Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Marbella?
Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Marbella?
Most people spend two to five days in Marbella during their visit. The fun-filled resort town offers amazing highlights such as scuba diving and snorkeling, the beaches, the nightlife scene, and the shops and boutiques.
Marbella is a popular resort destination on the Costa del Sol in south Spain. It's filled with Mediterranean beaches and luxury hotels. There are also golf courses and beautiful countryside. The city is filled with luxury, but you'll also find simple and fresh restaurants and a relaxing setting.
Do you have 3, 4, or 5 days to visit Marbella? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is 3 days enough time in Marbella?
Marbella is a small resort town that is quite popular with tourists. Given only three days, you will likely be rushed to snorkel or scuba dive, swim at the beach, grab some drinks at a bar, and go shopping. To truly savor all that the resort town offers along with the beach, a more generous amount of time is usually needed. Many travelers opt for two to five days to relax and explore here. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations for making the most of your visit.
How to spend 3 days in Marbella
Scuba diving and snorkeling around Marbella is world-class, and is one of the main reasons why so many visitors come here. Spend a day exploring the beauty of the surrounding underwater world. There are more than 100 dive sights and endless snorkeling opportunities in the area. There are deep offshore reefs that you can explore as well as shallower wrecks and caves.
The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. European tourists flock to the town for its beaches and resorts. The town has a glamorous nightlife scene with exclusive clubs and ritzy cocktail bars, particularly in Puerto Banus and along the Golden Mile.
Marbella is a walkable city and easy to explore on foot. With only a day in the resort town, you'll have no trouble seeing the local sights. The old town is particularly walkable and there are a number of hotels and nice resorts within a short walk of the town along a nice promenade.
The beautiful beaches await you in Marbella, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. The area boasts some of the best beaches in Europe. They are hubs of activity with lots of energy, and there are more than 18 miles of sandy beach in the area. Popular options include Guadalmina Beach, San Pedro de Alcántara Beach, and Nueva AndalucĂa Beach.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Boat Trip in Fuengirola, Dolphin Watching and Drinks ($38)
- Jet ski rental in ESTEPONA (photo report) ($93)
- Jet Ski Rental ($129)
Marbella is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. With its seemingly endless sunshine, miles of sandy beaches, and surrounding mountain landscape, this is a beautiful destination.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Boat Trip in Fuengirola, Dolphin Watching and Drinks ($38)
- Sunset SUP Tour in Marbella ($54)
- Marbella Old Town Walking Tour ($15)
Shopping in Marbella is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. This area attracts vacationers from around Europe and the shopping is some of the best in Europe.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Private Shopping Tour from Marbella to McArthurGlen Outlet ($126)
- Private Shopping Tour from Marbella Hotels to McArthurGlen Outlet ($139)
Live music is very popular in Marbella, so make sure you spend the evening exploring some of the more popular venues. Some of the best music venues include Starlite, Kitch Social Club, and Momento.
Is 4 days enough time in Marbella?
Many visitors spend four days in Marbella, as this is a good amount of time to see the fun-filled resort town's major attractions such as scuba diving and snorkeling, the beaches, and the nightlife scene. If you have four days here, we have a few suggestions of things to do below.
Marbella, Spain
How to spend 4 days in Marbella
Having 4 days in Marbella will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the resort town.
Perhaps the most famous spot in Marbella is Plaza de los Naranjos, so make sure you set aside some time to check it out. It might not be at the top of your list, but it's worth experiencing during your trip.
You can't miss out on tasting the fantastic cuisine at one of the best restaurants in town, so make sure you find somewhere special for lunch or dinner. The area is filled with tourists, so finding an authentic dining experience can be difficult. Several favorite dishes include croquetas, boquerones, and pulpo.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Marbella Tapas Tour ($81)
- Original Marbella Tapas Adventure ($106)
- Ronda Full Day Wine Tour from Marbella ($196)
Is 5 days enough time in Marbella?
With five days you'll have more than enough time to enjoy the beach and take in all that Marbella has to offer, giving you the flexibility to unwind in your hotel or use Marbella as a base for day trips to nearby destinations. You can relax while enjoying scuba diving and snorkeling, the beaches, and the nightlife scene at your own pace. We have some suggestions of things to do below, too.
How to spend 5 days in Marbella
With 5 days in Marbella, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the resort town has to offer.
The charming atmosphere and history of the old town area is worth exploring, so spend the day learning about the history and culture of the area. Head into the old town to explore a quaint area with small, meandering streets, churches, restaurants, shops, and cafes.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Guided tour of the Old Town Estepona ($49)
- Marbella old town tour with Tapas and Wines ($174)
- Marbella Old Town Walking Tour ($15)
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Marbella, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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