by Nick Nutter

Created on: June 22, 2008

Marbella A Stroll Through the Old Town

Marbella on the Costa del Sol in Andalucia is a town known as an up market holiday and shopping destination, with prices to match, but with a lesser known much older part that is well worth seeing. The walk is only about 4 kilometres in total and can be completed in 2 hours. It takes you along narrow streets with many small shops selling a vast range of goods. Each street has its own architectural character. The suggested visits add another 2 to 3 hours.

Take the N340 towards Malaga and leave at junction 175, signposted Marbella. Drive right into Marbella for 6km, carrying straight on past the big roundabout, until you see a blue P' (parking) sign on the right and turn right into Avenida Miquel Cano. Take the first left, Avenida del Mar, and within a few metres on the right there is the central underground car park costing 1.20 per hour.

Coming up the stairs you emerge into a large pedestrian area with a series of statues down the centre leading to the promenade. Make a note of the exit you used. Head inland. At the top of the square go across the road and up steps to a fountain in the Alameda Gardens. On Saturday mornings there is a small flea market here. Go through the gardens to the main road and cross at the pedestrian crossing. Take the street ahead, again leading inland and go to the left of the BBVA Bank up a narrow passage.

At the end of the passage turn right and walk into Plaza de Los Naranjos, Orange Square. This square is packed with restaurants and is a good place to sit and spot the rich and famous who, if in Marbella, seem to congregate here. As you enter the square the Tourist Information Office is in the far left corner and the Los Naranjos Snack Bar diagonally opposite, turn left here down Chincillas and then right down Calle Carmen taking you into Plaza de la Inglesia. On your left are the Arab built walls of the old town.

Marbella has a long history before it became a holiday destination. The Phoenicians had a small settlement that was enlarged by the Romans. Under the Nazrid rulers Marbella became a fortress. Take a look at the stonework at the bottom of the walls as you entered Plaza de la Inglesia. Notice how the stonework changes from the typical multi sized stone, mortared rubble wall liked by the Romans to the much more regular stonework of the Arabs. The town developed further during the 18th and 19th centuries.

At the Plaza turn left, keeping the old walls on your left. Leave the square by the corner

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