Tag Archives: Culture

Unmissable outdoor events in Marbella during October

Thanks to a pleasantly mild climate during October it is a great month to visit Marbella and particularly to enjoy outdoors activities. Here´s a look at 3 fantastic outdoor events that are happening this month with details on where to sign up and have more information. Enjoy!

Marbella 4 Days Walking

4 Days Walking Marbella

An annual multiday walking festival recognised as one of the largest walking events in Spain.  Spanning  4 days and combining  physical activity, social interaction and exploration of the regions scenic landscapes, the event draws typically over 2,000 participants. Focusing on a ´´walk & talk´´ philosophy encouraging participants to  connect and share stories  while enjoying the mild climate. Each day features different routes starting  and ending at the Plaza del Mar on the Paseo Maritimo. Open to all fitness levels with various route options: 10km (shorter more relaxed)  20km (moderate) and 30km (more challenging). This highly social event also features pre and post walk fiestas with live DJs and a lot of dancing. To find out more details and sign up online via the official website and register here https://marbella4dayswalking.com/register/

Yoga Festival Puerto Banús

Yoga Festival, Puerto Banús

This yoga festival weekend is celebrating it´s 3rd successful year and consists of yoga sessions and workshops running throughout the course of each day. Meeting the needs of all fitness levels this is a fantastic celebration of well being with the aim to breathe together, move together and make Puerto Banús a place where yoga is truly felt. Organized by Fermin Suarez Villegas founder of the FS Yoga School in Marbella, Fermín brings together a team of guides, musicians, and creators who bring their unique energy to the festival. Nothing beats yoga in a sublime open air space by the sea absorbing the natural elements surrounding you. Find your pass and more details here https://www.anandayogafest.es/product/sunrise-pass/

San Pedro Alcántara Feria, Recinto Ferial

San Pedro Alcantára Feria

One of the most vibrant celebrations on the Costa del Sol, honouring the towns patron saint San Pedro de Alcántara a Franciscan monk (1499-1562) . This traditional and family friendly fair blends culture and music to create a lively atmosphere featuring flamenco shows, casetas, tents with food, drinks and music, and amusement rides. The event draws in locals, expats and tourists showcasing the regions Andalucian heritage and traditional attire (look out for the flamenco dresses). The San Pedro Alcantára Feria is a real joy on Marbella´s annual social calendar and is suitable for all ages. Stay tuned to https://www.marbella.es/web/fiestas/galerias/feria-y-fiestas-de-san-pedro-alcantara.html for more details on the daily schedule.

How to spend rainy days on the Costa del Sol

The saying goes the rain in Spain stays mainly on the plane. On the Costa del Sol it´s not far from the truth, we have on average only 44 rainy days in a year.  So the question is if you are on the Costa del Sol and the heavens open, how best to spend your time. Here are a few ideas to keep you and the family entertained.

Visit a Museum

Málaga center has a good selection of art museums. Visit Museo Casa Natal Picasso, the house in which Pablo Picasso was born, here you can browse through memorabilia, works and photographs and trace Picasso’s early years. https://museocasanatalpicasso.malaga.eu/ Following from there you can see more than 200 works of art by Picasso at the Museo Picasso Málaga located in Palacio de Buenavista. On the lower floor you can explore Phoenician, Roman and Arabic archaeological ruins. https://www.museopicassomalaga.org/

If this wets your taste buds to know more about Spanish art Museo Carmen Thyssen has a trove of 285 incredible Spanish paintings on display from the 19th and 20th centuries. A private collection plus the temporary exhibition. https://www.carmenthyssenmalaga.org/

Pablo Picasso Museum, Málaga

Pompidou Center

A modern exhibition space hosting temporary exhibitions of contemporary artwork and interactive installations. In its semi-permanent collection there are art pieces from Frida Kahlo, Joan Miro and Pablo Picasso.

Pompidou Center

Butterfly Park

A visit to Mariposario de Benalmádena is a delightful way to spend family time. Walk among 1,500 spices of exotic butterflies from around the world. The butterflies are flying freely in a paradise of tropical gardens with waterfalls and flowers. You will be able to observe how the butterflies are born, how they reproduce and enjoy learning many things about these wonderful insects. https://www.mariposariodebenalmadena.com/

Mariposario de Benalmádena

Los Arqueros Bowling

A fun way to spend time is at Los Arqueros Bowling and Sports Bar in Benahavis. A trendy venue with 6 bowling lanes. A sports bar and restaurant onsite serves delicious food and drinks. Los Arqueros Golf, Ronda Road A-397, Km. 44,5, Benahavis. https://losarquerosbowling.com/

Los Arqueros Bowling & Sports Bar

Retail Therapy

Retail therapy is a good option for rainy days on the Costa del Sol. There are several Shopping Malls here on the coast offering an abundant array of retail stores all under one roof. You will find all the popular high street brands as well home furnishing, toys, cosmetics, supermarkets and technology stores such as Apple and FNAC. The shopping centers offer eating establishments to satisfy all tastes and for movie lovers each Shopping Mall has it´s own several screen cinema. Check for screening in Original Version.

Parque Comercial La Cañada, Carretera de Ojén s/n, 29600 Marbella Miramar Centro Comercial, Avda. de la Encarnación, s/n, 29640  Fuengirola Plaza Major Malaga Calle Alfonso Ponce de León, 3-2, 29004 Málaga

La Cañada Commercial Center

Go to the Movies

Another option for those rainy days is to catch up on the latest cinema releases. There are numerous cinemas on the coast plus as mentioned most of the Shopping Malls have a cinema. Be sure to check for movies shown in VO: version original. Red Dog Cinema in Puerto Banus frequently has movies shown in English. https://reddogcinemas.com/es/inicio/

Red Dog Cinema, Puerto Banus

The Orchiderium, Estepona

The Orchiderium, located in the center of Estepona, is botanical garden dedicated to orchids. A space of 1000 m2 divided into 3 levels, thus creating separate micro- climates and allowing for a wide variety of species. The Orchiderium boasts a botanical collection of over 3000 plants including 1500 different orchid species, ranging in size and scale and one equally as beautiful as the next. A visit here on a rainy day will certainly lift the spirits. Admission is 3€ per adult and 1€ per child. Opening times are Tuesday to Saturday: from 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sundays: from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. https://orchidariumestepona.com/elorquidario/

El Orquidario, Estepona

Caminito del Rey

El Caminito del Rey is located in the Desfiladero de Los Gaitanes Natural Park, crossing the municipalities of Álora, Ardales and Antequera. Once regarded as a highly dangerous walkway, it is now one of Spain´s most popular tourist attractions. An Ariel trail 3 km in width and approximately 1 metre wide. One of the most photographed and nerve wracking parts of the trail being the hanging walkway which suspends 100 metres above the river.

Secure hanging walkway at El Caminito del Rey

The original structure dates back to 1901. Built for the workers on the hydroelectric power plants at Chorro Falls and Gaitanejo Falls, to pass materials to and fro. In 1921 King Alfonso XIII traveled to the sight and walked a small bridge for the inauguration of the Conde del Guadalhorce dam. Since this historic day the path was named Caminito del Rey, The King´s Little Path. Over the years the path deteriorated and eventually closed as deemed unsafe. The site continued to be used by ambitious rock climbers. at their own peril. 

Hanging walkway above the Guadalhorce river

With the agreement on shared funding by the regional government of Andalusia and the local government of Málaga, Camino del Rey was completely renovated and reopened in 2015. Today it offers visitors a delightful walk with breathtaking views, tracing the Falls along the river Guadalhorce. Surrounded by the natural beauty of Sierra de Ronda and Antequera, the spectacular 7.7 km linear nature walk takes approximately 2.5 hours, with areas to stop and take in the scenes.

We highly recommend this activity to discover the beauty of Andalucia. Tickets are on sale on the Caminito Del Rey´s official website: https://www.caminitodelrey.info/en. Entrance fees start at 10€. The activity is not suitable for children under 8 years of age.  The new tourist centre is to open imminently which will offer parking, bus transfers and restaurant facilities.