Golden light, Moorish fortresses, and palm‑lined promenades—welcome to the Costa del Sol. Málaga and Marbella have lured artists, sailors, and sunseekers for centuries, from Phoenician traders to Pablo Picasso. Today, their blend of beach life, tapas bars, and art museums makes an easygoing base for exploring Andalusia’s white villages and dramatic limestone gorges.

Expect warm Mediterranean days most of the year, fresh seafood, and late dinners. Cuisine leans on “fried fish” (pescaito frito), silky gazpacho, espetos (sardines skewered and grilled over boat barbecues), and Málaga’s sweet fortified wines. Budget‑wise, you’ll find excellent mid‑range options; splurges—like a Michelin‑star tasting menu or a beach club cabana—are there if desired.

Practical notes: Málaga‑Costa del Sol Airport (AGP) is the region’s main gateway with fast AVE trains to Madrid and Barcelona. Buses connect Málaga and Marbella in about an hour. Pack comfy walking shoes for cobblestones and light layers for breezy evenings. This itinerary balances sightseeing, hiking, biking, wine tasting, and local hangouts—tailored for travelers who love to live like a local.

Málaga

Port city, birthplace of Picasso, and a lively cultural hub, Málaga surprises with a restored historic center, a hilltop Alcazaba, and a modern art scene. Its seaside neighborhoods—Pedregalejo and El Palo—serve some of Spain’s best beachfront grilled fish.

• Top sights: Alcazaba and Gibralfaro viewpoints, Málaga Cathedral (“La Manquita”), Picasso Museum, Carmen Thyssen Museum, Centre Pompidou Málaga, Roman Theatre.
• Eat & drink: Mercado Central de Atarazanas for produce and tapas; El Pimpi for classic Andalusian plates and local wines; Antigua Casa de Guardia for historic Málaga sweet wines; La Fábrica Soho for craft beer.
• Active fun: Cycle the coastal path east to Pedregalejo; hike Caminito del Rey; swim at La Malagueta; photograph sunset from Gibralfaro.

Stay in Málaga: Browse well‑located stays near Centro Histórico or Soho on VRBO Málaga or compare hotels on Hotels.com Málaga.

Getting to Málaga: For flights within Europe, search Omio Flights. High‑speed AVE trains from Madrid take ~2h40 (often $35–$80); compare on Omio Trains or Trip.com Trains.

Marbella

Marbella is more than beach clubs and Puerto Banús yachts. Its Old Town (Casco Antiguo) is a whitewashed maze of geranium‑draped balconies, orange trees, and tapas bars—a postcard of Andalusia with the Sierra Blanca as a dramatic backdrop.

• Top sights: Plaza de los Naranjos, Iglesia de la Encarnación, Avenida del Mar’s Dalí sculptures, Puerto Banús marina, beaches like Venus and Nagüeles.
• Eat & drink: Bar El Estrecho (beloved tapas), Bar Altamirano (seafood), La Casa del Rey (wine bar with great by‑the‑glass list), chiringuitos (simple beach grills) for espetos.
• Active fun: Coastal boardwalk walks or bike rides, day trips to Ronda and Setenil, sailing at sunset, spa time, and people‑watching in Puerto Banús.

Stay in Marbella: Look for Old Town apartments or beachside stays on VRBO Marbella or compare hotels on Hotels.com Marbella.

Travel Málaga ⇄ Marbella: Avanza buses run ~every 30–60 minutes, ~1h–1h15, usually $9–$14; compare schedules on Omio Buses. Taxis or private transfers take ~50 minutes (~$80–$110 depending on time/traffic).

Day 1 — Arrive in Málaga, stroll the historic center, tapas welcome

Afternoon (arrival): Check in near Centro or Soho. Shake off the journey with a cortado and churros at Casa Aranda (a Málaga institution since 1932) or grab specialty coffee at Santa Coffee Soho. Walk Calle Larios, peek into the Roman Theatre, and climb a few terraces of the Alcazaba for Moorish courtyards and coastal views.

Evening: Tapas crawl through the old town. Start with salmorejo and artichokes at Mesón Mariano, then slip into El Pimpi for montaditos, fried aubergine with cane honey, and a glass of Málaga virgen from casks. Nightcap at Antigua Casa de Guardia—stand at the bar and order by chalk marks on the counter.

Day 2 — Museums, market lunch, bike the coast, craft beer

Morning: Visit the Picasso Museum (in a Renaissance palace) and the Carmen Thyssen Museum (Andalusian painting). For breakfast, try Brunchit Soho’s eggs‑any‑way or a palmier and café con leche at Dulces Dreams.

Afternoon: Graze at Mercado Central de Atarazanas—oysters on the half shell, a cone of boquerones fritos, and a prawn skewer. Rent bikes and cruise the waterfront bike lane east to Pedregalejo (flat, scenic, ~30–45 minutes each way). Refuel with grilled sardine espetos and an ice‑cold tinto de verano on the sand.

Evening: Catch a live flamenco performance at a local tablao (venues rotate artists nightly; ask your hotel for the best show). Or opt for a craft‑beer flight and live music at La Fábrica Cruzcampo in Soho, then late dinner at La Cosmopolita for oxtail croquettes and seasonal market plates.

Day 3 — Hike the legendary Caminito del Rey (guided day trip)

From Malaga Caminito del Rey Guided Tour with transportation: Walk cliff‑hugging boardwalks through the Gaitanes Gorge on one of Spain’s most photogenic hikes. Round‑trip transport and entry are included—ideal for a no‑stress adventure. Expect ~6–8 hours door to door.

Back in Málaga, celebrate with a seafood dinner at Marisquería Godoy by Muelle Uno (try gambas a la plancha) or keep it casual with espetos in El Palo if you have energy for a sunset stroll.

Day 4 — Transfer to Marbella, Old Town wander, evening tapas tour

Morning (travel): Bus from Málaga to Marbella (~1h–1h15; ~$9–$14 via Omio Buses). Drop bags and head straight to Plaza de los Naranjos for coffee under the orange trees. Breakfast ideas: Pan y Mermelada (hearty) or Cappuccino Grand Café (sea‑view terrace and smooth espresso).

Afternoon: Explore Marbella’s Casco Antiguo—white lanes, bougainvillea, tiny chapels, and artisans’ shops. Walk Avenida del Mar to the beach to see Dalí sculptures, then plant your towel at Playa de la Venus for a swim. Lunch on the sand at a chiringuito: order grilled dorada, mixed salad, and a cold beer.

Evening: Join the Marbella Old Town: Authentic Tapas Food Tour With Local Guide for a 3‑hour tasting walk: rustic salchichón from Ronda, local cheeses, perfectly poured cañas, and a sweet bite to finish. It’s a fun, flavor‑packed way to learn the neighborhood and get tips for the rest of your stay.

Day 5 — Day trip to Ronda & Setenil de las Bodegas

From Costa del Sol: Ronda and Setenil de las Bodegas: A full‑day excursion through mountains and white villages. In Ronda, photograph the Puente Nuevo spanning a 120‑meter gorge, tour Spain’s oldest bullring, and sip a glass of Sierras de Málaga wine. In Setenil, wander streets tucked under rock overhangs and try a plate of jamón with tomato‑rubbed bread.

Back in Marbella, wind down with seafood at Bar Altamirano (razor clams, fried anchovies) or pintxos by the bar at La Taberna del Pintxo in Puerto Banús. Night owls can continue to waterfront lounges for a cocktail and people‑watching.

Day 6 — Beach time, spa or sail, and depart

Morning: Keep it easy: sunrise photos on the Paseo Marítimo, then a final dip. For a treat, book a traditional steam‑and‑soak session at a local Andalusian hammam in Málaga or Marbella, or join a short coastal sail from Puerto Banús if timing allows (common 2–3 hour departures late morning).

Afternoon (departure): Grab a light lunch—gazpacho and grilled squid—at a beachfront spot like Pepe’s Bar (simple, local). Bus or taxi to Málaga‑Costa del Sol Airport (AGP); the bus is ~1h–1h15 from central Marbella (check Omio Buses). For flights within Europe use Omio Flights; if you’re connecting from outside Europe, compare long‑hauls on Kiwi.com.

Optional add‑ons (if you extend)

• Nerja & Frigiliana: Caves, balcon de Europa views, and a white‑village wander. There’s a guided excursion option departing the Costa del Sol: Excursion to Nerja & Frigiliana.

  

• Gibraltar & dolphins: British colony vibes, the Rock’s views, and dolphin‑spotting cruises: Excursion to Gibraltar with Dolphin Watching from Malaga.

  

Eat & drink cheat‑sheet (tried‑and‑true picks)

• Coffee & breakfast (Málaga): Casa Aranda (classic churros), Santa Coffee Soho (single‑origin espresso), Brunchit (modern brunch).
• Lunch (Málaga): Mercado de Atarazanas stalls (oysters, fried fish cones), El Yerno (anchovies and clams), La Deriva (modern Andalusian plates in Soho).
• Dinner (Málaga): El Pimpi (traditional), La Cosmopolita (seasonal bistro), KGB Málaga (creative tapas).
• Wine & beer (Málaga): Antigua Casa de Guardia (historic sweet wines), La Fábrica Soho (craft brews).
• Coffee & breakfast (Marbella): Pan y Mermelada (hearty classics), Cappuccino Grand Café (sea views), Dezentral Coffee (specialty roasts).
• Lunch (Marbella): Chiringuito lunch on Playa de la Venus (grilled sardines, tomato salad), La Casa del Rey (wine & tapas, Old Town).
• Dinner (Marbella): Bar El Estrecho (old‑school tapas), Bar Altamirano (seafood), Skina (Michelin splurge, tiny dining room—reserve well ahead).
• Nightlife: Puerto Banús waterfront lounges; in Málaga, rooftop bars near the Cathedral and live music in Soho.

Sports, biking, and “live like a local” tips

• Watch sports: Check Málaga CF (La Rosaleda) or Unicaja Málaga basketball schedules—locals pack bars on match nights if you can’t snag tickets.
• Biking: The Málaga–Pedregalejo path is flat and scenic; plan 2–3 hours with beach stops. Sunrise rides are cooler and quieter.
• Cooking class: Ask in Málaga’s historic center for a market‑to‑kitchen paella or tapas workshop—great for food lovers and photographers.
• Wine tasting: Order by the glass: try dry muscatel, Málaga dulce, and Sierras de Málaga reds. In Marbella Old Town, a wine bar like La Casa del Rey is perfect for flights.
• Spas: Andalusian hammams offer warm‑cold circuits and massages—ideal after Caminito del Rey.

Where to search and book quickly

• Stay: VRBO Málaga, Hotels.com Málaga, VRBO Marbella, Hotels.com Marbella
• Trains & buses: Omio Trains, Omio Buses, Trip.com Trains
• Flights (Europe): Omio Flights | Flights (outside Europe): Kiwi.com

In six days, you’ll taste Andalusia’s soul—Málaga’s art and markets, Marbella’s old‑town charisma, a cliffside hike you’ll never forget, and a platter of tapas best enjoyed al fresco. Come hungry, bring your camera, and leave room for one last espresso by the sea before you go.