The Sierra Blanca mountain, as well as being a significant factor in the exceptional climatic conditions of the city and a good part of the municipality, is without a doubt the most outstanding element in the Marbella area. The peaks of Marbella (1.215 m.) and Juanar (1.160 m. and which sits within the neighbouring municipality of Ojén), crown a mountainous landscape which has been deeply dug into by the erosion which offers areas of special beauty such as the cliffs of La Concha or the valley of Puerto Rico.

On the western half of the municipality the rugged relief of the sierra gives way to hill formations, which although craggy, are smoother. In this area is the spot situated over the Elviria urbanization, where there is an important mass of cork-oaks and dense thickets which add a special attraction to the complex. Descending these hills and the sierras, the Marbella territory is practically all urban and has a notable singularity. The urbanizations have taken over the ground and spots which have not been built on either belong to the more than 10 golf courses in the municipal district, or are small sewage areas in which some kind of urbanistic protection is trying to avoid a total disappearance of elements such as the pine groves of Chapas and the dunes of Cabopino.

In spite of this strong occupation, the landscape is still attractive, as most of the urbanistic actions present a notable quality, as much for the design of the constructions, as above all for the abundance of ornamental vegetation. This is more noticeable on the coastal line, where in spite of the nearness of many constructions to the sea, their presence is very discrete due to the concealment offered by the vegetation.

And finally, although it may seem strange, there are also areas in Marbella with olive groves and fruit trees which are a reminder of what this municipality used to be, not long ago. As a witness to that time there are small reservoirs (Nuevo del Angel, Viejo del Angel, and Medranas), which were built to irrigate the lands of San Pedro de Alcantara.

This territory, so changed in the last decades, knew of man’s presence at an early time. Paleolithic and neolithic remains have been found in various places, such as the site of Coto Correa (in the area of las Chapas) and the Pecho Redondo cave.

The Carthaginians also passed through Marbella, judging by signs found next to the mouth of the Rio Verde river. However, it was the presence of the Romans who left more marks, for example in the Rio Verde river mouth where remains of a city with mosaics have been found, and which was probably built in the 1st century. Near San Pedro de Alcantara, there is one of the most important Roman sites in the Costa del Sol: the Roman colony of Cilniana, which was apparently destroyed by an earthquake in the 4th century.

Places to Go
Marbella’s touristic fame has left its monumental richness in second place, and usually surprises visitors when they come across it. At about 5 kilometres from the city, on the margins of the Verde river, are the previously mentioned remains of a 1st century B.C. Roman villa, where ceramics, marble and metal objects have been found and which are in the Municipal Museum.

In the town centre there are the remains of an Arab castle, although the surrounding buildings hide it. There are also various interesting monuments from the 16th century: the church of the Incarnation, from 1505; the magistrate in Mudejar style; the late Gothic hopital of San Juan de Dios or the baroque hospital Bazán, which now houses the Museo del Grabado Español Contemporaneo (Contemporary Spanish Engravings Musem). The old part of town, which tends to be ignored if you cross the city by car, has practically the same base as it had in the 16th century.