![](https://www.trendytourist.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Disclaimer-for-Affiliate-Links-1440x310.png)
Marbella is a city and resort area in southern Spain’s Costa Del Sol. It’s part of the Andalusia region and a very popular holiday spot with British couples, families, hen parties and stag do’s alike.
From majestic mountains to golden beaches, and bustling harbours to a charming Old Town… Marbs has at all. Its most famous attraction is Puerto Banús marina, where you can find luxury yachts, restaurants and bars aplenty.
My husband and I recently visited for a six-night holiday. I’d been before as a kid but this was his first time. We both fell in love. From the food to the sangria, dramatic landscapes to the friendly people, you just can’t help it!
Here’s my Marbella travel guide and tips and tricks if you’re heading there soon.
![Marbella Travel Guide](https://www.trendytourist.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Marbella-Travel-Guide-1440x1920.jpg)
Marbella Travel Guide: How to Get There from the UK
Firstly, to get to Marbella from the UK you will need to fly. Malaga is the closest airport to Marbs (about 40 minutes away) and it’s a nice taxi or bus ride mostly along the coast.
We flew from Leeds Bradford so most airports fly to Marbs during the peak holiday season for a reasonable cost. The flight was only a couple of hours so it felt super quick and straightforward.
Where to Stay in Marbella
Staying anywhere near or around Marbella is going to be pricey because it’s such a popular place. However, as Puerto Banús is classed as an upmarket area, it’s better to avoid accommodation here if you’re on a strict budget.
To get the most bang for your buck, you’re best off staying on the outskirts of town inland. Keep in mind that you would be far away from the beach though. Anywhere along the coast is going to be pricier, but it may be worth it for those stunning sea views!
Hubby and I stayed along the coastline between Marbella centre and Puerto Banús near Coral Beach. We were about a 20-minute walk to Puerto Banús and a 10-minute taxi ride from Old Town, and we thought the location was perfect. (This taxi ride was about €12 each way or a little cheaper in an Uber.)
What to Do in Marbella
There are a few key things to do and see in Marbs while you’re visiting.
Beach/Pool Days
Let’s face it, most people go to Marbella to relax and unwind from everyday life. If you’re one of those people, you may want to sunbathe on your nearest beach or lounge around by the hotel pool most days. (This is what we did.)
If you are heading to a public beach, don’t forget your towel! You will have to pay (often a hefty amount) to use any sun loungers or umbrellas on a public beach.
![Marbella Beach](https://www.trendytourist.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Marbella-Beach-1440x1080.jpg)
Beach Clubs
It wouldn’t be a complete Marbella travel guide if I didn’t mention the beach clubs. After all, they are a common thing to do in Marbs, especially for hen and stag do’s. Marbella is just as popular as Ibiza these days for wedding parties because it has a thriving nightlife scene.
As we visited in the shoulder season (April), the big beach clubs weren’t yet open, such as Ocean Beach, Nikki Beach and La Sala. They tend to open from May to September each year.
Puerto Banús Marina
Puerto Banús harbour is famous for its yachts the size of small houses, and they often have several docked so it’s fun to go and check them out!
You can also grab an upmarket bite to eat in this area and do a spot of luxury shopping.
We can highly recommend Chow Kitchen for Asian cuisine. Other restaurants that were constantly busy (but we didn’t go to) include Pizzeria Picasso and Jacks Smokehouse.
![Puerto Banus Marina](https://www.trendytourist.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Puerto-Banus-Marina-1440x1080.jpg)
Old Town
Marbella Old Town is the highlight of our trip because we just found its backstreets to be so incredibly cute and quaint. It’s a joy to roam around and get lost a little, popping in and out of the shops and taking photos of the beautiful buildings.
If you want to see the famous pink flowers in the blue flowerpots, you need to go to the Town Hall in Plaza de los Naranjos and then Calle Carmen. These flowers are called bougainvillaea and can be seen growing on walls, trellises and fences.
Plaza de los Naranjos is a historic and picturesque square in the heart of Old Town (and not to be missed!). It’s always busy. Having said that, if you time it right at Calle Carmen (before the 7pm dinner rush), you can get photos and vids without anybody else in them. (Yay!)
Also, Old Town is the best area for authentic Spanish tapas and sangria. A couple of restaurants we loved were Arco Tapas Bar and El Boqueron. But, there are so many to choose from!
![Marbella Old Town Backstreets](https://www.trendytourist.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Marbella-Old-Town-Backstreets-1440x1920.jpg)
![Marbella Things to Do](https://www.trendytourist.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Marbella-Things-to-Do-1440x1920.jpg)
Hike Up La Concha
La Concha is one of the most famous mountains in the province and Malaga. It belongs to Sierra Blanca (White Mountain Range), which has this name due to the colour of the limestone and the lack of vegetation.
If you’re a keen hiker, you can hike up La Concha Peak (1,215 metres) starting from the Refugio de Juanar. It’s supposed to be steep and rocky, but has amazing views of the Mediterranean Sea and coast of Africa from the top!
This hike will take you between four and six hours, depending on your fitness level.
![Marbella La Concha Mountain](https://www.trendytourist.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Marbella-La-Concha-Mountain-1440x1920.jpg)
![La Concha Sierra Blanca](https://www.trendytourist.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/La-Concha-Sierra-Blanca-1440x1920.jpg)
Malaga Day Trip
As Malaga is only 45 minutes from Marbella Old Town to drive, you can get a taxi or Uber into the city centre for a fun day trip. It’s not cheap though (€75+ one way!).
Public transport is available, which makes the journey more affordable. For us, it would have been a two-hour journey from our hotel on two buses each way and hubby wasn’t feeling well that day so we had to give it a miss.
That said, I visited Malaga on a cruise ship in my teens and I loved Calle Larios shopping street and the whole vibe. Other popular attractions include:
- Plaza del Obispo (Bishop’s Square)
- La iglesia de San Agustín (The Church of San Agustín)
- Castillo de Gibralfaro
I would love to go back someday and take hubby!
What to Wear in Marbella
As Marbella is a laid-back resort area with warm weather you will find most British tourists in summer clothing all year round. It’s pretty casual in all areas, but the most dressed-up people will be at Puerto Banús marina. (Think suits, long dresses, tailored pieces, etc!)
For beach and pool days, a crochet dress or cotton shirt co-ord with shorts thrown over your swimsuit or bikini would help you look the part. For the Old Town, people don’t tend to dress as beachy during the day so a pretty sundress or linen trousers and vest top is a good call. However, at night in Old Town, people may dress up a bit more with smarter pieces but you can literally do what makes you feel the most comfortable and confident!
If you’re going to Marbs during the summer months, I would suggest to stick to linen or linen-blend fabric, or pure cotton, for maximum breathability in the heat.
What I Wore in Marbella (Daytime Inspo)
![Beach Outfit](https://www.trendytourist.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Beach-Outfit-1440x1920.jpg)
![Marbella Outfits](https://www.trendytourist.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Marbella-Outfits-1440x1920.jpg)
Outfit 1 details:
- M&S Pure Cotton Beach Shirt*
- M&S Pure Cotton Beach Shorts*
- Shein Dupe Bikini*
- Shein Black Sliders*
- Primark Sunglasses – similar*
- Dupe Bag – similar*
Outfit 2 details:
- Dorothy Perkins Vest Top – similar*
- H&M Beach Skirt* – almost sold out so similar*
- Chloe Bag – similar*
- Primark Sunglasses – similar*
- Shein Shell Necklaces*
- Sliders as before
I imagine Malaga has more of a “city chic” vibe with a ZARA or Pull&Bear aesthetic. Wide-leg shorts or trousers with a striped shirt and rolled sleeves would feel cool yet look stylish in the higher temperatures. Alternatively, a linen midi dress can produce an effortlessly elegant summer aesthetic.
What I Wore in Marbella (Nighttime Inspo)
![What to Wear in Marbella](https://www.trendytourist.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/What-to-Wear-in-Marbella-1440x1920.jpg)
![Marbella Fashion](https://www.trendytourist.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Marbella-Fashion-1440x1920.jpg)
Outfit 1 details:
- M&S Linen Blend Trousers*
- Sunglasses, vest top, bag, sliders and necklace as before
Outfit 2 details:
- H&M Floral Dress*
- Shein Claw Clip*
- Coach White Tabby Bag*
- Primark Sandals – old so similar*
- Sunglasses as before
When I’m packing for a trip I always try and prioritise pieces that can be worn more than once with other pieces so I can take less but style more! This saves packing space and reduces the amount of washing you have when you get home.
Neutrals are great (white, black, beige, etc) as they go with anything. Here’s an example summer travel capsule wardrobe.
For more packing help, tips and tricks, check out my debut eBook.
Pin this article and save for later:
![Marbella Travel Guide What to See and Do](https://www.trendytourist.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Marbella-Travel-Guide-What-to-See-and-Do.png)
Final Thoughts on This Marbella Travel Guide
I couldn’t end this Marbella travel guide without saying it’s such a beautiful and enchanting place to visit (one of my favourites yet). You can make it as relaxing or as busy as you like as it has something for every type of traveller. Generally speaking, it suits the beach or pool-loving holidaymaker the best though!
And Marbs is only a couple of hours away on a plane, so a bonus is that it’s easy to get back to in the future.
Have you been/would you want to go?
Leave a Reply