Marbella: what to see, where to eat and what to do in the Costa del Sol town

Guide to: Marbella

Marbella: what to see, where to eat and what to do in the Costa del Sol town

Find out how the other half lives in this hub of luxury

Añádenos en Google Aerial view of Marbella's Golden Mile. ((Adobe Stock))

Daniela Craft Márquez

20/07/2026 Actualizado a las 13:11h.

No address on the Costa del Sol carries more glamour than Marbella. Famous for its luxury lifestyle, glamorous beach clubs and the exclusive marina of Puerto Banús, this town stands as one of the Costa del Sol's most important destinations.

What began as a modest agricultural town and fishing village has transformed into a summer haven for nearly half a million visitors each year. But it's not just the 320 days of sunshine that draw people here, it's everything else Marbella has to offer.

This guide covers the best things to do, where to eat and where to stay in Marbella, helping visitors make the most of their trip.

Things to do in Marbella

Golf

Marbella is the epicentre of golf on the Costa del Sol, with more than 30 top-tier courses within 20 minutes of the town. Standout courses include Marbella Club Golf Resort, Aloha Golf Club, Los Naranjos Golf Club, Cabopino Golf, and Rio Real.

Cable Ski Marbella

Cableski Marbella is a cable-pulled water-skiing and wakeboarding park that makes for a fun, active day out on the water for people of all ages.

Wander the Old Town

The old town of Marbella is a 15th-century historic centre filled with whitewashed houses, cobbled streets and local tapas bars. It is best to go in the evening, when the streets light up and the plazas fill in. Don't miss Plaza de los Naranjos, Marbella's prettiest, ringed with orange trees and restaurants.

beaches and plenty of water sports along the coast. On a clear day, you can make out Africa across the Strait of Gibraltar.

Dolphin watching

If you take a boat trip along this stretch of coast you may very well see dolphins. They are a common sight in these waters, especially on calm days, when you can get remarkably close to them.

La Concha mountain

Marbella's mountain, part of the Sierra Blanca range, rises to about 4,000 feet. Hike up for sweeping coastal views, but go in the early morning, since the midday summer heat makes the climb far less pleasant.

Starlite Occident Music Festival

Held every summer in an open-air quarry, Starlite pairs top-tier live music with a stunning venue. The 2026 edition marks its 15th anniversary, running from 19 June to 29 August at the Cantera de Nagüeles, with a lineup that has included Lenny Kravitz, Maroon 5, John Legend and Rick Astley, who played on 10 July.

This restaurant has cemented its reputation this summer as one of Marbella's most exclusive places to eat.

International cuisine

Marbella offers authentic food from all over the world:

Takumi - High-end Japanese sushi restaurant.

Genji - Mid-range Japanese sushi restaurant.

11:11 Société - This restaurant offers both Mexican and Middle Eastern food.

Thai Gallery - Situated in Puente Romano, this restaurant offers authentic Thai food.

Tai Pan - Offers authentic Cantonese cuisine.

Da Bruno - Traditional Italian restaurant, famous for its fresh pasta, meat and seafood.

Casa Tua - Features an Italian-based menu with lots of inventive twists.

Inside Puente Romano

A genuine roll-call of international dining royalty:

Coya - Luxury Peruvian restaurant located in Puente Romano.

Nobu - High-end restaurant chain, famous for its signature Japanese-Peruvian fusion cuisine.

Cipriani - Luxury family-owned Italian restaurant chain, famous for inventing the Bellini cocktail and Carpaccio.

Gaia - An upscale, internationally-recognised Greek-mediterranean restaurant chain.

Rooftop bars with a view

Belvue Rooftop Bar - Located on Amàre Hotel's rooftop, on the seafront promenade, five minutes on foot from the city centre. Sunset views with Gibraltar and Africa on the horizon.

Benabola Sky Lounge - Situated in Puerto Banús, this rooftop offers views of the mediterranean sea and the port.

Hotel El Fuerte rooftop - Offers panoramic views of the coast.

How to get to Marbella

By air: The nearest airport is Malaga, roughly 50 minutes' drive away. Gibraltar airport is a little over an hour's drive away.

By bus: Marbella has its own bus station, with regular connections along the coast and from Malaga.

By car: The town sits just off the A-7 and AP-7 motorways, making it an easy drive from anywhere on the Costa del Sol.