Marbella in 1 Day: all you need to know

The best things to do or see in Marbella belong to an inexhaustible list of plans and activities that could keep you busy for an entire month throughout the Costa del Sol region of southern Andalucía. At the same time, a single day in the city might seem insufficient when some people spend a whole season in the area to enjoy the natural beauty of the region to the full.

However, by following the itinerary I have prepared for you, you will get to know most of the iconic attractions of the city. So, I suggest you continue reading this compilation of plans so you can return home or head to your next travel destination knowing that you've seen some of the area's great attractions.

For nutritionists, breakfast is the most important meal of the day and there is no better place among the most iconic places in Marbella than the Plaza de los Naranjos to start a sightseeing tour of the city after having breakfast in the best Spanish Mediterranean style. There are different establishments in the area that are worth a visit, but Churrería Ramón is one of the most recommended by tourists and locals alike if you are looking for a good place to eat in this square.

The rueda de churros is their dish par excellence and don't hesitate to accompany them with chocolate and coffee in case you want to enjoy some sweeter flavours. Or with a fresh and abundant orange juice in case you want something a little more citric on your palate. The Cafeteria Los Naranjos with its large red awnings and typical Andalusian style white walls is another alternative if you are looking for a more diverse and extensive menu.

As for the square you should know that it is a space that was founded after the Christian reconquest at the end of the 15th century and is surrounded by Andalusian buildings such as the Casa Consistorial and the Casa del Corregidor. These are architectural gems that you have to appreciate during your visit to the city. The Renaissance fountain in the centre of the square is surrounded by centenary orange trees that give the name to this very famous corner of Marbella.

Depending on your logistics this can be an ideal place to arrive with a private transfer from Malaga airport in case you don't want to go first to the hotel on the Costa del Sol where you are staying during this short visit. The truth is that arriving at the lobby and leaving your meagre belongings on site could be a significant delay to start your sightseeing tour of Marbella.

Being in the centre of the old town of Marbella after finishing breakfast in the Plaza de los Naranjos it becomes a priority that you continue touring the rest of the area so that you can get to know other of the most important precincts of the urban geography of this city. Keep in mind that most of this neighbourhood has its origins in the late 15th century after the Christian reconquest of this section of the peninsula.

The streets Caballeros, Estación, Álamo, Soledad and Remedios are some of the most beautiful ones due to the large number of Andalusian houses. They are distinguished by their pristine white colour and the characteristic flowers which create the ideal setting for the whole area to be full of luxury shops, tavernas, cafes and restaurants as well as local craft shops and art galleries.

Marbella Castle or what is left of it is a must see along with the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación built over what was once an ancient mosque. In fact, the rest of the area is a place worth exploring on your own terms and without getting too exhausted. You can't ignore the fact that the rest of the city has enough activities to keep you entertained for the rest of your day.

Keep in mind that the best Marbella tours are an excellent way to take a guided and planned route in which you learn all the details of the history of this site in a time frame of 2 or 3 hours. This is ideal so that you don't get too tired and continue with the rest of the itinerary.

Crossing the Avenida Ramón y Cajal from Calle Africa in the south of the historic centre you will arrive directly in the centre of the Alameda Park. This is a small urban park with a large number of trees that create one of the most beautiful and special public spaces in Marbella. It is actually a small botanical garden with a very interesting diversity of flora, ranging from Canary Island palms to tropical flowers.

Its yellow and greyish tiled paths are an excellent place to have a photo session as a souvenir of your short walk through the most touristic city of the Andalusian Costa del Sol. At the same time, the beautiful and picturesque fountain located right in the centre of the park is a historical treasure almost 250 years old.

From this same park you will have direct access to the famous Avenida del Mar, which is an elegant boulevard built on a marble pathway with several shops, restaurants and cafes at both ends of its length. For some people this space can be considered as a long rectangular square and one of its great attractions are the 10 sculptures of Salvador Dalí that are arranged in the centre of the promenade.

This creates a kind of open-air museum completely free of charge to admire some of the works of one of the most important artists of the 20th century. Keep in mind that this part of the itinerary is one of the best things to see or do in Marbella with children, as it is presented as a break between other tourist activities that may not be so interesting for an infant. The park section is even more recommended for children, as they can play in it peacefully as long as they respect their surroundings.

As the idea is that your sightseeing tour of Marbella should be coherent so that you don't waste time going from one place to the other end of town and then back to the same point, then the next stop on your itinerary should be the Marbella marina. This is the oldest marina in town and today it has become a major tourist destination in the central section of Marbella's kilometre-long stretch.

The area is lined with restaurants, has a few clubs for the boating and sport fishing fanatics and walking around the area is a perfect continuation of your sightseeing plans in what has become the centre of Marbella. You could sit down for tapas in some of the luxurious tavernas in the area or you could walk along the neighbouring beaches. Such as Playa de Venus or the well-known Playa del Porto.

Keep in mind that most of the boat trips along the coast of Marbella depart from this port due to its strategic location which makes it fully accessible to those staying at both the eastern and western end of the city. At the same time, it is important to note that when touring this marina you will only find sport boats such as small sailboats or boats of a few feet. But don't worry, as later on in your itinerary you can check out other interesting places with luxury boats worthy of a spy movie.

From Marbella's marina you can also start an early afternoon walk along the Avenida Duque de Ahumada. This stretches from Marbella for 7 kilometres to the famous and luxurious urbanisation of Puerto Banús. However, it is totally unwise for you to set out to walk all this after having spent the whole morning touring the old town.

So getting to the corner where the Marino Amaya sculpture is located to start your tour of the neighbouring Parque de la Constitución is an excellent idea to continue your sightseeing tour of the city.

Bear in mind that this is a space that has an auditorium, a park with children's attractions, a landscaped forest and a municipal dance centre. All these details may seem irrelevant to you, as you will only be in the city for one day, but I am mentioning them so that you understand that it is one of the most important public spaces on the Costa del Sol.

In turn, the walk along the Paseo Marítimo is a typical tourist activity in this city and in fact it is one of the best things to do in Marbella in winter. It's a way to enjoy the beach without having to get into the sand and water at the coldest ambient temperatures of the year.

Being in the Parque de la Constitución you are likely to work up an appetite for your whole group of companions, as by that point in the day a couple of hours will have passed since the time you had breakfast in the gastronomic heart of the area, the historic centre. It is therefore a good idea to return to this area with a walk along the Avenida Ricardo Soriano or ask for a taxi, which for the short distance of less than a kilometre will cost you no more than 7 or 8 euros.

And when you return to the historic centre you will find yourself with the possibility of enjoying some of the best paellas in the city, and even arguably on the whole of the Costa del Sol. Keep in mind that the gastronomic offer in the area is diverse and that means that the interpretations of what a paella should be also changes from restaurant to restaurant. Some opt to be signature rice restaurants with innovative ingredients while others seek to pay genuine homage to the traditions of Andalusian paella.

El Estrecho bar and TierrAranda tavern are two well-known places located on Calle San Lázaro while El Cortijo restaurant on Calle Remedios and Patio de Mariscal are other highly recommended alternatives. I advise you to accompany your paella in the best style of Andalusian consumers, that is, with a refreshing sangria as the main drink.

Keep in mind that gastronomic exploration is one of the best things to do in Marbella no matter what time of the year and no matter how big and limited the tourists' budget is. So on your next visit to the city it is an excellent idea to set out on a gastronomic tour of the city or to identify a couple of dishes that you would like to eat over a longer and more feasible period.

As the idea is that the following day you can claim to know most of Marbella it becomes a necessity that you still have plans for after your lunch in the late afternoon. In that context there is no better place for you to catch the sunset than the privileged and exclusive area of Puerto Banús. This is a real estate development that since the 1970s has become the destination of choice for the rich and famous on the Costa del Sol and today is the epicentre of nightlife and luxury consumption in the region.

To get to this community you will have to pay a taxi, as it is located some 6 or 7 kilometres to the southwest from the historic centre of Marbella. It is still a part of the city, but when you get there it feels like a parallel universe because of the level of luxury and exclusivity that you can perceive in the marina with its large and modern yachts or in the luxury shops such as Louis Vuitton or Hermés.

You can enjoy the area having a coffee while walking along the marina or even while sitting on a terrace to enjoy the sunset. Despite being a destination for millionaires, it is now a tourist attraction for all types of consumers with significantly smaller pockets. So much so that touring Puerto Banús is one of the best things to see or do in Marbella in the summer. This is regardless of where you stay and how much you intend to spend on your trip.

Calle Ribera is the heart of luxury shopping in Puerto Banús, but at night it also becomes the epicentre of Puerto Banús' nightlife. Depending on who is accompanying you on your trip, it's a good idea to take advantage of this famous street to have a couple of drinks in some of the bars or clubs along the way. Which is among the most iconic when it comes to luxury tourism in the Spanish Mediterranean.

Keep in mind that in general partying is always one of the best things to do in Marbella at night and therefore you can't miss the opportunity to experience something like this if you are someone who enjoys this type of activity. That is, as long as you feel you can deal with the hangover the next day, as you probably have a day trip organised from Marbella that will take you to your new holiday destination.

St. Patrick Pub, O'Grady's Irish Pub and Astral Bar are just some of the places you could visit if you're looking to party, while News Club, Gaucho de Banús and A1 Aretusa restaurant are good options if you're looking for a bit of a lively dinner with some background music.