Marbella is one of the most popular places to visit along the Costa del Sol. It has a reputation for being the playground of the wealthy and as a nightlife hotspot in Spain, but Marbella has a lot to offer visitors of all interests. There are more than enough things to do in Marbella and the surrounding area to keep you busy for at least two days. If you’re planning on basing yourself in nearby Malaga or Fuengirola, Marbella is also a fantastic option for a day trip.
Due to Marbella’s fairly modern attractions, many visitors neglect to learn more about this beautiful coastal city near Malaga. It has a rich history that could date back as far as the Romans, but it wasn’t until the 15th century that it became the area’s capital. Marbella later turned into a mining town before the population had to revert back to fishing and farming for their livelihoods.
The Marbella that people have come to know today started to grow out of the ashes of WWII and it wasn’t long before it was attracting Hollywood A-listers and royalty. There’s certainly no shortage of history when it comes to Marbella and it’s a city that continues to evolve. If you’re planning a trip to the Costa del Sol, here are some of the best things to do in Marbella during the summer months.
Things to do in Marbella
Explore Marbella’s old town
If there’s one place you shouldn’t miss while visiting Marbella it’s the old town. Marbella’s old town is a vibrant part of the city and it’s a far cry from the busy beaches and ports. As you walk around the old town you’ll come across numerous historical points of interest such as the remains of a 10th century castle and a 17th century church, Iglesia Mayor De La Encarnacion.
In the summer months the old town can be very busy with tourists, but you’ll find plenty of unique places to eat here as well as some great bars. Marbella’s old town is one of the best day trips from Malaga if you’re not planning on staying in Marbella itself.
Relax on the beaches in Marbella
There are a lot of beaches in Marbella but some of the best ones will require a vehicle to get to. If you’re basing yourself out of the old town, you’ll find a couple of beaches within easy walking distance of your accommodation. However, if you go further afield you’ll have endless amounts of sandy beaches to choose from, many of which have luxury beach clubs attached to them.
Two beaches that I would recommend are La Bajadilla and Cabopino. Visiting the beaches in this area is one of the top things to do in Marbella in the summer.
Walk around Puerto Banus
One of the most visited places in Marbella is Puerto Banus. This modern marina was built in the 1970s on what was once a small fishing village. Today the marina is known for its luxury shopping outlets, high-end restaurants, and luxurious apartments and villas that are often owned or rented by the rich and famous. Puerto Banus is located just a short drive from Marbella’s old town and visiting it is easily one of the best things to do in Marbella throughout the year.
Dunas de Artola o Cabopino
If you’re planning a trip to Cabopino or another nearby beach, make sure you stop and admire the Dunas de Artola o Cabopino. Along with the dunes found in Estepona, they represent the last remaining dune system on the coast of Malaga. The further east you go, towards Cadiz, you’ll find even more beautiful dune systems, especially around Bolonia.
At Cabopino you can also admire the Tower of Thieves (Torre Ladrones). It’s the largest watchtower along this stretch of coastline and it has a history dating back to the Moors in the 15th century. Today it’s been fully restored but no entry is permitted.
Visit the promenade at sunset
One of the best things to do in Marbella is to walk along its promenade. In the summer months you’ll be treated to longer days and gorgeous sunsets but it’s a great activity to do at any time of the year. In recent decades, Marbella’s promenade has been extensively expanded and now visitors can enjoy various shops and restaurants as they stroll next to the picturesque beaches in Marbella.
If you’re a fan of cycling, the promenade stretches for approximately 17 kilometres and passes through Puerto Banus. Taking a cycling tour is considered by many to be one of the best things to do in Marbella.
Spend a day at one of Marbella’s beach clubs
Many people who come to Marbella also enjoy its wide array of beach clubs. Depending on what you’re looking for and your budget, there are almost endless amounts of beach clubs in Marbella to choose from. Nikki Beach Marbella is perhaps the most well-known, but if you want a more unique experience you can’t go wrong with La Cabane or Aüa Playa.
I would strongly recommend looking at the Google reviews of whatever beach clubs in Marbella you’re interested in. Ones that have been popular in the past may have a bad reputation now, so it’s always worth double checking before you pay a large sum just for a table.
Go on a day trip to nearby Estepona
And finally, if you’re looking for a change from the Marbella scene, you can always take a short drive or bus ride to visit Estepona. This historic fishing village is one of the most visited spots along the Costa del Sol, and it has a great mixture of sandy beaches, quaint shops, and locally run eateries.
It’s a great idea to explore Estepona’s old town for a while, which is similar to Marbella’s, before heading to one of the beaches for a relaxing afternoon in the sun. There aren’t too many things to do in Estepona which is why it’s a good option for a day trip from Marbella if you have some spare time on your hands.
Places to eat in Marbella
Tragabuches Marbella Dani Garcia
There are a lot of restaurants in Marbella to choose from, but one of the best for fine dining and the use of local products is Tragabuches Marbella Dani Garcia. This restaurant has a strong focus on traditional Andalusian cuisine with a modern twist, and all of the food is presented in a beautiful way. They’re open throughout the day too, so you have full control over what sort of meal you want to have (including breakfast).
Although they offer a regular menu, we chose the Honest Experience which is catered for two people. Included in the price are four starters to share, one main dish each, a dessert to share, a bottle of wine, and a water of your choice. This menu changes on a regular basis based on the produce that’s in season. For our dining experience we had a good mixture of fresh vegetables and seafood, and it was just the right amount of food so as not to be overwhelming.
Tragabuches Marbella is the perfect restaurant along the Costa del Sol if you want to treat yourself to a fine dining experience at an affordable cost. You can always pop in for a glass of wine at the bar and soak up the atmosphere if you’re unable to book a table. It’s a very popular restaurant so I’d definitely recommend booking in advance if you want a dining experience that’s considered to be one of the best things to do in Marbella.
Organic Cold Pressed Juicery
If you’re on the hunt for healthy and 100% organic food and drinks in Marbella then you’ll want to head over to Organic Cold Pressed Juicery. They’re located just a short walk from Puerto Banus and there are plenty of parking spaces nearby if you’re driving. After spending a few hours at the beach, visiting Organic Cold Pressed Juicery is a great way to refresh yourself.
Everything on their menu, from the acai bowls, to the pure juices, coffees, and protein shakes, are completely 100% organic so you know you’re getting only the best quality ingredients. They have a great selection of acai bowls that are very popular with customers, topped with seasonal fruit and other health-boosting toppings. I’d recommend getting one of those as well as trying out their pure juices which are unbelievable and very refreshing. We took a couple back to the beach with us because we enjoyed them so much!
Gourmet Burger Room
One of the best things to do in Marbella is to eat, which is why you have to stop by Gourmet Burger Room if you like burgers. They offer a fantastic selection of homemade gourmet burgers, including chicken and vegetarian options. All of their burgers are customizable with different types of buns too. I would recommend trying the Louisiana chicken burger if you don’t want a beef burger because the flavours are incredible.
The menu at Gourmet Burger Room also has some tasty starters such as BBQ Wings and Scamorza Sticks, which are perfect for sharing, and a nice variety of sauces. It’s one restaurant in Marbella that you won’t want to miss out on.
La Casa del Te
If you’re walking around Marbella’s old town and feel like a quick drink or a snack, make sure you pop into La Casa del Te. This Moroccan-inspired tea shop has a wide selection of fresh teas on the menu that can be served hot or with ice depending on what time of the year you visit. There are also several delicious Moroccan desserts that you can sample which pair well with some of the tea choices. If you have some free time, you can do a bit of shopping in their boutique clothing shop too.
The Farm Restaurant
There are a lot of restaurants in old town Marbella but many are tourist oriented and offer poor quality food. That’s not the case with The Farm Restaurant. This restaurant specializes in organic food, and all of their dishes are made using the best quality ingredients available.
If you can’t decide what to eat from their incredible menu, they have a set menu available where you’ll get several courses featuring their most popular dishes, with the option of adding a wine pairing to your meal. Dining at The Farm Restaurant is one of the best things to do in Marbella if you enjoy good food.
Taberna Casa Blanca
If you’ve ever been to Malaga Centro, you may have come across Casa Lola which is a popular tapas restaurant. Taberna Casa Blanca is from the same group, and offers a similar menu but they’re based just outside of Marbella’s old town. It’s one of the best places for tapas in Marbella, and the price is very reasonable considering the quality of food you receive.
Oakberry
Oakberry has a few locations dotted around Spain. If you’re along the Costa del Sol you can enjoy your açai fix in either Malaga or Marbella. Their Marbella location is just a short walk from Playa de Venus and less than 15 minutes from the old town. If you’re looking for healthy food in Marbella while you’re on the go, you can never go wrong with building your own açai bowl.
Where to stay in Marbella
Aqua Apartments Bellamar
Deciding where to base yourself from in Marbella can be tricky. If you want to be within walking distance of some of Marbella’s beaches as well as the old town, then I would recommend booking an apartment at Aqua Apartments Bellamar. All of their apartments offer a sea view, and you’re just across the road from Playa de la Bajadilla.
They have a few apartment options that cater to different groups of people. We stayed in one of their beautiful deluxe apartments which can sleep up to six people. These apartments are located on the third and fourth floors and have two bedrooms.
The first bedroom has a spacious double bed with an en-suite bathroom. There’s plenty of space to hang your clothes, and you’ll have direct access to the terrace. The other bedroom features two twin beds and the second bathroom is located next to it.
One of my favourite features of the deluxe apartment is the beautiful modern kitchen. The kitchen comes fully equipped and all of the appliances are practically brand new. You can also take advantage of the washing machine while you’re staying here because the clothes dry very quickly outside.
Although we ate out in Marbella a few times, it was great to have a kitchen to use for breakfast as well as in the evening when we were too tired to head out again. You can enjoy your food at the dining table or outside on the terrace with a stunning sea view.
The kitchen and living room is open plan, so the apartment feels very spacious. The living room features a comfortable couch that faces a good size TV on the wall. The living room is also where you’ll find some helpful information about the facilities at Aqua Apartments Bellamar. It’s a nice spot to relax while you work out your list of things to do in Marbella.
Since all of the apartments here have a sea view, there’s no reason not to take advantage of the large terrace. As well as a dining table, the terrace features a regular seating area and a clothes drying rack.
And if you’d rather relax by the pool instead of the beach, this apartment complex has an outdoor pool for all of its guests to enjoy, with plenty of sun loungers available. Guests also have the option of bike rentals and having their own secure underground parking space for an additional fee. Aqua Apartments Bellamar really does have everything and is the perfect place to stay in Marbella.
>> See what apartments are available now at Aqua Apartments Bellamar <<
Is Marbella worth visiting?
If you’re travelling to the Costa del Sol and are wondering if Marbella is worth visiting, the answer is a big yes! This beautiful coastal city in Andalusia has a lot to offer visitors throughout the year. In the summer though, Marbella is a bustling coastal hub with countless beaches, restaurants, beach clubs, and a beautiful old town to explore. Make sure Marbella is on your list of places to visit in Malaga the next time you plan a trip to southern Spain because you won’t be left feeling disappointed.
Do you have any questions about things to do in Marbella? Or do you know of any other things that should be added to this list? Please feel free to reach out through the contact form, via email, or through Instagram and I’ll respond as quickly as I can. Don’t forget to follow along with my travels on social media as well!
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