Marbella museums.
What is the first thing that springs to mind when you think about Marbella? Beach life? Celebrity lifestyle? Designer shopping? Luxury property? Culture isn’t necessarily what people associate Marbella with, but look a little deeper and you may be surprised… In fact, the town has some marvellous museums for the culture lovers among you. Let’s take a look at what cultural Marbella has to offer. Ralli Museum The Ralli museum has been open since 2000 and is located between Marbella and Puerto Banús on the Golden Mile, with ten elegant showrooms featuring artwork by contemporary artists from Latin America and Europe, as well as special showpieces including important works from Spanish artists Goya, Miró and Dali. The museum is open Tuesday to Saturday, from 10am to 2pm, and entrance is free www.rallimuseums.com Grabado Museum At the Marbella print museum Spanish art is featured prominently, with works by such famous artists as Goya and Picasso among the most prized pieces in the collection. The entrance fee is very affordable at 3€ and the museum is open Monday to Saturday from 10am (closing at 2pm on Mondays and Saturdays, and at 9pm Tuesday to Friday). The Museo del Grabado also shuts on Sundays and public holidays. www.mgec.es Bonsai Museum Marbella’s Bonsai Museum opened its doors in 1992, and it is home to one of the best collections of Bonsai trees in Europe. Here you will find some of the finest miniature olive trees in the world, set within a suitably Japanese style structure with peaceful courtyards and carp ponds in the heart of Marbella. The museum is open 7 days a week, while in winter the opening times are 10.30am to 1.30pm and 4pm to 6.30pm. In summer the evening opening times are extended from 5pm to 8pm. Adult entrance is 4€ and it is 2€ for children. Cortijo Miraflores Museum This museum, housed in a beautiful historic building in Marbella, is home to an olive oil museum with a complete olive press that is hydraulically operated. There is also an archaeology museum housed in the same building displaying artefacts from the lower Palaeolithic age right up to modern times. Opening times are Monday to Friday from 9am to 2pm and 5pm to 9.30pm, and entrance is free. As you can see Marbella isn’t all about the glamorous beach life and designer shops – there is more to it than you think; just scratch the surface and you’ll find it.
