Marbella is internationally known for its beaches, Mediterranean climate and lifestyle, but venture just a few minutes away from the coast and you will discover a city with far more history, culture and tradition than many tourists imagine.
If you are planning your trip and have come here looking for things to do in Marbella, you will find something for almost every type of traveller.
You can wander through whitewashed streets filled with flowers, explore historic buildings, discover Andalusian cuisine, visit local markets, enjoy the coastline or experience a more authentic side of Marbella with someone who knows the city well.
Explore Marbella Old Town
If you could choose just one place to start your visit, we would begin with Marbella Old Town.
Here you will discover a very different Marbella from the image usually associated with large marinas and seafront restaurants. Its narrow streets, whitewashed houses, small squares and historic buildings retain much of the city’s traditional character.
It is also a compact area that is particularly easy to explore on foot. Within just a few minutes, you can go from a lively square to a quiet street filled with flowerpots, balconies and small architectural details.
At Marbella Life Tour, this is where we run our experiences, as it is the historical, cultural and gastronomic heart of the city.
If you would like to plan your route in advance, take a look at our map of Marbella Old Town.
Plaza de los Naranjos and the historic heart of Marbella
Plaza de los Naranjos is one of the must-see spots in the historic centre and an excellent place to begin exploring its streets.
Around the square you will find historic buildings such as the Town Hall, Casa del Corregidor and the Ermita de Santiago. From here, you can continue towards the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación, the old city walls and other traditional streets in the Old Town.
Our Marbella Old Town tour takes a closer look at this history. During the tour, we discover how different cultures left their mark on Marbella and how their legacy can still be seen in its streets and buildings today.
Stroll through Alameda Park and Avenida del Mar
Very close to the historic centre is Alameda Park, one of the most pleasant places to stop and relax while exploring central Marbella.
From here, you can continue towards Avenida del Mar, a pedestrian area connecting the town centre with the Mediterranean and making it easy to combine sightseeing with a walk by the sea.
Enjoy Marbella’s beaches and seafront promenade
The sea remains one of Marbella’s greatest attractions, so setting aside part of your day to enjoy the coastline is always a good idea.
You can spend a few hours on the beach, walk along the seafront promenade, stop for something to eat or simply enjoy the atmosphere at sunset.
The great thing is that you do not have to choose between the beach and culture. The historic centre is very close to the coast, making it easy to combine both in a single day.
A morning exploring Marbella Old Town followed by an afternoon by the sea can be an excellent introduction to the city.
Visit Puerto Banús
Another of Marbella’s best-known areas is Puerto Banús.
Its marina, yachts, shops and atmosphere are all part of the city’s international image. It is a great place for a stroll, a drink overlooking the harbour and a chance to experience the contrast between historic Marbella and its more cosmopolitan side.
That combination is one of the destination’s defining characteristics: the atmosphere of Puerto Banús exists just a few kilometres from streets, squares and buildings that tell centuries of history.
Discover local cuisine through tapas
Travelling is also about sitting down around a table.
And in Andalusia, tapas are part of everyday life and the way people spend time together.
One of the best things to do in Marbella is to discover its food while exploring the historic centre.
At Marbella Life Tour, we have created an experience that combines a walk through the Old Town with carefully selected food stops. Our Marbella Old Town and tapas tour includes two stops at traditional taverns and finishes with a drink and dessert on a rooftop overlooking the centre.
The idea is not simply to taste different dishes, but to better understand the culture surrounding them.
Visit Marbella Municipal Market and enjoy a vermouth
Markets are among our favourite places for experiencing the everyday rhythm of a city.
Marbella Municipal Market offers a glimpse into a much more local side of the destination: stalls selling fresh produce, residents doing their shopping and ingredients that form part of the cuisine of Málaga and Andalusia.
On our Marbella Old Town and vermouth tour, we first explore the historic centre before visiting the market to enjoy a traditional vermouth accompanied by a tapa.
It is a simple way to discover a custom closely linked to the Spanish way of life.
Discover the wines and olive oils of Andalusia
Andalusia can also be explored through its produce.
Extra virgin olive oil and wine are an important part of its food culture, so a tasting gives you the chance to go beyond simply sitting down for a meal.
At Marbella Life Tour, we combine a historic walk with an experience dedicated to these flavours on our Marbella Old Town wine and olive oil tasting tour.
The experience includes a tour of Marbella, a selection of extra virgin olive oils and local and regional wines, as well as explanations about varieties, production methods and food pairings.
Photograph the most beautiful corners of Marbella Old Town
Marbella is also a city worth taking the time to observe.
Whitewashed façades, plants, small squares, traditional doorways, narrow streets and balconies make the historic centre one of the most interesting areas for photography.
And a great photo is not always found at the city’s best-known landmark. Quite often, it appears when you turn into a side street or notice a small detail that people walking quickly might miss.
That is why we also offer a photography tour of Marbella Old Town, taking you through a selection of carefully chosen locations.
Discover Marbella with a local guide
You can explore Marbella on your own, but learning what happened behind a particular city wall, why a street has a certain shape or how local customs have changed over time adds another dimension to your trip.
Marbella has more than 2,700 years of history and still preserves traces of different cultures and historical periods.
A local guide can connect the places you are seeing with stories, anecdotes, food and local traditions.
And that is exactly the philosophy behind Marbella Life Tour.
We do not want you simply to tick places off a map. We want you to understand the city a little better as you explore it.
At Marbella Life Tour, we create tours for travellers who want to discover the city in a more personal, elegant and authentic way.
Book your tour and discover a different side of Marbella.
Frequently asked questions about things to do in Marbella
What should you not miss when visiting Marbella?
Marbella Old Town, Plaza de los Naranjos, the Church of La Encarnación, the old city walls, Alameda Park, Avenida del Mar and the coastline are excellent places to start. If you have more time, you can also visit Puerto Banús.
What can you do in Marbella besides going to the beach?
You can explore the historic centre, try traditional tapas, visit the market, enjoy a wine and olive oil tasting, discover the city’s history or take a photography tour.
How long do you need to visit Marbella Old Town?
You can see its main highlights in around two hours, although spending half a day there gives you time to explore at a more relaxed pace, visit a few places and stop for something to eat.
Is a tour of Marbella worth it?
A guided tour adds historical and cultural context to the places you visit, while also helping you discover hidden corners, stories and local traditions that can easily be missed when exploring on your own.