As in case of other holiday resorts in Costa del Sol, Marbella houses a range of sophisticated golf clubs those remain open for all year round in a wonderful weather. Most of the clubs are open both for professionals and holidaymakers; one of the much loved golf courses to mention here is the Aloha Golf Club.

Founded in the year 1975, the Aloha Golf Club was designed by one of Spain’s acclaimed architect Javier Arana. Javier, who died just before the inauguration of this course, is responsible for creating such a wonderful view of this 18-hole course with uneven greens and well placed obstacles.

For those who have ever been dreaming to try golfing in one of those numerous golf courses in Spain, Aloha is indubitably the best one that suits golfers of all levels. Furthermore, for its easy accessibility from Marbella city centre, and just few minutes’ drive from Puerto Banus, Aloha is a straightforward stop for golf buffs.

Unlike many other golf courses, which are not open for public and only reserved for professionals, Aloha is quite different in that sense. Even locals or general visitors can hire golf equipments from the club and play some shots while learning few lessons from the onsite instructors.

However, it is always a place for those serious professionals who find it comfy to practice and mastering their shots in those varied holes. All holes are not so distantly placed except very few like the 1st (par 5, 545 metres), 4th (par 3, 207 metres), 10th (par 5, 513 metres) 16th (par 5, 481 metres) and the 18th (par 4,410 metres), those need both powerful shots with great precision.

Facilities & Services

Beside the 18-hole golf course, Aloha has a 9-hole par 3 course in company with two putting greens and a practice chipping area. The club has a sauna and swimming poll, but those are restricted for the use of members only.

The restaurant inside the club, with a well-established reputation for serving the finest food amid a luxuriously decorated setting, is open for visitors while a special area reserved for members. There is also a Pro shop inside the club with all sorts of golf related products, available at an affordable price.

Aloha Golf Club in agreement with some other clubs has also been offering its premier members an opportunity to play in any of the corresponding golf courses once in a month. The club management will arrange reservation for each Aloha member in golf courses such as: Los Naranjos, Las Brisas, Sotogrande, San Roque and Guadalmina.

The following address will guide you for more information about the golf course.

Aloha Golf Club
Nueva Andalucía S/N
29660 Marbella
Málaga, Costa del Sol, Spain
E.mail: office@clubdegolfaloha.com
Web: www.clubdegolfaloha.com

The Golden Mile is a stretch of land between Marbella and Puerto Banus, and as the name suggests; it is known for its luxurious lifestyle in a plethora of beach front resorts. All across the year, it remains the most happening place as tourists congregate at those lavishly built villas and estates. With the presence of five-star hotels, golf courses and business centres, Golden Mile is the best example of Marbella’s cosmopolitan character.

Situated in between the Marbella main city and Puerto Banus, the entire area offers magnificent views of mountain and sea. Seating at any of the sea front restaurant or open cafés, one can sense the weight of Golden Mile in the overall growth of the city of Marbella on account of travel and tourism.

The picturesque beauty and the business interest of the region have been constantly attracting real-estate investors to acquire a piece of land and develop it into a villa or hotel for high-profit business interests. Again, people who have the right budget and want to own a small apartment somewhere near Marbella can consider Golden Mile as the best place.

Rapid urbanisation in and around the region with the ongoing construction activity is only a signal of the future infrastructure development i.e. necessary to cater the extending inflow of tourists and their needs in general.

Talking about the villas, tourist clubs and high-class restaurants and bars, those only leave an impression of the luxurious way of life. You can easily hire a bicycle or even take a small walk to enjoy the breathtaking scenery while appreciating the picturesque setting of the area around the coast.

If Marbella is the best Costa resort in Spain to hang on, Golden Mile is the preferred luxury brand in Marbella where you can have the ultimate travel experience while being in one of the beautifully crafted five star suits with all modern amenities, or at any of the budget class hotels to take pleasure in and relax in those superb locations.

Although Marbella as a tourist paradise is quite evident from the sightseeing in the coastline or the Old Town displaying the true Andalucían charm filled with those historic monuments, the Golden Mile is Marbella’s way towards modernity and the city’s tilt towards sophisticated and stylish ambience. Those elegant mansions, spas, swanky hotels and gulf courses only drive you towards an unparalleled sense of fulfilment.

Despite the growth of concrete jungles in the last few years, the Golden Mile is no doubt in the hot list of Marbella’s tourist attraction and hence a must stop over like those architectural delights of the “Old Town”. So, just make it a stay and enjoy a delightful environment further enhanced with high qualities and facilities it boasts.

Costa del Sol, the southern part of Spain, is one of the most popular tourist destinations around the world blessed with serene beaches, mountainous surrounding, and a soothing climate in common with a touch of urbanization. In fact, it has a mild climate that allures travellers all around the globe to have their vacation in a relaxing atmosphere.

As the name of Coast del Sol or “Sun Coast” suggests, one can only expect sunny days in summer i.e. a typical Mediterranean climate with warm summer and mild winter. Stretch over a 160-km long coastline, those white sandy beaches are preferred spots to hang on all day long.

Tourists from near and far countries flock to any of the resort towns to enjoy their holidays at a climate with an average annual temperature of 18 degrees Celsius. Only 60 to 65 days in a year remain cloudy while those 300 sunny days keep the visitors busy in exploring the maximum in a plethora of travel options: either on the beaches, golf courses, or a historical tour.

For those sun lovers, the average temperature of Costa del Sol during summer fluctuates between 28 and 29 degrees C with no rain. This is the time when water sports adventure tops the popularity chart among outdoor activities. July and August are the months with maximum temperature; so, make sure to have your sunscreen lotion in your travel kit.

If one asks about the most favourable time to visit Costa del Sol, it is certainly the spring season. Although the temperature remains warm and hot, it doesn’t exceed 24 degrees C; during night, it even comes down in 10-15 degrees Celsius. Golfers took this time to display and try their golfing skills in a pleasant weather.

As far as rain drops are concerned, it is only during the winters that one can experience few uneven days of showers, especially in November and December. Again, it is not such a long period of rainy days but a maximum of 3/4 continuous downpour. January is considered as the coldest month in Costa del Sol region with the minimum temperature dropping to 5 degrees C or less. So, unlike the north, the weather in winter is quite pleasing with no chilling cold or snow.

In view of the overall mild climate, the weather remains tourist friendly all year round, allowing all kinds of outdoor activities and leisure time in all most all the famous tourist places; some of them are discussed below just to help you plan your vacation days.

Marbella: The premier resort town of Costa del Sol, Marbella, boasts a “micro-climate” protected by the Sierra Blanca Mountains and the Mediterranean coastline. A warm sunny summer and a mild winter are its unique selling points while attracting tourists to its long coastline lined with first class beaches, luxurious marinas and world class golf courses accompanied by exquisite natural beauty.

Summer average daily temperature remains below 20 degrees C while it rises about 30 degrees C during July and August being the hottest months. Winter is comparatively cold with an average maximum of 12 to 13 degrees. Spring, on the other hand, is the preferable time to visit Marbella when the temperature rarely gets extreme.

Malaga: Placed in the heart of sunny Costa del Sol and Andalucia, Malaga has a warm climate and one of the hottest areas of Costa del Sol. The average temperature during spring is usually recorded somewhere between 18 and 20 degrees Celsius while it is around 18-29 in summer. The winter temperatures, however, vary between 8 and 17 degree C, which is the best time to visit those beautiful landscape and picturesque villages of Malaga.

Fuengirola: Moving south from Malaga, it is the third largest resort in Costa del Sol which enjoys a subtropical Mediterranean climate with an average annual temperature of 18 degrees Celsius. Here, the maximum summer temperature can go up to 35 degrees C while the winter is quite pleasant with an average daytime temperature of 18 or 20 degrees C. The 8-km long beautiful coastline which offers magnificent views of the sea is very much in tourist attraction of almost all seasons.

Estepona: The weather here is just about the same as other Costa del Sol regions as mentioned above. The summer is comparatively hot with an average day temperature of 22/23 degrees C, though it rises above 30 in few occasions, during July and August. Very often, the coastal Mediterranean breezes simmer down the temperature after the sunset. If you want to experience the rainy days in Costa del Sol, December winter in Estepona is the time with a wet weather.

Sotogrande: Tourists, who come to enjoy the cool weather of Costa del Sol, might find the climate here a bit extreme. Average summer (June to Sep) temperature is recorded around 26 degrees C and reaches to its crest during July and August with 29/30 degrees. Although winter is pleasing with an average high of 16 degrees C, the night becomes quite cold with an average low of 9 degrees, which can even go below 1 degree in the month of January.

Gibraltar: It has all characteristics of a Mediterranean climate with pleasant winter and warm summer. In a sunny and dry summer day, the average maximum and minimum temperature revolves around 30 and 13 degrees C. The climate remains hot and humid throughout summer, and hence the winter attracts more and more visitors with a standard day temperature ranges between 16 and 18 degrees C. Typical drizzling can be experienced in winter season making the weather more enjoyable.

There is one thing that most people do not realize about Spain…….the winters are miserably cold. The type of cold that gets into your bones and you never can seem to warm up. From November to April you are just plain COLD and miserable! Then, the beautiful Spanish sun peeps out from behind the clouds and the gorgeous wild flowers cover the rolling hills with rich reds, royal purples and glowing yellows which is quite a sight to behold. But as the winter is long, the spring is short. Just as you have unthawed and people have slowly begun to come out from winter hibernation and re-acquaint themselves with neighbours after a long winters absence……summer hits- BANG!

After as few as 4 or 6 weeks of spring, high temperatures send the mercury rising…. and rising! Spaniards make their move outside, filling plazas and outdoor patios with lively groups enjoying tapas, Spanish wine and the golden Spanish sun. Summer veggies and fruits hit the markets and locals go from eating the hearty “cocido” and “casera” meals to more salads, fish and the oh so famous yummy gazpacho. Local restaurants compete and try to “out-do” each other by making the “best” gazpacho from secret family recipes that have been handed down through generations. Gazpacho rivalries are almost as competitive as the paella competitions.

Daily temperatures in Spain’s interior (such as Seville and Cordoba) reach at least 100 F (32C) degrees for the entire summer, leaving residents the only option of hiding indoors at mid day, leaving all errands and outings for early morning and late afternoon. Historically, this is where the concept of “siesta” arose. Because the afternoon heat was (and continues to be) so intensely hot, workers would break during these hours and return to work in the later afternoon. This tradition lives on. Siesta time offers a much needed break when the heat of the day has worn you down.

Typically, once the children have been set free from school, families head in mass to the miles of Spanish coastline. Spain’s interior virtually becomes a ghost town. Cities such as Madrid are left deserted, traffic almost non-existent. Summer is a very important time for family, it is time when they can be together for an extended period of time. Usually, the grandparents arrange for a villa or apartment large enough for all the children and their families to stay together.

All the vacationers live at the beach, consume massive amounts of fish, beer and tinto de verano’s! There are usually two beach shifts, one from 10-12am where beach camp is set up with intricate placement of umbrellas, bbq’s, coolers and kids toys (rafts, sand castle tools and the ever so important soccer ball).

Lunch time arrives and the bbq’s are stoked up or if you are truly on “vacation” and don’t want to deal with cooking, you hit the chiringuitos (beach restaurants right on the sand which usually specialize in seafood and shell fish). These are leisurely meals usually beginning around 2 and linger on until 5. Since the intense heat has now passed, it is time for the second beach shift which usually lasts until around 8pm at which time everyone heads home and resurfaces around 10-11pm for a light dinner and drinks.

Most beach towns offer all kinds of great summer activities for all ages…..everything from free outdoor cinema on the beach, local concerts and celebrations (ranging from music to food). There is never a shortage of things to take advantage of on these warm nights. Families are out in droves, children run free playing with family and friends until the late hours of the night. There are so many ferias (festivals) throughout Spain in the months of August/September that it would be impossible to attend them all. The famous Malaga Feria takes place August and draws as many as 8 million party goers from all over the world for one hell of a weeklong party!

July or August is usually when working Spaniards take a two week to one month vacation. You will find many shops, restaurants and businesses closed during these months. These are probably the worst months to get anything done, whether it is buying a house, doing house repairs, doing legal paperwork for the government or banks or even simple tasks. Most likely, the person you are seeking assistance from will be on vacation or someone they need information from will be on vacation. The term “manana”, takes on a whole new meaning from the usual reference! To save yourself from major frustration, do business before or after these months have passed.

If you are not much of a beach goer and decide to remain inland, summer is still fantastic. There are tons of festivals of music, food and animals that are worth checking out. Local swimming pools with great restaurants are numerous, or simply sitting out in the local plaza and drinking a cool beer can’t be beat! Sometimes the simplest things in life can give us the most satisfaction.

Summer rentals of beach villas or fincas (houses in the country “campo”) can easily be found through rental agencies ranging from very expensive to very reasonable, depending on where you want to be. Make sure to reserve a place early on and don’t wait until the last moment.

What I love about summer in Spain is the warm sexy nights….. the stars are out and “la luna” lingers above silently, casting its light on the plazas full of crowded tables and the sound of muted laughter fills the air and very late at night you might be lucky enough to hear the sound of Flamenco music emanating from a local bodega. Spaniards live their summers right with the perfect combination of relaxation and celebration.

One of the most popular beach destinations on the Costa del Sol in southern Spain is Marbella which is home to many of the rich and famous. The wonderful Spanish sun and Mediterranean beaches attribute to much of its desirability amongst visitors. It is a great town that is buzzing with activity but, at the same time, the city center has retained its unique Spanish charm and tranquility.

Marbella’s origins date all the way back to 1600 BC, when it was founded by the Romans and called “Salduba”. In the year 711, the Moors invaded and conquered much of the Iberian Peninsula and under their rule Marbella became a prosperous town called “Marbi-la”.

Throughout its long history Marbella has offered its visitors a typical Andalusian style village, with narrow cobbled streets, charming whitewashed houses, historical town squares decorated with sweet smelling orange trees and the warm blue Mediterranean lapping at its beaches. A paseo (stroll) through the lovely Alameda (park) and Marbella’s promenade, Paseo Maritimo, will give you a good idea of the town’s quaintness and history.

La Feria de San Bernabé in June (7th-13th) is the grandest and most popular fair in Marbella, drawing as many as a million visitors from near and far. The fair celebrates and pays homage to the town’s patron saint, San Bernabé, June 11th being the official feast day. Additionally, Marbella remembers this week as the Commemoration of the Christian Conquest. The lively day includes two processions: one for the Reconquista (Reconquest) and one for San Bernabé.

This colorful feria is a lively combination of bullfighting, flamenco music, traditional dances of Andalusia, parades of horsemen and music for the young and old. For one week Marbella will be awash with makeshift bars, frilly flamenco dresses and major partying from noon until dawn. The Feria only comes to Marbella once a year, but boy do they make the most of it!

Head to the Old Town and lose yourself in the labyrinth of streets for a round of tapas, fino and dancing. Join the enthusiastic groups singing and clapping on every street corner, and soak up the festival frenzy hanging in the air. Dancing horses and their elegant riders trot gracefully through the streets. Feria goers who really want to get into the spirit of the “feria” dress up in their finery, the men in “traje de corto” (short jacket, tight trousers and boots) and the women in “farales” (flamenco style dress).

This is a time of year that all worries (and work!) are cast to one side for the locals of Marbella. Schools are on holiday, businesses shut down and the working world is asleep. For this reason, all of Marbella anxiously gathers on the Paseo Marítimo to await the impressive display of fireworks which officially kicks off the feria …..let the party begin!

Each day starts at 9am with a bang as rockets call for the attention of everyone to start the party. The Day time Fair gets going around noon (until 7pm) as thousands of people parade through the Alameda gardens and around the cobbled streets of Old Town. The Alameda, Avenida del Mar, Plaza de los Naranjos and the squares and of the old town are filled with the lively mood of fiesta. Strangers shake hands to show their friendship, toast each other with a glass of fino, and continue celebrating with a few new friends.

Even the crème de la crème of Spanish society, aristocracy, politicians, actors and artists parade through the town in traditional Andalusian horse carriages….it is a real “who’s who” spectacle.

As evening falls, the action moves to the Fair Ground where people of all ages spin around on the rides, eat cotton candy and enjoy the blend of music, dancing and laughter. The locals set up marquees known as casetas, people socialise, eat typical Andalusian dishes and drink, sing and dance sevillanas to celebrate San Bernabé. Each caseta is like an individual party where fino and manzanilla are served with plenty of chat and good cheer.

Famous Spanish artists are invited to entertain the thousands of feria visitors. You will have the opportunity to see and hear the likes of Niña Pastori, Diane Navarro, Ecos del Rocío, Queco, Junior, La Mala Rodríguez, Hakim, Melody, David Civera and José Mercé…..just to name a few. Concerts are held in Plazas José Palomo and Los Naranjos in the Old Town, and in the Alameda Park and at the Municipal Pavillion and new marquee tent at the feria grounds which holds an impressive 13,000 people. Best of all, these concerts are generally free, but arrive early to make sure you can find a spot.

The Marbella feria has an impressive program of bullfighters that appear to wow the audience with their fluid movements and bravado. Crowds cheer on the likes of toreros Manuel Diaz El Cordobes, Francisco Rivera Ordoñez and David Fandila. If you are a fan of the corrida, you will not be disappointed by the bullfights presented at this feria in the lovely Plaza de Toros El Toreo.

The Feria de San Bernabe is becoming increasingly international and attracting more visitors than ever before. That is because it is such a great atmosphere of jubilant crowds all there for the same reason, to have a good time. The great hospitality, great food and activities of Marbella keep people coming back from one year to the next.