Looking for holiday & looks like Marbella - what's it like?

crazycatlady1984

Hi all, trying to book a short holiday 2nd-6th April. Had originally wanted Turkey, Greece, Croatia or Cyprus, possibly Balaerics, but none of the flights suit and one of the only options seems to be Marbella.


Does anyone have any experience of what its like? I know it has the "glitzy" "celeb" reputation, but that's not really us - we just want relaxing sunshine with some interesting local places of historic interest etc for a bit of sight seeing.


Has anyone been and can give me some advice? xx

peachyprice

If you like TOWIE you'll love Marbella. That's all I can say.

Grumpelstiltskin

If you get flights to Malaga then there are plenty of other resorts to choose from.


As Peachy said Marbella is TOWIE with sun.

jonesMUFCforever

With flights to Malaga you can go to lots of places on the Costa del Sol.
Went to Fuengirola last year - loved it - can't wait to go back.

ali-t

I was in Puerto banus last year and the prices are ridiculous- very towie and lots of rich men looking for cheap women.

Doshwaster

jonesMUFCforever wrote: »

With flights to Malaga you can go to lots of places on the Costa del Sol.
Went to Fuengirola last year - loved it - can't wait to go back.

Yes, Fuengirola is my favourite resort on the Costa del Sol. Loads of cheap flights to Malaga, easy to get to on the train from the airport and everything is good value when you get there. It may not be as "upmarket" as other resorts but you can't go wrong with it if you just want a cheap holiday in the sun.

Marbella is OK but it's more expensive and the transfer from the airport is longer. There were plans to extended the trainline from Fuengirola but they ran out of money.

crazycatlady1984

Thanks all.


It was really just Marbella as a lot of the accommodation that were coming up were Marbella and there were some good deals on. I take on board what you say that, flying to Malaga, there are nicer (less Towie'ish!) places so going to have a look now.


Will check out Fuengirola in particular.


Really surprised at how limited we're been by flights - I know our dates are fixed but an fly from loads of airports and still not much available.


Had previously ruled out the Algarve as we've been before (I like to try new places) but its now a contender so will have a browse! x

crazycatlady1984

What about Mijas? Is that nice? Or is it in/near Marbella? x

Grumpelstiltskin

Mijas village is up in the hills behind Fuengirola, Mijas Costa is on the coast.


A lot hinges on what you are looking for.


I like Fuengirola for a number of reasons, it's flat, it has the train service to Malaga and buses to other resorts.


It is more down market than Marbella, but that early in the season it isn't Benidorm.

Doshwaster

crazycatlady1984 wrote: »

Really surprised at how limited we're been by flights - I know our dates are fixed but an fly from loads of airports and still not much available.

Had previously ruled out the Algarve as we've been before (I like to try new places) but its now a contender so will have a browse! x

Well, 2-6 of April is Easter weekend so many flights and hotels will already be booked up. You'll do well to get a good deal this late.

I tend to switch between the Costa del Sol and Algarve each year for my early summer holiday as both are cheap, easy to get to and pretty much guaranteed good weather.

loveabargain13

How about Benalmadena/ Torremelinos? You can jump on the train from Malaga, lovely clean train and cheap journey. Marbella is quite a way from the airport and Puerto Banus which I love the Melia Puerto Banus but the beaches are naff and the locations not that great. Yes the port is glitzy but it's just full of show offs...