Marbella walking tour & city guide

The old town

Plaza de los Naranjos, the Orange Square, has been the heart of Marbella since the 15th century, surrounded by orange trees, the old town hall and the small Ermita de Santiago, the town's oldest church. From here, whitewashed alleys hung with flowerpots wind past the Church of the Incarnation and the remains of the Moorish castle walls.

The old town is small and car-free, best explored slowly. To the east, the Barrio Nuevo, despite its name, is just as charming.

The seafront and Puerto Banús

A short walk downhill, the Alameda park and the Avenida del Mar, decorated with sculptures by Salvador Dalí, lead to the seafront promenade. The Paseo Marítimo runs for several kilometres along the beaches, past beach bars and the marina.

About six kilometres west, Puerto Banús is Marbella's luxury marina, lined with superyachts, designer boutiques and expensive cars. The Golden Mile between the town and the port is a stretch of grand villas and hotels.

Visiting tips

Marbella is about 45 minutes from Málaga airport by road, and buses link it with Málaga, Puerto Banús, Estepona and Ronda. The mountain road to Ronda is one of the most scenic drives in Andalusia, and the long promenade is ideal for walking, running or cycling.