Marbella Nightlife of a different Kind

Marbella's residents have long become used to the extraordinary number of night-time entertainments and night life venues their town has to offer, but the clubs, bars, theatres and restaurants offer a very different type of fare to the one provided by the villages of Carratraca and Guaro.

For almost twenty years these two villages have staged candlelit festivals on the first weekend of September. Transforming their sleepy hamlets into magical places, the two villages are good-hearted rivals, but compete fiercely nonetheless to enchant and entertain visitors with their take on what it must have been like for their ancestors to live during the times of Al-Andalus.

Stepping back in Time

The concerts staged during the festivals are the highlight for both events, but there are a plethora of other entertainments, cultural events and gastronomic activities where visitors can get involved. Both villages boast markets where local produce is sold alongside with arts and crafts offerings from local artisans.

There are traditional street processions, followed by the whole romance of the candle lighting which aims to put visitors into the right frame of mind. Across the two festivals visitors can choose from more than 50 events. Traditional Andalucía fare is perhaps the most interesting aspect of the whole weekend, for many of the dishes and refreshments sold at market stalls reflect centuries of Christian-Moorish coexistence in this part of Spain.

The festival organisers have included many activities and events that reflect the Moorish influence on Andalucía's culture and to workshops relate to the times of Al-Andalus and present visitors with activities like belly dancing, henna skin painting and pottery. There will also be falconry displays, a traditional way of hunting in Arabic countries, and storytelling, another art form popular during Al-Andalus' era.

Celebrating Cultural Heritage

Children get their own comedy shows, face painting and various  playful activities during the festival weekend. They love the activities best, it seems, for there they can learn traditional dances, artisan games and how to paint with candles. Both festivals end with magnificent fireworks display.

This year's artists involved in the concert part of the festivals were Miguel Poveda, José Manuel Soto and Pareja Obregón, Nina Pastori, Pasión Vega and Dúo del Valle appeared.

For those who are used to the arch-typical holiday villas and apartment blocks of Marbella this is a good chance to explore village life and the kind of townhouses available just a few kilometres inland, where investors get a lot more "house" for their money then they do in the Costa del Sol's favourite hang-out spot for night owls.
Taking a different Approach to Night Life


Both villages feature clear historic influences by the Moors in the architecture of its houses, although many buildings are actually stemming from the 19th century, particularly in the village of Carratraca.

As a spa resort with its own sulphurous waters, Carratraca at the base of the Sierra de Aguas, rose in popularity during the 19th century and the wealth Victorian tourism brought to the village is evident everywhere. The spa waters continue to attract tourists today. In Guaro buildings are generally older and reflect an Andalucía heritage. The most important buildings here date back to the beginning of the 16th century.

Town dwellers are often a little blasé when it comes to exploring new night life venues elsewhere - why bother, they cry, when Marbella has so much to offer? However, these two villages know how to pull the magic bunny out of the hat by its ears and the two village festivals remain a highlight on the cultural calendar, more romantic and enchanting than anything the Costa del Sol's most glamorous resort could muster.

For holidaymakers who missed this year's festivals there is always next year - Marbella residents can, of course, visit the villages at any time and imagine their narrow streets and small courtyards lit up by candle light, delicious odours of fragrant Andalucía dishes wafting through the air, together with the sounds of chattering festival goers and snippets of classic music that drift across the din of market stall holders, refreshment providers and street artisans selling their wares.