City Guide: Marbella

     Marbella offers a small town feel together with big-city sophistication.

     Sandwiched between Malaga and Gibraltar stretching along 24km of the central-southern coast of Spain, Marbella still retains the atmosphere of a small fishing village, but with the most expensive yachts anchored at its Mediterranean port.

     Your trip to this oasis of luxuries can become a reality with Booked.net. Be it a room in cheap hotel in Marbella to one that appointed with luxuries all available at our website. Our listings include maps, photos and secure forms on every hotel.

     Marbella has one of the most developed infrastructures on the Mediterranean from tropical parks to tree-lined boulevards it offers a beautiful and safe environment. These greatly add to Marbella as destination that draws less ''mortals'' than world famous holiday-makers like actor Sean Connery and his bride Micheline Roguebrune on a holiday to Casa Malibu in Marabella in 1970s.

     Things changed when Marbella gained the fame of resort city in 1950s. Before Marbella had been a part of casual coastline in Spain covered with sugar crops and deserted beaches. Marbella became really busy with tourists since Prince von Hohenlohe, godson of King Alfonso XIII has established the Marbella Club Hotel in the area.

     What had been a sleepy village reliant on agriculture in the area, Marbella took efforts to prettify itself to draw public interest. Publicity slowly brought tourist interest with such Hollywood figures like Cary Grant, Gary Cooper, Stewart Granger and Grace Kelly.

     For a long time Marbella served as a shelter away from fans for celebrities galore, but in recent years the resort lost its feel of intimacy. Marbella hit the TV screens featured in the political thriller Syriana and comedy Torrente, Misión en Marbella. So today tourists visit Marbella to share its glamorous beaches with football players, pop stars and super models.

Away from sun-baked beaches, you should take time to indulge in Marbella's attractions.

 - Old city center, a historic heart of the city with beautiful architecture

- The Golden Mile lined with historic Marbella Club Hotel and the late King Fahad's palace

- Encarnation's Church, the oldest church in the city

- The Museo del Grabado Español Contemporáneo, located in a restored 16th-century palace in the old town

     After sightseeing, enjoy gastronomic pleasures in Marbella. From regional gazpacho and pescaito frito or fried fish to sophisticated foreign cuisines all served in the local cafes lining pedestrian streets of old town Marbella.

     From filling dining to cultural splendor, Marbella can offer you royal treatment in a hotel reserved with Booked.net.