday in Marbella.

San Pedro

Further out, the small town of San Pedro has been swallowed up by the Marbella experience. With roman ruins, lovely beaches and a quieter atmosphere it's a popular place for family holidays in Marbella. Since the coast is slightly more exposed here this is also the area to come to for water sports such as surfing and windsurfing. The accommodation is very reasonably priced and the food tends to be more local, with traditional Spanish dishes and freshly caught seafood top of the menu.