Is Marbella Worth Visiting? 14 Reasons You’ll Love It
Is Marbella worth visiting? The answer is yes. There are many reasons to love Marbella.
Its historic centre is full of charm and picturesque spots.
It has some of the best restaurants in the Costa del Sol.
And let’s not forget about the beaches!
Marbella is fantastic whether you want a winter sun holiday or a fun summer holiday with friends or family.
My home and heart are in the Costa del Sol, where I was born and raised. I’m lucky to spend extensive periods across the year in Marbella.
You’ll see me visiting its beaches in the summer and wandering or having delicious orange juice in its charming old town in the winter.
Marbella is my favourite place, and I’m excited to tell you why you should visit it.
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14 Reasons to Visit Marbella
1. The charming historic centre
If there’s one place you shouldn’t miss in Marbella, it is the old town. After Estepona’s old town, it’s one of the prettiest. Its cobblestone streets, surrounded by narrow white-painted buildings, make you feel like you’re in a maze.
I love how well-kept it is, its pretty flower pots with bright roses and boutique shops with bohemian dresses and other cute accessories.
On top of this, it’s the perfect place to understand the town’s history. You can see the walls of the former Marbella Castle, visit the Encarnación Church (one of the most emblematic in the city) and the town hall in the picturesque Plaza de los Naranjos, aka Orange Square.
Grabbing a coffee or a pressed juice from Churrería Ramón and sitting on their outdoor terrace is just blissful. I especially love their watermelon juice; it’s so refreshing!
2. Marbella’s luxury port
Puerto Banús is Marbella’s exclusive port. Expect out-of-this-world yachts, luxury shops and international restaurants overlooking the sea.
It’s a paradise for travellers who love high-end shops like Gucci, Dolce and Gabanna and Rolex.
It isn’t everyone’s taste, but I feel like it’s one of those places you must experience before judging.
My piece of advice is to avoid visiting on weekends as it can get very crowded. Also, if you would love to try the local cuisine, there are better and more affordable restaurants in other areas of Marbella.
3. The diverse food scene
The cuisine of Marbella barely differs from Malaga because of its proximity, and Marbella belongs to the province of Malaga.
You’ll find typical foods like espetos (sardine skewers), ensalada malagueña (Malaga-style salad) and ajoblanco (cold almond and garlic soup).
However, Marbella has a wide variety of restaurants and cuisines. In addition, it has not one but 18 Michelin-star restaurants providing unique culinary experiences using high-quality and local produce.
If you’re looking for local recommendations, these are a couple of my favourite places to eat in Marbella:
- Casa Blanca and Taberna La Niña del Pisto. Delicious and cheap traditional tapas.
- Casa del Mar. Bohemian vibes, good food and service.
- Manuka. It’s a great place for brunch and healthy food options.
- Tragabuches. Restaurant by local Michelin-star chef Dani García serving traditional food.
4. The amazing short day trips
You don’t need to leave Marbella to have a fantastic holiday, or at least that’s my opinion.
Still, if you have time, I always recommend exploring beyond Marbella because there are other quaint towns and villages at a short distance.
Ronda is a fantastic day trip from Marbella. See the impressive New Bridge, wander the historic centre, taste traditional dishes and end your visit in a winery. Ronda has some of the best wines in the province!
For families, I recommend heading to Gibraltar. You can visit the Rock, home to hundreds of macaques, go dolphin-watching and walk Main Street with numerous shops, including British stores like M&S.
5. The fantastic beaches
Personally, I think there are better beaches outside Marbella, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find good beaches.
Playa de la Venus is the perfect beach for those who stay in the historic centre. It’s just a short walk and has all the facilities you can expect from a beach in such a location. It has public toilets, showers, and lifeguards during the summer months, plus it’s accessible for wheelchair users.
Whilst this one is very convenient and a good beach, actually, the best beach in Marbella is outside the town. Cabopino is a short drive from the city centre and has a more laid-back atmosphere.
I’ve stayed at the Cabopino camping site with friends, and it was a fantastic location for relaxing and making the most of the beach.
This golden beach isn’t as crowded as other beaches (but don’t expect this in August when it’s peak season), and it’s lovely to visit in winter to do the short walk in Dunas de Artola, on which you walk on a wooden path while admiring the coast.
6. The wonderful sunny weather
Marbella and the other Costa del Sol towns enjoy beautiful weather almost all year round. There are a few days when you’ll experience clouds and rain.
Sunny and clear skies are the norm in Marbella. The winter is mild compared to other European destinations, and summer is hot, but due to Marbella’s location and microclimate, it doesn’t get as hot as Malaga.
The average maximum temperature in winter is 17 degrees (62,6 °F), and the minimum is 8 degrees (46,4 °F), whereas the average maximum temperature in summer is 31 degrees (87,8 °F), and the minimum is 21 degrees (69,8 °F).
7. The exclusive beach clubs
If you love top-notch beach clubs, Marbella is the best place to go! There are plenty of beach clubs across the town, and many of them are internationally known, so they aren’t just the average beach club.
Nikki Beach is one of the most popular options, as happens in Ibiza. They throw incredible events, the food is good, and the surroundings as well. Ocean Club Marbella is another favourite.
Amare Beach Club is a lesser-known beach club, but it’s a good option if you prefer smaller ones. Also, its location is perfect for anyone who stays near the historic centre.
8. The scenic hiking trails
Marbella is very well-known for its beaches and luxurious atmosphere. However, many travellers don’t know much about its natural surroundings.
You don’t need to go far to find scenic hiking trails. For example, you can take an easy route like Dunas de Artola in Cabopino, a moderate one in the nearby town of Ojen or challenge yourself to hike La Concha.
9. The extensive beach promenade
One of my favourite things to do in Marbella is to walk on the beach promenade. I start walking in Avenida del Mar and head towards Marbella Beach Club. It’s a lovely walk!
In the beginning, you can see many restaurants and shops, and it gets a bit quieter as you walk along. You’ll walk through one of Marbella’s exclusive areas: the Golden Mile, where even celebrities have houses or stay in the best hotels.
Some of the path is made of sand, but it isn’t bumpy and very well-maintained.
10. The lively festivals
Although Marbella traditional events aren’t as big as the ones in Malaga, they are worth mentioning.
The main festival is Feria de San Bernabé (Marbella’s Fair), which takes place in the historic centre at the beginning of June every year. Expect traditional dances like Malagueñas, a similar dance to flamenco, food and music.
A non-traditional event that is extremely famous is Starlite Marbella. Spanish singers and singers from around the world come to Marbella to give concerts in the summer months. But it isn’t only a festival about music, but also fashion and food.
In addition to these festivals, it’s worth checking out the Marbella tourism website for more upcoming events.
11. The strategic location
If you want to explore the Costa del Sol, Marbella is in a great location. It’s a short drive from towns like Fuengirola and Estepona while not being far from Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP) and Malaga City.
Marbella is a coastal town, but mountains surround it and pretty Andalusian-whitewashed towns, so you get the best of everything: mountains, sea and culture.
12. The amazing sunsets
Marbella sunsets hit differently. The contrast of the sea against the pink-pastel colours of the sunset is so beautiful.
Wondering where to see the sunset in Marbella? There are plenty of spots to catch the sunset, but my favourite places are Playa de la Venus, the pier at Marbella Beach Club and Cabopino (see photo above).
A good idea is to visit a rooftop bar around sunset time. Belvue Rooftop Bar, located on the adult-only Amare Beach Hotel, offers breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea and delicious boozy drinks.
Another good activity to do around this time is to book a boat tour. I love this romantic boat trip that departs from Puerto Banús. The views of Marbella and the mountains as background are spectacular.
13. The lush parks
Within a short walking distance from the historic centre of Marbella, you have two parks: Parque de la Alameda and Parque de la Represa.
Parque de la Represa is about 2 kilometres long and goes from the Santa Marta neighbourhood to the old town of Marbella.
A stream goes through the park, and you can see small animals like ducks, swans and plenty of turtles! They love hanging around the corners of the lakes and soaking up the sunshine.
If you have kids, they can also play in the playground inside the park.
Parque de la Alameda is a mini oasis home to many palm trees and other big trees providing shade, and what I love the most is its tiled benches.
Apart from these parks, you can find others across the city and in the nearby San Pedro de Alcantara.
14. The excellent golf courses
Another reason to visit Marbella for those who love golf is its incredible golf courses.
You can find outstanding golf courses outside Marbella, but some of the top-rated are in Marbella and San Pedro de Alcantara areas.
I’m not a golf expert, but I’ve heard and read that Los Naranjos Golf Club, Marbella Golf Country Club and La Quinta are the best in Marbella.
They offer golf courses for different levels, the pitches are very well-maintained, and the locations are absolutely stunning.
Frequently asked questions about Marbella
What is so special about Marbella?
The special things about Marbella are its historic centre, beaches, top-notch resorts and scenic views.
Is Marbella worth a day trip?
Yes! Marbella is a fantastic day trip from Malaga and other Costa del Sol destinations. There are many things to do in Marbella in a day.
How many days in Marbella is enough?
I always recommend spending at least two days in Marbella. However, you might want to stay longer to enjoy its beaches or lively atmosphere in the summer months.
Conclusion: is Marbella worth visiting?
Yes, Marbella is more than the sun, beaches and luxury shopping, and I’m sure it’s one of those destinations you’ll want to go back to again and again.
Do you have any questions about visiting Marbella? Drop them in the comments or join my Facebook group, which is the perfect place to ask questions and connect with me.
Cristina xx
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Top things to check before visiting Marbella and Costa del Sol
- Check out cheap flights to Malaga Costa del Sol Airport here.
- Have a look at this Malaga food guide to indulge yourself in eating the best typical food in the area.
- Are you looking for the best accommodation in Marbella? Check out this guide to discover amazing hotels in Marbella.
- Rent a car to travel with ease around Marbella and Costa del Sol.
- Book travel insurance for your trip. It’s a must for any holiday.
