Semana Internacional de Cine
Renowned film distributor and producer Manuel Salvador finally
achieved his dream of organizing a permanent annual non-competitive
film festival here. It takes place during the autumn in
the the Gran Marbella complex and attracts famous figures
from the movie world who want to promote their new ventures.
The public get to see sneak previews of films that will
be released after Christmas. Last year honourary prizes
were awarded to the producer Andrs Vicente Gmez and actors
Alfredo Landa and Florinda Chico.
Playa de Puerto Banús-Nueva Andalucía
These two beaches stretch for more than 2000 metres and
are alongside the Jose Banús marina. The sand is
white, very clean and soft. The water has won lots of awards
for high standards including the coveted blue flag rating.
In summer months, it's jam-packed, and during the winter,
when it's milder out, it's not so uncommon to see people
of all ages enjoying a dip in the sea.
There
are swings and slides for children, and adults can practise
water sports. There's a beach club with a swimming pool
and six bars to choose from.
Funny Beach
This is not just a beach, although you can certainly enjoy
the water, sand, deckchairs and beach-side snack-bar. This
fun park is located on the coast-side of the entrance arch
to Marbella and offers everything you could possibly imagine
to have a good time: go-karts (EUR 3.61 for children and
EUR 8.41 for adults), elastic beds to jump on (200 ptas/EUR
1.20), coloured trampolines, a video-game room, miniature
golf (EUR 2.40), a mechanical bull to show off your rodeo
skills, pinball machines, darts, etc. In addition, there
is an enormous area set up so the little ones can have a
ball playing with construction sets, coloured balls, blocks
and toys, etc. There is a restaurant that offers a buffet
service and fun dishes for the little ones.
Plaza de Toros
This bullring seats 9500 and holds bullfights every Sunday
evening. There are a lot of fights using young bulls, without
picadores. Real bullfighters as such do not often fight
here, although famous matadors like El Cordobs, El Litro,
Espartaco and Jos Mari Manzanares have fought here. A bronze
statute commemorating Manolo Gonzlez, the Sevillian bullfighter
stands at the entrance to the bullring. In summer the bullring
is also used for concerts and theatrical performances.
Centro Deportivo El Fuerte
This is a proper sports centre with excellent and varied
facilities. Theres a heated swimming-pool offering aquagym
along with squash courts and a tennis court where you can
take lessons. You can tan yourself on the sunbeds, have
a sauna, a Turkish bath or go for an image-changing treatment
in the beauty salon. The yoga classes take place in a special
room and theres a cafeteria where you can relax and take
a refreshment after your exertions. The membership fee is
(EUR 45.08) and the monthly charge varies according to how
much you use the facitlities. Youll find it alongside the
hotel of the same name.
Playa del Alicate
This beach has almost 2000 metres of fine, golden sand and
magnificent dunes, with eleven different bars, where you
can have a soft drink, a beer and the best fried fish on
the Mediterranean coast. It's very touristy and cosmpolitan,
with families, couples, groups of friends, etc. On Saturdays
and Sundays, it's really crowded, but during the rest of
the week, it's one of the quieter beaches. The water is
crystal clear, and the beach has had the blue flag rating
since 1992. Near this beach, there's a beach club with a
swimming pool. Facilities include lifeguards, watchtowers,
first aid, showers and public toilets.
Plaza Gym
This gym is fully equipped with the latest sports and exercise
technology. The instructors are experts in training top
sportsmen. One of them is the Spanish fitness champion.
Along with all the normal sports facilities, youll find
a Turkish bath, jacuzzis and sunbeds. You can even leave
your kids in the creche while you take an aerobics class
or do some weight training. Why not try the new exercise
regimes like bodypump or kick boxing. Theres a small cafeteria
where you can refresh yourself with a fruit juice or natural
milk-shake.
Murallas del Castillo (Las)
In the heart of the old quarter stand the remains of the
Arab castle and city walls that once spread over 90000m2.
It is the only construction that still remains from the
Muslim era. It was built in the 10th century in the Caliph
period, later enlarged in the 14th century by the Nazaries.
There
are many legends associated with the old castle and walls,
including rumours of secret and underground passages, connecting
the ancient fortress with the sea. The castle's original
layout is rectangular, measuring 90m x 160m2; unfortunately,
the years have taken their toll on this beautiful building
and it has lost all its towers. The walls and part of the
castle are currently being restored.
Prado World
If you had to choose between spending the day in an amusement
park or a water park, which would you choose? Don't worry,
because this complex has both, so that you can enjoy a long
day out with your children. The facilities include two swimming
pools, a ball pool, trampolines, water attractions, minigolf,
train-rides through the park, swings and more.
Bóvedas (Las)
The remains of these Roman baths, known locally as las Bóvedas
(the domes), are found close to the Paleo-Christian Basilica,
Vega del Mar. Historians are still unsure of the baths'
true origins, though most believe that they are all that
remain of the Roman settlement known as Cilniana (or Silniana)
destroyed by an earthquake in 365 A.D. You can visit these
baths along with the better conserved Villa Romana (Roman
villa).
Guided
tours are available on Tue, Thu and Sat at midday, though
only by prior arrangement. These tours are free, but a car
is needed to get here from the meeting point (the tourist
office).
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