What to Do in Marbella When it Rains (13 Top Activities!)
Are you wondering what to do in Marbella when it rains?
I must agree that Marbella is better on a sunny day, but if you experience a moody rainy day during your holiday, I’ve got you covered!
You can go to the cinema, relax at the spa and watch a flamenco show, among other indoor activities.
Overall, the chances of rain are low in Marbella as it’s one of the sunniest places in Spain, so I wouldn’t worry too much, but the rain doesn’t need to ruin your day.
In this blog, I’m going to tell you my favourite activities to do in Marbella on a rainy day.
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What to do in Marbella when it rains
1. Go shopping
Do you love shopping? If so, it’s a great activity to do on a rainy day in Marbella.
The city is home to many shops where you can buy anything from a luxury bag or watch to a bohemian dress or a unique souvenir to take home.
When it rains, you’d better choose the shopping centres. La Cañada is Marbella’s biggest shopping centre. It’s home to over 150 shops, so you’re spoilt for choice.
You can find popular international brands like Zara and H&M, as well as home decor and more.
Shopping isn’t one of my favourite activities, but it is for my mum, so we have sometimes come to La Cañada, and I assure you that if you love shopping, you can spend quite some time there.
Another good shopping centre is El Corte Ingles in Puerto Banus. It has over three floors with different departments (food, clothes, technology, toys and more).
Outside Marbella, you’ll find Miramar Shopping Centre in Fuengirola, which is a 25-minute drive.
If you’d rather buy from local independent businesses, the best place is the old town. But don’t forget an umbrella as you’ll always be in and out.
2. Enjoy a meal
It might be a miserable day, but that doesn’t spoil going for a meal with your friends or family.
The food scene in Marbella is fantastic. You can enjoy a fancy meal at a Michelin-star restaurant or a traditional tapa bar. The truth is that you don’t necessarily need to spend lots of money to have a delicious meal.
I highly recommend eating near the historic centre if you want an affordable meal. Within the historic centre, near Orange Square (Plaza de los Naranjos), Taberna La Niña del Pisto is a good place for tapas.
Although Casa Blanca, located next to Parque la Alameda, is also among my favourites. I absolutely love their Russian salad and Serrano sandwich. Plus their prices are reasonable.
For a more sophisticated experience, head to Skina, Lobito de Mar or Tragabuches, two highly-rated restaurants by local chef Dani Garcia.
3. Have chocolate with churros
We locals absolutely love chocolate con churros for breakfast or Spanish afternoon tea, called merienda.
When the temperature drops a little, because it’s never cold in Marbella compared to the UK or other Northern European countries, we love meeting up with friends or family and heading to the churreria to enjoy churros.
One of my favourite places to have churros in Marbella is Churreria Marbella, which was awarded the best churros in the city. My partner and I really like the churros there because they are crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, not greasy, and the hot chocolate is silky.
Another go-to place for churros is Churrería Ramón in Plaza de los Naranjos, also in the historic centre.
4. Watch a flamenco show
Watching flamenco is certainly one of the best cultural activities to do in Marbella. If you love music and want to immerse yourself in part of the Andalusian culture, then a live flamenco show must be included in your Marbella itinerary.
There are a couple of places to watch flamenco. One of the places is called Flamenco Marbella and is located at number 12 Calle Camilo Jose in the centre of Marbella. They have shows every Saturday at 8 pm.
Another place in the old town is The Farm Restaurant. They have performances every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday from 7:30 pm.
Regardless of the place, I highly recommend booking beforehand to avoid disappointment. These places get especially busy during the peak season.
5. Pamper yourself with a spa day
Going to the spa is another relaxing activity on a rainy day in Marbella, and I totally believe that spa days don’t have to be expensive. I recommend checking out Groupon, as they always have spa offers in Marbella, and this is how I book them.
I gifted my partner a spa day at the Rock Spa inside the well-known Hard Rock Hotel in Puerto Banus.
The spa isn’t as big as others, but it has the essentials for a relaxing afternoon. It consists of a climatised pool with jets, sauna, and Turkish Bath. The recommended circuit only takes 45 minutes, but I found it enough.
The deal was for an hour for two people and included a glass of cava each, which was great. You can also check out their luxury treatments, including facials and massages.
Looking for the top-rated spa? Thalasso Spa in Marbella Club Resort is one of the best spas in Marbella. It is home to fantastic swan neck fountains, jacuzzis, and seawater pools that allow you to disconnect from the outside world. Also, it offers a wood-burning Finnish sauna.
Other spas to check out are Finca Cortesin Spa, Anantara Spa at Anantara Villa Padierna Hotel and Six Senses Spa at Puente Romano.
6. Visit the museums
If you’re looking for a cultural activity to do in Marbella on a rainy day, museums are always a good option.
It doesn’t have over 30 museums to choose from like Malaga, but you can visit unique museums like the Museum of Contemporary Spanish Engraving and the Ralli Museum.
The engraving museum is located in the old town of Marbella and has more than two floors with machinery and paintings. I was quite impressed by the building.
The Ralli Museum has one of the most important Latin American collections and impressive European paintings. It’s the go-to place for art lovers.
7. Take a cooking lesson
Food is one of the reasons I love travelling, and if you feel the same way, a great thing to do in Marbella when it rains is to take a private cooking class.
Learn delicious Andalusian dishes you can recreate at home when you miss Southern Spain or want to surprise your friends and family.
This cooking lesson offers a visit to Marbella market, where you’ll get some of the ingredients for your lunch, a hands-on cooking lesson, and the exact recipes to take home. Of course, you’ll also have your 3-course meal accompanied by a glass of wine.
If you prefer to taste food rather than cook, an alternative activity is to go on a tapas tour in the heart of Marbella.
8. Have a relaxing massage
Rainy days are a sign to slow down and take it easy, and what better way to do that than booking a massage?
You might be able to enjoy one at your accommodation, but if not, you’ll love Glow Beauty Puerto Banus.
They offer a wide variety of massages, from lymphatic drainage and underwater massages to a simple but relaxing massage to reduce stress and relieve muscular tension.
In addition to this, they also have an exclusive hammam with an Arab bath, sauna, steam bath and more.
9. Go to the cinema
Rainy days are perfect for a trip to the cinema! Popcorn, an entertaining film and good company are the perfect combination.
La Cañada Shopping Centre has a cinema called Kinépolis, with eight rooms displaying the latest films in English with Spanish subtitles and in Spanish.
Tickets start from 8,50 euros when you buy them online. However, you can get cheaper cinema tickets on Wednesdays (6,30 €).
10. Do an escape room
A fun way to spend a rainy day is doing an escape room. This indoor activity can be adapted to kids or adults, so everyone can have a good time.
Arkham Escape Rooms, located near the Marbella food market, has two rooms offering two completely different experiences. If you are wondering if you can do it in English, the answer is yes.
These escape rooms last 90 minutes, and the price varies depending on the number of people. You can check out more details on their website.
11. Sip and paint
Sip and Paint is very trendy now, and it’s a fun activity to do with friends on a rainy day in Marbella.
It consists of painting (you don’t need to be a professional!) and drinking tasty wines.
I attended a wine and craft event organised by Vinos y Licores Casa Pablo, which was great! My friend and I made clay dishes for the first time. During the lesson, we learned some interesting facts about wine, tasted wine and had delicious cold meats.
12. Join a yoga lesson
Keep active during your holiday to Marbella by attending a yoga lesson. It’s a great activity you can do indoors and feel rejuvenated after it.
One of the best places to practice yoga in Marbella is Ushna. They have amazing teachers who have been practising yoga for years, and you don’t need to sign up for a membership! You can get a day pass at Ushna for 25 euros.
If yoga isn’t your thing, you can also check out dancing lessons in Marbella.
13. Keep the kids entertained at Monkey Park
If you’re on a family holiday in Marbella looking for ways to keep your kids entertained when it’s raining, check out Monkey Park.
It has a restaurant serving burgers, sandwiches, and small bites and indoor play areas. It’s a great place to let the kids play freely while you can have a chat with your partner or friends.
The kids will love it, and you can relax for a few hours while the weather improves.
Frequently asked questions about rainy days in Marbella
What do I do in Marbella in the rain?
There are plenty of things to do on a rainy day, from having a spa experience and shopping to eating in one of the best restaurants in Marbella and visiting the museums.
Does it rain a lot in Marbella?
No, it only rains 45 days a year. You can experience more rain from October to April.
Conclusion on the best things to do in Marbella on a rainy day
Although Marbella is much better on a sunny day, like many places, there are still fun indoor activities in Marbella, from treating yourself at the shopping centre or spa to watching a flamenco show, visiting the museums and savouring traditional dishes.
It’s also worth checking out events in Marbella during your holiday. You can do that by checking out the event calendar on the Marbella tourism website.
Do you have any questions about Marbella or anywhere else in the Costa del Sol? Join my Facebook group! It’s the perfect place to ask questions and connect with me and other travellers.
Cristina x
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Top things to check before visiting Marbella and the 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.
- 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.
