Marbella in November: 14 Things to Do, Weather + Local Tips

Are you wondering what Marbella is like in November? Then you’re in the right place.

Whether you have questions about the weather, the best things to do in Marbella in November or how busy it is, you’ll find all the answers in this guide.

“How do you know about Marbella and what’s going on in November?” 

I spend a lot of time in Marbella. I was born and raised in the area; I have friends living there, and it’s my favourite place. You’ll find me walking in the old town or eating tapas.

November is a quiet month in Marbella, but that doesn’t mean everything is closed. In fact, most businesses and places are open except the beach clubs.

So if you aren’t really bothered about parties, it’s a lovely weekend getaway to escape the cold.

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Weather in November in Marbella

November is obviously colder than any month from May to October, but it isn’t the coldest month; January is.

Nevertheless, Marbella enjoys good weather year-round because of its microclimate, which comes from its position between the sea and mountains. 

This means it never gets too cold, and it’s slightly cooler in summer, when most of the Costa del Sol reaches temperatures of up to 40 degrees Celsius (104ºF). 

The chances of rain are low compared to Northern Spain or other places in the European continent, such as the UK. 

On average, it rains 4 or 5 days in November. 

Here is a summary of the weather: 

• Maximum temperature: 18ºC (64,4ºF)
• Minimum temperature: 12ºC (53,6ºF)
• Average temperature: 16ºC (60,8ºF)
• Rainy days: 5-7 days
• Water temperature: 18ºC (64,4ºF)
• Average humidity: 70%

If you’re wondering about sunlight, the sun rises at 7:42 am and sets just after 6:30 pm; however, these times change as the month passes. The sun rises later and sets earlier.

Things to do in Marbella in November

1. Take a tour of Marbella Old Town

Exploring the historic centre of Marbella is one of those activities you can do year-round. I must admit that spring is my favourite time to walk the old town because of the blossoming flowers. The council also spends quite a bit of money on making it extra pretty for Easter and the summer.

However, walking here in November is much better if you prefer fewer crowds and a quieter atmosphere.

Although you don’t need to take a tour of the old town, I highly recommend it if you want to learn about Marbella and its interesting history.

I teamed up with VoiceMaps to create this self-guided audio walking tour of Marbella Centre. It’s ideal for exploring at your own pace without feeling rushed or having other people from the tour in your pictures.

By doing the tour, you won’t miss any spots and will learn about the city’s present and past history.

✨ Get my Marbella audio walking tour here

2. Eat chocolate con churros

With the clocks changing at the end of October, the days are shorter, and the evenings are longer. As soon as the sun goes down around 6 p.m., it gets colder, and we locals love gathering at cafes to have merienda and a natter with friends. 

I like Churrería Ramón, but they only have outdoor seating, so I actually prefer going to Churrería Generalife (more affordable!) and Chocolateria San Ginés in autumn and winter because you can sit indoors, and the churros con chocolate are delicious anyway!

3. Ride a bike from Marbella Centre to Puerto Banús

Did you know you can walk from Marbella Centre to Puerto Banus? However, it’s a bit of a trek, so riding a bike is a faster way to get there without missing out on the sea views and enjoying the weather.

You can rent bikes at FaroBikes on Avenida Duque de Ahumada or Sun Bikes on the beach promenade. However, some Marbella beach accommodations have bikes available for you to rent, like the Amare Beach Hotel, so you might want to check your hotel first.

Do you prefer a guided bicycle tour? Check out this Get Your Guide 3-hour tour.

4. Visit the Contemporary Spanish Engravings Museum and Ralli Museum

The two main museums in Marbella are the Contemporary Spanish Engravings Museum and the Ralli Museum.

The Contemporary Spanish Engravings Museum is in Marbella’s old town. It spans more than two floors and houses a wide range of engravings and graphic art dating back to the 15th century.

The Ralli Museum is on the way to Puerto Banus. Here, you can enjoy some of the world’s most important Latin American art collections. It features many outstanding works, including pieces by Salvador Dalí. 

6. Watch the sunset 

Watching the sunset in Marbella never gets too old. I’ve seen some of the best sunsets here.

Unfortunately, many of the rooftops are closed for the season, but you can still enjoy them on the beach promenade or on a walk in Puerto Banus or Cabopino (see photo above).

The warm colours and the sea make it feel magical. 

8. Visit a winery

There aren’t actual wineries in Marbella, but you can find plenty of nearby vineyards that are a short drive away.

The most popular wineries near Marbella are in Ronda, an inland town with the most impressive bridge in Southern Spain, which you’ve probably come across on social media.

Bodega Doña Felisa is among the best wineries in Malaga province, but many others are less famous and worth visiting too.

If you don’t want to go to Ronda, you can visit the ones near Fuengirola and Mijas Pueblo.

I recently visited Bodega Malvajio in Mijas on a wine tour in which we sampled a wide variety of wines from Malaga, and the guide was very knowledgeable.

If you don’t have time for a wine tour during your time in Malaga, D-Oliva Shop offers wine and olive tastings from 35 euros. Alternatively, head to Taberna La Niña del Pisto or other tapa bars in Marbella Old Town that serve local wines.

9. Day trip to Ronda

I’ve briefly mentioned Ronda above; it’s famous for its high-quality wineries, but there’s much more to Ronda than wine.

It’s a fantastic day trip from Marbella, and you can take it by car or with a guided tour like this one. 

Having visited many times, I must admit that my favourite area is the old town because it’s where most of the historical buildings and museums are located.

For me, a visit to Ronda is incomplete without seeing the Puente Nuevo (New Bridge), which is almost impossible to miss, and the Palacio de Mondragón. The latter is the Archaeological Museum of Ronda, which stands out for its architecture and includes important Roman ruins.

Other important buildings and sights in Ronda are Casa Don Bosco, Casa del Rey Moro and the Arab Baths.

I also must mention the bullring. Although I don’t support bullfighting, it’s worth noting that Ronda’s bullring is one of the oldest in Spain.

10. Enjoy seasonal local dishes

If you’re a foodie, I’m sure you’ll love Marbella’s food and its surroundings. Marbella has a wide range of top restaurants, offering everything from international dishes like sushi and tacos to elevated dishes made with local, seasonal ingredients in Michelin-star restaurants.

There are dishes you’ll find all year round, but if you’re all about seasonality, I encourage you to taste some of our typical autumn dishes.

The ones that you’re more likely to find on menus include gazpachuelo, a fish soup, plato de los Montes, the heartiest dish we have made with pork loin, fried eggs, peppers, chips, chorizo and black pudding, and migas, fried crumbled bread with fried eggs, pork loin, among other ingredients. 

Another must-try seasonal ingredient is chestnuts. Roasted chestnuts are perfect for warming up on a cold evening.

11. Shop at La Cañada shopping centre

Rainy days in Marbella aren’t the norm, but you might experience one during your time in Marbella. 

Going shopping is one of the indoor activities you can do on a rainy day in Marbella. 

While you can shop in independent stores in the old town of Marbella, which I absolutely adore, looking for clothes or other items might make more sense in a shopping centre when the weather isn’t at its best.

La Cañada Shopping Centre is the biggest in Marbella. You have over 200 shops to browse, a cinema and restaurants. If you love shopping, I’m sure you’ll enjoy this shopping centre as much as my mum does.

12. Pamper at the spa

Although I love being on the go, Marbella is the type of place where you can chill out. It isn’t a big city with lots of attractions. One of the best activities to do in Marbella in autumn and winter is pampering yourself at the spa.

There are gorgeous spas that will leave you feeling like a new person!

Some of the best include Six Sense Spa in Puente Romano Beach Resort, the spa at Marbella Club and the Finca Cortesin Spa.

I’ve personally visited the spa at the Hard Rock Hotel (see photos above), and although it isn’t very big, it has the essentials you need to unwind. I recommend checking out Groupon, as they sometimes have great offers for this spa.

13. Spend an afternoon in Benahavis

Summer in Costa del Sol is scorching, so visiting inland towns like Benahavis isn’t the best idea unless you plan to go for a Benahavis river walk.

However, we, locals, love visiting the whitewashed towns and villages off-season, and November is perfect for that.

Benahavis is a small village located a 30-minute drive from Marbella Centre, so you don’t necessarily need to spend the day out, but a couple of hours, which I think is more than enough in Benahavis.

What’s Benahavis famous for? You ask. It’s well-known for its golf courses, luxury accommodations, and food, but the last one isn’t often mentioned as much.

I love the aesthetics of the Amanhavis Hotel, which has pastel coral colours and Moorish elements. It has a beautiful ceramic collection, and it’s a good place to enjoy a meal on its outdoor terrace. 

14. Play golf

A fantastic activity to do in Marbella in November is to play golf. While you can play golf all year-round, the high season for golf on the Costa del Sol is from September to November and from February to May.

If you’ve never played golf before, you also have the option to get into it by booking lessons with a professional.

My husband and I recently had our first lesson with Thomas Milone of TM Golf Marbella at Villa Padierna Golf Club, and it couldn’t have been any better. He was very friendly and made us feel comfortable.

Firstly, he taught us about the equipment and basics. Then, we put it into practice. While my husband, Tom- yes, same name as the instructor- had played before when he was a teenager, it was really the first time for me. Thomas saw that immediately and adapted the lesson for both of us.

While golf does take time, I saw a big improvement in myself by the end of the lesson. And yes, I managed to hit the ball more than once.

⛳ Ready to play golf? Book a private golf lesson in Marbella with TM Golf Marbella

Conclusion on visiting Marbella in November

Is it worth visiting Marbella in November? My answer is yes. It offers a different experience from the summer months, and it’s nice to enjoy the sunshine with cooler temperatures that let you do anything from hiking to alfresco meals.

If you come at the beginning of November, be aware that November 1st is All Saints’ Day, a bank holiday in Spain, so most businesses will be closed.

Are you into all things Christmas? Come at the end of November and stay until the 3rd or 4th of December to see the Christmas lights and decorations. The lights are usually switched on the 1st of December. 

I think this guide covers most of what you should know before travelling to Marbella in November, but if you have any questions, I recommend joining my Facebook group. It’s the best place to ask questions and connect with me.

I hope you enjoy your Marbella holiday!

Cristina x

Top things to do before visiting Marbella, Costa del Sol

• Check out cheap flights to Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport here.
• Looking for the best accommodation in Marbella? Check this guide to the best accommodation in Marbella
• Rent a car to travel with ease around Marbella and the Costa del Sol.
• Book travel insurance for your trip. It’s a must for any holiday.