Due to its unbeatable weather and privileged location, the Costa del Sol is the perfect place to practice sports and is the chosen venue for many world class sporting events and competitions.

Golf

It is common knowledge that golf is the area's most important sport, as Marbella boasts the highest concentration of golf courses of any city in Western Europe, most of which are located on the coast along the Costa del Sol.

Some of these courses have become world renowned, such as "Las Brisas" or "Aloha Golf", where top golfing events have been held, including the World Cup of Golf, the Andalusian Open and European PGA Championships.

Further down the coast, Valderrama (located in San Roque) is also worthy of mention, as it is considered the best golf course in Spain and was the venue for the Volvo Masters Tournament and the 2002 Ryder Cup.

Find out more about some local golf courses by clicking on their web below:

Water Sports

After golf, sailing and water sports are some of the area’s most popular sports. The steady breeze along the Costa del Sol facilitates the practice of sports such as sailing, windsurfing and kitesurfing, which attract an increasing number of followers every year.

Also, many local beaches rent out motorboats for water skiing or give you the chance to take a trip along the coastline and a visit to one of the area's many marinas, such as Benalmádena or Puerto Banús. Whether you go boating alone or on an organized group tour, you may have the chance to witness the beauty of dolphins swimming in their natural habitat.

Others

Sports such as tennis, padel, polo (in Marbella, Sotogrande, etc.) or horse racing (at the Mijas Costa Racecourse) are just some of the other popular sports in the region. Once again, the sunny weather in Marbella makes it easy to practice these sports as well as other outdoor activities and a wide range of facilities to cater to the needs and interests of all our visitors.

History speaks of Andalusia as a land coveted by many different civilizations. Its spectacular and diverse landscapes, which range from Spartan desert flatlands to lush mountain hills, made the region an area of dispute throughout history as different cultures fought for control of this prized land. All of these cultures left a profound cultural, monumental and artistic heritage to the region which we can still enjoy today.

Monuments

Andalusia's most famous monuments include the Alhambra in Granada, the Mosque of Cordoba and La Giralda in Seville, which stand out among an endless array of historic landmarks including castles, fortresses, monasteries and cathedrals. All of these places can be reached in less than two hours from Alanda Club Marbella.

History

If one wants to go even further back in history, you can visit the famous Cave of Nerja or the Dolmens and caves of Antequera, where you will find stone structures, paintings and prehistoric artefacts  (both sites are located just over an hour from Marbella). Visitors to these places will find ruins of our ancestors which are filled with symbolism and which take us back hundreds and even thousands of years into the past.

Otros lugares de interés

Art lovers can avail of a wide variety of museums, which offer testimony to the quality and importance of our best known artists. Picasso himself was born in the city of Malaga, and visitors can visit the Picasso Museum, located in the city centre.

For people who simply want to take in the atmosphere of traditional Andalusian villages to get a first-hand glimpse at the traditional homes, street corners, lifestyle and culture in Andalusia, we recommend a visit to the following pueblos blancos and cities in the region: Ronda, Marbella, Casares and Ojén.  

The coastline is known for its wide variety of fresh fish which is caught and brought in every day. Enjoying pescaíto frito(fried fish) accompanied by a roasted pepper salad while you relax in the sun at any of the local beach-front restaurants known as chiringuitos is a time-honoured tradition in Andalusian culture and cuisine.

There is an endless selection of restaurants on the Costa del Sol, several of which feature renowned Chefs who have been awarded with stars in the Michelin Guide.

On festival days in Andalusia, streets become crowded and entire cities are paralyzed as residents and visitors alike take part in tradition, fun and festivities.

Semana Santa

Holy Week, or Semana Santa as it is called, is a religious festival which is celebrated throughout Andalusia but which takes on special relevance in the city of Malaga. It is celebrated ever year in late March or early April and attracts enormous crowds of devout followers and spectators alike, who take to the streets to admire the many religious processions which parade throughout the city, where brotherhoods of men solemnly carry floats known as tronos on their shoulders depicting scenes from the Passion, while bands of music and traditionally dressed penitents known as Nazarenes fill the streets.

Local celebrations

Anyone not wishing to go all the way to the centre of Malaga can still enjoy the flavour of Holy Week in smaller local celebrations. The streets of Marbella and many other towns and cities also have celebrations that are well worth seeing.

Local fairs are also popular festivals, especially among younger people. Once again, the Fair of Malaga stands out for its importance and the number of visitors it receives every year. When it's time for the fair, the entire city stops what it is doing and takes time to celebrate. It is an event worth attending for anyone who comes to Malaga in the month of August.

Another to note is the festival of the midsummer celebration of St. John's Night, la Fiesta de San Juan, where people gather to the beach at night to build bonfires, enjoy the shortest night of the year and wet their feet in the Mediterranean, a tradition which, according to local superstitions, brings good luck. There is also the feast of Our Lady of El Carmen, the patroness of fishermen and sailors, or Our Lady of August, among many others.

Marbella boasts an unbeatable selection of stores and shopping areas. The wide variety and quality of shops makes it easy for everyone to find what they are looking for.

Both in Marbella and in Puerto Banus you will find some of the best and most exclusive shops, featuring top designer names and brands. The Marbella area also has a number of shopping malls where you can spend a pleasant afternoon with the entire family.

The Marbella area also allows you to enjoy the flavour of typical outdoor marketplaces, where you can buy anything from clothes to antiques and paintings. Note that the outdoor markets are only open one day a week. The days and places of the best known outdoor markets in the Marbella area listed below:

• MONDAY: Marbella
  
At the fairgrounds (in Las Albarizas)

• THURSDAY: San Pedro de Alcántara
  
C/ Jorge Guillén

• FRIDAY: Las Chapas
  
Behind the Tenencia de Alcaldía building in Las Chapas  

• SATURDAY: Nueva Andalucía
  
Around the old Bullring

• SATURDAY: Puerto Banús
  
Boulevard de la Fama

Marbella is located 22 metres above sea level. It is protected by steep coastal mountain ranges: the Sierra de Mijas, Sierra Blanca and the foothills of the Serranía, which create a natural enclave that favours the local climate and creates spectacular landscapes.

Average

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

Annual Average

Temp.°C

12°

13°

14°

16°

19°

22°

24°

25°

23°

16°

15°

13°

19°

Temp. sea

14°

14°

15°

15°

16°

17°

20°

21°

21°

18°

18°

15°

18°

Sunny Days

26

23

24

26

28

28

31

31

27

27

23

26

320

Rainy Days

5

5

7

4

3

2

0

0

3

4

7

5

45

Thanks to its geographical location and surrounding mountain ranges, Marbella enjoys a unique microclimate where the change of seasons does not bring dramatic changes in weather (the annual average temperature is 19ºC). It rains less than 50 days a year, with the months of November and December having the highest levels of precipitation. Prevailing winds are from the east and the area enjoys over 320 days of sun every year.