Compare Marbella holidays

Explore Marbella's Old Town and coastline

You may want to spend your holiday relaxing on the beach – and there’s nothing wrong with that – but if you can prize yourself from your lounger, there’s plenty to explore. Marbella’s compact, walkable historic centre is filled with Moorish-era architecture, free museums and open-air art. And best of all, most is walkable. Don your expedition sandals – you know the ones – and off you go.

Marbella Old Town

One of the city's most-visited attractions, wander the whitewashed lanes of the Old Town, and don’t forget to look up. Dating as far back as the Romans, its streets are a maze of sun-dappled squares, ancient city walls, and 16th century architecture. Go early in the day to beat the afternoon crowds.

Avenida del Mar

Part promenade, part open-air art museum, the Avenida del Mar is lined with no less than ten bronze sculptures by the surrealist artist Salvador Dalí. Wander this central, marble-paved pedestrian avenue connecting Marbella's Old Town to the beach to take in the pieces that include the Cosmic Elephant, tributes to his wife, and a Roman emperor on horseback.

Ralli Museum Marbella

Delve deeper into the works of Dali, and other top European and Latin American modern artists at this free museum. Ten exhibition rooms celebrate the different avant-garde movements that took place in both continents, with works by Joan Miró too. It’s open from Tuesday to Saturday and closes for the season from late December to mid-February.

Paseo Marítimo

Stretch those legs, and take in the best people watching while you’re at it. Marbella's palm-fringed seafront promenade runs for several kilometres flat along the coast from the city centre to Puerto Banús and is the place to see and be seen. At a leisurely pace, allow and hour and a half to two hours to walk the whole thing, or use it as a cut through between beaches, boutiques and tasty tapas bars.

The best family activities in Marbella

With calm, shallow water at many of its beaches and a good range of child-friendly activities spread along the coast, Marbella is a solid choice for a family holiday. While in the city-centre many of the top attractions are close together making exploring on foot possible with tiny tots in tow. Travelling with younger children? The laid-back San Pedro de Alcántara area sits 10km to the west of Marbella’s glitz and glam and makes a calmer, quieter base from which to explore.

Aqualand Torremolinos

Take the little ones for a cool down, as the not-so-little-ones blow off some steam. The Marbella Aqua Park claims to be the best water park on the Costa Del Sol. Race slaloms, ride river rapids, and launch from 15m high half pipes. There’s a dedicated toddler pool for the youngest members of your brood. It’s open for the summer season from May to September.

Bioparc Fuengirola

A zoological park with a focus on conservation, education, and preserving endangered species, Bioparc Fuengirola sits 30 minutes east of Marbella. Filled with habitat enclosures that recreate natural habitats, it’s an immersive and educational day out.

Mini Golf Marbella

Four! Get crazy with a club and aim for a hole in one. Located near the seafront in central Marbella, this is the ideal low-key activity for a lazy late-afternoon when the beach starts to thin out. Located just off the promenade, try your best over 15 holes.

Where to eat and drink in Marbella

Marbella's food scene is rooted in Andalusian tradition. Tuck into slow-cooked stews and fresh seafood, or indulge in nibbles of tapas that turn into a proper evening out. In the Old Town you’ll find a mix of restaurants, bars and bistros tucked into shaded courtyards and narrow streets that feel a world away from the seafront bustle. Pull up a chair, order a glass of local wine and take your time.

Casa Eladio

Michelin Guide recommended, Casa Eladio has been a fixture of the Old Town since 1965. Go for a modern take on Andalusian cooking from oxtail cannelloni, to charcoal-crusted Iberico pork, and red tuna tartare.

El Patio de Mariscal

Located in a walled courtyard garden in the Casco Antiguo, El Patio de Mariscal is open from March to November with a menu that leans into Spanish seafood rice and hearty salads. Keep an eye out for occasional live music.

Taberna La Niña del Pisto

Head to this small Cordoban-style tavern for authentic local dishes including salmorejo – a traditional dish of tomato, bread, extra virgin olive oil and garlic – alongside aubergines with honey and slow-cooked oxtail. It fills quickly, so book ahead.

La Ribera Restaurante

Near the Paseo Marítimo in central Marbella, this seafood hotspot is popular with locals for its grilled octopus and paella. The indoor room is quieter than the street-facing terrace if you want a more relaxed lunch.

Enjoy Marbella's nightlife

Puerto Banús, around 6km (4 miles) west of Marbella town centre, is the main hub for late evenings, with a marina lined with bars and clubs that run well past midnight. The Casco Antiguo offers a quieter alternative – wine bars and tapas spots where the pace is slower and the atmosphere more laid-back. Most venues don't get going until after 11pm, so a long dinner first makes sense.

Puerto Banús Marina

Puerto Banús Marina is the focal point for evening socialising in the Marbella area. The waterfront fills with open-air terraces and cocktail bars from around 10pm, and the atmosphere builds steadily through the night. It's lively but relaxed — you don't need to dress up to enjoy a drink by the water.

Olivia Valère

One of the most established clubs in Marbella, Olivia Valère sits on the road between Marbella town and Puerto Banús. It has a large outdoor terrace and a well-known resident DJ programme. Expect a door charge and a smart dress code on busier nights.

La Sala

Near Puerto Banús, La Sala is a popular live music venue. It sits somewhere between a restaurant and a late-night bar, making it a natural way to move from dinner into a proper night out. Although open all-day, its nightlife really gets going from around 10pm.

Sky Bar at Don Carlos Leisure Resort

Known for its rooftop terrace bar with views along the coast, the Sky Bar sits atop the beachfront Don Carlos Resort, east of Marbella town. It's a calmer option for an early evening drink – be there for sunset before deciding where the rest of the night takes you.