My son and I are spending two weeks in Marbella, Spain, in July. I went online to check it out and it looks like a totally tourist ritzy place with not much of interest except huge yachts and lots of expensive tourist traps. But, I’m committed, so I have to go. It could be that the web sites are distorting things, I hope. Anyone who’s been there and can tell me their experience? I’m interested in seeing some of the Roman Aqueduct ruins, and any small towns of interest. We’re going to go to Malaga to a couple of restaurants I found. Unfortunately, Madrid is about 350 miles so the gas cost would be prohibitive, but I don’t mind driving 50-75 miles around the area. Why can’t I be Paris Hilton? I’d fit right in.
If you get digital cable or satellite, check the program listings for BBC America. There was a horrible, horrible soap on in the UK a while back called El Dorado, set either on the Costa Bravo or Costa del Sol. They’re both basically the same… nice weather, great beaches, lots of pasty British people in short shorts, and lots of pickpockets.
I lived there for some time a while back. Though it’s best in winter, in the summer it’s unbearable hot.
The Saudi king has (or had or whatever) a big luxury yacht permanently docked in Marbella. On or around the sun coast you can see the Moorish towns and palaces; Sevilla (about half of all roads and squares in Sevilla are called colon something or other – after Columbus) Sevilla is in a valley so it’s not only hot, it’s likely to be boiling. Grenada (Al’Hambra) it’s in mountains so it’s a little cooler) Grenada is also where Carmen is supposed to be from. Cordoba (also the birthplace of Seneca) Take a drive into the Sierra Nevada, or take a look at the desert like scenario around Almeria where they filmed several of spaghetti westerns with Clint Eastwood. Take a trip across the strait to Africa; there are regular departures to the Spanish enclaves (Ceuta, Melilla). Or go see Gibraltar. If you absolutely must go to Malaga, I guess you can see the cathedral. It’s called the one-armed, because half-through the construction they went out of money and couldn’t finish it. You can light up a candle for someone, or rather turn on a light diode. Else eat tapas, frollick on the beach, go watch a bullfight, check out the Spanish senioritas.
My folks have an apartment between Fuengirola and Puerto Banus (for the golf), I was there for a few days last year.
We took a day trip to the Alhambra, which was an absolute must, it’s stunningly gorgeous.
Ronda and Mijas are nice villages to visit, I’d say you’ll absolutely need a car, that way you can go inland, into the mountains and avoid the tourist traps on the beaches.
Peurto Banus is hilarious, it’s this seaside town with Gucci, Louis Vuitton and D&G shops, and full of aged bankers and their trophy wives.
Mijas Costa has a nice little beach and a great Thai restaurant, and it’s quieter than the bigger places.
If your son is interested in animals, or gets bored (I have no idea how old he is, I’m assuming somewhere between 10 and 20) there’s a zoo in Fuengirola, which is actually pretty fun, they let you walk into the lemur enclosure, so you’re right up close to them. In case you’re worried, it’s clean and well kept and they have breeding and education programmes in place.
Also took a trip to Gibraltar, it was like Blackpool (very English), but sunny. I was unimpressed, but we went on a boat out into the strait, where you can see dolphins, that was cool.
Seville is absolutely beautiful, if you go I’d suggest you stay the night near the cathedral, and spend a full day in that area of the city. You could spend all afternoon away from the heat in the cathedral, and then climb the Giralda to look out over the rooftops.
On the plus side the food is fantastic and cheap, you’re guaranteed sunshine, you can sleep all afternoon, and eat dinner as late as you want.
Forgot the most important thing!
If you’re driving for any significant distance, avoid the coastal motorway, it’s busy, fast and full of crazy Spanish drivers. Dangerous soesn’t begin to describe it.
Instead, take the toll motorway further inland. It’s a better quality road, and is much quieter and quicker.
I was there last summer during the heatwave, and found the temperatures to be very warm, but not unbearable, it’s about 35 degrees C most days in the sumer, and is fine if you’re near a beach, pool or A/C!
I’m off to Jerez de la Frontera next Monday. It is south of Sevilla and west of Malaga and is the sherry capital of the world, you can take tours of the vineyards and sample the sherry. Might be good for you but not for you son, so there is an Andulasian (?) horse show, which I think is something like the Lippanzer (?) horses where they dance to music. Apparently not to be missed if you are in Jerez. There is also a gothic cathederal which I would like to visit.
Just echoing what others have said about Sevilla: it’s absolutely beautiful. Malaga is a bit of a dump. Your online source and Really Not All That Bright have pretty much nailed the Costa.
It used to be called The Costa Del Crime , not because of a high crime rate but because of all the British gangsters and bank robbers living there. The reason for this was the breakdown of the extradition agreement between the UK and Spain . This meant that it was very hard to get these villains back to the UK once they had fled there. Most of these guys lived in well guarded villas , surrounded by their minders. Occasionally an old score would be settled and somebody would be wiped out with a contract killing. Things have changed now , the treaty is up and running and it is no longer a safe haven for them.
Best fish and chips and English football anywhere in Spain.