Marbella: old town, beaches and Puerto Banús, what’s worth it

In short: Marbella is more than yachts and sports cars: the old town is a well kept white village in the middle of the city, and the promenade is one of the most beautiful on the coast. One day is enough for the old town, the beach and a detour to Puerto Banús. There is no train station, so you get there by bus or car.

What can you see in the old town?

The old town (Casco Antiguo) is a few streets back from the sea and almost entirely pedestrianised. White houses, flower pots, small squares: this is what Marbella looked like before the hotels arrived.

• Plaza de los Naranjos: the Orange Square with the 16th century town hall, the heart of the old town.
• Remains of the Moorish city wall: at the upper edge of the old town, next to the church of Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación.
• Lanes around Calle Ancha: quieter than the main square, with small shops and chapels.

Come in the morning or the evening. At midday in summer, the lanes are hot and crowded.

What is special about the Avenida del Mar?

Between the old town and the beach lie the Alameda park with its tiled benches and the Avenida del Mar. Along this wide pedestrian boulevard, bronze sculptures based on designs by Salvador Dalí stand in the open air. It costs nothing.

How far is it to Puerto Banús?

The Paseo Marítimo beach promenade connects Marbella with Puerto Banús. The route is flat, runs along the sea the whole way and makes for a long walk. You can take the city bus back. On the way you pass the Golden Mile, the stretch with the big villas and beach clubs.

Puerto Banús itself is a marina with expensive cars in front and luxury shops behind. After an hour you have seen it all. Eating and drinking in the front row by the harbour costs noticeably more than two streets further back.

Which beaches are worth it?

The town beaches along the Paseo Marítimo are clean and have everything you need, but in summer it is towel to towel. You get more space and nature in the east of the municipality: at Cabopino beach and the Dunas de Artola, protected dunes and pine trees lie right behind the light sand.

An overview of the whole coast is in Costa del Sol beaches.

How do you get there and where do you park?

Marbella has no train station. The commuter train from Málaga ends in Fuengirola. From Málaga and the airport, direct buses run to Marbella bus station, which sits above the town by the motorway. From there, a city bus takes you to the centre. Timetables and fares are on the ALSA website.

By car you can choose between the toll free A-7, which runs right through the coastal towns, and the AP-7 toll road further inland. You cannot park in the old town itself. Use one of the car parks on the edge, for example on the Avenida del Mar. Rental tips are in Car rental in Andalusia.

Which day trips go well with it?

Right behind the town rises the Sierra Blanca with La Concha peak, Marbella’s landmark. The mountain villages of Ojén and Istán are only a short way up the road.

For a full day, Ronda is a good option, reached via a winding mountain road. In the other direction lies Málaga with its museums. You will find more ideas in Day trips from Málaga.

Many Germans and Austrians stay on this stretch of coast for longer. How Marbella and the neighbouring towns compare as places to live is covered in Where in Spain?.

Frequently asked questions

As of October 2026. Opening hours, prices and entry rules change. Check them on the official websites before your visit.

Cover image: Mark Gilbert · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0