Istan Lake Marbella.
Whenever you think of Marbella, you think of sunny beaches along the Costa del Sol, palm-lined avenues, golf courses, and mountain ranges rising into the distance. Yet Istan Lake Marbella is usually not part of the visual picture created by marinas, beach clubs and ultra-luxurious homes of Marbella.
Even so, Marbella is endowed with lovely lakeside scenery, ranging from pretty little lakes in unexpected locations amid residential areas to the grandest of them all, the reservoir of La Concepción. It is a man-made reservoir resulting from a dam built above Marbella. The lake stretches over 8 kilometers, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding mountain range.
Where is the Istan lake?
This is just a few kilometers situated northeast of Puerto Banús, very close to where the motorway bypassing Marbella disappears into a short tunnel, this artificial lake stretches northwards towards the pretty white mountain village of Istán. It is very feasible for the people living nearby to visit this place and experience its beauty due to its location. Several kilometers of the Rio Verde river has been dammed up to form the lake. With its 2.14 km2 area and soaring mountains of the Serrania de Ronda in the distance, it is an actual Lakeland landscape.
Within the Sierra Bermeja, some foothills and mountains rise over a thousand meters towards Ronda, a famous Spanish country town. Despite being only 4 kilometers from the sea, the lake enjoys a remarkably slight feeling amid open nature and big skies due to its position on the northwestern edge of La Concha mountain. The area retains a vast amount of unspoiled natural scenery and amazing views – while sharing the fantastic climate of Marbella.
Istan, the town.
Just 20 minutes from the highlife of Marbella is this beautiful Andalucian village. The brilliance of the white painted houses contrasts perfectly with the green slopes of the Sierra Blanca. Istán means ‘spring’ and throughout the village you will find many springs, flowing with fresh water. The origins of the village date back to the 14th century when, after the capture of Arboto Castle by the Christians, the defenders retreated to the site of the present day ‘pueblo’. The oldest and most important building is the parish church, built in the 16th century on the orders of the Archbishop of Seville. Other features worth noting are the cave which houses the Casa de la Juventud and the Arab tower, situated at the highest point of the village. The tower once formed part of the old fortress that dominated the local area.
Natural park.
The Sierra de las Nieves Natural Park, a protected area known for its rich biodiversity and stunning landscapes, offers several hiking trails for those looking to explore the natural beauty of the region.
A dammed reservoir that provides water not only to Marbella but also to most of the municipalities within the Costa del Sol is fed by the rivers Rio Verde, Guadalmina, Guadaiza, and Guadalmansa. In addition to fulfilling this function, it has become an important natural asset and a refuge for fish (including catfish and rainbow trout), birds, amphibians, turtles, and otters. Not surprisingly, fishing is popular among those who visit this well-kept secret. Others, on the other hand, prefer to follow canoe routes across this jagged-edge lake to enjoy all the natural beauty and spot eagles hovering and goats on hillside trails. This fascinating location borders the natural environment, declared by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve.
Istán Lake and its surroundings provide a tranquil retreat from the bustling Costa del Sol, making it a must-visit destination for those seeking both adventure and relaxation.