Cidade Turismo
Spain

Before you go

Your trip to Marbella.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Marbella – Andaluzia Destination Costa do Sol and Ronda about 190 km from Sevilha

How to get there

  • Aeropuerto de Málaga-Costa del Sol (AGP) Málaga · 57 km
  • Estación de Autobuses de Marbella 1 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

The nearest airport is Málaga, about 57 km by road, with direct buses to Marbella's Estación de Autobuses. Marbella has no train station: the nearest high-speed train station is Málaga-María Zambrano, and from there you continue by bus or car. There are also buses from Ronda, Seville and Granada. Check before booking.

How many days

One day is enough for the Casco Antiguo, the Avenida del Mar, the beach and an evening in Puerto Banús, even as a day trip from Málaga. Two days allow you to include the Museo del Grabado and a full afternoon at the beach. Those who want to relax on the coast usually stay longer.

When to go

May and October usually have warm days with fewer people. From November to March the weather is generally mild for sightseeing, but the sea is cold for swimming and the days are shorter.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

Not needed for the town itself: the old town, the Avenida del Mar and the central beaches are within walking distance, and there is a local bus to Puerto Banús. A car helps to combine Marbella with Ronda via the mountain road A-397, or with other coastal towns.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Marbella
  1. Morning
    Plaza de los Naranjos and the old town

    Start early in the Casco Antiguo, before the heat and the tour groups. See the Plaza de los Naranjos, the Casa Consistorial and the Ermita de Santiago. Continue to the Iglesia de la Encarnación and the castle remains through the white alleys.

  2. Afternoon
    Dalí sculptures and beach

    Have lunch nearby; in Marbella lunch usually starts around 2:00 pm. Walk down the Avenida del Mar to see the Dalí sculptures and reach the beach of La Venus or El Faro. Enjoy the Paseo Marítimo.

  3. Late afternoon
    Puerto Banús

    Take a bus or taxi to Puerto Banús, about 10 km by road. Walk along the quay between the yachts and through the white streets of the marina at dusk.

  4. Evening
    Dinner at the marina or in the center

    Dine in Puerto Banús or return to the old town. Dinner usually starts after 9:00 pm. Those returning to Málaga the same day should check the time of the last bus.

2 days in Marbella

Day 1

  1. Morning
    Casco Antiguo at a relaxed pace

    Stroll through the Casco Antiguo: Plaza de los Naranjos, Casa del Corregidor, Ermita de Santiago, Iglesia de la Encarnación and the remaining sections of the castle wall.

  2. Afternoon
    Museo del Grabado

    After lunch, escape the heat at the Museo del Grabado Español Contemporáneo, in the former Hospital Bazán, with prints by Picasso, Miró and Dalí.

  3. Late afternoon
    Avenida del Mar down to the sea

    Walk down through Parque de la Alameda and along the Avenida del Mar, with its ten Dalí sculptures, to the Paseo Marítimo.

  4. Evening
    Tapas in the centre

    Return to the old town to dine on one of the streets around the Plaza de los Naranjos, which come alive at night.

Day 2

  1. Morning
    Beach

    Reserve the morning for the beach of La Fontanilla or La Venus, with chiringuitos and sunbeds in the summer season.

  2. Afternoon
    Walk along the Paseo Marítimo

    Have fried fish for lunch at a chiringuito and walk west along the Paseo Marítimo, passing beaches and gardens.

  3. Late afternoon
    Arrival at Puerto Banús

    End the walk in Puerto Banús, about 1h30 later. See the boats, the shops and the beach beside the marina.

  4. Evening
    Night in Puerto Banús

    Dine in Puerto Banús and enjoy the nightlife around the marina. Return to the center by local bus or taxi.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

How to get from Málaga airport to Marbella?

There are direct buses from Málaga airport to Marbella's Estación de Autobuses, as well as taxis, transfers and car rentals. The distance is about 57 km by road, roughly 40 minutes by car without traffic.

Can you get to Marbella by train?

No. Marbella has no train station. Travelers arriving by train get off at Málaga-María Zambrano and continue by bus or car. The nearest suburban train station is Fuengirola, 27 km away.

Can you do a day trip from Málaga to Marbella?

Yes. The trip takes less than an hour by bus or car. In one day you can see the old town, the Avenida del Mar, the beach and Puerto Banús.

Is Marbella good in winter?

For sightseeing, yes: from November to March the weather is usually mild on the Costa del Sol, with sunny days. The sea is cold for swimming, and some beach bars operate less.

Is it possible to go from Marbella to Ronda?

Yes, by bus or car via the A-397 road, which climbs into the mountains. It's about 60 km of winding road, a little over 1 hour by car.

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