Marbella is sometimes called Spain's St. Tropez, although the comparison is not really accurate or fair. Marbella is far more built up and boasts many more golf courses and a lot more through traffic, but the social atmosphere can be similar and they are both built around beautiful coastlines. Although Marbella has had a lot of bad press fo late and has overdone teh concrete, teher is still a vibrant social scene although more and more it is based around private, gated communities.

Marbella is perhaps the most famous of the Costa del Sol resorts and is a town of two halves. The old town, with its narrow cobbled streets and white walled houses, is typically Andalucian and beautiful. The new town is also attractive but looks much like many developments around the world. To find the real beauty in the newer half of Marbella you have to find the best gold courses, beaches, chiringuitos and gated communities that not everyone sees who is not introduced.

With a wealth of museums, historical buildings and roman remains, Marbella has culture to match its beautiful beaches, yachting harbours and excellent nightlife. There are top-level golf courses (over 110 of them), designer shops, a multitude of fine restaurants and many cultural and sporting events throughout the year. Marbella can be quite busy in the peak season and is not for all tastes.