Larana

Taking the family to Marbella to check it out on recommendation of an acquaintance. What sorts of non-tacky (Disneyland-type stuff) etc. stuff is there to do there?

The beach will be welcome, of course. But what about family-friendly restaurants? Any bars to avoid? Rough areas?

Is two weeks a bit long to stay? It seems like it might be for my liking, but it could turn out differently if there's enough to do (markets etc.?).

Anyone on the forum actually live there?!

Cheers.

pwwm

Google is a very good friend for this

Rosemary

Having a holiday somewhere is totally different from living there. This forum is for people who re-locate so they will be more interested in where they can gain services etc for their house rather than facilities for holiday makers. I am sure that you would gain more help on a forum dedicated to holidaymakers.

Rosemary

Larana

So , let's say someone did relocate there, what would they do? What is of interest to keep you these?

Domino

depends on how many, what ages etc but you may be able to cram in a visit to the historic city of Granada and visit the Alhambra ? The Science Park has some amazing activities, kept my 8yo niece entranced for hours, run her father ragged.

never been to Marbella so interested in what it has to offer other than the road to Gibraltar.

Larana

It's got me wondering if Marbella is indeed anything more than 'just' a holiday destination. I never liked Bournemouth, for example, back in the seventies, as it seemed pretty one dimensional - sort full of crazy golf etc. I have expectations that Marbella would not be the 'ideal' choice for anything much more than a package holiday. (however you define, 'ideal').

cricketman

I wouldnt agree

Marbella is first and foremost a Spanish city that happens to have a lot of tourists visit it. Despite being bankrupt, it is fairly clean and well kept, has a nice old town and a beautiful long seafront where you can walk the 7km between Marbella and Puerto Banus. Marbella is actually more Spanish that a lot of the CDS too, although there are plenty of international restaurants as well as Spanish ones.

There are many more interesting cities in Spain and better beaches, but Marbella is way nicer than the rest of the CDS which is fairly grotty.

As a family, you can visit Ronda and Malaga city which are both great, Fuengirola zoo (or bioparc as they now call it) is small but very nice.

I have no idea what a "family friendly" restaurant is, all restaurants in Spain are family friendly, that's what they are there for!

Pocaloca

There are some ideas on here, if you aren't into beaches, shopping or golf! Jeep safaris, diving, water sports, mountain lake tours ...

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio...lucia.html#TtD

Or if you don't want to go as far as Granada, the city of Malaga has a wonderful Moorish castle high above the town, plus lots of good art galleries and museums.

Pocaloca

Very true, I think England is the only country that has "family unfriendly" restaurants!

Larana

He he, maybe they realise that families don't have as much dosh as younger couples.

Their time will come when they, too, will be skinters!

cricketman

That's definitely not true in Spain

Families have the money, young couples dont have any!

Larana

In that case, I'm moving straight out there!

Domino

well something went wrong somewhere
I remember having more money when I was a young couple
I remember having LESS money as a family
I have more money now I am an old couple

cricketman

If you haven't noticed, youth unemployment is at 53% in Spain

And its well been known that young people in Spain have no money. When we were young and childless we were ignored in the shops, but when we went with my wife's parents the shop assistants were jumping all over us.

If you look around on a Sunday you will see that people are out eating with their extended family, and there will be at least someone amongst them who will be able to pay for it (usually the oldest male), strength in numbers!

Pocaloca

I don't remember ever having any ... and don't suppose I ever will.

Larana, if you don't care for tacky blingy types, stay away from Puerto Banús!

Butlins for billionaires