Things to do in Marbella

If you are lucky enough to visit the Costa del Sol, make sure you visit Marbella and Puerto Banus.

THE OLD TOWN OF MARBELLA

The old part of Marbella is situated north of the main road at the eastern end of the town, and tourists can stroll up cobbled streets to reach Orange Square (Plaza de los Naranjos). Take your time to explore the Old Town, and enjoy the local bars, the pavement cafés and the authentic Spanish restaurants serving everything from tapas to gourmet food. Lined with orange trees, Orange Square is a great place to people-watch and chill out, far enough away from the hustle and bustle of the main town centre.

MARBELLA SEA FRONT

The Paseo de Maritimo in Marbella runs parallel to the beach, and offers visitors a wide choice of cafés, bars, authentic Spanish restaurants, seafood bars, gift shops, boutiques and much much more. No cars are allowed down the paseo, which is pedestrianised and this scenic part of town is popular with joggers, dog walkers and holidaymakers. If you want to eat good food, this is a great place to dine, with some of the best restaurants situated on the sea front.

THE DALI STATUES, MARBELLA

If you enjoy the finer things in life, you won´t fail to be impressed by the Salvador Dali sculptures down the Avenida del Mar in central Marbella. The pedestrianised street runs down to the sea from the Parque Alameda, and both sides of the street are flanked by fountains with the statues in the centre. Benches also line the street so there are plenty of places to relax and watch the world go by.

MARBELLA PARKS

There are plenty of parks to visit in Marbella, but one of our favourites is La Alameda. Situated beside the Marbella Café in the centre of town, the park is full of mature, tropical gardens with an ornate fountain, decorated with Andalucian tiles in the centre. During the annual Marbella feria in June, the park comes alive with open air bars, singing and dancing acts.

PUERTO BANUS

Puerto Banus is not only the haunt of the rich and famous, but also attracts fun seekers and sun seekers from all over the world. Take a walk around the marina itself and watch the yachts sail in and out of the port, enjoy lunch in one of the fabulous fish restaurants or flash the cash in one of the many designer boutiques. Whether you are visiting with friends, enjoying a romantic weekend or a family holiday, Puerto Banus will keep you entertained. The port really comes to life after dark when the clubs, pubs and music bars keep revellers entertained. Many of the clubs are open until 6am, and later in the summer.

WHERE TO SHOP IN MARBELLA AND PUERTO BANUS

If you want to hit the shops in Marbella and Puerto Banus, you can shop till you drop and still not get round all the designer boutiques and stores. El Corte Ingles is well worth a visit in Puerto Banus. Bag a bargain at Nueva Andalucia Market, which is held every Saturday from 9am to 3pm above Puerto Banus bullring.

HISTORY AND CULTURE IN MARBELLA

The Costa del Sol may not be known for its culture, but visitors can find a host of art galleries, museums and theatres, plus live flamenco shows, exhibitions and shows. Visit the Sammer Gallery in Puerto Banus which is one of Spain´s largest modern art exhibitions.

There is so much to see and do in Marbella and Puerto Banus, you may want to plan your itinerary before you go, saving you time and energy when you arrive. Check out the local Marbella tourist office online or see Marbella events for a full list of upcoming shows and festivals in the town.