Marbella Sports & Outdoors

With about 17 miles (27 kilometers) of coastline and 24 different beaches to choose from Marbella has something for everyone. Whether you're into jet-skiing, sailing, star-spotting, balloon flights, cable skiing or simply enjoying some of the best fresh seafood in the Mediterranean you'll find it all at Marbella's seafront and water sports centers.

Stroll along the famous Golden Mile and dine at some of the most sumptuous (and expensive) restaurants that the Mediterranean has to offer. Or visit one of the many "chiringuitos" - the beach bars that pepper this stretch of coastline, serving much-needed cold drinks and delicious food to summer visitors.

Most of the beaches are well served with all the usual "essentials" like foot baths, lifeguards, children's play areas, sun loungers, sunshades and a variety of water sports - jet skis, pedaloes, wind surfers and banana rides.

You can hire a jet ski or water bike from many of the bars and safety standards are high - wearing a life jacket is obligatory and there are safe access lanes to avoid accidents with swimmers.

For the uninitiated, a great way to learn the basics of water skiing is at the Cable Ski center based at Parque de las Medranas in San Pedro de Alcantara to the west of Marbella.

On the road from Marbella to Fuengirola just beyond the Marbella arch, you'll find Funny Beach where you can enjoy go-carting and all the usual water sports as well as some more adventurous activities such as parasailing.

Divers (and would-be underwater adventurers) should pay a visit to the Happy Diver's Club at the Atalaya Park Hotel beach that has great views of both Gibraltar and the Moroccan coast.

In the picture you can see the sailing and motor vessel WindSpirit riding at anchor (a Windstar ship from which I was doing a 7 day Mediterranean cruise) near to what I think is La Fontanilla Beach near the leisure pier and old town of Marbella.

When the Costa del Sol experienced a renaissance as a winter golf resort in the late eighties, the phrase "Costa del Golf" was coined. Between 1985 and 1991, no fewer than 17 new golf courses appeared, bringing the total along this 50 mile stretch of coast up to thirty. This concentration of quality golf courses, combined with the unique sunny and warm winter climate enjoyed by the region, led to its becoming unrivalled as a winter golf destination for northern Europeans, who while emerging as a serious force at all levels of golf, were deprived of the opportunity to play during the harsh winter months.

When Valderrama was chosen to host the Ryder Cup in 1997, the Costa del Golf received universal recognition as the finest winter golf resort in Europe, Advance reservations for the millenium led to a flurry of new golf courses to be constructed.

Equipment: The Marbella Golf Institute is one of Europe´s premier golf schools providing exclusive instructional programs. Our location, Marbella, offers the ultimate in golf destinations and climate to let you enjoy ideal golf learning experience

The magnificent mountain known as 'La Concha' (the shell) is part of a range that extends across the skyline to the village of Ojén.

Take the road to Ojén and turn left into the beautiful park called 'Juanar', where the mountainside is covered in pine trees, pinsapos, walnut and olive trees, as well as wild orchids - and some wild animals, including Hispanic wild goats, eagles and Royal owls.

At one of its highest points stands 'El Mirador' where you can look down on one of the most spectacular views of Marbella and its surroundings.