A city of luxury, elegant villas,  exclusive restaurants and the most expensive clothing brands. Loved by celebrities, fans of the most expensive clubs and the best hotels. Luckily  we can also find typical Andalusian ones here  small, blooming  streets that still have a lot of traditional charm.   

Few people know that before Marbella became the most snobbish city in Andalusia, it was an ordinary mining town where iron ore was obtained. He undoubtedly contributed to its development  German-Spanish prince Alfonso von Hohenlohe, who liked this area so much that he bought a property here, rebuilt in 1954. for the most luxurious Marbella Club hotel  and bringing the most important and richest elites to the city. Another important personage was the Saudi monarch Fahd bin Abdul

Aziz al-Saud, who built a palace that was a copy of the White House in the 1970s. His life in luxury is shrouded in legends, but his property spent in Puerto Banus, or the maintenance of around 300 people, significantly improved the financial condition of the city. Both of the aforementioned properties are located on the stretch  between Marbella and Puerto Banus, called  The Golden Mile (la Milla de Oro), where the largest villas have their own  Spanish and world stars (Antonio Banderas Eva  Longoria,  Sean  Connery or George  Clooney).  

Speaking of glamor, Puerto Banus should be mentioned - one  of the most expensive ports in Europe  yachts.  This is where we find the largest yachts of celebrities and Arab sheikhs  and elegant boutiques like Gucci  Louis Vuitton or Dolce & Gabbana, which, interestingly, have the most per square meter in all of Spain, and their annual revenues exceed those from Madrid or Barcelona. Opened in 1970 in the presence of the later King of Spain  Juan Carlos, prince of Monaco, or Roman Polański, 

It is true that its glory days are behind it, but it still enjoys it  the fame of the haven of luxury.

And it's hard to believe that among the splendor we can also find an old town, called Casco Antiguo, with a typically Andalusian soul. In his heart we find  set out  in the 16th century Place  Oranges (Plaza de los Naranjos), with the bust of King Juan Carlos I standing in the very center and  from 1504. fountain. The 16th-century town hall with a sundial and a small chapel also deserve attention  Ermita de Santiago and the historic house of the governor Casa del Corregido from 1552. with a stone facade with elements of Gothic, Renaissance and Mudejar styles.  

Strolling through the streets around you will find tiny boutiques, pubs and flowery walls with blue pots typical of this region. Heading to the eastern part of the city, we will come across the remains of the walls of the Arab castle Murrallas del Castillo, as well as the 17th  Church of Our Lady of the Incarnation (Iglesia Nuestra Señora de la Encarnacion). Right next to it you will also find Hospital Bazan with a 16th-century facade and a park (Parque de la Represa), where the Bonsai Museum with the most beautiful exhibition of Bonsai and olive trees in Europe is located. Following in turn  to the south we find  beautiful Alameda Park existing in Marbella since the 18th century, then we will come to the coast and Paseo Martimo seafront promenade along with  Puerto Deportivo.

Marbella, as the name suggests (  in Spanish it means beautiful sea) it also has 30 km of sandy beaches. The best beaches include: Playa de Cabopino,  Bounty Beach,  Real de Zaragoza, Playa  Nagüeles. Moreover, it is also a Mecca  golf fans, because that's what I find here  there are more of them in Andalusia, not without reason calling the Costa del Sol also the Costa del Golf.  

Is Marbella worth it  visit? Yes, but on condition that we have time and want to see the world of contrasts - the traditional and the luxurious. Would it be on my list of top 10 places to see in Andalucia? Probably not ... Is it worth going there on vacation to one of the 5-star hotels? If the budget allows us to do so  definitely yes;) It is also a good place to organize an event, an incentive trip to the Costa del Sol - unforgettable impressions guaranteed  ;)  If I were to choose Puerto Banus or the old town, I would, of course, choose the latter, I just have a weakness for winding Andalusian  streets and blue pots;)