The Ultimate Marbella Packing List (+Outfit Ideas)
Are you coming to Marbella soon, and do you need inspiration for what to wear?
Whether you visit Marbella in summer or winter, I’ve got you covered. I’ve compiled a list of all the essentials you need to bring and outfit ideas. I know Marbella like the back of my hand as I am from the area and frequently visit.
It’s a very fashionable town, and the style is a bit more upscale than in other destinations on the Costa del Sol. No matter if locals go to the old town, a fancy restaurant or the beach, they dress nicely for every occasion.
This article is divided into two main sections: a detailed packing list and one with plenty of photos and outfit ideas for every season and place.
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Packing list
Spring and autumn
Spring and autumn are good times to visit Marbella. I personally love late spring and early autumn because the weather is warm, sunny, and there are fewer chances of rain. Some days feel like summer, and you can sunbathe and even get in the pool or swim in the sea.
My biggest hack is wearing layers! It’s chilly in the early morning and evening, whilst it’s usually warm in the afternoon.
- Jacket
- A couple of t-shirts for warmer days
- Blouses
- Jeans
- Dresses
- Trainers
- Underwear
- Sun cream
Summer
Marbella, as well as the rest of the Costa del Sol, have hot and dry summers. You’ll wake up to beautiful sunny days with temperatures rising as lunchtime approaches, and they start slightly declining towards sunrise.
Due to its location, Marbella is a bit cooler than other nearby towns, but temperatures can still reach above 35 degrees Celsius on the hottest days.
- T-shirts
- Shorts
- Dresses
- Skirts
- Sandals
- Bikini
- Flip flops
- Trainers for sightseeing and walking
- Underwear
- Sun cream
- Mosquito repellent (I usually use this one)
- After sun
- Hat or sombrero
In addition to these, you might also want to pack heels, especially if you go to a fancy restaurant or special event, jewellery, and other accessories.
Get my favourites ✨
- These trainers are the best for sightseeing. They’re comfortable and can be paired with many clothes.
- This sun cream is my go-to option to protect myself from the sun at any time of the year.
- I love this hat! It’s fashionable and covers my face from the sun.
Winter
Marbella usually enjoys mild temperatures and plenty of sunshine in winter. However, there are higher chances of rain from December to March.
The coldest month is January, with a maximum of 17 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 8 degrees Celsius.
There’s a significant temperature change between day and night, so it’s a good idea to pack a couple of warm jumpers or a jacket for the evenings.
- Jacket/coat
- Jumper
- Jeans
- Dress
- Light tights
- Boots
- Trainers
- Underwear
- Sun cream
Outfit ideas
Outfit ideas for summer in Marbella
I love summers in Marbella and dressing in summer clothes, which for me means lots of midi dresses that make me feel good and comfortable and look great in pictures! As much as I love dresses, I have come up with other outfit ideas for each top location.
The old town
Marbella Old Town is very picturesque. There are plenty of small alleys leading to pretty squares with churches and orange trees, white painted buildings and lovely doorways.
It’s my favourite area in Marbella and I can’t resist taking photos every time I’m there.
If you’re heading to the old town, you want to wear bright and colourful clothing that stands out from the whitewashed buildings.
Colours like turquoise, light blue, and pink, like bougainvillaea flowers, are always good options. That’s what I normally wear.
However, Bohemian midi and long dresses are quite popular in Marbella in the summer.
And if you want to do some shopping during your trip, the old town has fantastic boutiques like Tandem and Ginger Y Limon.
Regarding shoes, Espadrille sandals often go perfectly with this type of dress. Plus, they’re comfortable. My go-to shop for this type of shoe is 2 Espadrilles from Marbella.
Puerto Banus and Golden Mile
Puerto Banus is all about luxury. You can see it in its high-end shops, yachts and Ferraris. Therefore, I recommend leaving your smartest clothes for this area.
Think about one coloured outfits or neutrals. Opt for a long dress or blouse and trousers.
You can’t go wrong with these.
I’m not big on jewellery and accessories, but they’re a fantastic way to add an extra touch to your look.
Beach and beach clubs
Dressing for the beach doesn’t have to be complicated. Oversized t-shirts or beach dresses with sandals or flip-flops are the way to go. They’re easy to wear and to take off.
However, if going to a beach club is part of your plans, you’ll want to pick smarter beach dresses with a sombrero and a nice beach bag. I also recommend checking the beach club dressing code. Nikki Beach and Ocean Club, among others, have rules on how to dress.
Outfit ideas for spring in Marbella
Spring is my second favourite season in Marbella as we get more daylight and temperatures start to rise.
Many flowers blossom at this time of the year, and the town hall makes a bigger effort to keep the city at its best as events such as Semana Santa (Easter) take place and more travellers come to Marbella.
The old town
There’s no set rule for what to wear in the old town in spring. I especially like floral mid-length dresses (long or short sleeves, depending on the temperature) and those with patterns.
Some days you can even wear short dresses with a denim jacket, and you’ll be fine. I love denim clothes in spring.
Colour-wise, spring is a fantastic time to wear pastel colours or even regular bright colours such as turquoise.
Puerto Banus and Golden Mile
I prefer the smart trousers and blouse with jacket outfit for Puerto Banus and the Golden Mile. You can also wear accessories such as a silk kerchief; I love these to protect my neck on windy days, they also give me a bit of warmth without being uncomfortable.
Regarding colour, opt for neutral or neutral with patterns. Navy blue and white go perfectly!
Outfit ideas for autumn in Marbella
The truth is that autumn, especially the beginning, is quite mild, so you can still wear some of your summer clothes.
However, as we get more into autumn temperatures, towards the middle of October and beginning of November, you’ll want to dress more according to the season, especially if you want to dress like a local.
Whether you visit the old town, the Golden Mile, or Puerto Banus, you want mid- to long-sleeved clothes, although I wouldn’t advise these clothes to be made of wool or thick materials, as you’ll probably feel warm.
Colour palette for your autumn clothes, I’d think about the same colours I’d wear anywhere else: browns, beiges or subtle oranges resembling the autumn foliage, although we don’t experience these beautiful autumn colours in Marbella, you need to go to the nearby inland towns to see these.
Regarding shoes, this is a good time to start using short boots. However, if you love walking, always pack a good pair of trainers. I love Sketchers because they’re comfortable and they go with many outfits.
Outfit ideas for winter in Marbella
This is the most challenging season to advise you on what to wear. As a local, I feel cold many times, and if you’ve lived in Marbella for quite a few years, you know what I mean, but if you’re from a northern European country where winters are very cold, you’ll feel like it’s spring or summer.
I love wearing jeans, a jumper, and a smart jacket with mid-heeled boots. If I go to an event, I might swap the jeans for a long-sleeved dress with a light coat and short heels.
Other outfit ideas for Marbella
What do I wear for a wedding in Marbella?
First of all, think about the location. I would dress differently if the wedding were to take place on a beach or a finca. Also, keep in mind the season. The wedding season in Marbella is from May to September, so you’ll dress lighter, as it’s often warm in these months. I prefer one-colour or floral midi dresses, but the options are endless. The big no-no is to wear beige or white unless the bride tells you otherwise.
What do I wear to a club in Marbella?
There aren’t rules on what to wear for a nightclub, as long as you wear smart clothes and shoes. However, if you’re a man, they can be more picky with clothes. Avoid trainers and I’d go for safe options such as trousers instead of short jeans.
What do I wear for hiking in Marbella?
The same you’d wear to any other hiking spot! Don’t forget sunscreen, as the sun is quite intense, especially in summer.
Conclusion on what to wear in Marbella
This packing list can be easily replicated for other Costa del Sol destinations, but the fashion scene is much more relaxed.
If you have any questions about travelling to Marbella or nearby locations, you can reach me on my Facebook group or leave a comment below.
Enjoy your holidays!
Cristina xx
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