Situated 25 miles (40km) southwest of Malaga, the few miles of
coast between Marbella and Puerto Banus, is Spain's answer to Monte
Carlo. Spain's elite, and Britain's more successful felons, have
flashy houses on the surrounding hills, and swanky yachts in the
marina. Marbella is the Costa del Sol's quality resort - the
restaurants and bars are more stylish (and expensive) and the town
has been spared the worst excesses of concrete development that
have blighted neighbours such as Torremolinos. The old town is
hidden away and retains some of its medieval charm and has some
good clothes shops and restaurants. The more exclusive Puerto
Banus, six miles (10km) to the west, is where you will find the
casino and the seriously large yachts. Those visitors who drive
just a few miles inland to the villages in the hills around Ronda
will discover a Spain completely untouched by tourism, with village
markets and tapas bars to be explored.
