Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Marbella?
Should you spend 1 or 2 weeks 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 one or two weeks 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 one week enough time in Marbella?
One week is more than enough time to enjoy the beach and other activities in Marbella. You can move at your own pace and relax at your hotel and on the beach. You could also use Marbella as a base for exploring the nearby destinations. You'll find some great day trips in the region worth doing.
How to spend a week 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.
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)
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.
After you've explored most of Marbella, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.
As the live music scene is so popular in Marbella, make sure you spend another evening finding more of the area's best places to take in a show. Often, many of the local venues are near one another, so you can hop from place to place.
Because this is a world-class shopping destination, you'll need yet another day to find the best deals. Each area of Marbella offers a different vibe and atmosphere, and along with it, different styles of shops.
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.
Is 2 weeks enough time in Marbella?
Two weeks provides ample opportunity in Marbella to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling, the beaches, the nightlife scene, and the shops and boutiques. Then you can use the city as a convenient base for venturing into nearby destinations where you'll discover exciting day trip options. We have some suggestions below for your trip. Families and couples enjoy the area for its activities, too.
Marbella, Spain
How to spend 2 weeks in Marbella
With 2 weeks in Marbella, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy everything the resort town has to offer at your own relaxed pace. You'll want to spend plenty of time snorkeling or scuba diving, relaxing on the beach, hopping around the bars and clubs, and browsing the shops. You can also relax at your hotel, or casually explore this resort town looking for hidden gems. Also, consider taking some day trips to nearby destinations where you can explore more of the region.
A few trip suggestions:
- Private Sailing Experience from Estepona ($219)
- Guided Canyoning Adventure Near Marbella (Benahavís River Walk) ($47)
- Original Marbella Tapas Adventure ($106)
- Boat Trip in Fuengirola, Dolphin Watching and Drinks ($38)
- Dolphin Watching Adventure in Estepona Bay ($38)
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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