Marbella’s Old Town: From Moorish Legacy to Andalusian Elegance

Marbella’s old town is a captivating maze where Moorish influences blend seamlessly with Andalusian charm.

On this walking tour, you’ll explore whitewashed buildings adorned with vibrant flowers and discover hidden plazas brimming with orange trees. As you walk, you’ll hear about this Mediterranean jewel’s fascinating history, from its Moorish castle to its transformation into a playground for the international jet set. You’ll also learn about Marbella’s unique microclimate and sealife.

The tour begins at the picturesque Parque de la Alameda, a serene park with an elegant 1792 fountain. You’ll weave through narrow streets lined with ceramic tiles depicting typical Spanish scenes, and make your way to the city’s main square, Plaza de los Naranjos, where orange trees have provided shade since the 1400s.

Along the way, you’ll find out how mosques were transformed into churches after the Christian reconquest, learn why fountains were always built next to religious buildings, and hear other intriguing local legends. The tour ends at the peaceful Parque de la Constitución, a former private garden that’s since become a public space, and is a perfect place to relax after your adventure.

On this 45-minute tour, you’ll also have a chance to:

• See the remains of Marbella’s 10th-century Moorish castle with its rammed earth and stone walls
• Hear the story behind Marbella’s name
• Admire the photogenic street, Calle Ancha, with its wrought-iron balconies and colourful bougainvillaea
• Explore charming squares like Plaza de la Victoria with its whimsical frog fountain and jacaranda trees
• Stroll down Avenida del Mar, an open-air museum featuring Salvador Dalí’s ten bronze sculptures
• Visit the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación, a church from the 1500s that’s home to one of Southern Spain’s largest and most important organs

Come and discover Marbella beyond the glitz and glamour of its marina. By the end of this walking tour, you’ll have a sense of the true character of this stunning seaside city, its historic streets, and local legends.