Marbella’s allotments open their gates for a day of workshops, crafts and local flavours

People in Marbella will get their first chance to explore Marbella’s urban ecological gardens when the Asociación de Huertos Ecológicos Urbanos Marbella Verde holds an open day on Saturday, 14 November.

The event runs from 10am to 4pm at Huerta del Prado on Avenida Diego Jiménez Lima and is backed by Marbella Town Hall. It marks the association’s first “jornada de puertas abiertas” and is designed to let families see the work carried out across the site, which currently has around 76 plots of roughly 40 square metres each and close to 100 members.

Best start with tradition and culture in food

The morning begins with a Mediterranean breakfast of mollete with locally produced extra virgin olive oil for the first 150 arrivals. From 11am onwards visitors can join workshops on composting, tile painting, sowing and identifying aromatic plants and the small wildlife that lives among the plots. Traditional craft demonstrations will include pottery on the wheel, wood carving and basketry, the last led by Francisco Rubio, one of the few remaining artisans of the trade in the province, who comes from Genalguacil.

A market of proximity products will feature honey, olive oil, cheeses, bread and preserves, while a food area will serve paella and other Mediterranean dishes. Additional activities include sound therapy, a photo call and “El árbol de los deseos”, with the programme arranged so children and adults can take part together.

Inviting neighbours back to nature

Association spokesperson María José Villanueva said the aim is to open the facilities so families can see the work first-hand. Councillor for Citizen Participation Enrique Rodríguez described the day as an example of neighbour-led involvement in caring for the environment and promoting sustainable habits, noting that it is supported through council subsidies.

The gardens, which have operated for around 15 years, are managed by the non-profit association formed in 2024. They focus on natural growing methods without chemicals and have previously donated produce from a solidarity plot to the Red Cross for local families in need (as covered in Marbella’s harvest of hope). Organisers present the site as a green space close to the town centre that combines community growing with practical education on sustainability.

The open day is free to attend and requires no registration. Full details are available from the association and Marbella Town Hall.