1. Paseo Maritimo

The Marbella Paseo Maritimo(meaning Beautiful Sea) promenade follows the coastline of Marbella town for 6 kilometers, with almost 2 kilometers laid in marble stone. Along the Paseo Maritimo there are beautiful restaurants, cafes, shops, malls, cinema etc. The paseo is really popular as the views over the beaches and the fresh sea air is enjoyed by people just strolling along, cycling or just watching the sun come up or go down. Also during the summer you can find a guy on the beach, who makes incredible sculptures of sand! 

 

2. Marbella Old Town

The old town of Marbella is absolutely charming with narrow cobbled streets, chic boutiques and local cafés side by side. At the heart of the Old Town known as "El Casco Antiguo" lies the Orange Square, which is also where the tourist office is ready to give you maps and information. Cross the road from the Alameda Park fountain and walk through the Orange Square past the old castle wall and into the impressive Cathedral. The Old Town is perfect for shopping and relaxing in the many cafés, restaurants, bars and interesting museums and monuments. 

OLD TOWN

 

1. Marbella Town Hall.
2. Tourist Office.
3. Bazan Palace 16th century
Spanish Contemporary Engraving Museum
Culture and Education Department.
4. Municipal Dance and Music School.
5. Old ‘Real de San Juan de Dios’ Hospital.
6. Ntra Sra. de la Encarnacin Church.
7. Santiago Chaple 15th century.
8. San Juan de Dios Church.

9. Traders Association 16th century.
10. ‘Santo Christo’ Church 16th century.
11. Arabian Walls 9th century.
12. Fountain 17th century.
13. Alameda Park.
14. House of the ‘Cano Saldaña’ 16th century.
15. House of the Magistrate 16th century.
16. Indoor Parking - Area for 450 cars.
17. Bonsai Museum

 

3. Puerto Banus

The prestigious port in Marbella, that is located about 6 miles west of Marbella centre - if you like walking and have plenty of time its a ssuperb walk from the centre of Marbella along the sea front on the Paseo along the Golden Mile. Puerto Banus is a great place to people watch - see the superb mega yachts, many supercars and enjoy chic boutique shopping. As well as numerous bars and restaurants. Sunseeker, Fairline, D&G, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Bentley, Aston Martin, Jimmy Choo, Louis Vuitton, Emporio Armani, etc all all regulalrly on show around the Marina. 

A lively place on an evening with many bars open until 7 a.m. i-Marbella recommends to Pravda and Gran Gatsby restaurants for a great food experience with a great view on the port!

 

 

 

4. Luxury Beach Clubs & Chringuitos 

No matter what time of year you visit Marbella, a trip to the beach is a must. The Costa del Sol boasts kilometre after kilometre of sandy beaches, the very best of which can be found a 10 minute drive to the east of Marbella in the Elviria and Hotel Don Carlos areas.  

 

One of the luxury beach clubs to visit is definitely Puro Beach, which is located directly on the beautiful beach close to Estepona. Purobeach is a hang out by the sea, with a lifestyle concept including food & drinks, a lounge, terrace, pool & yoga – in short, everything to satisfy body, mind and soul. Purobeach mixes the human need for health and spirituality during the day and a vibrant party mood by night. 

 

Another luxury destination at the east side of Marbella is Bono's Beach, which offers a relaxed and refined environment. Their attentive team will help you to discover a tasty and creative Cuisine prepared with fresh products in a colorful and musical atmosphere.

But besides the luxury beach clubs, all along the coast you can find lovely little beach bars, known as ‘chiringuitos’ serving drinks and typical Mediterranean cuisine, right on the sand. For example Aurora Beach, that is located 5 minuted from Puerto Banus.

 

5. Shopping
Marbella is perfect place for shopaholics and many of the well-known brand come from Spain. Inditex is a large Spanish corporation and the world's largest fashion group, that owns brands like Zara, Massimo Dutti, Bershka, Oysho, Pull and Bear, Stradivarius, Zara Home, Tempe and Uterqüe, and also a low cost brand Lefties.

For designer labels and the flagship El Corte Ingles department store, head to nearby Puerto Banus. Banus has incredible shops such as Chloe, Versace, Robert Cavelli and La Perla overlooking the marina, as well as an upmarket shopping complex with top quality high street brand stores, art galleries, coffee shops, restaurants and bars.

If you want more affordable brands all under one roof then the La Cañada complex is a great place to go. It houses nearly three hundred outlets, bars, coffee shops, restaurants, a cinema, plus a tenpin bowling alley. La Cañada is situated immediately north of Marbella.

 

 

6. Culture
Although the Costa del Sol is not known for its culture, there are actually a number of theatres, art galleries and museums in the Marbella area as well as a packed cultural programme of concerts, dance, jazz and theatre during the summer months.

In Marbella, the Black Box Theatre offers plays in Spanish and English; the unusual Bonsai Museum features one of Europe’s most important collections of Bonsai Trees; and the Museum of Spanish Contemporary Engravings exhibits works by Picasso, Miró, Tapies, Chillida and several other important Spanish artists. The best art gallery close to Marbella is the Sammer Gallery, Puerto Banús, which is one of the largest modern art galleries in Spain.

For yet more culture, a day-trip to Malaga town and a visit to the Picasso Museum is a must!