Exploring Marbella's Public Parks

Most visitors coming to the Costa del Sol will expect golden beaches and crystal clear turquoise waters, great seafood restaurants and high-end boutiques, a lively nightlife and sunshine - what comes as rather a surprise to many holidaymakers is that resorts like Marbella also boast many fine public parks. They can be a haven to Marbella's residents, when hordes of tourists invade the beaches, bars and shopping malls during the summer season. Marbella's public parks offer respite from the razzmatazz and noise and are great places to go and have a picnic.

1. Nagüeles Park Marbella


Located at the foot of the La Concha Mountain, where holidaymakers with money own a luxury apartment or townhouse in the chic Marbella Sierra Blanca urbanisation, the natural Nagüeles Park is a lovely landscaped green area encircled by tall pine trees. It boasts a well-equipped barbecue area with tables and benches and cooking facilities, but no longer has a children's playground. It's still a great place to come for a picnic under the leafy branches of the trees, when tourists are roasting their skins at the beach. Bring a flask with cold lemonade and a picnic hamper and secure a table for Sunday lunch - few restaurants can match the mountain views this park affords visitors!

2. King Faihad Gardens

Overlooking Marbella's Golden Mile along the road towards San Pedro, the King Faihad Gardens are situated just below the Saudi Arabian King's house. Filled with fragrant tropical flowers, bubbling fountains and mature shrubs, these gardens are another haven of tranquillity on a hot August day. The late king loved the Costa del Sol and spend most summers in his palatial villa compound in Marbella. He spend enormous amounts of money in the town, who honoured his passing with three days of mourning when he died in 2005. Although family members and his half-brother, King Abdullah, still visit Marbella, they no longer spend the King Midas-like amounts of money that King Faihad once did. Marbella, he allegedly said, was a land blessed by Allah, and for those lucky few with a luxury apartment or townhouse in Marbella's Golden Mile that probably rings true!

3. El Cavario Gardens

This public park couldn't be more different. Designed around the theme of rock gardens and strictly Mediterranean plants, the park was created by landscape architect Miguel Angel Vico, whose park blends nicely with the nearby grounds of the Bonsai Museum, which used a similar theme for its outdoor areas. El Cavario Park is designed to blend into its surroundings and takes its inspiration from the landscapes found in mountainous regions. Why not sit one one of the park's benches and contemplate permanent residency in Marbella, if you're close to retirement age and keen to find your next big adventure?



4. Parque de las Medranas


Situated in Guadalmina rather than Marbella town centre, this park is dominated by a large natural lake rather than a stunning floral display or inspired landscaping. Here water sports reign supreme and visitors can enjoy an adrenalin-filled afternoon going water skiing without the need of a speed boat.

The Cable Ski company based at the lake's shores provides would-be water skiers with a thrilling ride across the lake. There is also a restaurant, where less brave water babies can enjoy a delicious meal while watching the mad-cap skiers on the lake. Throughout the park visitors will find family-friendly activities, including a swimming pool which overlooks the lake and is ideal for younger visitors not yet old enough for the water skiing fun. Booking water skiing sessions in advance is essential in July and August.

There are many more parks and urban green spaces in Marbella - the list is too long to recount here. For those looking to relocate to the Costa del Sol it's another reason to love this particular area. One doesn't need the bank balance of a Saudi King to live outdoor life to the full in Marbella!