Marbella has been coveted since ancient sailors first hugged this coast. The Phoenicians traded here; the Romans left mosaics at nearby Río Verde; the Moors built walls that still clasp the Old Town. Today, La Concha mountain shields the city with a microclimate—meaning extra sunshine for your seaside escape.

Expect lazy mornings on palm-lined beaches, whitewashed lanes perfumed by orange blossoms, and nights that hum from plaza wine bars to Puerto Banús rooftops. Food-wise, the Costa del Sol is a paradise: skewered sardines (espetos) cooked over boat-grills in the sand, flaky fried fish (pescaíto frito), almond-cool ajoblanco, and rice dishes meant for sharing.

Practical notes: You’ll arrive at Málaga Airport (AGP) and pick up a rental car; the drive to Marbella is ~50 minutes via the free A‑7 (or faster toll AP‑7). Dinner is late, siesta is real, and cards are widely accepted. For a group of six on a mid-range budget, a VRBO home beats multiple hotel rooms and leaves more for beautiful dinners and beach clubs.

Marbella

The Old Town (Casco Antiguo) is a storybook tangle of white lanes, wrought-iron balconies, and the orange-scented Plaza de los Naranjos. Down by the Paseo Marítimo, beach promenades run for miles, linking chiringuitos, art pieces by Dalí, and coffee stops with sea views.

Puerto Banús is your glam side quest: mega-yachts, boutiques, and late-night rooftops. In the hills, Ronda and the white villages beckon with cliffside bridges, vineyards, and views that stop conversation mid-sentence.

• Top sights: Marbella Old Town and Moorish walls, Plaza de los Naranjos, Avenida del Mar (Dalí sculptures), Puerto Banús marina, La Concha viewpoint (from Refugio de Juanar), dunes and boardwalk of Artola–Cabopino.
• Food highlights: espeto de sardinas, boquerones, gambas al pil‑pil, ajoblanco, sweet Málaga wines, and Ronda reds.
• Nightlife: Puerto Banús rooftops and clubs, La Plaza at Puente Romano, beach clubs like Playa Padre, Ocean Club (seasonal), and Trocadero.

Where to stay (villa or hotel): For a group of six, look at a townhouse or villa in Old Town (walkable), the Golden Mile (near Puente Romano), Nueva Andalucía (close to Banús), or San Pedro (great value).

• Search Marbella homes on VRBO (filter for 3–4 bedrooms, parking, and walkability).
• Compare Marbella hotels on Hotels.com (Amàre Beach adults-only for sea views; Puente Romano for dining and nightlife).

How to get here (if you need tickets): Fly into Málaga (AGP); compare options on Omio Flights. From Madrid or Barcelona, the AVE train to Málaga María Zambrano takes ~2:45–5:45; check schedules on Omio Trains. Buses along the coast are frequent—see Omio Buses. Then drive ~50 minutes to Marbella.

Budget snapshot (per person, 7 days): Home rental €180–280, car + fuel + parking €85–120, activities (choose 2–3 tours) €150–250, food/drink €230–320, beach clubs/nightlife €60–120, misc €50. Total: ~€755–1,090. To stay ≤€1,000: pick 2 big day trips, share plates at tapas bars, and cook simple breakfasts at home.

Day 1 – Arrival, Settle In, Old Town Tapas, and Rooftop Views

Afternoon: Land at Málaga (AGP), pick up your rental car, and drive ~50 minutes to Marbella. Drop bags at your VRBO/Hotel, then take an easy wander through the Old Town: Plaza de los Naranjos, the 16th‑century Iglesia de la Encarnación, and remnants of the Moorish walls.

Evening: Tapas crawl in the Old Town. Start at Bar El Estrecho (cozy, Andalusian classics—try boquerones and tortilla). Move to Taberna del Pintxo (pinchos on skewers; keep your sticks, pay at the end). Finish with churros y chocolate at Churrería Ramón if you spot it still open.

Night: Toast your first night with cocktails at Belvue Rooftop Bar (Amàre Beach Hotel; sunset views) or head to La Plaza at Puente Romano—a lively square ringed by restaurants and lounges. Taxis back run ~€8–15 within central Marbella.

Day 2 – Beach Club Day and Puerto Banús Nightlife

Morning: Coffee and açai at Hustle n’ Flow (San Pedro) or almond croissants at Cappuccino Grand Café (by Gran Meliá Don Pepe). Settle into loungers on Playa de la Fontanilla or El Faro (expect €10–15 per lounger including umbrella).

Afternoon: Lunch with toes-in-sand at Trocadero Playa (grilled sardines, tuna tartare) or Los Mellizos Marbella near the promenade (excellent fried fish platters and paella to share). Post‑lunch, cruise over to Puerto Banús for marina-watching and boutiques; grab specialty coffee at Dezentral nearby.

Night: Dinner on the Golden Mile at Leña (Dani García’s wood‑fired meats, stellar sides) or keep it budget-friendly with shared seafood rice at Lobito de Mar. Drinks after? Pangea Rooftop in Banús for yacht-lined views. Expect covers on peak nights.

Day 3 – Ronda & Setenil de las Bodegas (White Villages + Optional Winery)

Trade the sea for mountains on a full-day white‑village adventure. Ronda’s Puente Nuevo spans a jaw-dropping gorge; Setenil’s cave-houses tuck under overhangs like a film set. You can self‑drive (Marbella → Ronda ~1h20 via A‑397; Ronda → Setenil ~20 min) or let a guide handle logistics.

Recommended tour:

From Costa del Sol: Ronda and Setenil de las Bodegas

Why it’s great: Zero parking stress, history-rich commentary, and time for photos on the bridge and along Setenil’s cave-lined streets. If you self‑drive, consider a quick tasting at a local bodega near Ronda—Ronda reds are surprisingly elegant.

Eat: In Ronda, try a simple lunch at Casa María (market-driven set menu) or small plates at Tragatá by the bullring. Back in Marbella, keep it casual with El Patio de Mariscal (Andalusian patio; share a salmorejo and Iberian pork).

Day 4 – Caminito del Rey: The Balcony Path Above the Gorge

Morning–Afternoon: Lace up for Spain’s most photogenic walkway. The suspended path of Caminito del Rey clings to sheer limestone walls above turquoise water—sensational but safe. Wear closed shoes; bring water; confirm timed entry. Driving from Marbella takes ~1h30. Prefer a guided option (tickets + transfers handled)? Book below.

Caminito del Rey Day Trip from Costa del Sol

Evening: Recover with a spa hour—either a quick Thai massage in town or the serene thermal circuit at a luxury resort spa. Dinner at Lobito de Mar (seafood rice, razor clams) or go modern Andalusian at Kava Marbella (a chef-driven splurge; book ahead).

Day 5 – Mijas Pueblo, Seafront Biking, and a Marbella Tapas Tour

Morning: Drive ~35 minutes to Mijas Pueblo, a whitewashed village perched above the coast. Wander the flower-filled lanes, peek into tiny chapels, and take in Mediterranean views from the gardens by the old walls. Skip the donkey taxis and opt for a viewpoint stroll instead.

Afternoon: Back in Marbella, rent bikes and roll the Paseo Marítimo toward Puerto Banús (mostly flat, with sea breezes and art along the way). Grab a smoothie at Celicioso (gluten-free café) or espresso back at Dezentral.

Evening (foodie highlight): Join a guided tasting walk through the Old Town:

Marbella Old Town: Authentic Tapas Food Tour With Local Guide

Why it’s great: You’ll sample classic bites in tucked-away spots, learn what to order like a local, and get insider recs for the rest of the week. Nightcap in a plaza wine bar afterward.

Day 6 – Gibraltar with Dolphin Watching, Then Party on the Beach

Morning–Afternoon: Cross cultures on a day trip to the Rock. Bring passports and expect a quick border check. The highlight is getting out on the Bay to see pods of wild dolphins, with time for duty‑free shopping and British-Spanish mashup snacks.

Excursion to Gibraltar with Dolphin Watching from Málaga

Tip: Parking can be tricky—many drivers park in La Línea (Spain) and walk across the border to avoid queues. Pack a light layer; it can be breezy on the water.

Night: Celebrate back in Marbella. Dinner at Ta‑Kumi (excellent Japanese; share sushi and tempura) or a seafood feast at Los Mellizos Marbella. Then head to Playa Padre for sand‑between‑your‑toes DJ sets, or Momento for a late club night.

Day 7 – Dunes, One Last Swim, and Departure

Morning: Brunch on the terrace at home or at Pan y Mermelada (pancakes, eggs, good coffee). Drive 15–20 minutes east to the protected dunes and boardwalk of Artola–Cabopino for a final swim and photos around the historic watchtower.

Midday: Simple, scenic lunch in Puerto de Cabopino (think grilled prawns or a shared paella). Stop by the Mercado Central de Marbella for olive oil, sherry vinegar, and local almonds to take home.

Afternoon: Drive back to Málaga Airport (~50 minutes). Return the car and fly out—sun-kissed, well-fed, and planning your return.

Optional “Go Big” Experience (choose if budget allows)

Hop continents for the day on a guided Tangier adventure—maze-like medina, mint tea, and Atlantic views from the Kasbah. It’s unforgettable, but factor in cost and an early start.

Tangier, Morocco Day Trip from Costa del Sol

Where to Eat & Drink (save or splurge)

• Breakfast/Coffee: Hustle n’ Flow (healthy bowls), Dezentral (specialty coffee), Cappuccino Grand Café (sea views), Celicioso (gluten‑free pastries).
• Lunch on the beach: Trocadero Playa (sand-side grill), Los Mellizos Marbella (seafood classics), La Plage Casanis (east Marbella; chic but relaxed).
• Dinner: Leña (wood-fired, share plates), Lobito de Mar (seafood and rice), Ta‑Kumi (Japanese), Kava Marbella (chef-driven tasting for a special night).
• Nightlife: Pangea Rooftop (Puerto Banús), La Plaza at Puente Romano (bar‑hopping in one square), Playa Padre (beach parties), Ocean Club (seasonal pool days).

Logistics & Local Tips

• Driving & parking: A‑7 is free; AP‑7 is faster with tolls (seasonal rates). Street parking is metered in blue zones; use paid garages in Puerto Banús and Old Town on busy nights.
• Day-trip times: Marbella→Ronda ~1h20; Marbella→Caminito (Árdales) ~1h30; Marbella→Gibraltar (La Línea) ~1h.
• Starlite Occident Festival: If visiting in summer, check for concerts in the Nagüeles quarry—great for live music under the stars.
• Budget moves: Cook breakfasts at home, order “raciones” (full plates) to share, beach days instead of paid daybeds, pick 2 of the 3 big excursions.
• Sports: Big matches play at La Sala (Puerto Banús)—book a table for screens + snacks.
• Safety: Marbella is generally safe; stick together late at night, use licensed taxis, and keep bags zipped in crowded areas.

Quick Picks: The 4 Activities We’ve Curated for Your Group

• Marbella Old Town Tapas Tour – foodie, local, fun for a group.
• Caminito del Rey Day Trip – adventure and epic photos.
• Ronda & Setenil White Villages – history, views, optional winery.
• Gibraltar with Dolphin Watching – wildlife + a different stamp in the passport.

Seven days in Marbella gives you the sea, the sierra, and sultry nights in between. With a comfy home base, smart day trips, and meals that honor Andalusia’s flavors, this girls’ trip balances beachside ease and adventure—without breaking the €1,000 mark.

From tapas trails to cliffside walkways, you’ll collect the kind of memories that glitter like the Costa del Sol at golden hour. ¡Buen viaje!