The Costa del Sol town of Marbella (pronounced
mar-BAY-ya) is a popular vacation spot for wealthy Europeans and Arabs, and a modern Arabian flavor is clearly evident. Its narrow streets, lined with whitewashed buildings, now experience traffic jams, but it still has fantastic shopping and restaurants, good nightlife and several acceptable beaches in and near town. Fountains and thousands of trees grace the seaside promenade. Its major fiesta occurs in the middle of June.
Along the coast just south of Marbella is the jet-set resort of Puerto Banus (a small port full of yachts and expensive sailboats). The promenade is lined with restaurants, bars, outdoor cafes, expensive boutiques and arts-and-crafts stores. Go for lunch, dinner or simply to have a drink and people-watch. An alternative excursion is Estepona, which has a yacht harbor and lots of nightlife. Marbella is 280 mi/450 km south of Madrid.
