11 Best Things to Do in Marbella in Winter By a Local
Although you may want to skip swimming in the sea, Marbella still offers amazing things to do in winter, like taking a scenic hike, visiting a nearby winery, or simply enjoying its tranquil atmosphere.
Marbella is known as a fantastic summer getaway; its stunning golden-sand beaches, international events and nightlife, and lively atmosphere make it a top destination in Spain. But winter is great too.
In winter, you can do activities you would avoid in summer because of the heat, and you’ll also experience a different Marbella, a calmer, more authentic side. In addition, the weather is lovely.
Marbella in winter is just as beautiful as in summer, but as a Costa del Sol local, I can tell you you’ll enjoy its quieter atmosphere.
In this guide, you’ll discover some of the best things to do in Marbella in winter, the events you won’t want to miss, and local tips to make the most of your holidays.
This post contains affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you click through and purchase something, I receive a small commission on the price at no extra cost to you. This helps me keep the content up to date and make other improvements to the blog.
The best things to do in Marbella in winter
1. Stroll the beach promenade
There’s nothing better than waking up early and strolling Marbella’s promenade and enjoying a walk while there are barely any people around, listening to the noise of the waves and contemplating the beautiful coast with the warm colours of the sunrise.
If you aren’t an early bird, a walk on Marbella’s promenade is still a good idea, but at sunrise or sunset it’s even more magical.
On Sundays, expect to see more people on the beachfront because it’s the day when many locals don’t work (except hospitality workers). You’ll see many friends or families walking on the promenade and stopping by a beach bar for lunch.
I absolutely love walking in Marbella’s promenade off-season. It’s incredibly relaxing.
2. Enjoy a meal on an outdoor terrace
Outdoor eating happens not only in summer but also in winter. The beautiful weather in Marbella and the rest of the Costa del Sol allows restaurants and bars to keep their outdoor seating all year round.
Plaza de Los Naranjos, known to tourists as Orange Square, is a picturesque, relaxing place to enjoy a meal.
However, if you’d like to eat traditional dishes such as pescaito frito (fried fish), head to La Lonja, one of the best places to eat fish in Marbella.
If you prefer a wider variety of tapas, I love Casa Blanca, especially their Serranito sandwich and garlic prawns, and Taberna La Niña del Pisto.
3. Explore the Old Town
Exploring the Old Town of Marbella is an activity you can do all year round, but if you’re wondering why winter is a perfect time, there are two main reasons.
Firstly, it isn’t as crowded as it is during the summer months. And secondly, the temperature is often pleasant – sunny, blue sky, not too hot, not too cold.
As you get lost in the beautiful whitewashed streets, take photos of the picturesque buildings and flower pots hanging on the walls, go inside Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación church, spot the remains of Marbella Castle, and stop by local independent shops selling unique souvenirs and clothes.
If you’re interested in learning about the town’s history and local culture, consider taking a self-guided audio tour. It’s the best way to discover the historic centre at your own pace, and without a group.
Despite its small size, you can spend hours in this charming part of Marbella. Marbella’s Old Town is the most beautiful on the Costa del Sol. My favourite street is Carmen Street (see photo above).
📌 If you’d love to learn about Marbella’s old town history while tasting delicious tapas and wine, check out this 3 hour tour.
4. Play golf
Marbella is a paradise for golf lovers. You’ll find golf courses for all ages and skill levels across Marbella and the Costa del Sol. If you’re looking for a good golf course, these are the best golf courses:
- Villa Padierna Golf Club
- La Quinta Golf & Country Club
- Los Naranjos Golf Club
- Marbella Club Golf Resort
- Cabopino Golf Marbella
5. Visit Puerto Banus
No matter if you visit Marbella in summer or winter, a place that needs to be on your list is Puerto Banús. It’s one of the most expensive ports in Spain, so expect to see the most luxurious yachts and shops.
Walking in Puerto Banús is lovely in winter because there are fewer people around. Leisurely walk around the port, take some photos, and maybe go on a boat trip, provided the weather is nice.
As a local, I would avoid eating in this area because the food is usually overpriced and not authentic if you want to try the local cuisine.
✨ Join my community. My free Costa del Sol Facebook group is the place to ask questions about your trip, be inspired and connect with other travellers who love Marbella and beyond. Click here to join!
6. Shop at La Cañada
If you love shopping, you’re spoilt for choice at La Cañada Shopping Centre, one of the biggest shopping centres on the Costa del Sol, just outside Marbella.
La Cañada is a paradise for anyone who loves shopping. It has over 200 shops where you can buy everything from high-street brand clothes like H&M and Zara and jewellery to home decorations and children’s toys.
In addition to the wide selection of shops, you can also grab some food or go to the cinema.
7. Go on a scenic hiking trail
Hiking is one of the best things to do in Marbella in winter. Its proximity to the mountains makes Marbella an ideal place for nature lovers.
Marbella offers many scenic hiking trails, from easy to difficult, so you’ll find the best route for you.
One of Marbella’s most popular but challenging hiking trails is La Concha, which offers breathtaking views of the Mediterranean coast, Sierra de las Nieves Natural Park, Gibraltar and Africa on clear days. It takes about 6 to 7 hours to complete.
Another incredible hike, not near Marbella but worth doing, is Caminito del Rey, located near Ardales. This used to be one of Europe’s most dangerous hiking trails, but fortunately, the path has been restored and adapted for tourists.
You’ll have to pay an entrance fee to access Caminito del Rey. Book your tickets in advance to avoid disappointment. It’s a very popular spot!
📌Cristina’s tip: While you can do Caminito del Rey on your own, I highly recommend taking a guided tour like the one I did. It’s the best way to learn about this hike’s history, flora and fauna.
8. Go on a day trip to a whitewashed town
Marbella has fantastic winter activities; however, if you spend more than a weekend here, you want to check out other nearby whitewashed beautiful towns.
Here is a list of the best day trips from Marbella in winter:
- Ronda and Setenil de las Bodegas
- Mijas Pueblo
- Benalmadena
- Malaga
- Frigiliana and Nerja
The best way to get around Marbella and the Costa del Sol is by car. Renting a car gives you the freedom to visit towns that are hard to reach by public transport. I don’t always recommend renting a car, but the roads in winter are usually quiet, so you won’t get the crazy traffic we experience in the summer.
Plus, driving lets you get there earlier than others, which is ideal if you want to watch the sunrise or take photos without crowds.
However, if you don’t drive or don’t want to drive abroad, I highly recommend checking guided tours with Get Your Guide. They’re convenient, and you don’t have to stress about catching different buses to get there.
9. Visit a nearby winery
The province of Malaga is known for its sweet wines, and Ronda is where you’ll find the best wineries.
Marbella is only about a 1-hour drive from Ronda, the best town in Malaga to visit if you love a good glass of wine.
There are plenty of wineries in Ronda (Bodegas Excelencia and Bodega Doña Felisa, among others) which have a wide range of wines, from the traditional Malaga sweet wine to classics like rosé and red wine.
If you don’t want to travel to another town, you can also enjoy wine tasting in Marbella Old Town. D-Oliva shop offers wine and olive oil tasting from 35 euros.
10. See the Christmas lights
Marbella is beautifully decorated during the Christmas season, so it’s worth checking out the lights in the old town and visiting the Christmas market next to the El Corte Inglés shopping centre.
However, if you love Christmas, you must take a day trip to Malaga to see its Christmas light show, where the lights dance to the rhythm of English and traditional Spanish Christmas songs. The atmosphere is incredible, but it’s way busier than Marbella, so it isn’t for everyone!
I also recommend visiting the Christmas stalls at Paseo del Parque and Muelle Uno (Malaga’s port), one of my favourite places in my hometown. Muelle Uno has a lovely Christmas market, and children can visit Santa’s Grotto. Malaga at Christmas is magical!
11. Go on a day trip to Gibraltar
Only 1 hour from Marbella, Gibraltar makes for an excellent day trip, especially for families. Nature, wildlife, and culture are a few reasons to visit Gibraltar.
On a day trip to Gibraltar, you can visit the Rock of Gibraltar and Upper Nature Reserve, where you can enjoy incredible views of Africa, explore Gibraltar tunnels and caves, see the famous macaques (monkeys), shop and explore the colourful streets.
Things to do in Marbella in winter by month
If you’re wondering whether any special events take place in Marbella during the winter months, here are the highlights of each month.
Things to do in Marbella in December
This is the time to experience Christmas the Spanish way. Marbella hosts different Christmas markets throughout December.
One of the most popular Christmas markets is Mercado Navideño El Corte Inglés, with cute Alpine-style stalls, unique gifts, food trucks serving waffles, crepes, and burgers, children’s attractions, and live music. I also like the Christmas decorations at Forum Marbella.
During your stay in Marbella, I highly recommend a day trip to Malaga to see some of Spain’s best Christmas light displays!
Estepona, a town near Marbella, also has a beautiful Christmas market and other lovely events in December.
Things to do in Marbella in January
One of the main events in Marbella in January is Cabalgata de Los Reyes Magos on the 5th of January.
This consists of a street parade in which the “three kings” and their helpers throw sweets, and sometimes toys, from their floats to children. It’s a special event to attend with the little ones!
The parade is much smaller than the one in Malaga, but the Marbella parade is your best option if you prefer fewer people. Apart from this Christmas event, there aren’t many other events in January.
Also, many restaurants and bars close after Christmas and reopen in February or March.
Things to do in Marbella in February
February is carnival month in many countries, including Italy, Brazil, and Colombia. Southern Spain celebrates carnival at its best, and Marbella does too.
Although the best place to celebrate the carnival in Andalucia is Cadiz, it’s an experience seeing how locals in Marbella dress up, sing in the streets, and participate in fancy dress competitions.
In addition to the carnival, another important event is Andalucia’s Day on the 28th of February. On this day, there is live music, free paella tasting and other food stalls in Avenida Las Albarizas.
Things to do in Marbella in March
St Patrick’s Day wasn’t a thing in Marbella or Malaga a few years ago; however, it has become another celebrated event since the increase of Irish expats across the Costa del Sol.
The event often takes place on the 16th and 17th of March at the Glorieta de la Fontanilla. Here, you can enjoy traditional Irish food, listen to Irish songs, dance and much more. There are also activities for children, such as face painting and inflatable castles.
In late March and early April, Semana Santa (Holy Week) is a traditional and important time in Marbella and across Spain. See the impressive religious floats day and night and taste traditional Easter desserts like torrijas (Spanish French Toast).
If you like attending traditional events, March is a good month to visit Marbella!
Frequently asked questions about visiting Marbella in winter
How warm is it in Marbella in the winter?
It’s warm in comparison to other European destinations. Temperatures reach a maximum of 18 degrees (64º F) during the day and a minimum of 8 degrees (46º F) at night.
Does it snow in Marbella?
No. The chances of snow in Marbella are very low because of its location, humidity, and average temperature.
Does Marbella shut down in winter?
No; however, it’s quieter from mid-January to early March as some restaurants and shops close after Christmas.
Is Marbella busy in winter?
Marbella isn’t as busy as in summer. Nevertheless, many travellers choose Marbella as their winter sun getaway in Europe.
What’s the weather in Marbella in December?
The maximum temperature is 17 degrees (62.6 °F), and the minimum is 9 degrees (48.2 °F). On average, it rains for five days.
What’s the weather in Marbella in January?
The maximum temperature is 17 degrees (62.6 °F), and the minimum is 8 degrees (46.4 °F). On average, it rains for five days.
What’s the weather in Marbella in February?
The maximum temperature is 18 degrees (64,4 °F), and the minimum is 8 degrees (46,4 °F). On average, it rains for four days.
Conclusion on the best things to do in Marbella in winter
So, is Marbella worth visiting? It depends on the type of holiday you’re looking for.
Marbella is perfect if you want to sightsee, hike, or have a more authentic experience in town. It’s also a great place to start a road trip in southern Spain.
Marbella isn’t for you if you’re looking for a beach break. Although I’ve seen a few tourists dive in, the water is cold (about 17 degrees). You won’t see any locals swimming in the ocean during this time of the year.
It isn’t for you either, if you want Marbella nightlife at its best. You’ll only find the best events and parties from late spring until mid-September. Many beach clubs are only open during the summer season.
If you need more help planning your trip to Marbella, check out my one-to-one calls and itinerary services.
Don’t forget to save these reasons to visit Marbella in winter for later
Top things to do before visiting Marbella
- Check out cheap flights to Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP) with Skyscanner.
- Book accommodation in Marbella. This hotel guide features the town’s best hotels.
- Rent a car to get around Marbella with ease.
- Need an e-sim? I use Holafly when I travel abroad. Get a small discount when using my link.
- Book travel insurance; this is a must for any trip! SafetyWing offers flexible travel and health insurance.
