Marbella Places of Interest
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Bonsai Museum
An exquisite exhibit of bonsai trees which is open daily from 10 am to 13.30 and from 16.30 to 20.00. Located in Arroyo de la Represa Park.
Municipal Art Gallery
This art gallery always has a good selection of work by local artists and is open from 19.00 to 22.00 hours. Located in José Palomo Square, s/n.
Roman Villas and Roman Baths
Roman
Villa Mosaics
Rio Verde
Well-preserved mosaic floors dating from the 1st and 2nd centuries can be appreciated here. The room that faces north contains a splendid mosaic of a Medusa's head with four snakes among the strands of her hair and another two around her neck.
Roman
Baths
Las Bovesas
Located next to the beach in the Guadalmina urbanisation, the baths date back to the 3rd century and were first discovered in 1926.
The solid mortar structure has survived the passing of history and weather well, particularly considering the location near the beach. The construction was built around an octagonal patio of 9.75 metres in diameter which in its time was encrypted. Parallel to the walls are the remains of a 1.20 metre deep octagonal pool. The upper floor consists of a circular gallery with access to several small rooms.
The generally held conclusion about the crypts is that they were Roman Baths, although some believe that they were large deposits for the water carried by the nearby aqueducts
Museum of Spanish Contemporary Engravings
This building was formerly the residential palace of the Mayor, Don Alonso de Bazán who later, in a generous will, donated it to the town to serve as a hospital for the poor. Today, the building carries out a noteworthy social service as a museum, as well as housing the offices of the Marbella Cultural Delegation. The museum is the first of its type in Spain and exhibits works by Picasso, Miró, Tapies, Chillida and several other famous painters.
Seafront promenade & beaches
The extensive promenade is ideal to experience and join the Spanish in the traditional "paseo". Flanked by pavement cafes, restaurants, this promenade is one of the most attractive on the Costa del Sol and has the added advantage of being within minutes of the centre of town.
Marbella Mosque
This beautiful temple overlooks the golden mile just to the west of the city centre. It was the the first mosque to be constructed since the re conquest in the fifteenth century.
Surrounding Scenery
The magnificent mountain known as "La Concha" (the shell) is part of a range that extends across the skyline to the village of Ojén. Take the road to Ojén and turn left into the beautiful park called Juanar, where the mountainside is covered in pine trees, pinsapos, walnut and olive trees, as well as wild orchids - and some wild animals, including Hispanic wild goats, eagles and Royal owls. At one of its highest points stands "El Mirador" where you can look down on one of the most spectacular views of Marbella and its surroundings.
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