Marbella is one of the Andalusian cities best known for its beaches, shopping areas, clubs and exclusive restaurants. Although a weekend may seem short, Marbella will surprise you with the wide range of activities you can do there.
You can start by discovering its old town, which hides great stories of antiquity; or you can try some of its typical dishes, as it has a very succulent gastronomy. Leaving aside its wide range of beaches and nightlife, visiting Marbella you can find a multitude of cultural events, including festivals and concerts of all kinds of music suitable for all audiences, theatrical performances, and also, if it coincides with the date, you can enjoy the international film festival.
Places to eat.
Marbella has a great gastronomy, with an infinite variety of dishes. In this city, there are three areas that stand out from the rest where you can find a wide range of typical dishes:
- The well-known Paseo Marítimo de Marbella. This area is ideal for sampling delicious dishes while gazing out to sea. It is an area that inspires relaxation and a great atmosphere.
- The old town, also well known for being the purest area of the city. Here you can find restaurants and bars with a wide range of prices.
- Puerto Banus, more specifically the Golden Mile, is the place most visited by people with a high economic power, being able to enjoy a more exclusive atmosphere.
However, we also recommend other places worth visiting if you go to Marbella for a weekend:
Restaurante el Lago.
Its name comes from the large lake where it is located. In this restaurant you will be able to taste incredible dishes prepared with local products that give it a very special flavour. This establishment has also been awarded a Michelin Star for its great signature cuisine. The semi-dried tomato with goat’s cheese is one of its most recommended dishes.
Garnacha.
This restaurant is a small space where you can enjoy the ideal intimacy while you indulge your palate. It is located in the Plaza de los Olivos, very well known in Marbella. Here you will find some of the best tapas in town. It also has an extensive wine list to taste, and its dishes hide the Mediterranean essence that is so characteristic of Andalusian gastronomy.
Soliluna.
This is one of the best known restaurants in the city due to its exclusivity. It has a relaxed and relaxed atmosphere where apart from tasting excellent dishes, you can often enjoy theme nights with concerts and live music.
What to see.
Although Marbella has a more modern and newer area, it is a city that has several attractions built by past civilisations, and which are still standing today. Attractions that should not be left behind when visiting the city.
Historical centre.
We recommend you start discovering Marbella’s historic quarter by visiting the Alameda Park, one of the city’s most emblematic sites. It was the first park to be built in Marbella and for this reason it is of special importance.
Once you have visited the Alameda Park, we suggest you head towards the Plaza de los Naranjos. This square will make you enjoy the wonderful smell of the fruits of these trees, and at the same time, it is a good place to have lunch or a drink.
Once you are in the square, you can see other attractions there. For example, the historic fountain, the statue of Don Juan Carlos and the Town Hall. And you can’t leave the historic centre of Marbella without visiting the Iglesia Mayor de la Encarnación church, built in the 16th century.
In addition, if you want your visit to be close to perfection and get to know every corner of Marbella, we recommend the best tours of Ronda, among them, the most demanded by tourists: the Free Tour of Ronda.
Promenade.
The Paseo Marítimo is one of the busiest and most visited places by tourists because while strolling along it, you can enjoy the sea, have an ice cream, buy souvenirs, have lunch or dinner in a restaurant, in short, you can enjoy Marbella and its charm.
Puerto Banús.
Puerto Banús, apart from being a place known worldwide for its luxury and the high purchasing power that can be found there, is also a great nautical and tourist enclave. It is also considered a small town within a town, something different, and therefore, attractive. It is situated to the west of Marbella.
The most prestigious place to do your shopping is Puerto Banús. Here you will find the most distinguished shops in Marbella, which, as we have already mentioned, have a very affluent clientele, as they sell exclusive clothes and products. Most of these shops are located on the quayside of the marina and all of them have private security at the door.
The limit to these purchases is set by you and the amount of money you have.
In addition, Puerto Banús also has one of the best known shopping centres in Marbella, the Centro Comercial Costa Marbella, located right in the centre. Here you can find everything from clothing to souvenirs to take home after your visit to Marbella.
Puerto Banús is also a great place for nightlife. Like the shops mentioned above, the nightclubs here are just as exclusive and distinguished. The prices are high, in keeping with the cachet of all the people who frequent them, therefore, in most of these pubs it is usually required to dress up, both men and women.
Beaches and nightlife.
Sun and beach tourism in Marbella is very common as it has beautiful beaches where you can enjoy the good weather of the Costa del Sol. In total, Marbella has 26 beaches. The best known and most visited are La Fontanilla and El Pinillo.
La Fontanilla is located next to Puerto Banús being the most central beach of the city, for this reason it is also one of the most popular among visitors.
El Pinillo is another of the most popular beaches in Marbella, as it is the continuation of the well known El Cable beach. Windsurfing is also practised here, and if you are interested you can find the Marbella Beach Windsurfing School there.
Marbella also has a wide variety of places for nightlife. The nightclubs in this city open at 12 midnight and usually close at 7am, which guarantees you a full night of partying.
Some of the most famous pubs in Marbella are:
- Olivia Valère nightclub: a sophisticated place frequented by well-known faces. Located just before Puerto Banús.
- Nikki Beach Marbella: with the atmosphere of the great Miami parties, by the sea.
- La Suite: known for its magnificent DJs and for its restaurant service, which offers delicious meals.
How to get there.
How to get there.Marbella is an easily accessible city, it is easy to get to as it is well communicated with the rest of the region.
The Pablo Ruiz Picasso airport in Malaga is the most popular choice for visitors, as well as being a reference point for many national and international flights.
It is just over half an hour from Marbella, and there is a direct Airport-Marbella bus that will make it easier for you to get to the city.
Apart from the numerous taxis located at the airport to take you wherever you want to go, you can also find other companies specialised in transfers, which you can hire before your arrival and they will be waiting to take you wherever you ask them to take you. And as a last option, there is also the possibility of renting a vehicle, either for the transfer to Marbella or for the days you have to move around the city.
On the other hand, if you travel to Marbella by bus, you will find it much easier to get there, as there are multiple combinations between all the Andalusian cities.
