Marbella

City · Andalusia, 🇪🇸 Spain

Marbella is the best-known resort on Spain's Costa del Sol. It has a small whitewashed old town, a long coast with sandy beaches and a luxury marina at Puerto Banús.

The resort is popular for beach holidays, golf and nightlife. Summers are busy, and the mountains behind the coast give a green backdrop.

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When to visit

May, June and September are the best months, with warm days and a good chance of swimming. July and August are hot and busy. Winters are mild, with the most rain from November to March.

A local event to know is the Feria de San Bernabé in June, with a fair, music and parades.

Best time to visit: April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November

Select a month

Typical weather in January

Good

15° (feels like 12°) · extremes 6°–19°
10° at night
10 rainy days
14 sunny days
6 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
16°C · too cold to swim
UV index 2 · low

Typical weather in February

Good

16° (feels like 13°) · extremes 6°–19°
10° at night
7 rainy days
13 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
15°C · too cold to swim
UV index 3 · moderate

Typical weather in March

Good

17° (feels like 15°) · extremes 8°–21°
11° at night
9 rainy days
14 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
15°C · too cold to swim
UV index 5 · moderate

Typical weather in April

Great

19° (feels like 17°) · extremes 10°–23°
13° at night
7 rainy days
16 sunny days
9 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
16°C · too cold to swim
UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in May

Great

22° (feels like 21°) · extremes 12°–26°
15° at night
6 rainy days
21 sunny days
11 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
17°C · too cold to swim
UV index 7 · high

Typical weather in June

Great

26° (feels like 25°) · extremes 16°–30°
19° at night
1 rainy day
25 sunny days
12 hours of sunshine per day
Comfortable humidity
Calm winds
19°C · cool for a dip
UV index 9 · very high

Typical weather in July

Great

29° · extremes 19°–33°
21° at night
0 rainy days
29 sunny days
13 hours of sunshine per day
Humid air
Calm winds
21°C · cool for a dip
UV index 9 · very high

Typical weather in August

Great

29° (feels like 30°) · extremes 19°–33°
22° at night
1 rainy day
28 sunny days
12 hours of sunshine per day
Muggy, humid air
Calm winds
21°C · cool for a dip
UV index 8 · very high

Typical weather in September

Great

26° · extremes 17°–30°
20° at night
4 rainy days
20 sunny days
9 hours of sunshine per day
Humid air
Calm winds
21°C · cool for a dip
UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in October

Great

22° · extremes 13°–26°
17° at night
8 rainy days
17 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Comfortable humidity
Calm winds
19°C · cool for a dip
UV index 4 · moderate

Typical weather in November

Great

18° (feels like 16°) · extremes 9°–22°
13° at night
8 rainy days
15 sunny days
6 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
17°C · too cold to swim
UV index 3 · moderate

Typical weather in December

Good

16° (feels like 13°) · extremes 7°–19°
11° at night
10 rainy days
13 sunny days
5 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
16°C · too cold to swim
UV index 2 · low

Climate data: NASA POWER + Copernicus ERA5-Land and ERA5 · 1996–2025

Top sights

Marbella Old TownThe medieval walled city still looks pretty much like in the 16th century. The central parts of Marbella have a unique charm.

Playa de Venus

Ermita de SantiagoThe oldest church in the area is built in the unmistakable Mediterranean style. Remarkably preserved.

La Encarnación, MarbellaThe Iglesia de la Encarnación is a church in Marbella, southern Spain. It was built in the 16th and 17th century.

Casablanca BeachBlue Flag beach right in the heart of Costa del Sol. Well facilitated beach with many bars, cafés and opportunities to borrow beds and…

Villa romana de Río VerdeVilla romana de Río Verde is a Roman villa on the coast of Marbella, Spain, at the mouth of the Río Verde river.

Casco Antiguo de Marbella is a maze of white lanes, flower pots and small squares. The Plaza de los Naranjos, with its orange trees, is the heart of the old town.
Capilla de Santiago is a small chapel from the 15th century, one of the oldest buildings in the town.
Parroquia Nuestra Señora de La Encarnación is the main church of the old town, built in the 17th century.
Playa de Venus and Playa de Casablanca are the city's main central beaches. They are a short walk from the old town.
Villa romana de Río Verde is a Roman villa with mosaics, near the coast west of the center.
Puerto Banús is a marina west of Marbella, known for yachts, shops and nightlife.

Featured Lists

Kamyar Adl / CC BY 2.0

Marbella Must-Sees

Marbella features a historical core centered on the 16th-century Casco Antiguo, where the Ermita de Santiago stands as the oldest religious site. The coastal landscape includes the long dunes of Cabopino and the central Playa de Venus. Architectural highlights range from the Roman mosaics of Villa de Río Verde and the Visigothic Basílica de Vega del Mar to the 16th-century Iglesia de la Encarnación. Modern landmarks include the luxury marina of Puerto Banús and the shaded botanical displays of Alameda Park.

12 places

Cimoi / CC-BY-SA-3.0

Marbella's Best Beaches & Marina

Marbella’s coastline extends over 27 kilometers, featuring a diverse range of 24 beaches and four distinct marinas. This selection encompasses central urban beaches like Playa de Venus and Playa de la Fontanilla, known for their high-quality services and proximity to the Old Town. It also highlights the Dunas de Artola, a protected natural monument at Cabopino, and the upscale Puerto Banús, a center for luxury yachting. These locations offer varied terrains from fine golden sand to volcanic pebbles.

21 places

Harvey Barrison / CC BY-SA 2.0

Marbella's Historic Treasures

Marbella's history spans from Roman settlements to Moorish fortifications and Christian architecture. This collection highlights the 10th-century Castillo de Marbella, the 4th-century Visigothic Basílica de Vega del Mar, and the Roman Villa of Río Verde, famous for its intricate mosaics. Coastal defense is illustrated by 16th-century watchtowers like Torre Vigía de Ancón, while religious heritage includes the 15th-century Ermita de Santiago and the 1981 King Abdul Aziz Mosque, showcasing the city's diverse cultural evolution.

15 places

Nathalie Cornellier / CC BY-SA 4.0

Marbella Parks and Gardens

Marbella’s green spaces range from historical city center parks to high-altitude viewpoints in the Sierra Blanca mountains. The Alameda Park features 18th-century ceramic benches, while the Cortijo Miraflores houses an old oil mill and botanical collections. For coastal panoramas, the Mirador la Concha and Cantera de la Legua offer vantage points over the Mediterranean. These sites showcase native Mediterranean flora and the region's transition from urban landscaping to rugged mountain terrain.

7 places

What to experience

Eat grilled sardines on a skewer (espeto) at a beach bar in the evening.
Walk the seafront promenade from the old town to the beaches at the end of the day.

Tours & Activities

Marbella — Map

Day trips

Mijas (about 25 km, 30 minutes by car or bus): a white village on a hillside above the coast.
Málaga (about 60 km, 45 minutes by bus or car): a large city with a historic center and museums.
Ronda (about 60 km, 1 hour 15 minutes by car): a town above a deep gorge. The road is winding.
Gibraltar (about 75 km, 1 hour by car): a British territory. Cross the border at La Línea de la Concepción and bring your passport.

Where to explore

Other places in Andalusia:

Mountains: Ronda for views and history.
Coast: Algeciras and La Línea de la Concepción for the south coast and Gibraltar.
Inland: Antequera for old churches and dolmens.

Getting there

By air: Málaga airport (AGP) is about 50 km east. Buses and taxis reach Marbella in about 45 to 60 minutes.
By bus: Frequent buses run along the coast from Málaga and other towns. The Marbella bus station is north of the old town.
By train: There is no train to Marbella. The closest trains run from Málaga to Fuengirola.

Getting around

On foot: The old town and the central beaches are within walking distance. The coast is long, so other areas need transport.
Bus and taxi: Local buses link Marbella with Puerto Banús and nearby towns. Taxis are common.
Cycling: The seafront promenade is flat and good for walking and cycling.

Driving

Is a car worth it?: A car helps for villages and the mountains. In the old town, you do not need one.
Parking: Use an underground car park near the old town.
Restrictions: The old town center is pedestrian. The coast motorway, AP-7, is a toll road.

Food & drink

The coast is known for fresh fish and for espeto de sardinas, sardines grilled over wood on the beach. Pescaíto frito, a mix of fried small fish, is also common. Cold soups such as gazpacho are served in summer.

Eat at the beach bars along the seafront or in the lanes around the Plaza de los Naranjos.

Breakfast

Churros Churros con ChocolateFried dough sticks served with a thick, dark hot chocolate for dipping — a classic Spanish breakfast or late-night snack.

Lunch

Paella ValencianaA saffron-scented rice dish cooked in a wide, shallow pan. The traditional Valencian version uses chicken, rabbit, and green beans — best eaten at midday.

GazpachoA cold, blended soup of raw tomatoes, cucumber, pepper, garlic, olive oil, and vinegar, originally from Andalusia. Served as a drink or a starter, especially in summer.

Dinner

Pulpo a la GallegaBoiled octopus sliced onto a wooden board and dressed with olive oil, coarse salt, and smoked paprika — a signature dish of Galicia.

Snacks & street food

Jamón IbéricoDry-cured ham from acorn-fed Iberian pigs, sliced paper-thin and eaten on its own or with bread. The finest grade, jamón ibérico de bellota, is one of Spain's most prized products.

Tortilla EspañolaA thick potato and egg omelette, served warm or at room temperature, found in virtually every bar in Spain. Often eaten as a tapa or a quick meal.

Patatas BravasFried potato chunks served with a spicy tomato sauce or aioli — one of the most common tapas across the country.

PintxosSmall snacks anchored to slices of bread with a toothpick, the Basque Country's answer to tapas. Found in bar counters across San Sebastián and Bilbao, often with elaborate toppings.

CroquetasCrispy breaded cylinders with a creamy béchamel filling, typically made with jamón, bacalà (salt cod), or mushrooms.

Drinks

Rioja Wine Vino de RiojaSpain's best-known wine region produces full-bodied reds from Tempranillo grapes, aged in oak. The crianza, reserva, and gran reserva labels indicate increasing age and complexity.

Safety & health

Marbella is generally safe. In summer, watch your bags on the beach and in busy streets, and use strong sun protection. Swim only where the flags are green.

History

A Roman villa near the coast shows that people lived here 2,000 years ago. The Moors built a fortress, and parts of its walls remain in the old town.

The town passed to the Spanish crown in 1485, and the Plaza de los Naranjos was laid out soon after. In the 1950s the town became a fashionable resort, and tourism grew fast along the coast.