The Area
A guide to golf, markets, the coastline and nearby villages around Villa Tulua in Nueva Andalucia, Marbella. Each note below is a practical detail worth knowing before you go: a booking requirement, a closure day or a seasonal limit.
Golf
Nueva Andalucia is known as the Golf Valley, home to several golf courses within the valley itself.
Real Club de Golf Las Brisas
Real Club de Golf Las Brisas sits inside the Golf Valley, one of Nueva Andalucia's private members clubs.
Good to know: It is a private members club with roughly 1,225 members and only about three visitor tee times a day, so it is effectively closed to casual visitors.
Los Naranjos
In the Golf Valley, Los Naranjos welcomes visiting players every day.
Good to know: A handicap certificate is required and advance booking is essential.
Aloha
Aloha, also in the Golf Valley, is a private club that sets aside a limited number of green fees for visitors.
Good to know: It is a private members club that sells a limited number of visitor green fees. A handicap certificate is required: 28 or lower for men, 36 or lower for women.
La Quinta
At the edge of the valley, technically within Benahavis municipality, La Quinta is a resort-linked course with 27 holes that is open to visitors.
The Saturday Market
The Puerto Banus Market
Every Saturday from 9:00 to 14:00, more than 120 stalls set up beside the Marbella bullring (Plaza de Toros) in the Centro Plaza area of Nueva Andalucia, known interchangeably as the Puerto Banus market and the Nueva Andalucia market.
Good to know: It can be cancelled for bad weather or public holidays.
La Concha
La Concha
Rising above Marbella, La Concha is reached from the standard access point at the Refugio de Juanar car park.
Good to know: This is a serious hike, not a stroll: reported as 13 to 14 km and 5 to 7 hours. The final stretch to the summit involves scrambling and chains above sheer drops, and is reported to account for more mountain rescues than any other Marbella trail each year.
Puerto Banus
The Marina
Built by Jose Banus, the marina at Puerto Banus opened in 1970 and now holds more than 900 berths, with room for yachts up to around 50 metres. Its frontline is lined with luxury boutiques and restaurants.
Beach Clubs
In summer, beach clubs including Ocean Club and Nikki Beach double as day and night venues.
Good to know: Booking is required and they operate seasonally.
Marbella Old Town
Plaza de los Naranjos
Laid out in 1485, Plaza de los Naranjos is ringed by the 16th century Ayuntamiento, the 17th century Ermita de Santiago and a Renaissance fountain.
Good to know: The orange trees themselves were planted later, in 1941.
Beaches
Playa Nueva Andalucia
Playa Nueva Andalucia, a Blue Flag beach, sits directly beside the Puerto Banus marina, with Ocean Club and Nikki Beach both here.
Good to know: Both require booking and are seasonal.
Puente Romano Beach
Between Puerto Banus and central Marbella, Puente Romano beach sits on the same stretch of the Golden Mile rather than further along the coast.
Villages and Day Trips
Benahavis
Known as the gastronomic corner of the Costa del Sol, Benahavis is a white village built around its restaurants, with a River Walk trail running through it.
Istan
Paired with the La Concepcion reservoir, Istan is a white village and mountain lake setting within the Sierra de las Nieves Biosphere Reserve.
Puente Romano Tennis and Padel Club
Founded in 1979, Puente Romano Tennis and Padel Club is affiliated to the Spanish tennis federation.
Good to know: It has hosted Davis Cup and ATP events.
Ronda
The Puente Nuevo bridge, spanning the El Tajo gorge, is the centrepiece of a day trip to Ronda.
Good to know: Crossing the bridge is free.
Gibraltar
A day trip to Gibraltar takes in the Upper Rock and its Barbary macaques.
Good to know: Feeding the macaques is prohibited by law.
Malaga
Malaga's day trip highlights are the Alcazaba fortress and the Picasso Museum.
Good to know: The Picasso Museum is closed on Mondays.