Must SeeFree
Marbella Old Town
Casco Antiguo
A maze of whitewashed lanes, flower pots and small squares around the Plaza de los Naranjos, lined with orange trees.
- Suggested time: 2 hrs
- No booking needed
- Suits: Couples
Streets open all day
Marbella
Glamorous Costa del Sol: a pretty old town, beach clubs and the golf coast.
Overview
Why go to Marbella
Marbella pairs a whitewashed old town of flower-filled squares with a long seafront, upmarket Puerto Banús and mountains behind. It is a sunny base for beaches, golf, tapas and day trips to Ronda and the white villages.
- Where
- Andalusia, Spain
- Recommended stay
- 4–7 nights
- Best time to go
- April–June and September–October; summers are hot and winters are mild and sunny.
- Approx. daily budget
- £75–160 a dayPer person, excluding flights. Indicative.
What does Marbella cost?
Full cost guide- Budget traveller£70–100a day
- Mid-range traveller£145–210a day
- Luxury traveller£290+a day
Approximate per person per day, including a share of a twin room, and excluding flights. Not live prices.
Things To Do
See all 12 Top picks in Marbella
Must SeeFree
Ronda
Ronda
A dramatic town perched above a 120-metre gorge, with a famous 18th-century bridge, old bullring and Moorish baths.
- Suggested time: Full day
- Booking recommended
- Suits: Photographers
Streets open all day; sights vary
NightlifeFree
Puerto Banús
Puerto Banús
A glitzy marina lined with superyachts, designer boutiques and busy bars, best for people-watching.
- Suggested time: 2h 30m
- No booking needed
- Suits: Nightlife fans
Open all day; busiest at night
BeachesFree
Paseo Marítimo and Beaches
Marbella
A long seafront promenade backed by beach clubs and cafés, with calm Mediterranean beaches.
- Suggested time: 3 hrs
- No booking needed
- Suits: Couples · Beach lovers
Open-air
Hidden Gems
See all 5 Beyond the checklist
Hidden GemsFree
Avenida del Mar Sculptures
Marbella
A pedestrian avenue lined with bronze sculptures by Salvador Dalí and others, joining the old town to the beach.
- Suggested time: 45 min
- No booking needed
- Suits: Everyone
Open all day
Hidden Gems~£3
Museo del Grabado Español Contemporáneo
Casco Antiguo
A small museum of modern Spanish prints in a Renaissance hospital building, including works by Picasso, Miró and Dalí.
- Suggested time: 1 hr
- No booking needed
- Suits: Culture lovers
Closed Sundays; hours vary
Hidden GemsFree
Mijas Pueblo
Mijas
A whitewashed hill village with sea views, donkey taxis and craft shops, a short drive from the coast.
- Suggested time: 2h 30m
- No booking needed
- Suits: Everyone
Open all day
Hidden GemsFree
Casares
Casares
A whitewashed village clinging to a crag below a ruined castle, with huge views to the sea and Gibraltar.
- Suggested time: 2h 30m
- No booking needed
- Suits: Everyone
Open all day
Hotels
All 3 hotels Best-value hotels in Marbella
Well reviewed and fairly priced for what you get: not simply the cheapest.
Best ValueBest Luxury Value
Example listingBanús Marina Suites
Puerto Banús, Marbella
Excellent valueValue score 83 out of 100
Rated 8.9/10, priced in line with similar 5★ hotels in Marbella, with a pool.
From £220 per night · check current availability
Best Mid-Range HotelBest for Couples
Example listingCasa Naranjos Boutique
Old Town, Marbella
Excellent valueValue score 81 out of 100
Rated 9.0/10, priced in line with similar 4★ hotels in Marbella, in a central location.
From £140 per night · check current availability
Example listing
Costa Dorada Beach Hotel
Marbella, Marbella
Very good valueValue score 76 out of 100
Rated 8.5/10, priced in line with similar 4★ hotels in Marbella, right by the beach.
From £130 per night · check current availability
Food & Restaurants
See all 2 Where to eat
Casa Eladio
A long-standing, family-run old-town restaurant serving traditional Andalusian dishes and fresh fish.
Known for: Andalusian classics, grilled fish
About £14–30 per person
Local favourite Good for Families · Groups
Lobito de Mar
A modern seafood restaurant from chef Dani García, known for its tapas and fish.
Known for: Seafood and modern tapas
About £30–50 per person
Good for Couples · Groups
A suggested Marbella itinerary
3 nights Couple
Marbella · Highlights
Marbella in 3 nights
A balanced first-visit plan built from our Marbella picks: the headline sights, a local favourite or two and time to breathe.
- Day 1 · Marbella Old Town, Paseo Marítimo and Beaches, Avenida del Mar Sculptures, Museo del Grabado Español Contemporáneo
- Day 2 · Ronda, Puerto Banús
- Day 3 · Mijas Pueblo
Plan Marbella your way
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