Marbella Winter Attractions

Although global warming seems to have created an everlasting Indian summer for most of Europe, the fact that many family attractions like water parks and theme parks have closed their doors until next year means Marbella has begun its Sleeping Beauty slumber of the winter season. There are still plenty of things to do though!

For residents and those owning a holiday home at the Costa del Sol this is the time to visit some of the less well known attractions.

Marbella's Museum of Spanish Contemporary Engravings

The erstwhile residential palace of Marbella's Mayor Don Alonso de Bazán makes for a wonderful setting of art.

As well as housing the offices of the Marbella Cultural Delegation, the Old Town palace is home to a museum exhibiting works by Chillida, Miró, Picasso and Tapies alongside other famous Spanish artists' works. Its the first museum of its kind in Spain, displaying the very finest of Spanish print art, including aquatints, etchings, lithographs and xylographs. Famous also for its annual National Engraving Awards, the museum in the Calle Hospital Bazán is closed on Sundays and on Public Holidays, but otherwise open throughout the year.

It's a great place to come for inspiration, expecially for art lovers planning the start of their own collection. The museum is also a good place to come and gather ideas for print art works one can display on the walls of a new holiday home. Numerous galleries throughout Marbella sell copies to those who cannot quite stretch to a genuine Picasso or Miró.

Marbella Municipal Art Gallery

Staying with the theme of art, an hour spent at the small, but beautifully staged Marbella Municipal Art Gallery is also rather illuminating.

The museum showcases the best of ceramics, paintings and sculptures by artists that connoisseurs can easily find in Marbella's commercial galleries. Every time a new temporary exhibition opens at the museum guests have the chance to meet a local artist and find out what inspired them to create their works. Located in the José Palomo Square, the art gallery is free for all and opens between 19.00 and 22.00 hours throughout the year.

Nueva Andalusia Artisan Market

The affluent neighbourhood of Nueva Andalusia, which is located close to Puerto Banus, seems an unlikely venue for an artisan market, yet every Saturday morning some 120 stallholders exhibit their wares next to the Puerto Banus bullring in one of Marbella's largest flea markets.

Apart from selling the usual spices and souvenirs, the stalls also have an astonishing array of locally produced handicrafts on offer, including lovely textiles and paintings, antiques, furniture and hand-made jewellery.

Surrounded by cosy cafes and bars, the Artisan Market attracts enormous crowds and it's best to come early, if you're after a bargain. The market, located in the Avenida Manolete, opens at 9.00 am and closes its doors at 2.00 pm.

Nueva Andalusia Living

Dubbed the Golf Valley, Nueva Andalusia is a high-end urbanisation where the average 4-bed villa with sun terrace and swimming pool costs at least EUR 800,000. The area has several gated communities with luxury villas and apartments that overlook both the golf courses and the Mediterranean Sea. Even a 3-bed penthouse in one of those gated developments will set buyers back by EUR 600,000 for a second-hand property.

The Golf Valley is one of Marbella's most expensive areas and typically, gated communities offer not just exclusivity and privacy to its wealthy residents but also many onsite amenities that other developments lack.

A fully serviced "comunidad", as these gated communities are called, offers residents 24/7 security and a concierge service, but there are also amenities such as adult and children's swimming pools and floodlit tennis courts, a spa and gym. Nueva Andalusia boasts shops and supermarkets, a few restaurants, bars and cafes and usually it takes just a couple of minutes to drive to the nearest retail complex.

With onsite winter attractions such as these, and world-class golf courses on the doorstep, it's no wonder many Nueva Andalusia residents hardly ever make it out their gates during the day!