Marbella: what to see and tips for planning your visit
Marbella lies west of Malaga, between Sierra Blanca and the Mediterranean. The old town, Alameda Park and seafront promenade form a walking route that takes you from the streets and squares of the centre to the beach. Beyond the centre, you will find marinas, Roman sites, golf courses and natural areas such as the Artola dunes.
When planning your stay, check where your accommodation is located: Puerto Banús and San Pedro de Alcántara lie west of the centre, while Las Chapas and Cabopino are to the east. Staying near the old town makes it easy to combine walks, restaurants and beach visits on foot. In other areas, check the distances and transport options before booking.
What to see in Marbella
The main sights in the centre are concentrated in the old town and along the seafront. Ralli Museum, the Roman sites and the Artola dunes lie in other parts of the municipality. The sections below explain which places you can combine in one outing.
Old town, Alameda Park and Avenida del Mar
Marbella's old town retains narrow streets, small squares and sections of the former town walls. Explore it on foot, allowing time to wander along the side streets and stop at the shops and café terraces.
- Plaza de los Naranjos: one of the main squares in the old town, where you will find the town hall. (Map)
- Iglesia Mayor de la Encarnación: one of the most prominent churches in the historic centre. (Map)
- Castle and town walls: remains of the Moorish fortifications that survive among the streets of the old town. (Castle map and town wall map)
- Museo del Grabado Español Contemporáneo: a museum dedicated to contemporary Spanish printmaking, housed in the former Hospital Bazán. (Map)
- Alameda Park: a garden where you can take a break before continuing towards the sea. (Map)
- Avenida del Mar: a pedestrian walkway with sculptures, linking Alameda Park to the seafront promenade. (Map)
Marbella Marina and seafront promenade
Puerto Deportivo de Marbella sits beside the seafront promenade, close to the centre. There are bars, restaurants and water sports activities around the marina. You can stop here after exploring the old town and continue along the beaches, or settle down for a meal overlooking the sea.
Ralli Museum and Roman sites
West of the centre, there are more cultural sights in the Golden Mile, Río Verde and Guadalmina areas:
- Ralli Museum: displays contemporary Latin American and European art, with a particular emphasis on surrealism. The museum is in the Milla de Oro, or Golden Mile, area, and admission is free. (Map)
- Río Verde Roman Villa: a second-century AD site known for its mosaics, near the mouth of the Río Verde.
- Las Bóvedas Roman Baths: remains of a Roman bath complex in Guadalmina, near San Pedro de Alcántara. (Map)
Ralli Museum and Río Verde Roman Villa are close together and can be visited in one outing if their opening hours coincide. Las Bóvedas lies further west, in Guadalmina. Before travelling, check opening hours on the Ralli Museum website and visiting arrangements for the archaeological sites with Turismo de Marbella.
Artola dunes and Cabopino
The Artola dunes, also known as the Cabopino dunes, lie at the eastern end of the municipality. The landscape here is different from the beaches in the centre. Protected as a Natural Monument since 2003, the area preserves dunes and coastal vegetation beside the beach and Cabopino Marina.
Here you will find Torre Ladrones, a historic watchtower protected as a Site of Cultural Interest. Stay on the designated paths to protect the dunes and their vegetation. You can round off your visit with a walk around the marina.
A suggested route for one day in Marbella
Start at Plaza de los Naranjos and explore the streets of the old town, passing the Church of the Incarnation and the castle remains. Then walk down to Alameda Park and along Avenida del Mar to the seafront promenade. The marina and central beaches are close by, so you can continue your walk or stop for lunch.
In the afternoon, stay by the sea or head to Puerto Banús. If you would rather spend time in nature, visit Artola and Cabopino instead. Choose one of these outings so you have time to enjoy it without travelling back and forth between the eastern and western parts of the municipality in a single day.
Things to do in Marbella
As well as exploring the centre and spending time on the beach, you can play sports, try different restaurants or enjoy Marbella's nightlife.
- Golf: several courses are clustered around Nueva Andalucía, with more elsewhere in Marbella and the surrounding area.
- Water sports: activities include paddleboarding, sailing and boat trips. Availability depends on the season and sea conditions.
- Hiking: Sierra Blanca has mountain trails overlooking the coast. Some involve steep climbs, so choose a route suited to your experience and avoid the hottest hours of the day.
- Shopping: the small shops in the old town and the boutiques in Puerto Banús offer two different settings for browsing.
- Food and drink: try the tapas bars in the centre, traditional beach restaurants known as chiringuitos along the coast, and restaurants serving international dishes.
- Nightlife: our guide to Marbella nightlife introduces the different areas and helps you choose where to go.
The Marbella Fair, held in honour of San Bernabé, is one of the main local celebrations. You will find more suggestions in our selection of activities and things to do in Marbella.
Puerto Banús
Puerto Banús is a marina west of central Marbella, next to Nueva Andalucía. It is known for its yachts, international designer shops and restaurants. You can stroll along the quays, browse the nearby shops or visit the beaches close to the marina.
For help planning your visit, see our guide to Puerto Banús.
Marbella beaches
Marbella has 24 beaches along 27.9 kilometres of coastline. These areas provide a useful starting point for a first visit:
- Central Marbella: Venus and La Fontanilla let you combine beach time with the promenade, restaurants and a visit to the old town.
- Golden Mile and Puerto Banús: these areas include Nagüeles beach and the beaches near the marina.
- San Pedro de Alcántara: in the west of the municipality, with a beach and seafront promenade.
- Cabopino and Artola: beside Cabopino Marina and the protected dunes.
Our guide to Marbella beaches has more information to help you choose where to spend the day and find out about the facilities in each area.
A brief history of Marbella
The Roman remains at Río Verde and Las Bóvedas show that Marbella's history stretches back well before the arrival of tourism. In the old town, the castle and town walls recall the fortified settlement of the Moorish period. Marbella surrendered to Ferdinand the Catholic on 11 June 1485.
During the nineteenth century, the La Concepción and El Ángel ironworks gave Marbella an important role in the early development of Spain's iron industry. Another transformation began in the mid-twentieth century: tourism changed the local economy, and hotels, residential areas and services spread along the coast.
Getting to Marbella from Malaga Airport
From Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport, you can reach Marbella by car, taxi, private transfer or direct bus. The journey is by road, as Marbella has no railway station. Travel time depends on traffic and the location of your accommodation: reaching the centre is a different journey from continuing to Puerto Banús or San Pedro de Alcántara.
A hire car for exploring the area
If you want to visit different beaches, play golf or take day trips to Estepona or Ronda, a car lets you choose your departure times and stops. Before booking accommodation, check whether parking is available and whether there is an extra charge.
Car hire at Malaga Airport
A transfer from the airport to your accommodation
A private transfer takes you and your luggage from the airport to your accommodation without having to drive. This can be useful if you arrive late or are staying some distance from the bus station. You can book before travelling by providing your destination. Alternatively, you can take a taxi when you arrive at the airport.
View and book a transferDirect bus from the airport
Avanza runs a service between the airport and Marbella bus station, departing from the arrivals area at Terminal 3. The operator gives an approximate journey time of 45 minutes for the direct service. Check the departure time and journey duration for your chosen bus, and leave enough time between landing and boarding.
If you get off at Marbella bus station, check how to complete the journey to your accommodation. Avanza also offers direct services from the airport to San Pedro de Alcántara. If you are staying there, compare that option before choosing your destination stop. See our page about buses from Malaga Airport for more information, and check available departures on the Avanza website.
Getting around Marbella
The old town, Alameda Park and central seafront promenade can be explored on foot. Local buses and taxis are available for journeys to other areas. Check the stops and timetables according to where you are staying.
If you have a car, group nearby sights together: you could make one trip to Artola and Cabopino, and another to places of interest towards Puerto Banús and San Pedro de Alcántara. This avoids travelling back and forth across the municipality several times in one day. For the historic centre, find a car park before setting off on your walk.
Tourist information in Marbella
The municipal tourist offices can help with maps, sightseeing and activities during your stay. There are information points at El Faro, Plaza de los Naranjos, Puerto Banús and San Pedro de Alcántara.
El Faro Tourist Office
Avenida Antonio Belón, 21
29602 Marbella, Malaga
Telephone: +34 952 76 87 60
Official website: Turismo de Marbella
Check the opening hours of El Faro Tourist Office before visiting. For other enquiries and municipal information, see the Marbella Town Council website.
Frequently asked questions about Marbella
What can you see in Marbella in one day?
The old town, Alameda Park, Avenida del Mar and seafront promenade can all be explored on one walk. If you also want to visit Puerto Banús or Cabopino, allow part of the day for the journey and your visit.
When is the best time to visit Marbella?
Spring and early autumn usually offer milder temperatures for walking and sightseeing. Summer is the main beach season, although it is hotter and busier. Before going hiking in the mountains, always check the weather forecast and trail conditions.
Are Marbella and Puerto Banús the same place?
Puerto Banús is part of the municipality of Marbella, but it is not in the town centre. The marina lies further west, next to Nueva Andalucía.
Do you need a car to visit Marbella?
You do not need a car to explore the old town and central seafront promenade. If you are staying further away or visiting other areas, compare bus connections, taxi journeys and parking options before deciding how to get around.
Is Marbella an expensive destination?
Your budget depends on your travel dates, the area and the accommodation and restaurants you choose. There are options in different price ranges, as well as things to do without paying an admission fee, such as strolling through the old town, going to the beach or visiting Ralli Museum. Compare the options for your travel dates.
