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About Marbella

{{Infobox City |official_name = Marbella, Spain |nickname = |image_flag = Sin_bandera.svg|image_seal = Escudo_Marbella.JPG|image_map = Malaga_-_Mapa_Marbella.svg|map_caption = Location of Marbella|subdivision_type = [List of municipalities in Málaga] |subdivision_name = [Málaga (province)] |leader_title = [Mayor] ] |utc_offset = +1 |timezone_DST = [Central European Summer Time] |utc_offset_DST = +2 |latitude = 36º28' N |longitude = -6º12' W |website = http://www.marbella.es/ |footnotes = |-->

Marbella is a city in [Andalusia], [Spain], by the [Mediterranean], situated in the region of [Málaga], beneath [La Concha]. In [2000] the city had 98,823 inhabitants, in 2004, 116,234.

Marbella is an important beach resort of the [Costa del Sol]. The town is famous for being a playground for the famous and super-rich. Marbella is internationally recognised as a favourite destination for extremely wealthy tourists from Northern Europe, in particular the UK, Ireland and Germany. The area around Marbella is particularly popular with those who like [Golf].

It is easy to reach other places, like [Málaga] and [Algeciras], by bus. The area is also served by the [A7 (Spain)] autovia, and the closest airport is at Malaga.

History of Marbella Archaeological excavations have been made in the mountains around Marbella, which point at human habitation in Paleolithic and Neolithic times. There are also remains of Phoenician and later [Carthage] settlements in the area of Rio Real. In [Roman Empire] times, the city was called Salduba

During [Islam]ic rule, [Muslims] built a castle in this city, and they surrounded it by walls. The name Marbella, which is derived from Marbil-la, dates from this Islamic era. In 1485, the Spaniards reconquered the city, and during the centuries that followed, the city grew.

In the 1940s, Marbella was a small village with only 900 inhabitants but this changed when [Prince Max Egon zu Hohenlohe-Langenburg] and his heir [Prince zu Hohenlohe-Langenburg] experienced a problem with their [Rolls-Royce car] in the area. This first encounter with Marbella so impressed Alfonso that he decided to buy land commercially, marketing the area as a tourist destination. In 1954 he opened the Hotel Marbella Club which, in spite of its name, was far from being a conventional tall and impersonal building but rather was a resort with traditional low houses among 23.000 trees. He soon convinced other noble European families to move to Marbella and enjoy discreet luxury.[Jaime de Mora y Aragón], a Spanish socialite and brother to the queen [Queen Fabiola] was also a frequent vacationer.

In 1974 the [King Fahd] arrived at the city after having broken the bank of the Casino of [Montecarlo]. Until his death in 2005 he was a frequent and profitable guest of Marbella, where his retinue of over thousand people spending [petro-dollar]s was welcome, including the then-anonymous [Osama bin Laden].

In the Eighties, Marbella continued to be a destination for the [jet set], with the most recognizable face being that of [Gunilla von Bismarck]. However, problems arose in 1987 when Melodie Nakachian, daughter of [Raymond Nakachian] and the Korean princess and singer [Kimera (singer)] was kidnapped, putting the city in the focus of the media.

In 1991 the builder and president of [Atlético Madrid], [Jesús Gil] y Gil was elected by wide majority for mayor of Marbella for his own party, the [Independent Liberal Group] ([GIL] in Spanish), promising to fight petty crime and the declining prestige associated with the region. Amongest other things, he used, as an international spokesman for the city, actor [Sean Connery] who later ended this relationship after his image was used for electoral purpose by Gil.

The city also experimented with extensive building activity under the administration of Gil, with critics stating that this construction was often performed without regard for the existing urban plan and thus new plans were stopped by the Andalusian government. Something of a maverick, Gil despised town-hall formalities instead ruling from his office at the Club Financiero.Criticism was levelled at Gil by the major parties of Spain ([PSOE] and [People's Party (Spain)]) but this did not convince enough voters to oust him and Spanish celebrities continued to spend summers there.

Additional criticism becried the presence of alleged criminals from the [Russian mafia] in the city.

Gil's GIL extended to other Costa del Sol towns like [Estepona] and across the Strait of Gibraltar to the Spanish African cities of [Ceuta] and [Melilla].

This period brought an appraisal of the city but also investigations of corruption began. Eventually, Jesús Gil was forced to resign in 2002 after being jailed for diverting public funds for Atlético. He was succeeded by Julián Muñoz, a former waiter then well-known for being romantically engaged with singer [Isabel Pantoja] with more than one hundred trials for corruption hanging on. Muñoz was overthrown by his own party which elected as new mayor Marisol Yagüe, a former secretary. Muñoz and Gil took part in a scandalous debate on television where both accused each other of having robbed public funds. The situation exploded in March 2006, when Yagüe was also jailed when the city council was near bankruptcy. According to unsubstantiated testimony, Muñoz and Yagüe were puppets in the hands of Antonio Roca, a councilman who got the job after failing in private business and gathering substantial wealth while working as a public servant. While Yagüe was in jail, the city council was run by [Tomás Reñones], a former Atlético Madrid football player, who ended up in jail as well. On April 8, 2006, the Spanish government decided to suspend the council, the first time such a course of action was taken in Spanish democracy .

Marbella today Marbella today still retains its exclusivity and guests continue to be very famous and/or extremely wealthy.

Sights in and around Marbella

Olivia Valere (Upscale [restaurant], [bar (establishment)] and [disco])
[Arabian] wall
[Bonsai] museum
Museo del Grabado Español Contemporáneo
Old city centre
Playa de la Bajadilla (beach)
Playa de Fontanilla (beach)
Bernadette exposed in public
[Puerto Banús], a marina built by [José Banús] where Rolls-Royces and Ferraris meet [yacht]s.
The Golden Mile featuring the [Marbella Club Hotel] and its beach club, as well as the late King Fahad's palace.
Encarnation's Church (Iglesia de la Encarnación) Oldest church in the city placed in the old-town

Marbella in the media [Santiago Segura]'s [Torrente] comedy film series took its second part [Torrente 2: Misión en Marbella] ([2001 in film], the highest grossing Spanish film ever) to Marbella, where the repulsive cop José Luis Torrente meets the kitsch inhabitants of the city in an intrigue of international politics.

Marbella was featured in the popular political thriller, "[Syriana]". It was used as the location for a private party which an [Arab]ian [Emir] hosts. Marbella was portrayed as an extremely affluent city with most cars at the entrance of the palace being very expensive. In the same year it appeared in [Steven Spielberg]'s "[Munich (film)]" in a very similar context.

[Sean Connery] used to live in Marbella, near a golf course where he played daily when not filming. He left following disagreements with the local press, and now resides in the Bahamas where he plays golf much less frequently. He lent his image to the Marbella's townhall until Gil used it for political goals.

In 1981 English actress [Joan Collins] accepted her career making role in the hit prime time melodrama Dynasty while living in her Marbella vacation home.

English songwriter [Richard Daniel Roman] lives in Marbella.

[Antonio Banderas] is a regular visitor to Marbella where he has a house in Los Monteros. He and [Melanie Griffith] have a daughter who was born in Marbella in 1999.

In 2006, it was revealed that there would be an international advertisement advertising Marbella as a tourist destination. The song on the advert is aptly called Marbella and is performed by singer [Cristie].

The [Finland] 1985 comedy film [Uuno Epsanjassa] is situated in Marbella.

Many other movies and TV programmes such as Nip/Tuck portray it as a playground for the rich.

ITV aired a TV programme in spring 2007 called 'Marbella Belles' which portrays a series of British woman who now live in Marbella with their rich partners.

Mark Langford – the former, multi-millionaire boss of The Accident Group who notoriously sacked most of his 2,700 staff by text message – died after being involved in a car accident in Marbella on April 11, 2007

External links

The Marbella TownHall official page
Marbella weather page

Information Reference: Wikipedia.org

Marbella

Questions and Answers

Marbella Belles?

Q) Does anybody know if the first episode of Marbella Belles is going to be repeated? If so when and where?

A) According to my TV guide program, the first episode isn't set to be repeated on any of the ITV channels in the next couple of months. Sorry.

The best restaurant in Marbella / Puerto Banus?

Q) Hello everyone. I am going on holiday to the Don Carlos hotel in Marbella at the end of the month - my first holiday with my fella! I want to surprise him one night (probably on the Thursday night) and was wondering if anyone knew of an amazing restaurant in Marbella or Puerto Banus that's quite intimate, does amazing food, has a lovely wine list that is a little bit special, i.e. not Pizza Hut. Doesn't matter about price as it'll be my treat to him. Any recommendations please? Thanks!

A) Firstly, the Don Carlos Hotel isn't in Marbella! It is well outside on the Malaga side of the city. My favourite restaurant is just up the road in Puerto Cabopino. Its called "Alberts" - its run by a load of gay guys, and the food and service are both excellent, plus you can sit outside in the candle-light and look at the marina with all its boats. Have a great time!

moving to marbella in january?

Q) im moving to marbella in january and im very excited has anyone have any usefull tips that i should no..also if someone has done the same thing already would be nice to no how you went on....p.s i live in the uk

A) I lived in the area 2 years ago and am moving back in 3 weeks. You wont have a problem settling in there, almost everybody there speaks English, and there is a great shopping center there called La Cañada. The only thing about Marbella is, if you have money its great, but if you going to be budgeting your rent better to look at Estepona / La Linea / San Roque or a few other places more inland, where you will get much more for your money. Also just to add, your a 30 min drive from Gibraltar where cigarettes cost under £1 a pack and a litre of Vodka is about £3, and petrol about 35p a litre. So best of both worlds :-) Good luck and have fun

rabbit housing in Marbella?

Q) I am moving to Spain and I am taking my 2 babies with me. They are fully grown Cyprus giant rabbits that are regarded in Cyprus as food or game, I cannot (and could not) rehouse them. But the company housing in Marbella is not pet friendly and I need to know of a vet clinic or a particular where I can house them for at least a week while I find lodgings for all 3 of us. Thanks

A) you could ask the rspca to look after them while your gone

Anyone live in Marbella, that enjoys the clubbing scene out there?

Q) I have some spy work for you, i can't tell you much more until you reply. You must live in Marbella, or near. :-)

A) lalala

Sainsburys or M&S in Marbella?

Q) I know Safeway and M&S are in Gibraltar but do you think the Spanish Gov have stopped M&S, Sainsbury's, Tescos etc, setting up in Marbella - they would do so well here?

A) No sweetie - nearest M&S is in Gibraltar - clothes and a small food hall.

company info on smoothie reoublic marbella spain?

Q) smoothie republic is a division of glenross marbella spain

A) you need to ask the spanish yahoo forum

Marbella or Courchevel?

Q) Have been invited away with friends for Christmas to Marbella, really nice apartment, good warm weather (but will that feel like Christmas)?, or perhaps do what I wanted to do earlier in the year and go skiing.....(have never been before). Opinions please

A) Definitely Courchevel if you want a white Christmas... Marbella is more a "summer sun and fun" place, although in the winter the weather is a lot warmer than anywhere else in Europe, which is an advantage if you need some sun. Christmas is not very "christmasy" in Spain, so if you want more christmas spirit, go skiing in France! Both places are grand, you'll have a difficult choice!

job as a sterile service tech,in marbella high care hospital?

Q) me an my friend want to wokk in marbella highcare hospital as nurse an sterile service technition

A) wot r ya waitin 4?!! get an application form

Name/title and address of Chief of Police - Marbella?

Q) I'd like to write a letter to the chief of Police in Marbella. First person to give the verifyable name, title & address gets the 10 points - and my thanks and admiration for being able to find it out!!

A) You have not picked a very good time to write a letter to the chief of police of Marbella, (The chief of police is Rafael del Pozo, Jefe de la Policia Local) He is at thie moment out on bail of 20,000 euros himself, accused of belonging to the group of people involved in the Marbella municipal government scandal! He is under medical treatment for depression, and not active. He has momentarily been replaced by D. Rafael Mora (jefe de policia en funciones) Jefatura Local de Policia de Marbella C/ Juan de la Cierva Nº. 13 29600 Marbella (I would recommend you just direct the letter to the police itself, at this time you would probably have better luck in getting an answer!)

Where in Marbella I can buy a sim card.near the old town?

Q) Many thanks to Patonroan about Malaga airport.:) Now I won't a least lose my time searching for one there,but as I will need a spanish mobile number as sson as possible after arriving in Marbella, does anyone know where in Marbella near my hotel..Princesa playa,which is close to the old town of marbella I can buy a sim card?Or not so near..what are my options?Thanks again..

A) You will for sure see a number of mobile phone shops in the old town on the way to orange squire or in the main shopping street. Enjoy your holiday in Marbella and take a good tan back with you.!

Marriott's Marbella Beach Resort?

Q) I'm staying in Marriott's Marbella Beach Resort in Marbella, Spain for 2 weeks. Is the hotel nice? Is the city nice? What's the weather like? Any exciting or fun things to do? Anything helps! :)

A) Hotel: It's beautiful and is located at the heart of the Costa del Sol, Marriott's Marbella Beach Resort reflects the age-old traditions & enduring romance of Southern Spain. A masterpiece in design, the resort is bordered by miles of golden beaches, exotic architecture and luxurious style. Indulge in beachfront dining, rejuvenating spa treatments and extravagant nightlife, all at your fingertips. Current Weather: Mid 70's, often sunny, low chances of precipitation Great city...TONS to do: PALEO-CHRISTIAN BASILICA GUADALMINA TERMAL BATHS RIO VERDE ROMAN VILLA Bonsai Museum PUERTO BANÚS JARDÍN EL ANGEL (EL ANGEL GARDENS) AVENIDA DEL MAR (SEA AVENUE) Use the site below to find out more information on the great places to visit that are listed above. Just decide what you like and do it. You'll have a blast!

What do you do in Marbella when it is raining ans showering?

Q) Booked a hol in Marbella in 2 weeks, but it looks like it will continue to rain in Marbella. I am wondering what to do if it is raining when I am in Marbella.

A) There's loads to do in Marbella..plenty of great shopping centres, loads of bars and restaurants, you can hire a car and be in Gibraltar in 45mins, Sevilla in 1.5hours,Granada to see the Alhambra palace in a couple of hours...or just drive up to some of the beautiful villages and towns in the mountains at the back of Marbella, you can be there in 10 - 15 mins!! But don't worry it very rarely rains for more than 1 or 2 days in June...weather will probably be brilliant!!

How is Marbella (Spain) this time of year ?

Q) I'm traveling to Marbella/Estepona in two weeks and would like to know how the weather will be? Also, how easy is it to catch a ferry to Morocco from either Gibraltar or Algeciras?

A) Hi Chissasedai, I live in Gibraltar, its just about 45 minutes away from Marbella. The weather has been really good at the moment, people have even been going for swims but the weather is going to change in a few days. I would not worry about the weather because even if it rains, it won't rain for long, it never does. To answer the question about the ferry if you go from Algeciras you can go any day of the week and from Gibraltar I am not sure but I think It only leaves for morrocco 3 times a week. I wish you a happy holiday and hope you come to Gibraltar.

Mallorca or Marbella or Malaga?!?!?

Q) We have a 5 day vacation next week, we decided to spend 2 days in Barcelona, and we want to know which is the best city to visit (beside Madrid) in Spain in the 3 days left, is it Palma de Majorca island, or Malaga, or Sevilla, Marbella, or else? Helpful comments are very appreciated! Thanks!

A) Great question... I went last year and actually spent 5 days between all of these places you listed. Seville is great for 1-2 days as you can see the amazing Cathedral as well as Plaza de Espana amongst many other amazing sites as well as catch a flamenco show... but if you want to make the most of it, you definitely should to to Granada to see the Alhambra. It's absolutely amazing and a must see if you're in the region. You need to go online and make a reservation as they limit how many people can visit each day! We flew into Seville from Barcelona (airfare is very inexpensive on Iberia, Spanair or Vueling). Return air was <$100 US. From there we spent a couple of days then rented a car and drove down to Granada (2 hrs) then down to the coast and thru to Marbella where we spent 2 days (and also went to visit Gibraltar). Marbella is very beautiful as well but more of the "lifestyles of the rich and famous" feel... since you short on time, perhaps Seville for 2 days with an overnighter to Granada and local area? Car rental was about $25 US/day.... Have fun!

Kids clubs in Marbella?

Q) Can any one give me information on kids clubs running in or around Marbella during the month of July, preferably sport orientated. I know there is a soccer camp but can't find any information online. Many thanks.

A) try www.surinenglish.com the classifieds section. you will find a few there no doubt

Authentic Flamenco July in Estopona, Marbella area?

Q) Years ago we spent all night (it was morning when we left!) in a Flamenco bar in Madrid - - it was great! This July (July 1-7) we'll be in the Estepona/Puerto Banus/Marbella area. I'm sure there are flamenco tourist shows but we'd like to see more of the real thing, in a club or a bar. Any ideas? [we also have one Saturday night in Sevilla and one Sunday night in Granada; I"ll ask for that in a separate question) "Estepona" --sorry I misspelled

A) I think I already answered your question about Seville (Los Gallos in the Plaza de Santa Cruz). In Marbella there are 2 Tablaos: Flamenco Ana Maria Plaza Santo Cristo (old town center of Marbella) Easy to find. and Donde Maria Calle Vicente Blasco Ibañez (near Las Albarizas) I didn't find any in Estepona, and Puerto Banus has mostly modern music Pity you are not here the 5th. of August...Sara Baras is performing in the Estepona Bullring! Now that would really be worth seeing!

any ideas for romantics restaurants in Marbella?

Q) were to go out in Marbella ( age 30 - 45)

A) Marbella Casino Restaurante Address: Hotel Andalusia Plaza s/n. Marbella, 29660, Malaga.

I need to travel from the Malaga Train Station to Marbella on Christmas. Are there trains, buses, taxis?

Q) We will arrive in Malaga on the Talgo 200 at 4pm on Christmas Day. We will travel to Marbella de este. Is there a bus, taxi or local train to Marbella? Will I be able to rent a car near the train station? Is there an easy way to get to the airport where there are rental cars?

A) Take the train from the airport to fuengirola, its the last stop, costs less than 3 euro per person, trains run every half hour, when you get to fuengirola, turn left as you get to the exit of the station and walk up the steps, you will be at a roundabout with a fountain on it, turn right and walk about 200 yards, there is the bus station on the left corner, go to the counter to get a ticket for marbella, it will cost 2.49euro, buses come every 40 mins, approx. takes about 45 mins/1hr, when you see the huge concrete marbella bridge, thats where it starts, get off a couple of stops after that.

Want to go to Tangier, Morocco from marbella Spain. Should one spend one night there and where to stay in hote

Q) can one visit there from Marbella in one day and return the same day or is it necessary to spend one night there

A) It's a bit of a rush doing it in one day. Best to stay over one night and experience the culture at dawn - well worth it - lot's of unusual sounds. Also worth considering Ceuta as an alternative. I've provided some tips below : Driving to Morocco, you go via the port for Algeciras, which is around 70 km south of Marbella, and then cross the Straits by ferry to Tangier [ or Spanish held Ceuta ]. These companies have several ferry crossings each day from Algeciras: BUQUEBUS ESPAÑA, EUROFERRY, TRASMEDITERRANEA, COMARIT. [ I've put the links below ] : http://www.buquebus.com/ http://www.euroferrys.com/ http://www.trasmediterranea.es/ http://www.comarit.com/ The crossing from Algeciras to Tangier is 2.30 hours. Algeciras-Ceuta ticket is 30 minutes duration by the " fast-ferry "or 1 hour by the normal ferry. With return tickets you will receive a 20% discount. To take your car on board, you will require a "green card". If you prefer, you can take an organised tour which will return you in a "long day". Here's a place to obtain accommodation if you're interested: Morocco : http://www.cheaperthanhotels.co.uk/Morocco/ Tangier : http://www.cheaperthanhotels.co.uk/Morocco/Tangier/ Just in case you change your mind and head to Spanish Ceuta, here's an accommodation link as well : http://www.cheaperthanhotels.co.uk/Spain/Ceuta/ For the benefit of anyone interested in French or Spanish versions I've enclosed some more referral links below: