Itineraries for Your Trip to Marbella
2 Days in Marbella for First Timers
The sprawling sandy beaches and luxury vibes of Marbella are often what attract travelers, but what I love best about the town are the cobblestone streets of its historic Old Town, the Sierra Blanca Mountains that tower over the coastal city, and the opportunity for adventurous activities, such as mountain biking, parasailing, and boating. Because Marbella has mild, sunny weather almost year-round, the fact that I can feel the warm sun on my face and explore without facing the cold or rain means I can visit at any time of the year. From beaches to tapas to flamenco, here’s what to do if you have two days in Marbella and you’re visiting for the very first time.
Marbella is usually warm and sunny, so pack accordingly.
If you only have time for one thing, hit the beaches of Marbella (or get a glimpse of the sands from a boat).
Wandering around Marbella’s Old Town is the perfect way to start your visit. Explore the town on a walking tour of the winding streets, visiting the Marbella Castle, sniffing the flowers in the Plaza de los Naranjos, and stopping into tiny shops and galleries. Afterwards, roam the Paseo Maritimo seafront promenade, and pick which part of Fontanilla Beach you’d like to settle on, enjoying the seaside for the rest of the morning.
Once you’ve enjoyed dipping your toes in Marbella’s waters and sunbathing on the dark golden sands, it’s time to amp up the adventure. Take in the Costa del Sol’s impressive natural landscapes—think beaches, mountains, and forests—by parasailing; a sky-high flight will give you an entirely different outlook on the city and its scenic surroundings.
Marbella offers an array of delicious food, which you can sample at upscale restaurants led by famous Spanish chefs, such as Dani García, as well as eateries owned by celebrity Antonio Banderas. But you don’t have to go high-end to eat well: Marbella has some excellent tapas bars and family-owned restaurants along the coast and in Old Town that are perfect for visiting on a food tour.
Some of the best day trips from Marbella head up into the mountains to visit nearby White Villages—tiny Andalucian towns where all the architecture is sparkling white. You can always travel by car, but a special way to experience the Sierra Blanca mountain trails and its villages is to join a bike tour (or choose an e-bike, if you’d prefer to exert less energy).
No visit to Marbella is complete without a boat ride along the Mediterranean coast to enjoy Marbella’s gorgeous landscapes from the sea. Take a catamaran cruise, rent a boat, or consider a dolphin-watching cruise to enjoy afternoon drinks and hopefully spot these beautiful sea mammals at the same time. You can also catch a memorable Marbella sunset by booking an evening cruise later in the day.
The perfect activity for your final evening in Malaga is a flamenco show. Flamenco hails from the region of Andalucia, and since Marbella usually sees pleasant weather, many of the flamenco shows you’ll find are outdoors. There’s nothing like seeing the stomps and claps of this passionate dance and hearing the sweet strums of guitar beneath the moonlight as your final Marbella sendoff.
