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La Fonda Heritage Hotel, Relais & Châteaux, Marbella

Things to do guide

The best things to do in Marbella

Updated 1 October 2026 · 15 things to do

Pictured: La Fonda Heritage Hotel, Relais & Châteaux

Marbella is two towns that happen to share a postcode. One is the glossy, yacht-and-supercar coast of Puerto Banús and the Golden Mile. The other is a whitewashed old town of orange trees and tapas bars, tucked behind the promenade and a good deal more Spanish than its reputation suggests.

Add a mountain called La Concha looming over the lot, beaches with a chiringuito every hundred metres, and Ronda and Granada a day trip away, and you have a lot more to do than lie by a pool. Not that anyone will blame you for the pool.

Don't miss

  1. 1Plaza de los Naranjos
  2. 2Puerto Banús
  3. 3La Concha
  4. 4Ronda
  5. 5The Caminito del Rey

The old town and seafront

Start here. It is the best of Marbella.

  1. Plaza de los Naranjos

    Neighbourhood

    The Plaza de los Naranjos and the old town hall in Marbella
    Photo: Mark Gilbert, CC BY-SA 3.0

    The orange-tree square at the heart of the old town dates to the Renaissance, with the town hall, a small chapel and terraces shaded by the trees. Around it, lanes of whitewashed houses hung with geraniums fill with tapas bars, boutiques and restaurants.

    Tip: Come for a late lunch, then wander the lanes up to the remains of the Moorish castle walls.

  2. Avenida del Mar

    Landmark

    A broad pedestrian avenue that links the old town to the seafront, lined with bronze sculptures by Salvador Dalí. It makes an easy stroll to the beach, with cafés and street artists along the way.

  3. Parque de la Alameda

    Nature

    The shady Parque de la Alameda in Marbella
    Photo: Zarateman, CC0

    A shady park of palms, fountains and tiled benches in the middle of town. It's a good place to cool off between the old town and the main shopping streets.

Glamour

  1. Puerto Banús

    Neighbourhood

    Yachts moored in the marina at Puerto Banús
    Photo: kallerna, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Marbella's famous marina is a parade of superyachts, designer shops and the occasional very expensive car. Even if you aren't buying, it's great for people-watching over a coffee, and the harbour views are worth the walk along the quay.

  2. The Golden Mile

    Neighbourhood

    The stretch of coast between Marbella and Puerto Banús, where the glitzy hotels, private villas and beach clubs sit behind high gates. It's still easy to enjoy: a seafront path runs along the shore, past beaches and bars, from Marbella towards Puerto Banús.

  3. Puerto Banús after dark

    Nightlife

    Marbella's nightlife centres on the marina, with cocktail bars, beach clubs and late-night clubs that stay open into the small hours. It's lively and glamorous, and the dress code leans smart.

Beaches

  1. Playa de la Fontanilla

    Beach

    The sandy beach of Playa de la Fontanilla in Marbella
    Photo: Zarateman, CC0

    Marbella town's main beach is a wide stretch of sand backed by a long promenade, with restaurants and chiringuitos along its length. It's the easy choice if you're staying in the centre.

  2. Cabopino and the Artola dunes

    Beach

    The beach at Cabopino east of Marbella
    Photo: Konstantin, CC BY-SA 3.0

    East of Marbella, a small marina with a sandy beach sits next to a protected area of natural dunes and pines. It's quieter, more natural and ideal for a longer walk by the sea.

Mountains and day trips

  1. La Concha

    Nature

    La Concha mountain rising behind Marbella
    Photo: Zarateman, CC0

    The shell-shaped mountain behind Marbella is the town's symbol, rising above 1,200 metres in the Sierra Blanca. Walking trails lead up through pine forest to wide views of the coast.

    Tip: Start early and carry plenty of water. The summit is exposed.

  2. Benahavís

    Neighbourhood

    The mountain village of Benahavís
    Photo: Tyk, CC BY-SA 4.0

    A small mountain village inland from Marbella, set above a rocky river gorge and known as the place to go for a long lunch. It has a collection of restaurants and a gorge walking path. Many visitors stay in its luxury resorts.

  3. Ronda

    Day trip

    The Puente Nuevo bridge spanning the gorge at Ronda
    Photo: This Photo was taken by Wolfgang Moroder. Feel free to use my photos, but please, CC BY-SA 3.0

    A dramatic clifftop town split by a deep gorge and joined by the Puente Nuevo bridge, up in the mountains behind Marbella. The old town has beautiful lanes, one of Spain's oldest bullrings and long views over the plain.

    Tip: Go by road in the morning, and walk down to the viewpoint below the bridge for the classic view.

  4. The Caminito del Rey

    Nature

    The walkway of the Caminito del Rey clinging to the gorge wall
    Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0

    A walkway fixed to the wall of the El Chorro gorge, high above the Guadalhorce river. It's one of Andalucía's great walks, dizzy and spectacular, within a day trip of Marbella.

    Tip: Timed tickets sell out, so book ahead.

  5. The Alhambra

    Day trip

    The Charles V Palace within the Alhambra at dawn
    Photo: Jebulon, CC0

    Granada's palace-fortress is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Spain's most visited monuments, with carved plasterwork, tiled courtyards and the Generalife gardens. It's a long day trip from Marbella, so consider a guided tour.

Eat and drink

  1. Espetos at a chiringuito

    Food

    The coast's signature dish: fresh sardines on a cane, grilled over wood on the sand at a beach restaurant, or chiringuito. Order a plate of tomatoes and a cold beer, and eat with your fingers.

  2. Tapas in the old town

    Food

    The lanes around the Plaza de los Naranjos are full of tapas bars. Try croquetas, fried fish, jamón and Iberian pork, and move on after each plate. A glass of local wine or a caña of beer comes with it.

Where to stay in Marbella

Not sure which area suits you? Read our guide: Where to stay in Marbella →

Getting around

Marbella's old town and seafront are easy on foot, and buses link the town to Puerto Banús and the coast. Taxis are plentiful. For Ronda, Benahavís and the mountains, hire a car or join an organised tour. The airport at Málaga is about three-quarters of an hour away by road.

When to go

Spring and autumn are ideal: warm, sunny and good for walking. July and August are hot and busy. Winters are mild, with plenty of sunshine, and still pleasant for golf and mountain walks.

Questions about visiting Marbella

What is Marbella best known for?
Glamorous Puerto Banús and the Golden Mile, a pretty old town around the Plaza de los Naranjos, sandy beaches and golf.
Is Marbella worth visiting?
Yes. Beyond the glamour there is a charming old town, good beaches, mountain walks on La Concha and easy day trips to Ronda and Granada.
What is there to do in Marbella with kids?
Sandy beaches with calm water, the marina at Puerto Banús, the shady Alameda park, and family days out along the coast such as Aqualand in Torremolinos and Bioparc in Fuengirola.
Do you need a car in Marbella?
Not for the town and seafront, which are walkable and linked by bus and taxi. A car is useful for Ronda, mountain villages and the quieter beaches.

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