The heart of Granada is a city that’s alive with contrast. Rooted in centuries of layered history, Granada also pulses with the energy of a modern university town.

While in Marbella, we took a full-day group tour to visit the Alhambra in Granada—a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Spain’s most iconic cultural landmarks.

Puerto Banús is Marbella’s answer to all things luxurious—gleaming yachts, polished sports cars, designer boutiques, and a high-energy harbor. It’s a place often described as glitzy, glamorous, and full of nightlife. And it certainly lives up to its reputation.

Some places just feel good the moment you arrive. That was the magic of Marbella’s Casco Antiguo or Old Town for me. We spent an afternoon slowly wandering its winding, cobblestone streets.

Ronda is one of the oldest towns in Spain, built along a dramatic gorge that splits the city in two. When we arrived, we walked straight to Puente Nuevo—the “new” bridge that’s been standing since 1793.

Setenil is a small white village tucked into the cliffs above the Río Trejo in Andalucía. What makes it stand out from other pueblos blancos is how the homes and shops are built directly into the surrounding rock.

If you’re looking for a comfortable, well-located home base for exploring southern Spain, Marriott’s Marbella Beach Resort