If you are thinking of going on holiday to Spain, then you might have discovered that one of the tourist hotspots in this fascinating and historic country is Marbella. Check out our handy guide to getting into Marbella as well as exploring and finding cool stuff to do there. Our guide is perfect for both new and returning visitors to the city!
Getting into Marbella
The nearest airport to Marbella is Malaga Airport, which is about a 40 minute drive away or an hour and a half away by bus (there are no train stations in Marbella).
You could also take a taxi from the airport, which will cost you about £60.
Flights are available from all major UK airports to Malaga, such as from London (Gatwick, Heathrow), Birmingham, and Manchester.
If you are not arranging your holiday through a High Street travel agent, consider using websites such as Kayak, Skyscanner and Expedia to find the best deals for the dates you want to travel and also to find out prices for hotels or accommodation. If you’ve got an unlimited budget you might want to check out the luxury villas Marbella has to offer.
For Sightseeing
Here are some interesting places of interest to visit in Marbella:
- Cortijo Miraflores Cultural Centre – houses an exhibition containing an overview of the history of Marbella from the Lower Palaeolithic period to the modern age, as well as an olive oil museum which boasts a working oil press..
- Museum of Contemporary Spanish Engraving – located in the old Bazán Hospital building, this one-of-a-kind museum in Spain is dedicated to the preservation, promotion and exhibition of 20th & 21st century Spanish engravings and artwork.
- El Casco Antiguo (The Old Town) – Marbella’s old town is a wonderfully preserved historical area which includes such highlights such as the 16th century Town Hall, Ermita de Santiago (Santiago Chapel), which is the town’s first Christian church and was built in the 15th century, and the remains of the ancient city walls and Islamic castle when the area was ruled by the Moors.
- Avenida del Mar (Sea Avenue) – hosts a collection of sculptures by the artist Salvador Dali.
For Shopping
Marbella is a shopper’s paradise! If you are into your brands, then you will find a huge range of shops here that sell them, often at prices cheaper than the United Kingdom.
- Parque Comercial Gran La Cañada (La Cañada Shopping Centre) – playing host to the biggest Apple store in Spain, it also features stores from other big name brands such as Hollister, Ted Baker, Adidas, Guess, H&M, Zara, Mango and Marks & Spencer.
- Avenida Ricardo Soriano (Ricardo Soriano Avenue) – running through the centre of Marbella, this tree-lined avenue features many shops and boutiques.
For Leisure
There are a number of leisure activities in and around Marbella to keep you occupied, such as:
- Playa de Nagüeles (Nagüeles Beach) – situated along Marbella’s Golden Mile, this beach is surrounded by a beautiful backdrop of high mountains, and offers all sorts of fun water sports activities.
- Aloha Golf Club – located in the heart of Marbella’s “golf valley”, the Aloha Golf Club is an exclusive golf club that boasts one of the most beautiful and outstanding golf courses in Spain.
- Parasailing – if you ever fancied having a go at parasailing, then Marbella is one of the best places to go to do it!
