Rent a Holiday Home in Marbella
Renting villas in Marbella in Spain has been popular with holiday makers for many years. A holiday in Marbella means a touch of class and a chance to see some rich people at play in Puerto Banus. However, self-catering rentals in Marbella does not mean you need to take out a second mortgage. It is easy to get the chance to enjoy a little bit of luxury at a fraction of the cost when renting a villa or an apartment in the local area. You will also be spoiled for choice when it comes to the best things to see and do in Marbella.
A Self-Catering Holiday in Marbella
It does not matter if you are traveling as a couple, or as a family, renting a holiday home in Marbella is easy. Traditionally, this is perhaps the top place in Spain where visitors have come to enjoy a holiday since the 1980's when the resort first became popular with what we now call the jet set. It is a nice area of Spain, but Marbella was, believe it or not, originally a mining town. Today, when you look at Marbella, it is hard to imagine its industrial past. It has become one of the top luxury resorts for holiday lettings in Spain. Rent an apartment in Marbella, and you may end up looking out over the most exclusive marina in Spain – Puerto Banus.
That being said, Marbella has a range of good accommodation available for rent all year around. You will find anything from top class apartments, town houses and fabulous villas. One of the advantage of renting villas in Marbella, is that there is something to see and do for everybody. The children have access to some beautiful kept beaches, and enjoying a meal out is a special experience.
Best Things to See or Do in Marbella on Your Vacation
Although Marbella is often thought of as a playground for the rich, it has plenty of family friendly activities. The beach is perhaps the main focus for many families who visit the area, but you should not neglect some of the other sightseeing opportunities. You are not far from historical cities such as Seville, Cordoba and Granada. There are plenty of day trips available to all three cities, and you may even want to take advantage of some duty free shopping in Gibraltar.
Selwo Marina is a great place to take the kids. It has a wonderful dolphin show but you can also enjoy the sea lions. There are actually three parks which are members of the Selwo group, and when you visit the wildlife park, you can take a ride in a cable car.
For the adults, there are excellent golfing facilities in the local area, and you can tee off at any of three golf courses. The best local golf course in the Marbella area is Aloha golf club with its pretty setting with a view to the mountains. To be honest, the Aloha golf club is just as well known locally for its excellent food. Many visit just to dine and enjoy some of the superb local views of the Spanish countryside.
Beaches in the Marbella Area
Bounty beach is close to the Marbella town center, and is perhaps the trendiest beach in the area. It is surrounded by a good selection of bars, but the atmosphere is still relaxed and very casual. A good place to come if you have young children who enjoy playing on the beach without wanting to be distracted by too many beach activities.
Playa de Rio real is only five minutes away from Bounty beach, and forms part of the Los Monteros coastline. It can get very busy during summer, but if you enjoy having the benefit of local activities such as windsurfing and banana boat rides, this is the best beach to visit close to Marbella. The restaurants in the local area tend to be expensive, so it could be a good idea to bring a packed lunch along and plenty of sunscreen.
If you are looking for golden sands and some great chiringuitos where you can get out of the midday heat, you want to check out Playa Real de Zaragoza. It is a 15 minute drive from the center of Marbella, but perfect when you fancy a day on the beach. The beach does not seem to get crowded even on busy summer days, and if you don't want to rent a parasol and sun bed, you can easily find your own spot on the beach.
In the Marbella area, you will also find three fully accessible beaches. They are excellent but the Misericordia beach is the best one. It even has facilities for the hard of hearing, and if you have a handicapped traveler in your party, this beach is worth a visit.
Convenience and Daily Essentials in Marbella
When you want to make the mot out of your self-catering holiday in Marbella, you may want to stock up on supplies as you arrive in town. If you are looking for a budget supermarket, you will find there is a Lidl in Mijas. However, one of the best local supermarkets is Alcampo, which is located in Marbella. Price wise it may even beat Lidl, and the food is always nice and fresh. It is well stocked at all times, and you can easily do a full week's shopping in this supermarket, handy if you plan to spend your time relaxing at the pool.
If you are looking for a fine dining experience in Marbella, there are a few Michelin star restaurants around. But, if you are traveling with a family, you may not want to be spending all of your time in Michelin style restaurants. There are family restaurants in the Puerto Deportivo, and if you enjoy Spanish seafood, you should try Hermano Haro. Another restaurant worth mentioning is Hacienda Patagonia which is located one street back from the seafront in Marbella. The restaurant serves up delicious Argentian meat and is not expensive at all. It is perhaps one of the best kept dining secrets in the Marbella area.
Marbella on the Costa del Sol is worth a visit and you don't need to spend a fortune. However, it is fun to sit in the Puerto Banus marina and watch the the jet set. Perhaps a walk around the exclusive boutiques will finish the evening of nicely.