Marbella Holidays

Known for its glitzy shops, luxury yachts and dreamy beaches, Marbella is always a glamorous getaway.

Marbella is one of Europe’s top holiday spots, drawing jet setters, celebs and families to its sun-drenched beaches, luxury hotels and fantastic restaurants. The 18 miles of coastline here means it’s all about the beach, and you’ll find some quieter stretches of sand alongside the big names where watersports and inflatables take centre stage.

‘Marbs’ is known for its exclusive Insta-worthy beach clubs and good-time resorts where late-night bars spill out onto the streets. But there’s a charming side, too: the Old Town’s picturesque squares are draped in bougainvillea, and you can still find a slice of tradition in this buzzing Moorish-meets-modern-day resort.

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Marbella Hotels

Our recommendations for the best places to stay in Marbella

Ikos Andalusia

A stunning beachfront resort redefining the all-inclusive concept with highly rated dining, an An...

Anantara Villa Padierna Palace Benahavís Marbella Resort

Surrounded by golf courses, this elegant hotel comes with a fantastic food scene, creative cockta...

Iberostar Selection Marbella Coral Beach

This fresh and bright hotel brings Mediterranean facilities to Malaga’s seafront.

METT Hotel & Beach Resort Marbella-Estepona

Step into a sophisticated world of seaside bliss balanced with beach club oomph.

H10 Croma Malaga

Taking residence in a boldly modern and eye-catching building, H10 Croma Málaga is right in the h...

Discover Caminito del Rey

Travel to Caminito del Rey to tackle one of Spain’s most popular hiking routes. This two-to-three-hour trek with an expert guide will introduce you to this beautiful natural environment in Andalucia. Hop on a comfortable bus ride to the Caminito del Rey (‘King’s Little Path’) – a narrow walkway pinned against steep walls – where you’ll hike through the awe-inspiring gorge of the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes and be rewarded with epic views.

• Duration: 5 to 6 hours
• Daily departures
• Operates Year round
• Private experience

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Highlights of Granada & Alhambra in a Day

This unforgettable sightseeing tour will introduce you to one of Europe’s top attractions. A two-hour journey will whisk you straight to the majestic Alhambra for a tour with one of Granada’s top guides who will bring its history to life. This remarkable palace and fortress complex is a UNESCO World Heritage site of intricate Moorish architecture and the only Arab palace still standing in Europe. You’ll learn about the symbolism of the famous fountain of lions and your guide will show you the best photo opportunities.

• Duration: 9 to 10 hours
• Daily departures
• Operates Year round
• Private experience

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Get to know Marbella and those important practicalities when planning your perfect holiday.

Capital
TIME DIFFERENCE

GMT+1 hour

CURRENCY

Euro

FLYING TIME TO DESTINATION

Marbella/Seville 3 hours

RELIGION

Christianity (majority Catholic)

LANGUAGE

Spanish (also known as Castilian)

Where is Marbella? Marbella is a popular resort town on southern Spain’s Costa del Sol, backed by the Sierra Blanca mountains. It’s about half an hour’s drive from Malaga airport.

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Marbella Old Town The Old Town is where you’ll find Marbella’s traditional side. White-washed Casco Antiguo has charming squares where you can grab a table at a quaint little café and gaze out at fragrant orange trees and blooming bougainvillea. Explore the cobbled labyrinthine lanes, pop into stylish boutique shops and admire artwork at local galleries.

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Estepona Although sunny Estepona is a resort town on the Costa del Sol, it has more of a traditional inland Andalucian feel. The small local population has stayed true to its fishing village origins and there’s charm and character at every turn. Alongside two beautiful Blue Flag Beaches, there’s a delightful Old Town where pretty flower displays take centre stage. This ‘urban garden’ has labyrinthine streets dotted with flowerpots and is home to one of the largest orchid houses in Europe, with more than 2000 varieties housed under huge glass domes. There’s a strong art scene, too: Estepona has nearly 30 giant murals and a collection of statues dotted around the town.

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Beaches Marbella’s beaches sweep along the length of the town and down to Puerto Banus. There are 24 beaches – including six Blue Flag beaches – ranging from quieter coves to all-out-family-fun stretches of sand with watersports and inflatable water parks. Then there’s the Golden Mile, lined with ultra-luxe homes and hotels, and home to an attractive seafront promenade.

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Food & drink There’s a huge choice of places to eat and drink in Marbella – this sprawling town has a whopping 700 restaurants. Mouth-watering local staples include gambas al pilpil (garlic and chilli prawns), Iberian ham croquetas and espetos de sardinas (sardine skewers). There are great little chiringuitos (beach shacks selling drinks and tapas) for low-key dining, all the way up to Michelin-star restaurants. The beach club scene is big in Marbella, with sleek day beds and cosy cabanas dotted around exclusive areas of beachfront, but you’ll find rustic beach bars where you can toast the sunset with the locals, too.

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Golf Marbella has some of the best golf courses in Europe and it’s been a golf hot spot for years. Golfers will love the big-name-designed courses, impeccably kept greens, modern facilities and scenic tee-off points, as well as the welcoming club houses for a post-game drink and a chat.

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Multi-centres Extend your time in Spain and combine Marbella with Inland Andalucia, where you can discover more of the region’s history and culture. Hire a car and you’ll be able to leisurely explore sprawling wine estates, rolling hills and spectacular cities.

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Marbella Weather

May - Oct

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