Marbella is the best-known resort on the Costa del Sol, in Andalusia. Its reputation rests on Puerto Banús and its villas, but the town also has a white old town around the Plaza de los Naranjos, a promenade lined with sculptures by Salvador Dalí and 27 km (17 mi) of coastline. Things to do in Marbella, which beach to choose and when to go based on World Meteorological Organization normals: here are the essentials, backed by checked sources.
The municipality has about 141,000 inhabitants (2019). It lies at the foot of the Sierra Blanca, 57 km (35 mi) south-west of Málaga and 100 km (62 mi) from the Strait of Gibraltar. Annexed to Castile in 1485, a mining town in the 19th century and then a fishing village, it became a resort from 1954 with the opening of the Marbella Club Hotel; the Puerto Banús marina opened in 1970.
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Marbella at a glance
- Location Costa del Sol, province of Málaga, Andalusia
- Nearest airport Málaga, about 45 km (28 mi) away
- Train no station in Marbella; the nearest is in Fuengirola, 27 km (17 mi) away
- Sights old town and Plaza de los Naranjos, Avenida del Mar and the Dalí sculptures, Puerto Banús, beaches
- Entry Schengen area; UK citizens need no visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, US citizens need a passport valid 3 months beyond their stay (see entry requirements)
- Currency and time euro; UTC+1, UTC+2 in summer (1 hour ahead of London, 6 hours ahead of New York)
- Ideal length 1 to 2 days of sightseeing, longer for a beach stay
Things to do in Marbella: the highlights
The old town and Plaza de los Naranjos
The Casco Antiguo keeps much of its 16th-century layout, with the remains of the Moorish castle and its walls. At its heart, the Plaza de los Naranjos (Orange Tree Square), laid out after the Christian reconquest, brings together the town hall built in 1568, the Corregidor’s house, whose façade mixes Gothic and Renaissance, and the Santiago chapel, the town’s oldest religious building, probably 15th-century. Nearby, the church of Santa María de la Encarnación is Baroque (from 1618).
Barrio Alto and Barrio Nuevo
To the north, the Barrio Alto is home to the 15th-century hermitage of Santo Cristo de la Vera Cruz, recognisable by its square tower topped with glazed tiles. To the east, the Barrio Nuevo has no major monuments but keeps its whitewashed houses, tiled roofs and small courtyards.
The Alameda and Avenida del Mar
Between the old town and the sea, the Paseo de la Alameda has a small botanical garden. It continues as the Avenida del Mar, a garden with fountains displaying ten sculptures by Salvador Dalí and leading to the beach. It is the nicest route from the historic centre to the seafront.
The museums
The Museum of Contemporary Spanish Prints, founded in 1992 in the former Bazán hospital, shows prints by Picasso, Miró, Dalí, Tàpies and Chillida. The Ralli Museum, mostly devoted to Latin American art, also displays works by Dalí and Chagall. Check opening times and days before you go.
Puerto Banús and the Golden Mile
About 7.5 km (5 mi) west of the centre, Puerto Banús is a luxury marina opened in May 1970, lined with designer shops and restaurants. Between the town and the port stretches the « Golden Mile », a strip of about 6.4 km (4 mi) of villas, hotels and residences. Just above, Nueva Andalucía is nicknamed the « Golf Valley » for its courses.
San Pedro Alcántara and the ancient sites
In the west of the municipality, near the mouth of the Guadalmina, are the Roman baths of Las Bóvedas, the early Christian basilica of Vega del Mar and the watchtower of the same name. A little-known curiosity to combine with Puerto Banús.
The beaches
The municipality’s 27 km (17 mi) of coastline is divided into twenty-four beaches, all now semi-urban. La Venus and La Fontanilla are the central beaches. The beaches of Puerto Banús and San Pedro Alcántara have been awarded the Blue Flag. To the east, Artola beach lies within the protected Artola dunes, and Cabopino, near the marina of the same name, is one of the municipality’s few naturist beaches.
Itinerary: Marbella in 1 or 2 days
| Time | Day 1: the centre | Day 2: the coast |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | Old town, Plaza de los Naranjos, church of the Encarnación | Puerto Banús |
| Midday | Barrio Alto, Vera Cruz hermitage | Puerto Banús or San Pedro beach |
| Afternoon | Museum of Prints, Alameda, Avenida del Mar | Las Bóvedas baths, San Pedro Alcántara |
| Evening | Seafront promenade, La Venus beach | Back to the centre or an evening in Puerto Banús |
Marbella combines well with its neighbour Málaga and with the great cities of Andalusia: Granada, Seville or Cádiz.
When to go to Marbella
May to October for the beach, with June and September as the best compromise: 24.8 °C (77 °F) in the afternoon in June, 25.5 °C (78 °F) in September, and very little rain. July and August are the hottest (27.3 °C (81 °F) in August) and almost rainless (less than one rainy day a month). Rain is concentrated between November and January: December is the wettest month (132 mm (5.2 in)). Winter stays mild (16.4 °C (62 °F) in January) for sightseeing, without the summer heat.
| Month | High °C (°F) | Low °C (°F) | Rain mm (in) | Rainy days | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 16.4 (62) | 9.4 (49) | 88.8 (3.5) | 7.3 | ⚠️ Mild, rainy |
| February | 16.9 (62) | 10.0 (50) | 75.8 (3.0) | 6.7 | ⚠️ Mild, showers |
| March | 18.4 (65) | 11.6 (53) | 57.3 (2.3) | 5.7 | ✅ Mild, spring |
| April | 19.8 (68) | 12.9 (55) | 50.8 (2.0) | 6.2 | ✅ Pleasant |
| May | 22.2 (72) | 15.1 (59) | 25.2 (1.0) | 4.4 | ✅ Ideal |
| June | 24.8 (77) | 18.2 (65) | 5.7 (0.2) | 0.9 | ✅ Warm, dry |
| July | 26.9 (80) | 20.3 (69) | 1.1 (0.0) | 0.4 | ⚠️ Very warm, dry |
| August | 27.3 (81) | 20.6 (69) | 5.8 (0.2) | 0.4 | ⚠️ The hottest |
| September | 25.5 (78) | 18.9 (66) | 29.9 (1.2) | 2.7 | ✅ Warm, warm sea |
| October | 22.6 (73) | 16.2 (61) | 64.6 (2.5) | 5.7 | ✅ Mild, still fine |
| November | 19.5 (67) | 12.9 (55) | 108.8 (4.3) | 7.0 | ⚠️ Rainy |
| December | 17.3 (63) | 10.7 (51) | 132.0 (5.2) | 8.8 | ❌ The wettest |
When it rains, it pours
In Marbella, rain falls on few days but heavily. Dividing the monthly total by the number of rainy days gives about 15.5 mm (0.6 in) per rainy day in November, against 8.2 mm (0.3 in) in April. In winter, a rainy day is often a genuinely lost beach day, but such days remain few. Destination de Voyage calculation based on the WMO 1981-2010 normals.
| Month | Rain per rainy day | Rainy days per week | Day-night range |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 12.2 mm (0.5 in) | 1.6 | 7.0 °C (13 °F) |
| February | 11.3 mm (0.4 in) | 1.7 | 6.9 °C (12 °F) |
| March | 10.1 mm (0.4 in) | 1.3 | 6.8 °C (12 °F) |
| April | 8.2 mm (0.3 in) | 1.4 | 6.9 °C (12 °F) |
| May | 5.7 mm (0.2 in) | 1.0 | 7.1 °C (13 °F) |
| June | – | 0.2 | 6.6 °C (12 °F) |
| July | – | 0.1 | 6.6 °C (12 °F) |
| August | – | 0.1 | 6.7 °C (12 °F) |
| September | 11.1 mm (0.4 in) | 0.6 | 6.6 °C (12 °F) |
| October | 11.3 mm (0.4 in) | 1.3 | 6.4 °C (12 °F) |
| November | 15.5 mm (0.6 in) | 1.6 | 6.6 °C (12 °F) |
| December | 15.0 mm (0.6 in) | 2.0 | 6.6 °C (12 °F) |
The sea also moderates temperatures: the gap between afternoon and night never exceeds 7.1 °C (13 °F) (May) and drops to 6.4 °C (12 °F) in October. Summer nights stay above 20 °C (68 °F) in July and August. To compare with the rest of the region, see the best time to visit Andalusia.
Getting there and getting around Marbella
- By air: the nearest airport is Málaga, about 45 km (28 mi) away, Andalusia’s main international airport; check routes with the airlines.
- By coach: coaches link Marbella with Málaga and its airport, and with other Andalusian cities such as Seville, Granada, Cádiz and Ronda.
- By train: Marbella has no station; the nearest is Fuengirola, 27 km (17 mi) away, and Málaga’s is 57 km (35 mi) away.
- By car: the town is served by the N-340, the AP-7 toll motorway and the A-7 expressway; the A-397 road leads inland to Ronda.
Where to stay
The centre, between the old town and the beach, lets you do everything on foot. Puerto Banús and the Golden Mile have most of the upmarket hotels and the nightlife. San Pedro Alcántara and eastern districts such as Las Chapas are more residential. In July and August, book early.
If you… then…: choosing your stay
| If you… | Then… |
|---|---|
| come for the old town | stay in the centre and visit outside summer, from March to May or in October |
| want a Blue Flag beach | Puerto Banús or San Pedro Alcántara |
| want a more natural beach | Artola, in the protected dunes, or Cabopino to the east |
| love art | Museum of Prints, the Dalí sculptures, the Ralli Museum |
| have no car | stay in the centre; take the coach to Málaga and the airport |
Entry requirements, health and safety
- US citizens: Spain is in the Schengen area. Your passport should be valid for at least 3 months beyond your period of stay (the State Department recommends 6 months), and you need sufficient proof of funds and a return ticket; students and athletes need a visa to take part in study or sports programmes (U.S. Department of State, travel.state.gov, last updated August 11, 2025).
- UK citizens: no visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period as a tourist. Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before the day you arrive and be valid at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area. The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is being implemented: fingerprints and a photo may be taken at the border, free of charge (UK FCDO, GOV.UK, updated 12 August 2026).
- Health: UK travellers need a GHIC or EHIC for medically necessary state healthcare, which GOV.UK says is not a substitute for travel insurance; whatever your nationality, take out insurance that covers medical costs. Emergency number: 112 (GOV.UK and travel.state.gov).
- Safety: the U.S. Department of State notes that street crime targets tourist spots, airports, train stations and beach destinations; keep valuables out of outer pockets and carry a copy of your passport’s bio page rather than the original when you can (you will need the passport to check in to hotels).
- Lost passport: according to GOV.UK, you cannot use a police report to leave Spain: you need a new passport or an emergency travel document.
- Dress code: GOV.UK notes that in some parts of Spain it is illegal to walk the streets in swimwear only, and you could be fined on the seafront promenade or adjacent streets.
Frequently asked questions
What can you see in Marbella in one day?
The old town and the Plaza de los Naranjos, the Avenida del Mar and its Dalí sculptures, then the seafront; Puerto Banús at the end of the day.
What is the best time to go to Marbella?
June and September for the beach, with warmth and little rain. December is the wettest month (132 mm (5.2 in)) according to the WMO.
Does Marbella have a train station?
No. The nearest station is in Fuengirola, 27 km (17 mi) away; coaches link Marbella with Málaga and its airport.
Which beach should you choose in Marbella?
La Venus and La Fontanilla in the centre, Puerto Banús and San Pedro Alcántara for the Blue Flag, Artola for a natural setting.
Do you need a visa to visit Marbella?
Not for a short tourist stay as a US or UK citizen: Spain applies Schengen rules (up to 90 days in any 180-day period for UK citizens, according to GOV.UK). Check passport validity rules on travel.state.gov or GOV.UK before you go.
Our sources
- World Meteorological Organization (World Weather Information Service), 1981-2010 normals for Marbella, via the Wikipedia climate box (article « Marbella »), accessed 23 October 2026
- Entry requirements, health and safety checked on 26 October 2026: U.S. Department of State, Spain country information (last updated August 11, 2025) and UK FCDO, GOV.UK foreign travel advice for Spain (updated 12 August 2026).
- Wikipedia: « Marbella » (French and English), « Puerto Banús », « Málaga Airport », accessed 23 October 2026
- Destination de Voyage calculations: rain per rainy day, rainy days per week, day-night range
- Our methodology
Updated October 2026.
To go further, see our guides to Andalusia, Málaga and Spain.
