I hope you all enjoyed yesterday’s recap of Granada. While we took several day trips to surrounding towns {including Ronda, pictured below}, most of our time was spent in the town of Marbella. Situated along the Mediterranean with delicious food and a bustling nightlife; Marbella was the perfect spot for us to enjoy the sun and explore other parts of Southern Spain.
Where we Stayed: NH Marbella was close to the beach, had modern amenities and a pool {which we would end up using far more than expected} and didn’t break the bank. NH Hotels are a chain that span Europe, South America and even in New York. Our main purpose was to explore and have a comfortable place to catch zzz’s at night, but not focus too much of our budget on the hotel. For around $120 a night, we had great service, a pool and even breakfast included. NH Marbella is right in between the lively Porto Banus and the historical city center.
What we Ate: Lots of tapas. I’m talking jamón ibérico, croquetas, paella and fresh seafood. A lot of restaurants are “touristy” but still have good fare. Fresh day’s catches are being grilled on the beach and charred to perfection. We dined at ZoZoi and our gastronomic experience was out-of-this-world delicious. I would highly recommend it- especially the grilled sea bass. Make sure to make a reservation, they were packed even on a Monday night.
What we Did: Porto Banus is the upscale area of Marbella- full of nightclubs, restaurants and people watching. Grab a Häagen Dazs and admire the fancy yachts in the port. In the historical center of the city, the pedestrian-only walkway lets you gaze upon the Mediterranean {and even catch a glimpse of the Moroccan coastline}, grab dinner and watch street entertainers. The beach is beautiful but not for swimming- it was an ice bath.
Day Trips: Gibraltar is an hour drive from Marbella. Be sure to check if you will need a visa to get in. Gibraltar is part of the UK and they did not sign the Schengen treaty which can make things a bit tricky. Ronda, is also an hour drive {towards Sevilla}, and is a beautiful mid-evil city with tons to see. The road there? Curves that hug the cliffs. Bring some dramamine.
Important Tips: Bring a sweater for cool evenings. Restaurants close during the day so make sure to bring a snack along- kitchens don’t reopen until 8 pm. The sun is stronger than it feels so make sure to slather on some spf and keep those wrinkles away. Mornings generally start out foggy and misty, but don’t fret. The sun always comes out around 10 am and stays until about 10 pm!
The Arab walls surround the city and lead you to the Church of The Holy Spirit
The doors of Ronda were stunning
The Church of Padre Jesus, the white-washed buildings and palm trees that lined the streets, sat at the entrance of the city gates
Wear flats to explore the town of Ronda- pebble streets and steep hills make it quite a workout
How’s that for a view? We dined in a restaurant nestled into the side of the cliff, overlooking the Spanish countryside and the Tajo Canyon
Petar taking in the view…
A gypsy playing the accordion- his music and the sunshine warmed our souls
Every building was perfectly-manicured and had potted plants sitting pretty in the windowsills
These added pops of color to the otherwise neutral town
I tried to coordinate my outfits to the cities we visited. Seriously. This kelly green, linen dress and snake skin flats went along perfectly with Ronda. Wearing: Alythea {from Bloomingdale’s} and Sam Edelman sandals
Down below, you can spot the Arab public baths {or whats left of them} that are now part of the San Miguel Quarter
With a baroque facade, Corinthian columns and even Indian influences, the Palace of the Marquis of Salvatierra is a statement in the historical city quarter
The iron-forged balconies are a Ronda specialty
Jamón ibérico, fried calamari and guacamole with…doritos? Modern day tapas
The historical center of Marbella was so picturesque with berry-colored buildings, music and twinkling lights, that it looked like it was taken out of a fairy tale.
On Friday, I’ll be sharing my final recap of my day in Tangier! Tomorrow, in celebration of my birthday, I have a fun outfit post planned for you all of you! Xx
