Stuck for ideas of things to do in Marbella? Read on.
The city with a golden hue, the Costa Del Solโs most polished jewel, a haven for luxury holidaymakers and the glamourous jet set- thatโs Marbella.
But what can you actually do in this most gorgeous holiday resort? Hereโs our guide to the best activities in Marbella, in season, out of season, for thrill seekers, traditionalists, families, kids and everyone else too!
We do hope you enjoy this guide of things to do in Marbella, and remember, at Swish Luxury Rentals we offer concierge service so we can help you make your holiday extra special when youโre here.
- Art And Design in Marbella
- Sports And Wellness in Marbella
- Nightlife And Beach Clubs in Marbella
- Shopping In Marbella
- Things To See In Marbella
- Our Top Picks- Marbella For Every Personality
- Marbella For All Seasons
Art and Design in Marbella
Marbella is not well-known for its rich art and design scene, as far too often the overriding image of the place is just a glamorous seaside resort.ย But, Marbella attracts top international artists and there are some outstanding galleries too.
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Design Fairs in Marbella
Each year there is a design and art fair held at the Palacio de Congresos on the Golden Mile in Marbella. For more information, see the design fairโs website here: marbelladesignart.com
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Art Galleries in Marbella
There is a concentration of high-end art galleries in Marbella.ย A newcomer is Cipressi gallery, who promote international artists including many artworks from Ukraine. There are also several art galleries around The Golden Mile and Puerto Banus area- such as the Blizz Art Gallery in Puerto Banus.
Here are three of the top contemporary art galleries to visit in Marbella in our opinion: Isolina Arbolu,ย Es Arte andย Sholeh Abghari. -
Art Classes in Marbella
Marbella lends itself well to helping the creative juices flow. Youโll find workshops and regular classes to allow you to unleash your inner Picasso. For instance, if you speak Spanish, check out the taller โlengua de gatoโ who provide workshops for adults and children, based on Calle Jeddah: tallerlenguadegato.com.
If you are looking for art classes in English, try Arte Sonsoles in San Pedro. They offer classes in Spanish and English.
Sports and Wellness in Marbella
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Golf in Marbella
Marbella and golf go together very nicely, not least thanks to the fantastic climate and scenery. The area has some of the best golf courses in Europe, and for golf lovers, this is the place to be. Here is a guide to the best golf courses in Marbella.
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Beach sports in Marbella
The beach attracts people who love to show off their bodies. Fact! So, what better way to ensure you can keep in shape while getting a tan than to partake in some beach sports?
In Marbella, you can play beach volleyball on the Marbella town beaches and San Pedro de Alcantara beach, but there are also many ways to keep fit by the shore. Did you know there are even outdoor gyms along the promenades so you can work out in the cooler hours of the day, all for free? -
Watersports in Marbella
Naturally, there are many watersports on offer in Marbella! You can find jet skis, windsurfing and even newer activities like flite boarding- find out more here.
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Tennis and Padel in Marbella
Marbella has a strong connection with tennis and padel. The Puente Romano tennis courts are some of the most well-known in the city, having welcomed their fair share of top players like Boris Becker in their time. The city has a number of prestigiouos tennis clubs, spread about along the coast. One to mention is the Royal Tennis Club in Elviria for tennis fans, and for those who want to improve their padel- why not check out the Real Padel Club near Puerto Banus? This is a super large gym with a number of padel courts.
If you like padel, you may also be interested to learn that Marbella was the first place in Spain where padel was played. Find out โthe truthโ about padel here. -
Dance in Marbella
Is it just us or is there something about the Mediterranean climate that makes you want to dance? There are plenty of venues to shake your stuff, from clubs and bars in and around The Golden Mile to dance academies in Marbella.
If you are interested in salsa dance, check out Tiki beach which is a charming beach bar on the Golden Mile. It often has live Cuban bands playing salsa music with free dancing. Enjoy! -
Gyms in Marbella
Marbella benefits from a number of gyms which vary in price and facilities. The Puente Romano hotel has its own gym for its residents, as well a second gym inside the tennis club which offers memberships to those who do not live or stay on site. Another highly prestigious gym is the IO in San Pedro, which has state of the art facilities, a super-slick look and feel and a wealth of personal trainers.
Donโt forget, at Swish we can help you stick to your fitness goals even on holiday, by organising a personal trainer to come to your villa. You only have to ask! -
Adventure sports in Marbella
We get it- you come here to shake off the daily grind and let loose! So, what better way to do that than by getting the adrenalin going? Hereโs our guide to Marbella for the Very Adventurous Person.
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Wellness and Holistic Activities in Marbella
Marbella has its fair share of spas. You can choose to be pampered in style inside The Puente Romano for instance, or visit the Shanti Som wellness retreat for true indulgence.
If you are looking for alternative and holistic activities, you must check out Holistic House, which offers yoga, ballet barre classes, sound bath sessions, and even new moon cacao ceremonies, so there is literally something for everyone. The centre is located in Puerto Banus and offers drop-in classes.
Nightlife and Beach Clubs in Marbella
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Nightlife in Marbella
Marbella has it all, from day to night. If you want a lively night out, there is Puerto Banus where you will find many bars. There are also a number of fantastic clubs like Olivia Valรจre on Istan Road or clubs inside Puente Romano.
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Beach Clubs in Marbella
Marbella has stunning beaches and of course beach clubs are a must! Read our guide toย the beach clubs of Marbella here.
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LBGT Nightlife in Marbella
Marbella is home to several gay bars, and in general, Spain is a very open and welcoming society for all. A famous gay bar in Marbella is Fenix, on calle. el Fuerte, 4, Marbella but the mainstream clubs and beach parties also attract visitors from the LGBT community.
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Hedonistic Clubs in Marbella
The Wicked Chateau is a nightclub that also caters for those with shall we say, more of a โwild sideโ. This club is located in Elviria and is only for the most adventurous.
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Marbella for Families
Marbella is a mecca for families wishing to enjoy the simple pleasures in life like beaches, good weather and balmy evenings. But the whole area lends itself to family life too. For little ones, there are kidsโ clubs and Marbella caters really well to older children too.
In fact, here is our guide for Marbella for Teenagers.
Shopping in Marbella
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Designer Shopping in Marbella
Did someone say designer shopping? Thatโs what we are talking about! Marbella is home to a wealth of designer boutiques both on The Golden Mile at the top hotels, and in Puerto Banus. From Gucci to Dior, you will find them all in Banus and itโs also a great place to sip on a cappuccino between shops.
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High Street Shopping in Marbella
The city has a number of top high street retailers too. El Corte Inglรฉs is a premium department store located in Puerto Banus, but additionally, in Marbella town you will find many mid-priced and value high street fashion stores such as Mango.
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Marbella for Shopaholics
We donโt judge! We know the thrill of treating yourself only too well, and in Marbella there is plenty of temptation. See our guide to Marbella for Shopaholics here.
Things to See in Marbella
The Marbella old Town offers many riches: From its pretty cobbled streets to the Orange Tree Square. Itโs also a colourful affair, with pretty flower baskets on every corner. (See our report on theย colour of Marbella!)
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Museums in Marbella and nearby
The Ralli museum on The Golden Mile has splendid artworks and whatโs more, itโs ideally located for a stroll by the sea afterwards.
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Day Trips from Marbella
Marbella is well connected by road with several other fantastic places to visit. So check out these day trips from Marbella for inspiration.
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Boat Trips from Marbella
Just look around you, there is the big blue sea out there. If you would like a boat charter in Marbella, we can help, as we can put you in touch with one of our partners. Whatโs more, there are boat trips from Puerto Banus harbour which leave several times a day and take a short cruise along to Marbella and back. There is often no need to book these, simply turn up at Puerto Banus and pay on the day.
Our Top Picks- Marbella for Every Personality
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Marbella For the Adventure Seeker:
If you’re looking for an adrenaline rush while in Marbella, why not try parasailing or sky diving? Skydive Emotions is based at the aerodrome near Ronda- so why not fulfil that bucketlist ambition on The Costa Del Sol? youโre sure to get great views!
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Marbella For the Nature Lover
Marbella is home to some truly stunning natural scenery. If you’re looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, the pretty pine woods at Naguรซles will lower your cortisol in no time.
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Marbella For the Shopaholic
Marbella is a shopper’s paradise, with plenty of high-end shops and boutiques to choose from. If you’re looking to splurge on some designer clothes or jewellery, Puerto Banus is the place to go.
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Marbella For the Foodie
Marbella is home to some of the best restaurants in Spain, so it’s definitely worth exploring the culinary scene here. If you’re looking for traditional Spanish cuisine blended with a delicate finesse of modern gastronomy.
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Marbella For the Nightlife Lover
Marbella is well-known for its vibrant nightlife scene, and there are plenty of bars and clubs to choose from here. If you’re looking to dance into the early hours, check out Olivia Valรจre on the Istan road, this is a club with history and pizazz. Oliva Valรจre is open late so you can party the night away!
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Marbella For the Culture Vulture
Marbella may be best known as a party town, but there’s also plenty of culture to be found here. The Old Town is full of historical landmarks like the Plaza de los Naranjos and our top pick, the church (La Iglesia de Nuestra Senora de la Encarnacion) in the old town is extremely beautiful and worth a visit.
Marbella for All Seasons
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What to do in Marbella when it rains
Sadly it can sometimes rain in Marbella, but it neednโt ruin your fun.ย Here are plenty of suggestions for things to do in Marbella when it rains.
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What to do in Marbella in Winter
Winter in Marbella can be glorious, there is plenty to do and plenty of sunny days too. Hereโs some tips for things to do in the cooler months: 10 things to do at the beach in Marbella out of season.
We hope you found Marbella’s guide useful but donโt just take our word for it! Come to Marbella and explore for yourself, we cannot wait to see you here.
With love
The Swish team xx
