MARBELLA: THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN MARBELLA
MARBELLA: THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN MARBELLA, SPAIN

INTRODUCTION: THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN MARBELLA
WHAT ARE THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN MARBELLA: Are you thinking about taking a trip to the Mediterranean for your next beach vacation? Are you considering the city of Marbella on the coast of Spain? You are not alone. Marbella is one of the main holiday destinations for millions of tourists every year. With this post, we are going to outline what makes Marbella an exceptional choice and help you plan the best vacation ever. As someone who has lived in the region for over a decade, I’m happy to give you my insight and insider knowledge of this amazing city on the Mediterranean Costa Del Sol.
Marbella is known for its luxury and exclusive lifestyle. The city is located on the southern coast of Spain half-way between Gibraltar and Malaga. It is a city with a population of about 160,000 and is internationally recognized as one of the main focal points of luxury in the world and one of the most important cities on the Costa Del Sol. Marbella has about 44km of coastline and a mountain range running along its north edge, creating a warm microclimate and year-round sunshine, making this city a highly sought-after high-end destination.
(To find out more about this region see our related posts: Costa Del Sol, Guide to the Coast of Spain, and Guide to the Mediterranean Coast.)
Why Visit Marbella?
Year-round pleasant climate
With the Mediterranean climate, and more specifically the microclimate created by the mountain range immediately to the north, the weather is nice all year round.
Stunning Mediterranean coastline
Marbella has a beautiful coastline with excellent sand beaches and a mountain chain close to the coast creating incredible views.
Modern Luxury and Exclusivity
From the beginning, the city’s development during the tourist boom was focused on creating an area with an air of exclusivity and luxury, and this still holds true today.
World-Class Dining and Shopping
Marbella’s shopping district is lined with shops and stores of world-renowned high-end brands and luxury articles, and these shops cater to a clientele consisting of famous entertainers, the wealthy, and the super-rich.

WHAT ARE THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN MARBELLA?
Visit Old Town
The “Old Town” is a maze of narrow cobblestoned streets with white-washed buildings decorated with flowers and lined with shops, cafes, and restaurants. Noteworthy sites to visit are the Plaza de Naranjos (Orange Square, known for the orange trees growing right in the town square), the 15th-century church “Ermita de Santiago” and the Avenida del Mar.

Puerto Banus Marina
This marina is located in the southwest of the city and is one of the main entertainment centers in the Costa Del Sol. Here you will find high-end shopping malls, restaurants, and bars.

The Golden Mile
This promenade runs a total distance of 5km along the Mediterranean shore, and due to its proximity to the beach, is a highly prestigious area making properties here highly sought after.
Parque Alameda
Constructed in the 18th century, this park is a historical icon in the center of town, with water fountains, large trees, palms, and tile-covered benches.

Beaches
Marbella is not only known for this luxury and high-end reputation but it is also known for its golden sand beaches and crystal clear waters. Below is a list of some of the more famous beaches in the area.
- Puerto Banús Beach
- Nagüeles Beach
- San Pedro de Alcántara Beach
- Cabopino Beach
- Fontanilla Beach
- Artola-Cabopino Beach
- Venus-Bajadilla Beach
- El Faro Beach
- Guadalmina Beach
- Río Verde Beach

Outdoor Activities and Sports
Golf
There are over 20 golf courses in Marbella. There is a wide range of courses available to suit both amateurs and pros and with year-round nice weather, you can play anytime. If these 20 or so golf courses aren’t enough, there are over 70 golf courses to choose from in the Costa Del Sol.

Water Sports
With so many sunny days, a Mediterranean climate, and being directly on the water, there are naturally a lot of water sports and activities that you can do: swimming, snorkeling, windsurfing, kite-surfing, kayaking, scuba diving, paddle boarding, parasailing, wakeboarding, and sailing. If it can be done on water, it can be done here.

Hiking in nearby Sierra Blanca mountains
The Sierra Blanca is a mountain range north of Malaga with the highest point being Pico del Lastonar at 1275 m. In this mountain range, there is a large selection of hiking trails to choose from with various distances and ability levels.

Cycling
The area around Marbella is great for cycling with a virtually limitless number of routes you can choose from. Bicycles can be rented at various bike shops in the area and these same shops are a good source of information as to where the best routes or destinations are.
Dining and Nightlife
Michelin-Starred Restaurants
For a special dining experience, consider having a meal at one of the Michelin-starred restaurants in Marbella during your stay (you may want to make a reservation far in advance to ensure you get a table). The following is a list of some of the Michelin Starred restaurants in the Marbella region:
-Skina (Two-star rating), Old Town Marbella
-El Lago (One-star rating), Greenlife Golf Club, Marbella
-Messina (One star rating), Avenida Severo Ochoa, Marbella
-Nintai (One-star rating), Marbella
Nightclubs and Bars
Here is a list of some of the nightclubs and bars in Marbella:
Mirage
Olivia Valère
Pangea
Aqwa Mist
Tibu Banús
La Suite
Starlite Marbella
Nikki Beach Marbella
Momento
Chanca by Coya

Local Andalusian Cuisine
When visiting Marbella make sure you try these Andalusian favorites:
Gazpacho
Gazpacho which is a cold soup made of tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, onions, garlic, bread, olive oil, wine vinegar, and salt. This is a standard meal in this region, in particular during the hot summers.
Tapas
One of the traditions in this area is to go on a tapas tour or “Ir de Tapas” which involves visiting several bars and restaurants and sampling different foods and drinks.
Seafood- Espetos
Being on the coast, you will find that fresh seafood (caught daily)features quite high on most menus. One of the local delicacies to try out is Espetos which is skewered sardines cooked over a beach fire.

Day Trips from Marbella
Ronda
great day trip option is to visit the town of Ronda which is home to its iconic bridge, “Puente Nuevo” or “new bridge”, built back in the 18th century over the El Tajo Gorge. Another main attraction is the old town of Ronda, which is a maze of cobble-stoned streets and white-washed houses. Take the time to walk around and explore this town and make sure to try one of the locally produced wines.

Malaga
Malaga is the capital city of the Costa Del Sol and has a large variety of activities that you can participate in. For sightseeing historical sites, it is an ideal choice as there are several sites all located in the “Old Town” area of the city ranging from a Roman Amphitheater to the Alcazaba and Gibralfaro castle (an Arabic palace-fortress from the 11th century) overlooking the city. You can visit the Atarazanas market, shop on Larios Street, or stroll along the promenade on the Mediterranean shore. (see related post on Malaga)
Gibraltar
A piece of England right in Spain. Gibraltar, with its iconic “Rock of Gibraltar, is an excellent day trip option. It has a rich military history, an incredible natural park (with monkeys, come on!), an English-speaking community and market, and on a clear day a view of Northern Africa.

Sierra Nevada
You can go skiing about 2 hours from Marbella at the Sierra Nevada ski resort on the Iberian Peninsula’s highest mountain, El Muhnacen at 3479m elevation. Note, the ski season runs from December to early April.

Best Time to Visit and Travel Tips
Peak Tourist Season
The peak tourist season in Marbella is during July and August when most schools in Europe are closed for the summer. And naturally, this is when the weather is at its hottest. As a result, millions of Europeans head to the Mediterranean coast all at the same time.
Tip: If you are looking for a less hectic experience, you might want to consider traveling in May/June or in Sept/October. The weather is still exceptionally nice and you can escape the large crowds.
Transportation options
Flying
The closest airport to Marbella is 55km to the south in Gibraltar, with multiple connections to airports in the UK. The next closest airport, and with more European connections, is in Malaga about 40km to the east.
Driving
You can reach Marbella by using the A-7 highway that runs through the region or the AP-7.
Train
The closest train station to Marbella is 20km to the east in Fuengirola which you can reach either by bus or by taxi.

Accommodations
The main “industry” in Marbella is tourism however the target market is more towards the wealthy and super-rich so accommodations and other services will tend to be more pricey than in other locations. You can choose between luxury 5-star resorts on the Marbella Golden Mile exclusive boutique hotels in Old Town and everything in between. Note however that during the summer, Marbella is a highly sought-after vacation destination so you are well advised to book well in advance. Your best bet is to check online for available places and book as soon as you can. Check out the link below for places available right now.
Tip: Alternatively, if you are like most of us and are traveling on a budget, you might want to consider staying in one of the other smaller towns on the Costa Del Sol (for example Estepona) and making Marbella a Day Trip option which will make it much easier on the pocketbook.
FINAL THOUGHTS: THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN MARBELLA
Marbella is an excellent high-end upscale luxury vacation destination on the coast of Spain. If you are looking for a place in the Mediterranean where the rich and famous congregate, then Marbella is the place to go. With a spectacular mountain range in the background, beautiful sand beaches, a Mediterranean climate, and a large variety of entertainment and activity options to choose from, Marbella is a great luxury vacation destination.
“Don’t Just Dream It! Do it!”
How about experiencing the Mediterranean firsthand? Use the map below to inspire you and plan your next Mediterranean vacation right now!
Reg Auge
Reg holds an MBA, is a former Captain in the Canadian military and has worked as a consultant in industry for over 20 years. From his home in Spain, he has spent the last 10 years traveling throughout the Mediterranean, exploring the various countries and regions. He also regularly runs, windsurfs, and kite surfs, maintaining a healthy and active way of life. Captivated by this Mediterranean lifestyle, he began a Blog last year to inspire like-minded souls to learn about and discover this unique region for themselves.