Are you thinking about visiting Marbella, Spain? Here's what you need to know before planning your trip.
Is Marbella worth visiting?
Marbella is worth visiting for two to five days so that you can explore everything that the resort town has to offer. 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.
Marbella, Spain
Reasons to Visit Marbella
Nightlife
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.
Resorts
From luxury to family-friendly, this area has plenty of resorts to choose from. Popular resorts in the area include Marbella Club Hotel, Puente Romano Marbella, and Don Carlos Resort and Spa.
Scuba Diving & Snorkeling
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.
Beaches
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.
Shopping
This area attracts vacationers from around Europe and the shopping is some of the best in Europe.
Music
Some of the best music venues include Starlite, Kitch Social Club, and Momento.
Food
The area is filled with tourists, so finding an authentic dining experience can be difficult. Several favorite dishes include croquetas, boquerones, and pulpo.
Historical Sights
Head into the old town to explore a quaint area with small, meandering streets, churches, restaurants, shops, and cafes.
The Costs
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, Marbella might be a very affordable destination for you. Check out the travel costs for Marbella here or see if Marbella is expensive here.
Is Marbella worth visiting in the Summer?
The warm weather in summer is one of the reasons people visit at this time of year. Temperatures average around 25°C (77°F) with daily high temperatures often more than 30°C (86°F).
The peak season for travel is summer in Marbella, so expect to see more tourists than usual. This destination is quite touristy, so in the high season it's busier than usual. You'll see larger crowds and longer lines, as well as higher prices. On the other hand, there's plenty to see and do at this time of year because everything is open.
With the warmer weather this time of year, the beach is the main attraction. Spend time enjoying the waves and sand during your trip. You'll also find it quite easy to get around on foot, because this is a very walkable resort town, especially in the nice weather. This is a great time of year to relax at the beach, enjoy the amenities of a resort, and admire the historic sights. Also, you can check out the nightlife.
Summer Weather in Marbella
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| July | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| August | 25°C (78°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| September | 23°C (74°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
Is Marbella worth visiting in the Autumn?
Autumn is the shoulder season for travel in Marbella. This destination is quite touristy, so in the shoulder season you'll still come across plenty of touriss. However, the prices tend to be a little cheaper.
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during autumn with average temperatures around 19°C (67°F).
You'll find plenty to do during autumn, as you'll be able to take in the beautiful scenery, browse around the old town, and listen to some live music.
Autumn Weather in Marbella
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| October | 19°C (67°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| November | 15°C (60°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) |
| December | 13°C (55°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
Is Marbella worth visiting in the Winter?
This is the low season for travel in Marbella. This destination is quite touristy, but in the low season you'll see fewer crowds and much better prices.
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during winter with average temperatures around 12°C (54°F).
During this season it's fun to experience the cuisine, the historic old town, and the nightlife. Also, you can experience the live music.
Winter Weather in Marbella
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| January | 12°C (54°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| February | 13°C (55°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| March | 14°C (57°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
Is Marbella worth visiting in the Spring?
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during spring with average temperatures around 16°C (60°F).
Spring is the shoulder season for travel in Marbella, which means slightly less visitors than in the peak season. This destination is quite touristy, so in the shoulder season you'll still come across plenty of touriss. However, the prices tend to be a little cheaper.
One of the main reasons to come this time of year is because of the gorgeous scenery. This is a great time of year to browse the shops, take in the beautiful scenery, and admire the historic sights. Also, you can listen to some live music and enjoy an evening out.
Spring Weather in Marbella
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| April | 16°C (60°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| June | 22°C (72°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
Related
What is Marbella most famous for?
Marbella is most famous for its luxury hotels, beautiful beaches, and lively nightlife. People visit this impressive resort town for its great nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping. It's also known for music. And many travelers come for the food and historical sights, as well. It is often described as ritzy, glamorous, fun-filled, and high energy.
What is the most famous sight in Marbella?
The most popular sight in Marbella is Plaza de los Naranjos. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Marbella on our travel costs page.
Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for Plaza de los Naranjos and other attractions here.
How touristy is Marbella? Is it a popular resort town to visit?
Marbella is a popular resort town for tourists and travelers. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)
- Marbella Old Town: Private Walking Tour: $92
- Private canyoning adventure in the Buitreras Canyon: $97
- Romatic sea experience (Sunset + overnight + Breakfast): $163
- From Estepona: Canyoning Tour in Guadalmina, Benahavis: $58
- JET SKI TOUR Experience in Marbella 1 HOUR: $113
- Private mountain bike tour in Sierra Bermeja, Estepona: $109
- Guided JETSKI tour along the coast of Marbella, enjoy 30 minutes or 1 hour: $130
- From Estepona: Guided Via Ferrata Adventure in Benalauría: $59
How long should I spend in Marbella?
The ideal length of time for a trip to Marbella is two to five days. Since Marbella has a variety of activities such as shopping, nightlife, resorts, and scuba diving & snorkeling, most people need this much time to see and do everything here.
If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Marbella?, Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Marbella?, and Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Marbella?.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.