Marbella is one of the most interesting cities to see in Andalusia . With a privileged location and climate, the city attracts tourists all year round. You will not be short of things to do in Marbella , a complete city like few others. You can enjoy its excellent nightlife, relax on its beaches and enjoy a rich cultural heritage. In this post we tell you 25 things to do in Marbella , a highly recommended destination in the south of Spain. Where to stay in Marbella: best areas and hotels
25 Things To See And Do In Marbella
Get lost in the old town of Marbella
The historic and picturesque old town of Marbella is the main attraction of the city . When we talk about Marbella, we usually talk about its yachts, its nightlife, but rarely about its old town. For this reason, many tourists do not even discover it. With its ancient architecture and a maze of narrow cobbled streets lined with boutiques, art galleries and interesting restaurants, Marbella’s Old Town is another world. Get lost with your camera in hand because visiting it is one of the best things to do in Marbella.
Get to know the Plaza de los Naranjos
Precisely, in the center of the old town of Marbella is the Plaza de los Naranjos. This attractive square was built after the Christian Reconquest in the center of urban life. Today, characterized by its orange trees, it is still very important for the people of Marbella. Inside there are several restaurants where you can enjoy the shade and the atmosphere. The Plaza de los Naranjos concentrates two of the most important buildings in the city : the beautiful town hall , built in 1572, and the oldest parish church in Marbella, the Ermita de Santiago . It was a consecrated mosque after the Reconquest.
Visit the Church of the Incarnation
Another of the main monuments to visit in Marbella is another church, in this case the Encarnación. After the Reconquest of Marbella, on June 11, 1485, the mosques were sanctified. This former mosque was soon sanctified , and became a Christian place of worship centuries before the remodeling was completed. It is believed that during the Arab period it was the largest and most important mosque in Marbella.
Photograph the picturesque church of Santo Cristo
Another historic church in the old town is the Iglesia del Santo Cristo. It was built in the 16th century as part of a Franciscan convent . The facade of the church and the square in which it is located are very picturesque. Do not hesitate to stop and enjoy its beauty.
Find the walls of the Moorish castle of Marbella
Marbella still has its Arab past very much in mind. Today you can still see a piece of the old fortification that surrounded the city . This castle fortress is an important relic of Marbella’s Moorish civilization . The defense walls date from the 10th and 11th centuries. The towers and other remains of the building are also from the Moorish caliphal period (10th to 11th centuries) . One of the main attractions of the monument is that you can attend various open-air concerts during the summer months.
Stroll along Avenida del Mar, an essential thing to do in Marbella
This pleasant pedestrian promenade runs from Parque Alameda to Playa de la Venus, one of the most beautiful beaches in the city, next to the Marbella marina. There you can walk among palm trees and beautiful sculptures, designed by Salvador Dalí. Do not miss it!
Relax in Alameda Park
This park is the most famous in the city and is considered the lung of the city. It is located south of the old town and relaxing inside is a highly recommended thing to do in Marbella . It consists of marble walkways surrounded by well-kept vegetation. In summer, the shade produced by its extensive trees can be your great ally. In the same park is the beautiful fountain of the Virgen del Rocío , one of the main attractions of the park. Its benches are also a monument in themselves . Some are covered with classic Andalusian tiles that add a special touch to the area.
And also in the Constitution
But the Alameda Park is not the only notable green space in Marbella. To its west lies this other oasis of calm. It is a very complete and pleasant area to visit that has beautiful trees, flowers, a children’s playground, an astronomical observatory, a cafeteria and a 600-seat open-air auditorium that hosts opera, theater productions, concerts and other cultural events, especially in summer.
Cycle along the boardwalk at sunset
One of the best things to do in Marbella is to enjoy its excellent promenade . With an atmosphere at all hours and mixed between locals and tourists, you can not stop renting a bicycle and ride it until you reach Puerto Banús while enjoying a beautiful sunset.
Move to San Francisco crossing the Bridge over the Verde River
Precisely, crossing the promenade you will find a rather curious bridge. Known for its wooden pedestrian walkway and for its similarity to the Golden Gate in San Francisco (saving distances), it crosses the Verde River, which has its mouth there.
Get to know the most luxurious Marbella on the Golden Mile
If you want to breathe the wealth and elegance of Marbella, you have to walk along the Golden Mile. Here you will find the most exclusive residences, shops and restaurants in the city.
Go out for a drink in Puerto Banus
Puerto Banús is the most famous marina in Spain, as well as being one of the most recognized worldwide. Apart from seeing luxury cars and amazing yachts docked there, you will find elegant restaurants and luxury boutiques. In addition, the area also has a great nightlife where you can party and have a drink.
Take a photo of one of the postcards of Marbella
From Puerto Banús you can take one of the most typical photos of Marbella : the port with the moored yachts, with Marbella and La Concha in the background. Take the camera loaded!
Go on an excursion, precisely, to La Concha
If you like hiking, this is one of the things to do in Marbella that you cannot miss. La Concha, which can be seen from almost anywhere in Marbella, belongs to the Sierra Blanca mountain range and is over 1,200 meters high. From above you can see the Atlas Mountains in Morocco. .
Hallucinate with the Mosque of King Abdul Aziz al Saud
The Marbella Mosque was the first to be built since the Christian Reconquest of Spain in the 15th century. It was built by the Prince of Saudi Arabia and is a splendid example of modern Andalusian architecture inspired by the Moorish heritage. The mosque is surrounded by Mediterranean gardens and contains a collection of 30,000 volumes, focused on Koranic studies. It is not as spectacular as the one in Abu Dhabi , but it is worth it.
Spend the day at Cabopino Beach
One of the best beaches in the area is Cabopino. Surrounded by a grove, its warm waters attract many people. In summer it gets crowded, so it’s best to get up early to find parking near the beach. It has a large nudist area and several beach bars where you can have a drink or eat.
Spot Thieves Tower
Located on the beach of Puerto de Cabopino, the Torre Ladrones is of Arab origin and was part of a defensive formation .
Spend an afternoon shopping in La Cañada
Marbella is a perfect city for shopping . Although you will find the main shop windows throughout the city, if you want to find good deals and spend a good afternoon shopping, then the La Cañada complex is a great place to go. It houses nearly 300 shops, bars, cafes, restaurants and a cinema. La Cañada is situated north of Marbella, a short bus or taxi ride from the centre.
Enjoy the food at Dani García’s restaurant
If you like gastronomy, you cannot leave Marbella without trying Dani García’s restaurant, one of the best national chefs. The 2 Michelin star restaurant offers a unique gastronomic experience . Although as you can imagine it is not cheap at all, it is always good to treat our palate. Trying their tasting menu is something highly recommended to do in Marbella.
Go for tapas in Marbella
If you are looking to eat well without spending so much money, Marbella is also a great city for tapas . We recommend you do it in the old town, especially at dusk along Calle San Lázaro, or Calle del Peral.
Go golfing
If you like golf, in Marbella you will find your own paradise. The city has many golf courses where you can spend the day . Without a doubt, one of the most fun things to do in Marbella.
Enjoy art at the Ralli Museum
At the Ralli Museum in Marbella, you can enjoy an extensive collection of works by contemporary artists from various Latin American countries . The exhibited paintings reflect the influence of the great European masters.
Eat at the Ambrosia Food Market
The Costa del Sol is well known for its excellent gastronomy. If you like local and international food, one of the best experiences you can live in this curious gastronomic market. In the same building you can taste Spanish, Japanese, Thai, Italian food and much more. Although it is not exactly cheap, it is something different and fun to do in Marbella.
Explore the Costa del Sol
Marbella is one of the main tourist enclaves in one of the most beautiful areas of Spain. If you have time, do not forget to visit some of the 103 towns that make up the Costa del Sol. We especially recommend Malaga and the Serranía de Ronda , although you will not be short of destinations where you can enjoy its excellent climate and gastronomy. 30 essential places to see in Spain
Escape to Morocco
Although you have seen that there are many things to do in Marbella, if you spend several days in the city, you can consider changing continents in a very short time. There are many options to go to Tangier from Marbella: it will take you relatively little to get to Tarifa or Algeciras, where you can take a fast boat and get to know our neighboring country (although separated by the Strait). It is best to do it with the FRS company , which offers bus and boat packages from Marbella . In just over 1 hour and 30 minutes from the city you will be in Morocco.