The monuments of Marbella are major attractions to visit in this beautiful city on the Costa del Sol. Many of them are located in the old town and stand out in both their civil and religious aspects.
The heart of Marbella is the well-known Plaza de los Naranjos, an example of Renaissance urban planning, around which three of the main buildings in Marbella are located: the Town Hall, the Corregidor’s House, and the Santiago Hermitage.
In the city center, you can also admire other important monuments in Marbella, such as the Baroque Church of Santa María de la Encarnación, the remains of the Alcazaba and the defensive wall, and the Renaissance hospitals of Bazán and La Misericordia.
Beyond the city center, in the Barrio Alto, you can visit the Hermitage of Santo Cristo de la Vera Cruz, which dates back to the 15th century.
Located less than a fifteen-minute drive from the center of Marbella, the Benabola Hotel in Puerto Banús is the best accommodation option for a trip to the Costa del Sol if you want to have easy access to Marbella’s most important monuments, as well as all the daytime and nighttime entertainment of the legendary luxury marina in Marbella.
Next, we will show you some of the monuments in Marbella that you must not miss during your trip to the Costa del Sol.
The Alcazaba of Marbella
The majestic Alcazaba of Marbella represents the most important vestige of the city’s long Muslim domination. Built in the 10th century by order of the first Andalusian caliph, Abderramán III, its exterior can be visited, although access to its interior is not public.
Both the Alcazaba and the walls have the designation of Cultural Heritage. They are located on a promontory in the northeastern part of Marbella’s old town, about 30 meters above sea level, a location that favored the surveillance and defense of the city. In the 15th century, the enclosure came under Christian control and maintained its military function until the 19th century.
It is characterized by its rectangular plan and predominantly stone construction. It is very close to some of the most interesting points in Marbella, such as the Orange, Victoria, Africa, and Redonda Squares.
Hermitage of Santiago where Picasso was baptized
The Hermitage of Santiago, built in the 15th century, is the oldest of the temples in Marbella. It is located in the heart and central square of Marbella, the beautiful Plaza de los Naranjos.
The temple served as a parish church until the 17th century when it acquired the status of a hermitage. It consists of a single rectangular nave. On its exterior, a small bell tower and a niche with a sculpture of the Apostle Santiago (St. James) that faces the square catch the eye.
In addition to being a place of worship, the Hermitage of Santiago is the headquarters of the Brotherhood of the Christ of Love.
Colomares Castle
Although located in the municipality of Benalmádena, about 40 kilometers from the center of Marbella, Castillo de Colomares is a must-visit when traveling to the Costa del Sol. With an appearance that evokes the magical settings of series like Game of Thrones, it is a monument that pays tribute to the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus.
Designed by Esteban Martín y Martín, it was built between 1987 and 1994 using medieval techniques. Its blend of architectural styles includes Mudejar, Gothic, Byzantine, and Neo-Romanesque.
In this unique architectural complex, its gardens, fountains, porticos, the Aljibe, the Christmas Fort of 1492, the Eastern Tower, and the Chapel of Santa Isabel de Hungría stand out. The latter is included in the Guinness World Records for being the smallest church in the world, with a size of only 1.96 square meters.
Dalí’s sculptures
Although in the popular imagination, the image of the immortal Catalan artist is associated with the Gerona municipality of Cadaqués and the town of Port Lligat, the work of the great Salvador Dalí is also closely linked to Marbella. Not in vain, some of his brilliant sculptures can be admired on Avenida del Mar, a significant Marbella thoroughfare that leads to the city’s promenade.
There are 10 spectacular sculptures by Dalí, among which Gala Looking out of the Window, Perseus, Mercury, Don Quixote Seated, Trajan on Horseback, and Cosmic Elephant stand out.
Marbella’s cultural and artistic offerings are on par with its leisure and entertainment options. It’s worth taking the time to admire Marbella’s important monuments during a stay on the Costa del Sol. The Hotel Benabola, located in the heart of Puerto Banús, is the perfect basecamp for organizing visits to so many points of interest.