Natascha & James’s guidebook
Sightseeing
Walk along the Paseo Marítimo (beachside promenade) – take in the views, soak up the ambience and enjoy a spectacular sunset (I love to go for a run in the morning when there are less tourists) (1min by foot)
13 locals recommend
Paseo Marítimo
Paseo MarítimoWalk along the Paseo Marítimo (beachside promenade) – take in the views, soak up the ambience and enjoy a spectacular sunset (I love to go for a run in the morning when there are less tourists) (1min by foot)
Soak up the glitz and glamour of Puerto Banus – you can walk there along the Paseo Maritimo & sail back (Fly Blue Ferry) (70min by foot, 30min by boat, 10min by car)
1294 locals recommend
Puerto Banus
Soak up the glitz and glamour of Puerto Banus – you can walk there along the Paseo Maritimo & sail back (Fly Blue Ferry) (70min by foot, 30min by boat, 10min by car)
Stroll around Marbella Old Town passing by Plaza de los Naranjos, the old wall and the church (15min by foot)
55 locals recommend
Old Town
Stroll around Marbella Old Town passing by Plaza de los Naranjos, the old wall and the church (15min by foot)
See the Dali statues along Avenida del Mar and then relax in the tropical Alameda Park
(15min by foot)
7 locals recommend
Dali Sculptures
16 Av. del MarSee the Dali statues along Avenida del Mar and then relax in the tropical Alameda Park
(15min by foot)
Head up the hill behind Marbella to the white village of Istan (30min drive). You can stroll around Istan, take a leisurely walk to the Mirador de Juanar to look out over Marbella (30min by foot), or for the very adventurous, hike the magnificent La Concha
(4-5 hours by foot) – you can see this mountain from the top balcony
9 locals recommend
Mirador de Juanar
Head up the hill behind Marbella to the white village of Istan (30min drive). You can stroll around Istan, take a leisurely walk to the Mirador de Juanar to look out over Marbella (30min by foot), or for the very adventurous, hike the magnificent La Concha
(4-5 hours by foot) – you can see this mountain from the top balcony
Beach clubs and Nightlife
Enjoy one of Marbella’s many world-renowned beach clubs and dance clubs – Ocean Club or Niki Beach by day, or Dreamers or Olivia Valere by night
334 locals recommend
Olivia Valere
Km 0.8 Carr. IstánEnjoy one of Marbella’s many world-renowned beach clubs and dance clubs – Ocean Club or Niki Beach by day, or Dreamers or Olivia Valere by night
Nikki Beach Marbella - Restaurant & Beach club
km 192 Carr. de CádizOcean Club Marbella
s/n Av. de Lola FloresActivities
Play a round of golf – Marbella is home to more than 15 top-quality golf courses. Some of the most prestigious include La Quinta Golf & Country Club, Los Naranjos Golf Club, and the legendary El Paraiso. One of the very best is Valderama (30min by car).
91 locals recommend
Marbella Golf Country Club
Play a round of golf – Marbella is home to more than 15 top-quality golf courses. Some of the most prestigious include La Quinta Golf & Country Club, Los Naranjos Golf Club, and the legendary El Paraiso. One of the very best is Valderama (30min by car).
Take the cable car up the mountain near Benalmadena and then visit the Garden of Eagles (Jardin de Las Aguilas) (30min by car to cable car base; 15min cable car)
Jardin de Las aguilas
Take the cable car up the mountain near Benalmadena and then visit the Garden of Eagles (Jardin de Las Aguilas) (30min by car to cable car base; 15min cable car)
Take the children to see the animals at Bioparc Fuengirola (30min by car), Selvo Aventura in Estepona (20min by car) or Selvo Marina in Benalmadena (40min by car)
489 locals recommend
Bioparc Fuengirola
6 C. Camilo José CelaTake the children to see the animals at Bioparc Fuengirola (30min by car), Selvo Aventura in Estepona (20min by car) or Selvo Marina in Benalmadena (40min by car)
Go for a splash and zoom down a slides at either Aqualand Torremolinos (35min by car) or Parque Acuático in Mijas (30min by car)
210 locals recommend
Aquamijas
Km. 1016 Autovía del MediterráneoGo for a splash and zoom down a slides at either Aqualand Torremolinos (35min by car) or Parque Acuático in Mijas (30min by car)
Trek the Caminito del Rey and marvel at natural landmarks like Los Gaitanes gorge and Hoyo valley and enjoy the spectacular views
(70min by car)
15 locals recommend
Caminito Del Rey/El Chorro station
Trek the Caminito del Rey and marvel at natural landmarks like Los Gaitanes gorge and Hoyo valley and enjoy the spectacular views
(70min by car)
Take a dip in the Hedionda Roman Baths in Manilva and Casares. I also really like the baths in Cordoba
(30min by car)
54 locals recommend
Baños romanos de la Hedionda, Casares (Rincón Singular)
Take a dip in the Hedionda Roman Baths in Manilva and Casares. I also really like the baths in Cordoba
(30min by car)
City/town information
Visit Granada and tour the Alhambra and its surrounding orchards and gardens (2h by car)
491 locals recommend
Granada
Visit Granada and tour the Alhambra and its surrounding orchards and gardens (2h by car)
Visit the Roman town of Ronda and peer from the magnificent bridge to the gorge and countryside below. On the way visit the Pileta Caves to see the 800,000-year-old stalagmites, stalactites, and 25,000-year-old paleolithic paintings.
(70min by car)
1006 locals recommend
Ronda
Visit the Roman town of Ronda and peer from the magnificent bridge to the gorge and countryside below. On the way visit the Pileta Caves to see the 800,000-year-old stalagmites, stalactites, and 25,000-year-old paleolithic paintings.
(70min by car)
3. See the Mezquita-Catedral of Cordoba, one of the oldest structures still standing from the time Muslims ruled Al-Andalus (in my opinion, one of the most magnificent buildings in the world)
(2h10min by car)
179 locals recommend
Córdoba
3. See the Mezquita-Catedral of Cordoba, one of the oldest structures still standing from the time Muslims ruled Al-Andalus (in my opinion, one of the most magnificent buildings in the world)
(2h10min by car)
Wander through the orange trees, Cathedral and Alcázar Palace in Sevilla
(2h30min by car)
436 locals recommend
Seville
Wander through the orange trees, Cathedral and Alcázar Palace in Sevilla
(2h30min by car)
See the rock and monkeys of Gibraltar, and explore the tunnels
(70min by car)
37 locals recommend
Gibraltar
See the rock and monkeys of Gibraltar, and explore the tunnels
(70min by car)
Málaga
Visit the Picasso Museum and Alcazaba in Malaga
(50min by car)
Kite surf and enjoy the laid back vibe of Tarifa. When there, stop by Baelo Claudia, home of some of the most spectacular Roman ruins in Spain
(75min by car)
414 locals recommend
Tarifa
Kite surf and enjoy the laid back vibe of Tarifa. When there, stop by Baelo Claudia, home of some of the most spectacular Roman ruins in Spain
(75min by car)
Head over to Tanger. Watch the dolphins from the ferry and try an amazing tagine and mint tea on the other side (don’t forget your passport)
(3hr by car + boat)
87 locals recommend
Tangier
Head over to Tanger. Watch the dolphins from the ferry and try an amazing tagine and mint tea on the other side (don’t forget your passport)
(3hr by car + boat)
Food scene
Café de Ronda
23 C. Ramón Gómez de la Sernaexcellent coffee shop just on the corner
Los Mellizos Marbella
8 C. Gregorio MarañónGreat fish restaurant
La Sala Puerto Banús
s/n C. Juan Belmonteplace to be seen
Lekune Bar de Pintxos
Local 1 Av. Fontanillasuper Basque Spanish tapas
Bodegas La Venencia
15 Av. Miguel Canolocal tapas bar
Pizza Pizzuela
4 Avenida Fontanillaeasy going pizza. also good for takeout.
Picasso Restaurant
49 Kerkstraatvery popular Italian restaurant
Leña las brasas x Dani García
s/n Avenida Bulevar Príncipe Alfonso de Hohenlohehigher end. great meat and dining experience.
La Canasta Marbella
1 Av. Ramón y Cajallocal breakfast - lunch place. great bakery