Marbella Old Town
Marbella Old Town
Marbella Old Town is one of the most picturesque parts of this glitzy seaside town on the Costa del Sol.
Head north from the eastern end of the main street through Marbella, the Ricardo Soriano and within five minutes you will find yourself immersed in the history and culture of the Old Town.
Explore winding, cobbled streets with quirky boutiques, authentic tapas bars, art galleries and pavement cafes. Head for Orange Square, Plaza de Los Naranjos, and breathe in the scent of the orange blossom which hangs over the restaurant terraces.
Orange Square is a perfect place for visitors to sit, relax and watch the world go by with a coffee or a large G and T. This vibrant part of town buzzes with activity, and you can lose yourself in the maze of streets around the Square.
The Town Hall has a sun dial on the corner of the building, various shields and stone inscriptions, still legible today. One of them dates back to 1485 when the town was re-conquered by the Moors.
The ancient walled city still has almost the same layout as it did in the 16th century. The town hall was built in 1568 and the Chapel of Santiago, the oldest religious building in the city dates back to the 15th century.
Other notable attractions in Marbella Old Town include the Church of Santa María de la Encarnacion, the 16th-century Capilla de San Juan de Dios, otherwise known as the Hospitalillo, and the Museum of Contemporary Spanish Engravings (Museo del Grabado Espanol Contemporaneo), housed in the former Hospital Bazán.
Many of Marbella’s top restaurants are situated in Orange Square, including:
Zozoi
Situated in Plaza Altamirano, Zozoi is an upmarket restaurant situated in an old converted house just off Plaza Altamirano. Zozoi offers superb Mediterranean cuisine with al fresco dining in the warmer months. Customers enjoy a friendly and welcoming atmosphere combined with delicious food.
Tanguito
Tanguito, in Calle Buitrago, serves Argentinian steaks, Chateaubriand and a choice of tender grilled meats. Creative salads complement the main dishes. Calle Buitrago is one of the Old Town’s narrowest streets and is situated just off Orange Square.
Buenaventura
Situated in the Casco Antiguo, Plaza de la Iglesia, Buenaventura is one of Marbella’s top Spanish restaurants. Constructed in typical Andalucian style in the centre of the Old Town, the restaurant offers charming indoor and outdoor patio areas for summer dining.
If you are planning to walk to the Old Town from the sea front, head up the Avenida del Mar with its impressive collection of Salvador Dali sculptures.
Both sides of the pedestrianised walkway are flanked by fountains and you will find plenty of benches on either side of the street, where you can relax and watch the world go by.
Just south of Marbella´s Old Town, on the other side of the main road is the Alameda Park (next to the Marbella Café). La Alameda Park is a popular place to take a break, for locals and tourists alike, and it boasts a magnificent central fountain, constructed from typical Andalucian tiles.
Marbella Old Town properties for sale
Marbella Old Town properties for sale are highly sought after and include apartments, commercial premises and original whitewashed village houses.