Guide to Marbella, Marbella Travel Guide
Attracting the famous and wealthy, cosmopolitan Marbella is considered as the most glamorous city in Spain and is the most visited city time and time again. On the other hand, this happens to be a fantastic resort that attracts couples, groups, and families looking for beach vacations mixed with a vibrant city. Located on southern Spain’s Costa del Sol, Marbella is part of the Andalusia region in the province of Malaga. The scenic backdrop is The Sierra Blanca Mountains overlooking the 26 km of sandy Mediterranean beaches and golf courses. To the west of Marbella is the area referred to as the & quot; Golden Mile," where you will find exclusive bars, restaurants, and nightclubs. They lead to the lovely resort of Puerto Banus with its elite marina, home to luxury yachts and designer shopping plus upmarket eateries.
What is Marbella, Malaga, Spain, like?
The city has 16 miles of glorious coastline, a bustling resort steeped in history, 24 picturesque beaches, best nightlife, shopping, and dining opportunities in Spain’s entire mainland. Travellers can immensely enjoy dining out in the top class Michelin restaurants, shopping at numerous international designer outlets, relaxing at amazing tapas bars, soaking up the sun at picture-perfect sandy beaches, or exploring the historic part of the city.
The charming historic quarter is abundant with whitewashed buildings, and fragrant coloured blooms and orange trees fill the village squares. July and August happen to be Marbella’s busiest times, with the spring season, autumn, and winter is much quieter. Marbella is extremely popular with water sports enthusiasts and golfers.
This particular Spanish coastline is called the Costa del Golf with Marbella having numerous world-class designer golf courses, some designed by Seve Ballesteros and Robert Trent Jones. Puerto Banus is one of the more exclusive resorts in the area, and this where the elite folk head to; you will no doubt bump into the odd celebrity or film star here as they flock to this chic resort. The marina or in Spanish la marine is in the beautiful location of Nueva Andalucía in southwest Marbella. Most known for luxury shopping and its electric nightlife, this is the place to sit down, enjoy a cold drink, and people watch; you won’t be disappointed. By day Puerto Banus is a relaxed resort, but as soon as the sun sets, it comes alive in the most spectacular way, then it's time to dress to kill and mingle with the crowd. All the prominent designer and brand name stores are found here, so whether you are searching for the ultimate designer dress attire, you can find it here but expect to give your credit card a battering.
What resorts are near Marbella, Malaga, Spain?
Malaga’s beautiful city is a 59.8 km drive away from Marbella, which means you can easily explore this exciting city in a day. The exceptional town of Estepona is a mere 33.4 km from Marbella. Chic Sotogrande is 58.5 km away, and here you can experience sailing on the most beautiful yachts, amongst other activities, and famous Gibraltar is a 77.2 km drive away. You can visit the traditional old Spanish town of Los Montesinos, which is 508.5 km away, but you will need to spend a few days there to explore it fully. The ever famous Balearic Islands of Menorca, Ibiza, and Majorca are where you can island hop, or you can take a drive and visit the Costa Blanca coastline too.
What are the beaches in Marbella, Malaga, Spain like?
The amazing Marbella beaches are the prime attraction of this resort. From beaches offering lively beach parties to beaches offering plenty of water sports and from family-friendly beaches to pretty private beaches, Marbella has it all. With more than 16 miles of coastline, it is impossible to visit every beach located in Marbella. With warm, clear Mediterranean waters, spotless sandy beaches, a vibrant atmosphere, and excellent weather, it is no wonder that Marbella beaches are busy during the summer months. There is a wide range of water sports on offer, including pedalos, wake-boarding, parasailing, jet-skiing, water-skiing, windsurfing, and scuba diving.
Where are the best beaches in Marbella, Malaga, Spain?
Nikki Beach
This is the best beach if you are looking for lively parties. This famous beach attracts the “in-crowd” who comes to spend their days as well as nights lounging on the sunbeds while sipping cocktails and listening to the world’s renowned DJs. Thousands of travelers flock to this fantastic beach during the summer to be entertained at the famed Full Moon Parties.
Funny Beach
Funny Beach is on the outskirts of Marbella, and it's super for families. It is an amusement park that sits on the beach with a range of exciting amenities such as go-karts, parasailing, and water scooters, and there are a bar and restaurant where parents can take a well-earned break and watch the children have fun. Funny Beach is also the leading water sports centre in Marbella.
Puerto Cabopino Beach
This beach is the best option for families traveling around with young children. This large sandy beach has shallow waters, which makes it perfect for small children. Parents can relax knowing that their little ones are safe, and there are lifeguards present at Puerto Cabopino. There is a small marina as well, which is home to a water sports club where you can hire a private boat to have a relaxing trip out to sea, take a dolphin-spotting cruise, or you can scuba dive. The marina has many bars and restaurants where you can enjoy a relaxing break from the beach and indulge in a spot of lunch.
What is there to do in Marbella, Malaga, Spain?
Away from the beaches, tourists can enjoy a round or even two of golf, go horse riding along the fantastic countryside or the coast, or try their hand at different activities such as 10-pin bowling, mini-golf, tennis, or go-karting. You can have a flutter at the races or enjoy a family day out at the Selwo Safari Park, which the children will adore. The charming tiny streets surrounding Orange Square have a maze of exciting shops filled with trinkets and souvenirs, and there are some fabulous restaurants and bars frequented by young couples. Aqua Parks in nearby Fuengirola and Torremolinos and don’t forget to visit the crocodile park and zoo.
La Alameda Park
is brimming with exotic plants and trees and leads to an open exhibition of Dali sculptures and temporary art you can enjoy. After a visit to the park, you can stroll to the promenade, a hot spot for locals and tourists. International restaurants overlook the dazzling blue Mediterranean Sea. Malaga, Tivoli World is a must on your to-do list with tropical gardens, fountains, plazas, theatres, and restaurants.
There are over 300 rides and attractions with Spanish Flamenco and music shows; if you want to experience the Wild West, there is an area to try the cowboy experience on a bucking bronco. This is an excellent day out the whole family can enjoy from young to old. The Cathedral of Marbella is located 2-minute walk south-east of Plaza de Los Naranjos.
The Church of Our Lady in Marbella’s Old Town is a stunningly beautiful white building, dating back to the 17th century. It is adorned with paintings and sculptures, also referred to as the Marbella Cathedral, and the frame of the Rococo sculpted front door is a must-see. The pretty square on which the church sits offers a comfortable sitting area in the shade, and you can take refreshments here. Malaga, Picasso Museum is an avid art fan day out in Malaga, which is the city of Pablo Picasso’s birth. It opened in 2003 and has over 285 of his work on display and is an art lovers dream. The Rock of Gibraltar is located on the headland of Spain and is a mere 1-hour drive away. It’s also known as the Jabel-al-Tariq, it’s a monolithic limestone promontory near the southwestern tip of Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Gibraltar is a British air and naval base that watches over the Strait of Gibraltar, which happens to be the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea from the Atlantic Ocean.
Paseo Maritimo is a coastal walkway between Puerto Deportivo de Marbella and Puerto Banus that spans for almost 7 km and is one of Marbella’s most upbeat areas, also known as the Marbella Promenade. It’s a delightful walkway, filled with shops, tapas bars, and eateries to suit all budgets. It offers shade, too, in most areas, by willowy palm trees. One of Marbella’s busiest places, it features street musicians and other performers during the summer months to keep tourists entertained. It takes nearly two hours to walk the entire Paseo Maritimo, so make sure you wear comfortable shoes. Along the walk, you’ll come across famous landmarks like Marbella Lighthouse, Gibraltar, and the African coast way off in the distance.
Festivals and Fairs, start in June which is the beginning of the festival and party season in Marbella, highlights the beginning of summer with Flamenco displays and beach parties. The summer solstic’s celebration is on the beaches, and bonfires are lit to encourage party-goers to stay overnight. August is when the Starlite Festival begins, with artists and musicians congregating in Marbella from across the world to partake in concerts and donate the proceeds to charities. Throughout the summer, there are many open-air festivals and concerts in this delightful location.
Related Area Guides in Spain
- Javea, Spain
- Alicante, Spain
- Villamartin, Spain
- Marbella, Spain
- Ibiza, Spain
- Altea, Spain
- Valencia, Spain
- Elche, Spain
- Mil Palmeras, Spain
- Guardamar, Spain
- Mijas, Spain
- Cumbre del Sol, Spain
- Finestrat, Spain
- La Manga del Mar Menor, Spain
- Costa Blanca, Spain
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- Costa Del Sol, Spain
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- Majorca, Spain
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- Malaga, Spain
What is the nightlife like in Marbella, Malaga, Spain?
If you want you can have plenty of lively days and evenings at the beach, or you can visit one of the more relaxed beaches and take in the picturesque views of peace. The Golden Mile is where everyone heads to the exclusive and chic bars, eateries, and nightclubs. The exclusive resort of Puerto Banus is the hub for meeting. It’s pretty marina with its luxury yachts and beautiful people. This is a lively location, but there are some quiet restaurants there too, the choice is yours. You can have a buzzing time in Marbella or a romantic filled holiday. It goes without saying it appeals to families too who prefer the finer things that life has to offer.
Golf in Marbella, Malaga, Spain
This area is filled with fantastic golf courses and is a lure for keen golfers to visit and invest in property. The golf courses are world-class and afford spectacular coastal views. The golf clubs offer superb amenities to golfers, and those who prefer to pamper themselves at the onsite spa can relax in beautiful surroundings. You can also dine at the clubhouse restaurants or enjoy a drink on the terrace. Often the clubhouses hold dinner and dance parties during the evening.
How do you get to Marbella, Malaga, Spain?
Direct flights make a comfortable journey to Malaga Airport from the UK, which is only a 2 hour and 50-minute flight. Malaga Airport is the closest airport to Marbella. From the airport, it is only a 40 minute (54.2 km) transfer. You also can fly into Gibraltar Airport, which is just 1 hour (76.5 km) drive to Marbella. This destination is ideal for holidays and long weekend breaks, and in this exclusive resort, you can live life to its fullest in the lap of absolute luxury.
What is the climate in Marbella, Malaga, Spain like?
Marbella’s climate is a mild microclimate, which is aided by the backdrop of the Sierra Blanca Mountain range. The winters are mild and see temperatures not dipping below 15°C in January and hitting at least 29°C in July and August. June, July, and August have 11 hours per day of glorious sunshine.
Why should you visit Marbella, Malaga, Spain?
If you want this exclusive lifestyle, you can visit Marbella for a holiday, or if you can, why not invest in a stunning luxury property and make it your idyllic holiday home. This investment will enrich your lifestyle forever once you become part of the Marbella crowd. Marbella will give you the time of your life and you deserve it!
