12 Best Activities in Marbella in May With Insider Tips
May is one of my favourite months in Marbella: lovely bright and sunny days, a lively atmosphere and many fun activities and events.
See the main historic buildings and museums, soak up the lively atmosphere, go to a beach club and enjoy the city’s outstanding sunsets and late evenings.
It’s simply amazing!
If you’re planning a trip to Marbella in May, I’ve got you covered.
This guide includes an overview of the weather, a local’s favourite activities in May and tips to make your trip unforgettable.
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Overview of the weather in Marbella in May
If you wonder, “What the weather is like in Marbella in May?” The short answer is mainly sunny and warm. There’s at least a 60 per cent chance that it’s a perfect sunny day with no clouds.
Although it’s a dry month, you can experience a few days of rain, but usually not more than three.
I love the weather in May because it’s often hot but not as hot as in August when you won’t want to do much except for being in the pool or beach.
Here’s an overview of the temperature in Marbella in May:
- Maximum temperature: 25ºC (77ºF)
- Minimum temperature: 16ºC (60.8ºF)
- Average temperature: 21ºC (69.8ºF)
- Rainy days: 3
- Sea temperature: 18ºC (64.4ºF)
- Average humidity: 62%
12 Things to do in Marbella in May
1. Go to a beach club opening party
May is one of the best months for partygoers to visit Marbella. It’s when most Marbella beach clubs start getting ready for the season.
They’re open from May to September or October early October, so you can attend any party during that period.
But I think that May is best because the opening parties are epic! Everyone is excited about summer, late nights, great cocktails and live music.
Nikki Beach, which I’d say is the most famous club, actually opens in April, but other beach clubs like Ocean Club open in May.
2. Ride a bike along the beach promenade
Marbella beach promenade is fantastic. Not only is it quite extensive but it also has great restaurants and shops.
My preferred way to enjoy the beach promenade is on foot. However, you might want to rent a bike and discover it that way.
Some parts of the promenade have bike lanes, but those that don’t are easy to get around, too.
Rent a bike for a day for 20 euros or book a bike tour, which is a great alternative for solo travellers who want to meet other people.
3. Sip cocktails at a rooftop bar
The sun going down, the warmth and Mediterranean vibes in Marbella are so inviting for enjoying the sunset hour while sipping a drink in a rooftop bar.
Fortunately, there are many fantastic rooftop terraces across the city. In fact, I always find it difficult to pick one.
Having said that, I like Linda Boutique Hotel and Óbal Urban Hotel rooftop bars in the old town.
The rooftop at Amare Beach Hotel is also among the best! You get direct sea views, and the cocktails are meant to be great.
4. Book a canoeing guided adventure in the Benahavis River
With the rise of temperature, especially towards the end of the month, you might want to book an adventurous activity like canoeing in the Benahavis River.
I haven’t done it yet, but it’s on my list! This canyoning guided tour includes all the equipment needed and photos to remember this adventure.
After the tour, I highly recommend exploring the small town of Benahavis. The mountain views never disappoint me.
5. Wander the historic centre of Marbella
Marbella is bigger than most travellers think, and each area has something to offer.
The historic centre, Casco Antiguo in Spanish, is my favourite by far. It’s small but quaint, charming and full of history.
The narrow cobblestone streets adorned with plants and flowers are very pretty.
Wander the streets that lead you to boutique shops, lovely corner cafes, restaurants like Cafe Flore, and pretty squares.
Plaza de Los Naranjos is the main square where you must try the best churros in Marbella from Churrería Ramón. They’re so tasty.
La Encarnación Church, Marbella Castle Walls and Spanish Contemporary Engraving Museum are also must-see.
If you’re only interested in soaking up the atmosphere and taking photos, discover it at your own pace or with a self-guided audio tour.
However, if you want to know about the city’s history and insider insights, book a walking tour like the one I did. My guide was very knowledgeable.
6. Have a picnic at the beach
Looking for a romantic activity to do with your other half?
A picnic at the beach is idyllic – each other’s company, the sound of the waves crashing the shore, the lovely sea breeze… all of this while eating some delicious snacks.
You can definitely pack your own picnic. Prepare the bits and bobs at your apartment, buy ready-to-eat food at the supermarket or from a cafe.
You also have the option of booking a picnic experience in which everything is set up for you, from comfortable seating and beautiful decor to food and drinks.
This is even more ideal for a special occasion like a birthday or anniversary.
7. Go on a food tour around Marbella
The food scene in Marbella is outstanding. I love that I can find all sorts of cuisines: traditional, French, Italian, Japanese, Thai, etc.
I agree that Marbella is more expensive than other towns, but you can definitely find good prices if you know where to eat.
If you’re after tapas, you won’t spend a fortune. I recommend eating in the old town as there are some fantastic traditional restaurants and the prices are reasonable.
Wondering which bars serve good tapas? My go-to place for authentic Andalusian dishes is La Niña del Pisto.
Other places I also like are Mia Cafe, El Boquerón and Bar El Estrecho. These are good, but some offer fusion dishes.
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8. Join a yoga lesson
The wellness movement in Marbella is real. There are more and more options to keep your body and mind healthy during the holidays.
A yoga lesson is a fantastic way to start the day off.
Rachel’s Eco Love, which is a cafe chain, organises yoga lessons with a buffet breakfast several times a month.
They have different locations, but I especially love the one at El Rastro, the most recently opened cafe.
9. Visit a nearby traditional Andalusian village
There are many activities in Marbella to keep you entertained during your holiday, but it’s also worth exploring its surroundings.
You don’t need to go far to visit traditional Andalusian villages. One of the nearest is Ojén.
In my opinion, it’s lovely to explore for a few hours, but that’s it. It doesn’t have many attractions compared to Mijas Pueblo.
Ronda is my favourite day trip from Marbella, though. It has enough to even spend a weekend.
Casares is overlooked but worth seeing, too. It was nominated as one of the prettiest Spanish towns in 2025.
10. Paddleboard at sunset
Many water activities are available starting in May because of the sunny and warm climate.
Paddleboarding is one of them. You can rent the equipment or book a lesson, which is fantastic for people like me who don’t have much experience.
There are different times available, but paddle boarding at sunset is even better.
11. Enjoy a live flamenco show
If immersing in the culture is important to you, like it’s for me, I totally recommend attending a live flamenco show.
Flamenco is such an important part of the Andalusian culture that you will want to experience it.
Flamenco Marbella in the old town offers live flamenco shows with a meal.
12. Take the ferry from Marbella Centre to Puerto Banus
Whether you come to Marbella for a day or three, you’ll probably want to see the luxurious port of Puerto Banus.
You have the option of getting there by bus or on foot, but a more scenic alternative is to take the ferry from Puerto Deportivo de Marbella near the centre to Puerto Banus.
One way ticket is 10 euros, and a return ticket is 18 euros.
Conclusion about travelling to Marbella in May
Overall, May is a fantastic month to be in Marbella. There are plenty of activities to do, and you can start feeling the summer vibes without the crowds of July and August.
You can find good deals in the first two weeks of May, whilst hotel and flight prices increase towards the end of the month, especially for anyone travelling from the UK during the May school holidays.
Enjoy your holiday in Marbella!
Cristina x
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