Marbella Travel Guide (Andalusia, Spain): 29 Hotspots, Trendy Restaurants and Shopping

From chic beach clubs to authentic tapas bars in Marbella

When you think of Marbella, you probably think of sun, sand, and sea in the summer. But during a visit to Andalusia for some much-needed winter sun this winter, I couldn't resist going there for a first taste! Especially for Sunweb Secrets I created this Marbella Travel Guide. From Hotel Rural Almazara From Nerja, where I stayed during this trip, it is about a 1,5 hour drive to Marbella.

Marbella is a typical Spanish seaside resort. The old town consists of poorly maintained, straightforward high-rises that you see practically everywhere along the coast. Whether you're in Knokke, Zandvoort, or Marbella, you'll understand what I mean. In Marbella's old town, you'll find several charming tapas bars and streets where you can enjoy delicious small bites to share during lunch or dinner. From Marbella's old town, it's about a fifteen-minute drive to Puerto Banus, the marina with expensive brand and upscale shops, beach clubs, and many restaurants. Dotted around the marina, you'll find one apartment complex after another, and honestly, they look like they'd be perfect for a relaxing stay in warmer weather. Especially the area around Rachel's Eco Love and Celicioso bakery.

During my tour of Andalusia, I spent a long day in Marbella, hopping from tent to tent to get a good impression of the old town and Puerto Banus. In this Marbella Travel Guide, I've compiled a list of my favorite spots!

Puerto Banus in Marbella

Looking for the glitz and glamour of Marbella? Then Puerto Banus is the place to be! Stroll along the promenade and sip cocktails at one of the beachside restaurants. This is where "new money" meets "old money," and the marina is packed with expensive boats. It's like the St. Tropez of Spain!

The old town of Marbella

If you've been to Puerto Banus first, you might not expect Marbella to have a charming old town. Seen from the beach, it lies above the main road that divides the old town in two: one section towards the boulevard and the other at the foot of the mountains. On the boulevard side, Avenue Miguel Cano is particularly charming, with its variety of tapas restaurants. In the narrow streets on the other side, you'll find numerous restaurants and charming squares. It's a great place to spend an evening strolling and enjoying a meal; this Marbella Travel Guide offers tips for the best restaurants in the old town.

12 x best restaurants in Marbella

Celicioso bakery: Pastries in all shapes and sizes, and gluten-free too! Sounds good, right? The small terrace at the side of the bakery is a great place to enjoy breakfast before heading to the beach.

Restaurante Los Bandidos: Fancy something a little different from the usual tapas? Then you'll probably love the white linen-covered tables at Restaurante Los Bandios on the corner of Marbella's promenade. The menu features authentic Spanish dishes!

Rachel's Eco Love: Just imagine... a cute little pool surrounded by equally cute turquoise bistro chairs. This hotspot includes a charming organic deli and a concept store with trendy items you'll want to pack for a beach vacation. A spot not to be missed!

Rachel's Eco Love

Casa Blanco: A charming tapas spot near the promenade in Marbella's old town. Cheerful blue tiles on the walls and affordable tapas. The mini hamburgers are delicious!

Natural Juice Bar: If you've had enough of tapas and are looking for something healthy, this juice bar in Puerto Banus is the place to be. They have a wide variety of fruit and vegetable juices! A must-see for a healthy fix.

Gastrobar 3C Marbella: With a lovely, bright interior and a terrace with white chairs and tables, and a cheerful white and canary yellow facade, this is a restaurant you definitely shouldn't miss. The food is delicious!

La Moraga Bistro: This trendy bistro is located on a street behind the Puerto Banus marina. The restaurant is attractive and sleek, and the menu features modern tapas with an international twist.

La Moraga Bistro

Ambrosia Mercado Gourmet: Just outside the center of Puerto Banus is this charming market where you can find something different at every stall. In the summer, there's often live music!

La Sale Banûs: When you see this trendy restaurant with the mountains in the background, you might even imagine yourself in Cape Town with Table Mountain (with a little travel imagination, of course!). The terrace is the best place to sit, and the menu is packed with international dishes. It's a place to see and be seen!

Casanis Marbella: This French restaurant is located in Marbella's old town. With a small terrace and green facades, it looks very cozy from the outside. Inside, it's just as warm and inviting with painted walls and candlelight. The menu features French dishes with an international twist.

Casanis Marbella

Bodegas La Venencia: Craving authentic tapas? Then Bodegas La Venecia is the place to be! Be sure to try the "leg" of the animal, fresh off the spit, on the bar. It's not trendy, but it has a great atmosphere!

The Taberna del Pintxo: Always good: the small sandwiches with a skewer and filled with various cold and hot snacks. At a traditional pintxo bar, you can see the price of each snack by the color of the skewers. You collect them and pay at the end of the evening. It's fun, and everyone can choose what they want from the display cases!

7 of the best Beach Clubs in Marbella

Along the long coastline around Marbella, you'll find several beach clubs where you can relax in the summer. That's why this Marbella Travel Guide includes a shortlist of beach clubs you shouldn't miss! Most beach clubs are closed in winter, so if you're visiting in spring or autumn, be sure to check their website for opening hours.

1. Nikki Beach: A golden oldie for Sundays that—no matter where you are in the world—ends legendary with plenty of drinks in the pool. Even if you weren't actually planning on it. Go there during brunch and reserve your poolside lounge chair!
2. Ocean Club Marbella: This beach club is located at the end of the Puerto Banus promenade and has a large pool with sunbeds. If you don't like sand between your toes, this is the perfect club, as it's just behind the beach. Relaxed atmosphere from late afternoon until sunset.
3. Beach Club Estrella del Mar: A luxurious beach club belonging to the Vincci Hotel. This is more of a place to relax than a pool party. So if you're not looking for the latter, this is highly recommended.
4. The Cabane: At La Cabane beach club, you can relax both on the beach and by the pool. This beach club is part of the Los Monteros hotel. Like most beach clubs, it features sleek white furniture, four-poster beds, and they serve excellent cocktails!
5. Sylt: This beach club near Nikki Beach is one of the newest in Marbella. Trendy yet relaxed, it offers gastro snacks (great name!) and cocktails.
6. La Sala By The Sea: Chill-out music all day long, and you can choose to lounge on the beach or by the pool. A relaxed atmosphere during the day, and as evening falls, you can linger for dinner. The menu features Asian dishes.
7. The Beach House: You don't go here to party, but to relax and enjoy delicious food. Lunch and dinner with a sea view, of course!

And then some random tips for nice beach bars and beachfront restaurants where you can have a delicious lunch according to the readers of Your Little Black Book: Trocadero, Beach Bonus, Macau, South Beach, The Cubes en Perla Blanca.

3 x Here you want to shop in Marbella

In this Marbella Travel Guide, I'm sharing some shopping tips if you don't fancy a day at the beach in Marbella ;-). On Avenue Ricardo Soriano, you'll find the well-known Spanish chains Mango, Zara, and Zara Home. If you've forgotten to pack something for your trip to Marbella, you can definitely find it there!

If you, like me, love designer vintage, Marbella's old town is the perfect place. A shopping tip I didn't see coming! But did you know that Marbella's old town is home to several shops selling secondhand designer items? Think window displays of vintage Chanel jackets, Chanel bags, and beautiful pieces from other brands. Do you like this too? Then be sure to stop by Déjà Vu Vintage of Chic Vintage.

In Puerto Banus you will find one chic designer shop after another. The Elite Store is the place to be for a truly exceptional collection of designer brands. Be sure to bring your credit card if you plan to shop in Puerto Banus, as the cheapest store you'll find is Zadig & Voltaire. Other designer brands with stores in Puerto Banus in Marbella include Versace, Hermès, Dior, and Dolce & Gabbana.

Marbella Travel Guide and more tips for Andalusia

Planning a holiday in Marbella? From Málaga Airport, it's about a 45-minute drive to Marbella's old town. A car is essential for exploring the sights. From Marbella, you can drive to the beautiful whitewashed town of Miljas in about half an hour, and a day of sightseeing in Málaga is also highly recommended. Granada is a bit further, just over two hours away, so you'll definitely need a whole day if you want to visit the famous Alhambra.

During my trip through Andalusia I stayed in the authentic Hotel Rural Almazara in the town of Nerja. This hotel is one of the Sunweb Secrets hotels in Andalusia, which stands for small-scale with local charm.

To describe the summer tips in this Marbella Travel Guide, I've compiled a selection from readers of Your Little Black Book and fellow blogger Lotte from Culi-amsterdam.nl. Thanks for sharing!

Do you have any tips of your own for Marbella or Andalusia? Let me know, and you might see your tips featured in an update of the guide.

And have you seen my other blogs for Málaga and Andalusia?

• Granada Travel Guide with the best tapas bars
• Málaga Travel Guide with 40 hotspots and tips
• Nerja Travel Guide with 17 restaurant and activity tips
• Hotspot BrunchIT in Málaga
• Check-in: Hotel Rural Almazara

PS: If you're in Andalusia during the winter, you might want to skip Marbella and head to other places like Nerja, Málaga, or Granada. Many restaurants are closed or undergoing renovations to prepare for the new season next spring.

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Have fun traveling!

WITH LOVE,

ANNE