The top 4 excursions from Marbella, Costa del Sol

The top 4 excursions from Marbella, Costa del Sol

Marbella may be home to many of its own awesome attractions, including long sandy beaches, golf courses, award-winning restaurants and nightlife, but if you want to ‘spread your wings’ on the Costa del Sol, why not enjoy a day trip or excursion to some of the most beautiful towns and villages in southern Spain?

Marbella properties for sale often attract ex-pats and second-home buyers who want to base themselves in this jet-set resort, while enjoying easy access to the rest of the Costa del Sol.

Four of the best places to visit within easy reach of Marbella include:

Ronda

Famous for its spectacular 100 metre deep gorge, El Tajo, Ronda is one of Andalucia´s most visited towns, and lies just one hour away from Marbella by car. Split between the old Moorish town and El Mercadillo, a more recently built section, Ronda continues to attract visitors from all over the world.

The two parts of town are linked by the Puente Nuevo (New Bridge), which was built in 1751, and took 42 years to complete. 

In addition to boasting the oldest bullring in Spain, some of the best tapas bars in Andalucia, and a stunning parador hotel which seems to cling to the side of the gorge, Ronda´s rich history is both colourful and intriguing. 

One of Andalucia´s most important and traditional events is the Feria Goyesca de Pedro Romero, which is held in Ronda each year in September. The celebrations take place in and around the Real Maestranza Bullring. The Goyesca tradition began in 1954 when Antonio Ordóñez, a great friend of Ernest Hemingway, and also a great bullfighter, decided to celebrate the birth of Pedro Romero, the founder of modern bullfighting. 

Gibraltar

The famous Rock of Gibraltar is just one hour´s drive from Marbella and Puerto Banus and if you want to explore a little piece of England on the Mediterranean, rich in culture and history, there is no better place to visit. 

Situated on a narrow piece of land linked to Spain, the rock of Gibraltar is 426m high and covers an area of 6 square miles.  The thin coastal strip of land to the west overlooks the Straits of Gibraltar and the Atlantic Ocean, and the east side with its sheer, steep cliffs overlooks the Mediterranean.

Gibraltar´s history evolves from its strategic position at the southern-most tip of the Iberian Peninsula, where Europe meets Africa, and still remains to be an important base for the British Navy.  The territory shares a border with Spain to the North.  Gibraltar was granted by Spain to Great Britain in perpetuity in 1713, under the Treaty of Utrecht. 

The Rock is home to many historical sites and places of interest. Cruise ships also dock here regularly, bringing visitors from all over the globe.  Gibraltar has become a popular holiday and business travel destination over the years and has the added bonus of tax-free shopping.  

Seville

Seville is an exciting and passionate city which continues to attract visitors from all over the world.  You can reach Seville from Marbella in just under two hours. 

Once the capital of Spain, Seville is only a two hour drive from Marbella, and boasts some of the most decadent and ornate buildings and monuments in Spain, including the incredible cathedral which dominates the city´s skyline. The Catedral de Santa Maria de la Sede is the largest Gothic cathedral, and the fourth largest Christian church in the world.  

Don't miss out on the tapas. The city is credited with the inventing these tasty morsels, and has more than a thousand bars where the choice of food, is virtually unlimited, from seafood to chorizo and some of the finest cheese and ham you will ever taste. 

Granada

Steeped in history and home of the world´s greatest monuments, Granada attracts visitors from all over the world. Under a two hour drive from Marbella, you can easily explore this great city in a day.

The Alhambra Palace is a palace and fortress complex which heralds from the time of Moorish rule in Granada and was built by Yusuf I in 1348. Once the residence of Muslim rulers, this stunning building is now one of Spain´s most popular tourist attractions, and exhibits the country´s most famous Islamic architecture.

Marbella properties for sale are among the most sought after in Spain and include villas, townhouses and apartments. Marbella is the perfect base if you want to explore the rest of the Costa del Sol or enjoy everything this vibrant town has to offer.