Sightseeing in Marbella is one of the mythical things to do in this city on the Costa del Sol. The city is known for its sun and beach tourism, but thanks to the mild temperatures all year round and the numerous sunny days, the cradle of tourism in Spain is an ideal place for winter tourism as well.
The leisure offer and the variety of things to see and do in Marbella at this time of the year is very wide, such as visiting the old town, Christmas markets, activities within the city, or taking a trip to a nearby village to experience the winter charm of Málaga.
Marbella is a city waiting to be discovered; its history, heritage, and culture, along with the surrounding towns and villages, feature remarkable spots that are the perfect destination for those who prefer winter tourism with enviable temperatures.
Play golf
It is common to visit Marbella with the intention of spending a wonderful holiday full of days of sun, rest and fun. The Costa del Sol capital is also ideal for many other activities. Marbella is world famous for the quality of its golf courses and the possibility to enjoy them almost all year round. So, we encourage you to play some holes, enjoying the best scenery while you play your favourite sport. There is nothing like a good round of golf at some of the most privileged sites. Do you want to know some of the most spectacular golf courses?
La Quinta Golf & Country Club
Cabopino Golf Marbella
Flamingos Golf Club
Golf La Dama de Noche
Rio Real Golf
Santa María Golf
Golf: the best golf courses on the Costa del Sol
Enjoying the promenade
You don’t need to go to the mountains to enjoy a lovely walk through nature. Marbella currently has over 10 miles of promenade. You can walk until you’ve worked up a sweat.
But if you are not into walking, you can also enjoy the promenade by bike. You don’t need to be a cycling expert. It’s about enjoying some sport around Marbella, while enjoying the gentle sea breeze. And if you get tired, you can take a break at one of the many terraces you will find along the way. Or if you prefer, you can also enjoy a spectacular tour on a Segway, where you will discover the chicest part of town.
Shopping
Marbella is the most glamourous place on the Costa del Sol, so when we talk about shopping, the capital of the Costa del Sol is a must on any itinerary, both for the quality and diversity of its products. Marbella offers visitors three main shopping zones. The old town is possibly the most beautiful place with its wide range of boutiques dotted among its white, narrow, flower-filled streets. On the other side is Puerto Banús, which is one of the largest shopping centres with designer shops laid out around this marina designed in the purest Mediterranean style. Lastly, we have La Cañada, a modern shopping centre located in the northern part of town. It is considered one of the largest in Andalusia and in 2003 was chosen as Best Shopping Centre in Spain.
The essential fashion shops you must visit in Marbella
Gastronomy
This city’s gastronomic offering is so magnificent that we suggest you try a different place and a new dish each day. You must visit the restaurants in the historic centre. On sunny winter days, you can enjoy the terraces and traditional beach bars by the sea. At night, it is ideal to get lost on the charming Plaza de los Naranjos in the town centre, where you can go tapas hopping in the hundreds of bars with many years of tradition. Once again, Puerto Banús also has a good selection of restaurants that you must visit.
Marbella eats: where to enjoy the best tapas
Nearby excursions
Marbella’s strategic location makes it an ideal place for visiting other nearby destinations. Just one hour away is one of the most beautiful cities in Andalusia, romantic Ronda and its spectacular Tajo. Also one hour away is Malaga, the provincial capital that offers many points of interest, such as the Picasso Museum, the Thyssen Museum, the Cathedral and the Muelle Uno port. The Costa del Sol capital can also serve as a base for doing one of the most famous routes in Andalusia, the White Village Route, an itinerary that will take you on a tour of endless corners with the particular charm of the Serranía de Ronda in Malaga province, and la district of the Sierra of Cádiz province.
Ronda Day Trip: Things to see and do in the dreamy city of the Tajo
Malaga Day Trip: what to see in the capital of Costa del Sol in one day
Water sports
Paddle Surf
One of the things you can do in Marbella in winter is paddle surfing. One of the things you can do in Marbella in winter is paddle surfing. Thanks to the city’s climate, enjoying sunny days with mild temperatures in the winter is possible. Spending a day with friends, family, or even children paddle surfing is a great option in Marbella for those who are a bit more adventurous. Additionally, many service providers do not require prior experience, making it an excellent opportunity to enjoy this water sport. There are many service providers where you can go paddle surfing, but we recommend checking the weather before making your reservation, although most days are sunny. Here are a few options for you
Kayak
Another of the activities you can do on the water on a winter day in Marbella is kayaking. Discovering Marbella’s beaches and water paradises is another of the things you can do in the city of Costa del Sol while taking a tour or a route. We just recommend you to check the weather conditions and enjoy a fun winter day of sightseeing in Marbella.
To make things easier, here’s a selection of companies offering kayaking experiences.
The best water sports to enjoy Marbella and the Costa Del Sol
Spa and wellness
Marbella is the scene of luxury and wellness, and one of the most recommended things to do in the city to relax and take time for yourself is to visit a spa. Getting a massage, enjoying a treatment, or relaxing in a sauna are some of the activities offered by many luxury hotels and spa centers in the area. This is yet another unique way to experience winter tourism in Marbella and indulge in an exclusive, luxurious day just for you.
Here is a selection of places where you can escape from it all and dedicate a day to yourself to renew and recharge your energy. However, we recommend checking schedules, locations, and prices and making your reservation in advance to ensure you don’t miss out on an unforgettable wellness experience.
- Spa Anantara Villa Padierna
- Germaine de Capuccini, Amàre Marbella
- Spa by Clarins El Fuerte Marbella
- Thalasso Spa, Marbella Club Hotel
- Six Senses Spa Puente Romano
- Spa Senzia, Senator hotels and Resorts
Marbella: health and wellness tourism in a luxurious environment
Cultural visits
Exploring the corners of Marbella and its surroundings is a way of sightseeing to learn about the history, heritage, and culture of the province of Malaga. Winter is an ideal time for cultural tourism, so in Marbella, we recommend visiting some museums, such as the Ralli. This museum is one of the city’s best-known, as it houses one of the most important collections of Latin American contemporary art in Europe.
It is an excellent opportunity to learn more about this art and best of all, entrance is free.
The Museo del Grabado is another of the most famous museums in Marbella. It is known for its extensive collection of engravings and woodcuts, as well as for housing various permanent collections of Miró, among others. It is a dynamic museum where you can also enjoy workshops and activities. We recommend you to check out their website so you can plan your visit.
If you’re someone who enjoys venturing outside the city to explore nearby places, Málaga is a unique destination with a wide variety of museums to visit. The Picasso Museum, the Thyssen, and the Pompidou are the best-known and most important in the city.
Additionally, if you are traveling with children, you could visit the Museum of Imagination in Málaga, where you can enjoy a fun-filled day with the little ones.
Discover the 12 most important museums in Málaga, the cultural destination in Andalucia
Art is culture and enjoying it in all its forms is a way to enrich and value the artists. Therefore, in addition to visiting museums and appreciating their works, we find other forms, such as street art, to enjoy. Estepona, a town near Marbella, is famous for its Murals Route. This route takes you past approximately 60 houses, where residents have offered the facades of their homes to host paintings that have made Estepona a capital of urban art.
Genalguacil is another village where street art has become a defining feature. Located near Marbella, this village showcases art pieces created locally, turning Genalguacil into an open-air museum. Here, you can enjoy a unique day of tourism, discovering artworks in the most hidden corners of this beautiful village.
Christmas markets
Visiting a Christmas market is the most iconic way to enjoy winter tourism. Breathing the magic of Christmas, finding unique gifts for your loved ones, and strolling with your family through these lively places filled with lights and activities for everyone are experiences you won’t want to miss in winter. It is one of the quintessential things to do at this time of year, and the Costa del Sol has many Christmas markets where you can do your shopping, enjoy some hot chocolate with churros, stroll through the stalls, and take in light shows or activities designed especially for the little ones.
There is a wide variety to choose from, but we recommend the Christmas market at Muelle Uno in Málaga, with beautiful sea views and dreamy sunsets; the market in Puerto Banús, which features an ice rink; the market in Benalmádena, one of the largest, offering recreational activities; the market in Estepona, with more than 40 stalls where you can find typical Christmas products; and the market in Ronda, which is especially delightful for children, thanks to its park and handmade wooden toys.
The Best Markets and Venues to Do Christmas Shopping in Malaga
Wine tourism
In Marbella one of the best options for enjoying winter tourism is learning about its wine culture. Indeed, Costa del Sol wine tourism holds a great many secrets. Here we can enjoy areas as emblematic for wine as the Serranía de Ronda, Axarquía and Montes de Málaga. Malaga, too, is the land of wine and sitting on the coast at one of the fantastic beach clubs in Marbella with a good glass of wine is a real delight.
Wine route of the essential wineries in Malaga
Ronda and Grazalema Sierra wineries
Hiking
Marbella hides many amazing places to enjoy hiking. Istán, Serranía de Ronda, Refugio de Juanar… There are many stunning routes for any nature and trekking lover. Marbella, thanks to its fabulous location with the mountains and the sea next to each other, is perfect for hiking.
There are itineraries, such as:
- Pozuelo Route: 3 hours, leave from and return to Refugio de Juanar. Google Maps
- Marbella – Los Monjes Ruins: 3 hours from the Xarblanca neighbourhood to Los Monjes Ruins. Google Maps
- Refugio de Juanar – La Concha: 5 hours. This is the favourite local hiking route. Google Maps
Discover the beauty of Bosque de Cobre in Malaga through its villages and its hiking trails
15 woods to see this autumn in Andalucia
Caminito del Rey
The Caminito del Rey can be considered one of the most amazing and beautiful routes, not only in Malaga, but we would dare to suggest in all Andalusia. It is located at the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes Natural Landscape and is surrounded by large reservoirs (Guadalhorce, del Chorro, Gaitanejo and Guadalteba). If you decide to visit Marbella, Caminito del Rey is a must see, since you can enjoy landscapes of unparalleled beauty.
10 sites to visit within Caminito del Rey, inside el Chorro natural site
If after reading this you want to visit Marbella in winter, come on over and enjoy this dreamy destination.
WHERE TO STAY
El Fuerte Marbella
Without a doubt, the best option to stay in Marbella es Fuerte Group Hotels. This chain, with over 60 years’ experience, offers you an outstanding service, leader in quality. Holidays for two, with the family or friends, any way you decide to travel is perfectly suitable for these hotels where, in these destinations, you can practice countless outdoor activities, and find facilities to practice your favorite sports. Do not hesitate to stay at El Fuerte Marbella if you travel to the Costa del Sol.