The Difinitive Travel Guide to Marbella

Fuerte Marbella Avda. El Fuerte s/n 29602 Marbella (Málaga) Tel: (+34) 952 86 15 00 Fax: (+34) 952 86 00 34 GPS: 36.50787,-4.88460

Fuerte Miramar Plza José Luque Manzano s/n

29603 Marbella (Málaga) Tel: (+34) 95 276 84 00 Fax: (+34) 952 86 00 34

GPS: 36.50773,-4.881599

Don´t miss out

The Old Quarter and the Plaza de los Naranjos Marbella is paradise for those who love the beach and glamour, but the Old Quarter and the famous Plaza de los Naranjos, with its surprising narrow white lanes are not to be forgotten. As you wander along them you will discover the charm of the typical Andalucian village that once was. Do not forget to visit the old city walls and churches. Perfect for shopping The shops and restaurants make the centre the perfect place to go shopping and enjoy the local cuisine in a truly Andalucian environment. A long stroll by the sea Marbella has a long promenade which connects the city to the fishing port, Puerto Banus and San Pedro. Ten kilometres long, you can go for a walk, run or ride a bike while you get to know a large part of Marbella’s coastline. Puerto Banus, the most famous in Europe Puerto Banus is a luxury marina where you can contemplate the most ostentatious vessels alongside exclusive top-range cars. Members of the jet set from all over the world meet in this enclave renowned for its parties and glamour.




GPS: 36.50773,-4.881599

Costa del Sol, Costa del Golf Marbella has approximately thirty golf courses to offer players; not for nothing is the Costa del Sol also known as the Costa del Golf. Its privileged microclimate means that the temperature is stable and it is possible to play golf in comfort even in winter when other European courses are frozen over.

The best beaches Marbella offers beaches where you can enjoy the lively Marbellan lifestyle to the full or nudist beaches providing privacy in a privileged microclimate with warm temperatures all year long. With 27 kilometres of coastline you will be able to find the side of the Costa del Sol that you are looking for: Distances calculated from the Hotel Fuerte Marbella and Hotel Fuerte Miramar El Fuerte or Venus Beach (next to the hotels) This is a centrally situated beach with beach bars and other services, including special accesses for the disabled. It is a lively area between the marina and Marbella’s fishing port, and offers a sun bed service. La Fontanilla Beach (a 5 min walk from the Hotel Fuerte Marbella) This urban beach is just after Marbella marina. The beach is protected by breakwaters, and equipped with showers, sun beds and beach bars. Water sports are also possible. La Bajadilla Beach (a 5 min walk from Fuerte Miramar) La Bajadilla beach, 700 m long and very popular with families, is next to the fishing port. Perfect for a day filled with sunshine and fun. Puerto Banus Beach (15 minutes by car) This beach with fine golden sand is in Puerto Banus next to the River Verde. Given its proximity to the marina, it offers top quality facilities including restaurants, bars, shops and other comforts. Los Monteros Beach (15 minutes by car) This is a semi-urban beach with sand dunes and a variety of services including beach bars and showers. Water sports such as windsurfing can be practised here thanks to the good waves, and it is particularly popular with young people. Cabopino Beach (17 min by car) Located in a protected area of sand dunes near to Marbella known as 'Las Dunas de Artola' (Artola’s dunes), it is a nudist beach. Fine golden sand and crystal clear water make this the perfect spot for enjoying nature and nudism.




GPS: 36.50773,-4.881599

The best of the old quarter Marbella is paradise for those who love the beach and glamour, but its Old Quarter is less well-known, with its surprising narrow white lanes. As you wander along them you will discover the charm of the typical Andalucian village that once was. Do not forget to visit the old city walls and churches. Distances calculated from the Hotel Fuerte Marbella and Hotel Fuerte Miramar The Old quarter Iglesia de la Encarnación (Church of Our Lady of the Incarnation) (5 min walk) Noted for its impressive design and in particular for the height of its naves and central dome, producing a sensation of grandeur. The church had choirs with an organ and a bell tower 33 metres tall. It has several altars and chapels and houses one of the largest organs in Spain. It is one of the most loved temples by the people of Marbella. The Old quarter Plaza de los Naranjos (Orange Tree Square) (6 min walk) The distinctive renaissance fountain engulfed in a perfume of citrus fruit and surrounded by typical white houses is an example of the local charm of the essence of Andalucia. This lively spot is perfect for sitting in the shade of the orange trees while enjoying an aperitif in the open air. The Old quarter 16th century City Hall (a 5 min walk) The present City Hall of Marbella was commissioned by the Catholic Kings. Commemorative plaques are visible on one of the walls, in memory of the reconquest of the city. The church still conserves the renaissance style that gives the building a halo of solemnity. The Old quarter Casa del Corregidor (The King’s Magistrate’s House) (5 min walk) 16th century nobleman’s house, the exterior is a combination of Gothic, Renaissance and Mudejar styles. Frescos can be seen on the ceiling, and the building, located in the Plaza de los Naranjos, is one of the most symbolic in the city. The Old quarter Ermita de Santiago (Chapel of Santiago) (5 min walk) The first Christian church in the city, it was built in the 15th century. It is currently used as the headquarters for the brotherhood of the Santísimo Cristo del Amor, María Santísima de la Caridad and San Juan Evangelista. It is located in the Old Quarter, in the la Plaza de los Naranjos, next door to the City Hall. The Old quarter Museum of Contemporary Spanish Printmaking (5 min walk) The museum contains a collection of prints by 20th century artists including Picasso, Miró, Dalí, Tapies and Chillida, and has a hall dedicated to the didactic exhibition of etching techniques. The Old quarter Remains of the Arab castle walls (7 min walk) The walls surrounded the former Muslim city of Marbella. The remains of Roman Capitals taken from other buildings to make use of the existing walls are still visible in the Arab castle. A stroll around the monument will evoke images of this coastal city in the times of the Arabs.




GPS: 36.50773,-4.881599

The Old quarter The Dalí Sculptures (2 min walk) Outside the Old Quarter but still centrally placed in the Avenida del Mar in Marbella is an open air exhibition of sculptures by Salvador Dalí. Don Quijote Seated, Mercury, or the Gala Gradiva are just some of the works by the Spanish genius looking across the Marbellan horizon.

The best food Marbella’s cuisine is a faithful representation of the city: a perfect blend of exotic dishes and traditional flavours that you will not be able to refuse. Top of the menu: fried fish, especially the famous espetos, charcoal-grilled sardines skewered on sticks. Distances calculated from the Hotel Fuerte Marbella and Hotel Fuerte Miramar Tapas As you know a typical custom in Spain is to go out for tapas. These small aperitifs have become a sign of identity for the city, so we offer you a choice of the best places for tapas: Beach Club Restaurante Grill de Fuerte Miramar (opposite the hotel Fuerte Miramar) This restaurant, also on the hotel Fuerte Miramar beachfront, offers creative cuisine based on flavoursome bocados (little bites) and snacks to be enjoyed at the table or from the sun bed while savouring a cocktail by the sea. La Taberna del Pintxo ( 5 min walk) This is based on a new concept of catering with a selection of hot and cold tapas offered by the waiters directly to customers who select the one they want. La Venencia (5 min walk) A cosy atmosphere, decorated in wood and with hams hanging from the ceiling. The best-known tapas include the selection of Iberian meats, grilled chorizo serrano and a casserole of broad beans with ham. Fish and shellfish On the Costa del Sol the Mediterranean Sea offers a variety of fish and shellfish to attract lovers of a good meal. To sample some of these dishes, we recommend: Beach Club Restaurante Grill de Fuerte Marbella (opposite the hotel Fuerte Marbella) This beachfront restaurant is just before the hotel Fuerte Marbella. Open for lunch and supper (July and August), it offers an excellent choice of rice dishes. Specialists in espeto fish.




GPS: 36.50773,-4.881599

Santiago Restaurant (3 min walk) Here you can sample some of the best fish of the North and South of Spain. The wide range on offer has given the restaurant international prestige. Innovation and tradition combine together in a luxurious atmosphere. Altamirano (5 min walk) With a cosy informal atmosphere, this restaurant is popular among groups of friends and families. The menu is based on fresh fish brought straight from the fish market that morning. Full or half- portions of different types of fish or shellfish are available. El Hogar del Pescador (10 min walk) Turbot, red mullet, gilthead bream, sole or fresh anchovies are just some of the daily specialities on offer at El Hogar del Pescador. A spacious simple dining room ideal for sampling excellent fish. Thanks to its cosmopolitan nature, Marbella also offers a more exclusive and international cuisine Buenaventura (5 min walk) A former inn in the Old Quarter, it uses organic products in its dishes. Ajoblanco (cold almond and garlic soup), tataki, tomato soup, grilled foie gras, lobster rice, suckling pig or goat are just some of the dishes. Michelle Obama, the First Lady of the United States dined here on her visit to the Costa del Sol. Mil Milagros (20 min by car) The new Bistro is run by the prestigious Andalucian chef, Dani García, an exponent of the new Andalucian cuisine. Delights on offer include the flavoursome prawn cocktail dressed in a delicate pink sauce or apple matchsticks and fresh lettuce. Other recommendations Tablao Flamenco Ana María (10 min walk) The Old Quarter of Marbella is home to one of the most important tablao (flamenco shows) in the region. Enjoy an excellent Andalucian wine to the sound of clapping palms to the rhythm of flamenco song and dance.




GPS: 36.50773,-4.881599

The best shopping

You can find any type of shop and product in Marbella, ranging from the exclusive to the traditional. The city offers this complementary alternative to days spent on the beach. Here are some tips for shopping in Marbella:

Distances calculated from the Hotel Fuerte Marbella and Hotel Fuerte Miramar

Old Quarter and Avda. Ramón y Cajal and Ricardo Soriano (5 min walk) The Old Quarter is the perfect place to go when looking for fashion, complements or souvenirs, with a relaxed atmosphere in the open plan shopping centre. For those in search of a more lively atmosphere, there are the shops along the Avenida Ricardo Sorianoo la Avda. Ramón y Cajal.

La Cañada Shopping Centre (5 min by car) A large shopping centre located in Marbella where you can do all your shopping. With a range of clothes shops, shoe shops, accessories and home accessories. The FNAC is also located here, offering technology, books and music.

Puerto Banus (15 min by car) Puerto Banus is the most famous nautical and tourist enclave in the south of Europe. The luxurious marina is one of major centres of entertainment in the Costa del Sol, offering leading designer stores and exclusive luxury products.

Also in this area is the Marina Banus shopping centre, one of the best-known in Marbella and the Puerto Banus Corte Inglés.

Shopping Market The market, offering the opportunity for cheaper purchases, is held in Marbella on Mondays, in San Pedro de Alcántara on Thursdays and in Puerto Banus on Saturdays.

The best tours: Half day tours

Distances calculated from the Hotel Fuerte Marbella and Hotel Fuerte Miramar Puerto Banus (15 min by car) Puerto Banus is a luxury marina where you can contemplate the most ostentatious vessels alongside exclusive top-range cars. Members of the jet set from all over the world meet in this enclave renowned for its parties and glamour. Ojén (20 minutes by car) The small village of Ojén is ten kilometres from Marbella in the hills next to Almadán Stream. This is a charming ‘white’ village in the heart of the Sierra de las Nieves Biosphere Reserve. Its natural resources , in which water plays a leading role, are of significance, as there are numerous rivers, springs and aquifers running through the Sierra Blanca.




GPS: 36.50773,-4.881599

Mijas (25 min by car) A village with white lanes on the Costa del Sol, Mijas is a must for any visitor thanks to its charm. The ‘burro taxis’ (donkey taxis) are one of the most original tourist attractions in the area. Here you can visit the Ermita de la Virgen de la Peña (patron saint of the city), the Jardines de la Muralla and the city viewpoint with views across the whole of the Costa el Sol and the Mediterranean Sea. An interesting place to visit here is the Carromato de Max Museum, the first museum of miniatures in the world. It is well worth a visit. Casares (45 minutes by car) One of the prettiest Andalucian landscapes in the region of Malaga. This village of white houses is located on a hillside in a privileged environment. Displays of geraniums decorate the balconies in a rural environment of peace and nature. This is the birthplace of Blas Infante, considered the ‘father of Andalucia‘. Ronda (50 minutes by car) Ronda, a monumental city with the imposing and well-known gorge, is considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in Andalucia. In addition to the bridge over the gorge, the bullring, the Museo del Bandolero (Bullfighting Museum) and typical streets which can be explored by horse and carriage, leave the visitor pleasantly surprised. It is also worth driving up to the archaeological remains of Acinipo, a former Roman city, 20 kilometres outside the city.

The best tours: One day tours Distances calculated from the Hotel Fuerte Marbella and Hotel Fuerte Miramar Malaga (50 minutes by car) Capital city of the Costa del Sol, Malaga, in addition to sun and beaches, has two important museums, the Picasso and the Thyssen. The house in which the painter from Malaga, Pablo Ruiz Picasso, was born is also in the city, with the Roman theatre and the Alcazaba. The Old Quarter is noted for its shopping lanes and a charming characteristic pedestrian precinct, calle Larios. Gibraltar (1.15 hours by car) This British territory, an enclave in the straits between the Mediterranean sea and the Atlantic Ocean is internationally known for its Rock, belonging to the United Kingdom. The city is a free port and therefore alcohol and tobacco are available at cheaper prices. A valid passport is required for this trip. Granada (2 hours by car) The charming city of Granada is home to La Alhambra, Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and the most visited and emblematic monument in Spain. The Albaicín and Sacromonte quarters fill the city with colour and charm, and are crowned by the peaks of Sierra Nevada.




GPS: 36.50773,-4.881599

Cordoba (2.20 hours by car) In the age of Al-Andalus, Cordoba was the capital of the Caliphate. One of the most important monuments in the city is the Mosque, later converted into a basilica by the Christians. The Old Quarter is the second largest in Europe and the Roman bridge over the Guadalquivir is another of the city’s attraction. Tangiers, Morocco (1.25 hours by car to the port of Tarifa + 1 hour by boat) Barely 14 kilometres separate the African coast from the shores of Cadiz. Depart from Tarifa and visit a completely different continent, just half an hour away by ferry, and discover Morocco’s charms and culinary delights.

The best tours: On foot or by bike

Tours Marbella-Puerto Banus (departure from the promenade next to Fuerte Marbella and Fuerte Miramar hotels)

This is a magnificent 12 km (return) route, taking approximately 3 hours on foot. Alternatively, it is an excellent route for running or going by bike (1 hour). It has a low level of difficulty as the route follows the promenade along the shores of Marbella.

Tours Trekking in Juanar (20 minutes by car) Juanar Refuge is a magnificent natural setting with fantastic views across the sea and leafy woods. Several routes, ideal for those who love trekking, start from here.

These include the route from Puerto Rico Bajo to Juanar viewpoint, 8 km long and with a low-medium level of difficulty. You can also pick up the route further up, driving up to Juanar Refuge, making it a one-hour stroll with a low level of difficulty.

On the other hand, if you want to go on to the end of the route, you can walk the 8 kilometres to La Cruz del Juanar, medium-high level of difficulty, and taking about four hours.

Another popular route leaves from Juanar Refuge to La Concha, the highest peak in the Sierra Blanca range, which shelters Marbella from the North winds. This route is 14 km long and takes 5 hours, with a high level of difficulty, climbing up to La Concha Peak, from where there are spectacular views.

Tours José Lima Route (departure 20 min from the hotel) This circular route, 8 km long, goes along the path which takes its name from the former Forest Guard for the area. It starts about 500 m from Juanar Refuge, with a medium level of difficulty and runs through the Pinsapos (Spanish Fir woods) amd Fuente del Pozuelo for about three hours.




GPS: 36.50773,-4.881599

Fuerte Marbella is part of responsible hotels. It's a hotel which makes the effort to minimize the negative impacts and maximize the positive ones on the environment and local community, that is, attempts to be as sustainable as possible.

Social projects

The hotel invests and is involved in projects that serve as an example of its commitment with the improvement of its

economic, social and environmental impact as welll as with its contribution for the local cohesion.

Waste recycling

The hotel separate waste and management of its residues removed, using methods of revaluing them (recycling and / or

reuse) to achieve lower pollution impact on soil and groundwater.

Local suppliers

The hotel has declared to be making an effort to ensure the products it is provided with are as local as posible.

Sustainable policy

The property has a strong commitment to sustainability, which is reflected in a policy public to all its stakeholders.

Through this policy the property transmits its core values on sustainable development.

Renewable energy

The hotel has renewable energy facilities obtained from natural sources and environmentally friendly. Its negative effects on

the environment are significantly less than those of conventional energy. And they are almost always reversible.

Fair trade

The hotel uses Fair trade products, an alternative to conventional trade, in addition to economic criterion, taking

into account ethical values that include social and environmental aspects.

Healthy food

The property offer food and berverage from organic production method by which agricultural production and livestock have a

fundamental objective of obtaining high-quality food while maintaining soil fertility without using agrochemicals, or to use

modified organisms genetically. This will conserve natural resources and respect life cycles.