Marbella began as a quiet fishing village beneath the Sierra Blanca; today it’s the glittering heart of Spain’s Costa del Sol, where whitewashed lanes lead to orange-blossom squares, and golden beaches link chic chiringuitos with Mediterranean views. Romans and Moors left traces in nearby settlements, while Marbella’s Old Town preserves Andalusia’s soul in tiled patios and tiny tapas bars.

Beyond its beaches, Marbella is a springboard to bucket-list adventures: the skywalk of the Caminito del Rey, dramatic Ronda and its deep gorge, dolphin-filled waters off Gibraltar, and Málaga’s museums. Foodies find everything from market-fresh espetos (sardines grilled over olive-wood) to Michelin-star menus, while wine lovers can sip Ronda reds with mountain vistas.

Practical notes: You’ll arrive at Málaga–Costa del Sol Airport (AGP), then it’s a 45–60 minute drive to Marbella. With six travelers, a 7–9 seat van/SUV is ideal for comfort and luggage. Expect warm, dry weather much of the year; book hikes and popular restaurants in advance, carry passports for Gibraltar, and bring closed shoes for the Caminito del Rey.

Marbella

Marbella marries sun, sea, and style with Andalusian charm. Wander the Old Town’s flower-draped alleys to Plaza de los Naranjos, then glide along the seaside paseo past bronze Dalí statues, cafés, and beach clubs. Puerto Banús adds superyachts and designer shopping; a short drive inland, pine and chestnut forests climb to panoramic viewpoints in Sierra Blanca.

• Top sights: Plaza de los Naranjos, Avenida del Mar (Dalí sculptures), Puerto Banús marina, Artola Dunes boardwalk (Cabopino), La Concha viewpoint (Cruz de Juanar hike).
• Beach time: Settle on Playa de la Venus or Nagüeles for calm waters; book a lounger at Trocadero Playa or Amàre Beach for a treat.
• Food & drink: Tapas at El Estrecho and La Niña del Pisto; fresh seafood at Lobito de Mar; modern Andalusian at Kava; sweets at Pastelería Ramón.
• Nightlife: Sunset cocktails at Pangea Rooftop in Puerto Banús, live music at La Sala Banús, and buzzing bars around Plaza de los Naranjos.
• Fun facts: The Costa del Sol enjoys 300+ sunny days a year, and Marbella hosts the Starlite Festival each summer in a dramatic open-air quarry.

Where to stay (search and save): Browse beachy apartments or villas on VRBO Marbella and compare hotels—from Old Town boutiques to resort icons—on Hotels.com Marbella.

Getting in and around: From Málaga Airport (AGP) to Marbella, drive ~45–60 minutes (A-7 free coastal road or AP-7 toll, ~€8–14 in peak season). Without a car, the direct airport–Marbella coach is ~45 minutes, ~€9–12; search schedules on Omio (buses in Europe). Flying to/from Europe? Compare fares on Omio (flights to/from Europe). Trains don’t reach Marbella; for rail elsewhere in Spain, use Omio (trains in Europe). Ferrying to Morocco from Algeciras/Tarifa? See options via Omio (ferries in Europe).

Day 1: Arrival in Málaga, Settle into Marbella, Old Town Tapas

Morning: Fly into Málaga (AGP). For six travelers, pre-book a 7–9 seat vehicle (e.g., VW Caravelle, Mercedes Vito). Expect €50–120/day depending on season; consider adding a second driver. Pick up at the terminal and set your phone’s toll settings if you plan to use the AP-7.

Afternoon: Drive to Marbella (45–60 minutes). Check in, then shake off jet lag on the paseo marítimo. Coffee with sea views at Cappuccino Grand Café (smart-casual) or green smoothies and specialty brews at Hustle n’ Flow (San Pedro). For a light bite, order espetos (sardines) and a salad at a beachfront chiringuito.

Evening: Kick off your foodie adventure with this guided tasting stroll through the historic center:

Marbella Old Town: Authentic Tapas Food Tour With Local Guide

Sample regional classics—from salmorejo to grilled seafood—while hearing insider stories and getting your bearings in the labyrinthine lanes. After the tour, grab a nightcap at The Farm (courtyard vibes, occasional flamenco) or gelato on Plaza de los Naranjos.

Day 2: Beach Day, Bike the Promenade, Puerto Banús After Dark

Morning: Brunch at Pan y Mermelada (Golden Mile; generous American-meets-Med plates) or gluten-free pastries at Celicioso (Puente Romano). Lounge at Playa de la Venus or book a daybed at Trocadero Playa (table service, good paella). Expect €20–60 for loungers depending on season/row.

Afternoon: Rent bikes (approx. €15–25/day) and cruise the seaside path west toward Puerto Banús—stop at the Artola Dunes boardwalk near Cabopino for photos on the protected sandscape. Shopping time in Puerto Banús: browse Spanish brands on Calle Ribera or splurge on designer flagships along the marina.

Evening: Dinner picks: El Estrecho (tiny, beloved tapas bar; try the garlic prawns), Kava (creative local cuisine; reserve), or Lobito de Mar (excellent seafood rice). For nightlife, start with sunset at the Puerto Banús lighthouse, then cocktails at Pangea Rooftop; sports fans can catch a match at Linekers or La Sala Banús with live music.

Day 3: Day Trip Adventure — Hike the Caminito del Rey

Swap the beach for cliffs and canyons on one of Spain’s most photogenic hikes. This guided day trip includes transport from the Costa del Sol and timed-entry tickets to the cliff-hugging boardwalks through the Gaitanes Gorge. Wear closed shoes; no vertigo, just unforgettable views.

Caminito del Rey Day Trip from Costa del Sol

Tip: Bring water, sunscreen, and a light jacket (it can be breezy in the gorge). Post-hike, celebrate back in Marbella with shared plates at La Taberna del Pintxo (pinchos from the bar skewers) and a stroll along Avenida del Mar’s Dalí sculptures.

Day 4: Day Trip — Ronda’s Dramatic Gorge & Setenil’s Cave Houses

Ronda is pure romance: the Puente Nuevo straddles a 120-meter gorge, while bullfighting history and Moorish gardens line cobbled streets. Nearby, Setenil de las Bodegas is famous for whitewashed homes wedged under colossal rock overhangs—photography gold.

From Costa del Sol: Ronda and Setenil de las Bodegas

Wine lovers: ask your guide about a tasting stop at a Ronda bodega (e.g., robust, high-altitude Tintos). Back in Marbella, dine alfresco at Casa Tua (intimate, Mediterranean-Italian) or snag a late table at Dani García’s brasserie Leña for wood-fired excellence.

Day 5: Day Trip — Gibraltar’s Views and Dolphins

Cross into a slice of Britain at the southern tip of Iberia. Ride up the Rock for views across to Africa, meet the Barbary macaques, then head out on the Bay of Gibraltar—home to playful pods of dolphins. Don’t forget passports; queues at the border can build at peak times.

Excursion to Gibraltar with Dolphin Watching from Málaga

On return, keep it easy: shared seafood platters at Bar Altamirano in Marbella Old Town, followed by a slow paseo for churros con chocolate at Churrería Ramón.

Day 6: Slow Marbella — Spa, Beach Clubs, and a Private Cooking Night

Morning: Reset with a spa session at the Six Senses Spa (Puente Romano)—think herbal steam, hammam-inspired rituals, and deep-tissue massages. Alternatively, walk the pine-scented trail from Refugio de Juanar to the Cruz de Juanar lookout (moderate; 2–3 hours round-trip) for sweeping coast views.

Afternoon: Claim a Bali bed at Amàre Beach (adults-only) or La Plage Casanis (east Marbella) and graze on boquerones and tuna tartare. Mid-range lunch option: Taberna La Niña del Pisto (cordobés classics; share the oxtail stew).

Evening: Bring Andalusia to your table with a private paella-and-sangría workshop at your apartment/villa (typical from €50–85 pp including ingredients for small groups—ask your host or concierge). Nightcap at D-Wine (vast by-the-glass selection via enomatic machines) or an artisanal gelato on the paseo.

Day 7: Málaga Museums (Optional) and Departure

Morning: Check out and drive to Málaga (~1 hour; leave earlier if returning a rental). Museum-hop the city’s cultural triangle: the Picasso Museum (artist’s birthplace city), Carmen Thyssen (19th-century Andalusian painting), and the colorful “El Cubo” of Centre Pompidou Málaga. Coffee stops: Santa Coffee Soho or Brunchit for a quick bite.

Afternoon: Lunch in Málaga’s historic center—try La Cosmopolita (inventive Andalusian small plates)—then continue to the airport for your afternoon flight. Alternative for beach lovers: skip Málaga and unwind on Marbella’s promenade one last time with a farewell seafood rice at Trocadero.

Optional swap: If you prefer another white-village excursion, consider a guided day to Nerja (Balcony of Europe) and Frigiliana (steep, white lanes with colorful doors) for coastal views and ceramics shopping.

Coffee & breakfast favorites (sprinkled through the week): Dezentral (San Pedro; specialty beans, healthy bowls), Celicioso (gluten-free bakery), Pan y Mermelada (hearty brunch), Cappuccino Grand Café (sea views), Hustle n’ Flow (colorful lattes, açai).

Dinner short list (mid-range to splurge): El Estrecho (classic tapas; tiny, go early), Kava (seasonal, creative), Lobito de Mar (seafood rice), Casa Tua (intimate), Leña (wood-fired by Dani García), Skina (two Michelin stars; very intimate—book far ahead).

Nightlife & live music: Pangea Rooftop (Puerto Banús sunsets), La Sala Banús (bands, sports screens), Sinatra Bar (iconic Banús bar), and seasonal beach parties at Playa Padre or Ocean Club (spring–autumn).

Driving & logistics tips for six travelers:

• Reserve a 7–9 seater with ample luggage space; request automatic if preferred (not always standard in Spain).
• Parking: Underground lots near Old Town (Avenida del Mar, Mercado Central). Street “blue zones” require payment via meter or app and can be tight in summer.
• Tolls: AP-7 is faster in peak months; pay by card. Fuel prices are posted clearly; many stations are full-service/self-service hybrids.
• Gibraltar & Tangier require passports; check ferry/border updates if you add Morocco to your plan.

With sandy mornings, tapas-fueled evenings, and adventure-packed day trips, this Marbella itinerary blends relaxation with thrill: hike a world-famous gorge, sip wines above a canyon, and watch dolphins where the Med meets the Atlantic. You’ll return home sun-kissed, well-fed, and already plotting your next Andalusia road trip.