The Ultimate Guide to Marbella: 25 of the Best Things to Do

Marbella in the Andalusia region, with the Sierra Blanca Mountains as a backdrop, is the resort area on southern Spain’s Costa del Sol.

With sunshine on 320 days of the year, it’s Golden Mile lined with nightclubs and coastal apartments, Marbella is a hot tourist destination. Its port, Puerto Banus is filled with luxury bars, shops, yachts, expensive hotels, and a flashy marina.

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But Marbella isn’t all extravagance. The Casco Antiguo (old town) was an enchanting surprise! Narrow streets, flower boxes, colorful balconies and churches are aplenty.

Similar to Cadiz, Marbella has a rich history and once was home to Phoenicians, Visigoths, Romans and Moors. These are things I had no idea about!

The old town of Marbella can be confusing to get around, even with Google Maps, which is why I recommend booking a tour. We loved our tour with Mrs. Monica who guided us through the cobbled streets of old town Marbella, sharing her vast knowledge of Marbella and expertise in all things Andalusian.

Parque de Alameda was shaded with colourful tiled benches and fountains that tell the history of the area. It was a great starting point before heading to the shopping area of the old town which Monica recommended and I approve of!

I reckon most visitors of Marbella have never visited the old town, and instead only head to the pools, restaurants and clubs of the area. But you are missing out on so much beauty and history! It is a showcase of the historical legacy, particularly the Islamic era and subsequent Christian conquest. The Moorish history can be seen beneath your feet on almost every path. The Islamic tradition in Spain between the 8th-15th Centuries was to create patterns, pictures, and designs out of pebbles/stones in the paths and roads. Thankfully, in the following years and centuries, the Andalusians kept this tradition up, which means we still have these beautiful works of art to gaze and walk upon.

Some of the architecture, flowers, shops and decor are native to Andalusia.

Things To Do in Marbella:

Marbella Castle/Wall

Old town Marbella

Orange square

You will find places to eat within any alleyway, though there are five ideal zones to use as a reference: Plaza de Los Naranjos, Calle Ancha and Calle Tetuán, and Calle Virgen de los Dolores and Ortiz de Molinillo.