10 Things to Do in Marbella in Winter

Among the best things to do in Marbella are the winter activities. It's not all beach, sun and sand in this beautiful city. There are other things you can enjoy when you visit Marbella. Among them are indoor activities.

That's why I recommend you to go on gastronomic tours and attend private shows. Other outdoor activities include hiking and cycling. During traditional celebrations such as Christmas or Carnival you can also go out and enjoy yourself with the locals, even if it's winter. Are you up for it?

The best tours you can get in Marbella are on foot or by bike. During the winter it is not very advisable to swim on the beaches of Marbella. Temperatures can be very high some days, so my recommendation is a walk along the Paseo Marítimo of Marbella.

If you like hiking, I invite you to put on your sports clothes and your most comfortable shoes. This way you can walk the 15 kilometres that make up the Paseo Marítimo. There you can breathe in the smell of the sea and enjoy the beautiful view. Get ready to receive the breeze on your face and relax in the morning or in the afternoon.

Another way to cycle along the Paseo Marítimo is to rent a bicycle in Marbella. You don't have to be an expert cyclist to ride, it's all about enjoying the scenery and the atmosphere. Besides, with a bike you can do the tour a bit faster and then continue exploring Marbella.

In case you don't know how to ride a bike you can also rent an e-bike and even electric scooters. There are many options to choose from to have a great time with activities as simple as a ride along the Paseo Marítimo.

Interesting details

• Price: renting a bike costs an average of €15.
• Duration: you can rent a bike for 1 hour or longer.
• Means of transport: these types of companies offer bicycles, e-bikes and electric scooters.

Indoor private events are also a good option during the winter. Although it is not very common, it may rain one day while visiting Marbella in the winter months.

Flamenco is a beloved musical tradition in Andalusia, especially in its ports. When you are in Marbella I invite you to see a flamenco show before you leave. You will be able to see how the artists mix and match their artistic skills in song and dance.

Also, if you are looking for things to do in Marbella at night, these events are the best option. Although the artists plan their performances, they often give themselves permission to improvise. This is why it is said that all shows are unique and unrepeatable.

If you have already decided to go to one of these shows, keep in mind that there are many places in the city that you can visit. One of them is The Farm, where you can go inside and spend an amazing night drinking your favourite drink and watching a free flamenco show. Another popular option is Taberna El Bordón Marbella.

If you are interested in sampling the gastronomy of Marbella, I recommend booking a tapas adventure in Marbella. This type of tour is a walking tour through the old town. It is ideal when the temperatures are cooler as all stops are made at four closed bars or restaurants.

With a tapas tour in Marbella you will appreciate the cobblestone streets and your guide will tell you the history and curious facts about this city. In addition, you can be part of a Marbella tradition. Tapas is a traditional Spanish appetizer served with a drink. This can be a good wine, craft beer or whatever you prefer.

This tour can be done with a group of maximum 10 people and accompanied by a local guide. If you do this you won't have to research which bars to go to, as your guide will take you directly to the best places. However, if you want to do the tour on your own, I recommend doing some research before you set off.

My recommendation is to head for the alleyway between Plaza de la Victoria and Calle Fortaleza. There you'll find authentic tapas bars such as Bar el Estrecho and Taberna Tierraranda. You can also go to Calle Pantaleón and enter the bar that catches your eye.

• Price: the guided tapas tour has an average cost of 80 €.
• Duration: around 3 hours.
• Means of transport: walking tour.

Among the things you can do with children in Marbella, especially in December, is the celebration of Christmas. In Marbella you will get many activities and one of them is to appreciate the singing of Christmas carols in the Old Town. Sometimes there is a competition organised by the Association of Traders and Professionals of the Old Town of Marbella.

I also recommend you to walk around this area of the city to see the Christmas lights. Of all Andalusia, this part of Marbella is usually the most beautifully decorated. Besides, thanks to the fact that the temperatures here are not extreme, you can wear a relaxed outfit without heavy coats.

Another plan you should include is a Christmas dinner in one of the hotels or restaurants in Marbella. There you can enjoy typical Andalusian dishes for this time of year. These include grilled prawns, stuffed eggs, clams, vichyssoise and the incomparable stuffed turkey.

Just as you can celebrate Christmas in Marbella, you can celebrate New Year's Eve and welcome in the New Year. As the town is very small, it will be easy to be part of the locals' celebration. If you like the idea, I recommend you to go to Plaza de los Naranjos in the city centre. This is a meeting point where locals traditionally gather on this date.

I recommend you to go at least one hour before with your bottle of cava or a bunch of 12 grapes. This way you can take part in a local custom and make your New Year's wishes. You will be accompanied by live music and locals who, like you, are anxiously watching the Town Hall clock.

Before this activity you can have dinner in one of the restaurants near this meeting point. As well as a delicious dinner, you can try hot chocolate and churros for a snack. In case you prefer a more intimate and relaxed plan, I recommend you to dine in a luxury restaurant or club.

Olivia Valere is a beach club where you can spend an unforgettable night. Their classic New Year's Eve dinners usually include meals such as truffles, carpaccio and lamb. Another option is to stay in a luxurious hotel such as the Marbella Club. Usually during this time they offer promotions that include a party and a Christmas dinner.

On the 6th of January, as in the rest of Spain and other countries, the Three Kings Day is celebrated. If you are in Marbella I invite you to take part in this celebration. The main activity is the procession of the Three Wise Men through the streets of the city. These costumed people throw sweets to the audience and hand out blessings.

This activity is better known as the Three Wise Men Parade. This event is organised by the city council and can change every year. Sometimes the kings go around the city as I mentioned before. However, in other editions a static display is prepared.

In those cases I recommend you go to the site of the event. There you will be able to see the decorated floats and the Three Wise Men. These activities usually start at 11am and last until 9pm. Please note that you must book your appointment in advance to see these decorations.

Carnival is a celebration that takes place at the end of February, although the date varies slightly from year to year. In Marbella this date also means saying goodbye to winter. If you want to be part of this celebration be aware that you will see many locals and tourists in the streets. Also, music and dance groups will be a common sight.

The activities you can take part in are organised by the Marbella Town Hall. The celebrations are spread over several days. Among the things you are likely to see are the presentation of the Dios Momo and the performance of different comparsas. These and other events are held at the Teatro Ciudad de Marbella and you need to get your ticket at the box office to get in.

Also, in some squares there are bouncy castles and different food stalls courtesy of the Asociación Cultural Carnavalesca. This is ideal for children and their parents to have fun and eat something delicious. Another event you will love is the Carnival Carousel. This is a set of floats that go all over the city.

There is no doubt that this celebration is full of joy and fun decorations. When you go to Marbella be sure to get your camera ready to take the best pictures. You won't regret taking part in all the events and activities that take place in Marbella.

Although you can stroll around Marbella during the winter, on colder or rainy days it is better to go to a museum to take shelter from the cold. Fortunately, this city has several options that you can enjoy. That's why I recommend you to make a list of your favourite museums to visit while you are in this city.

My first recommendation is the Ralli Marbella Museum. This is the only one of the five Ralli museums that is located in Europe. Here you will find valuable pieces of Latin American art. You can also visit the Museo del Grabado Español Contemporáneo, where you will discover beautiful exhibitions of contemporary Spanish art.

The Fred Friedrich Museum is another interesting option in the city where you will see avant-garde works of art. If you want to explore beyond Marbella, less than half an hour from the city, you'll find the Museo del Molino. In this museum you will learn about the production of aguardiente in the municipality of Ojén, where the museum is located. Are you up for discovering them?

As I said at the beginning, indoor activities are ideal during the winter. That's why you can't miss a visit to the discotheques in Marbella. The nightlife of this city is world famous and in winter too. Although during these months the tourist influx is much lower, it is still an activity that you can include in your visit.

Some of Marbella's nightclubs offer luxury parties where you can even see celebrities and celebrities. You can go to discos such as Pangea, where you will not only enjoy the music and dancing, but also the beautiful view of the sea. If you want to party with a good DJ I recommend you to visit Aqwa Mist.

Think carefully about what kind of party you would like to attend as some venues also offer a VIP area. You'll find clubs that even have hot tubs. The list of places you can go to is extensive. Some of them are Seven Puerto Banus, La Clave Discoteca Latina and La Suite Marbella.

If spending the night in a discotheque is not your thing and you don't want to get cold, I recommend you to spend a karaoke night in Marbella. This is an ideal activity especially if you go with friends and want to spend a different time. One of the most famous places for this activity is Crystal's Karaoke, located in Puerto Banus.

Here you can spend the whole night singing until 4am, very close to the sea. However, I recommend that you take into account that you must book a table here in advance. Otherwise you may find yourself without a comfortable table for you and your companions.

Other equally good options are Rolling bar Karaoke and Azabache Karaoke Bar. In these places, as well as singing, they also allow you to drink a good wine and a beer, along with some delicious tapas. It is a simple but entertaining plan that you will surely love.

The lowest season in Marbella is precisely during the winter months. From December until the beginning of March the locals and streets are less busy. This makes it noticeably quieter, but does not mean that it is a boring destination.

The main reason for this is that the water on the beaches is much colder during these months. Therefore activities such as water sports, beach parties or boat trips are not usually done, especially during the colder months. However, Marbella is still a good tourist destination.

I recommend you to visit this city because, as the crowds are lower, the prices go down, precisely to attract more tourists. Staying in a hotel or even taking a flight to Marbella is much cheaper than in other months of the year. That is why I recommend you to visit this city at this time of the year.

During the winter months the temperatures in Marbella vary between 11 °C and 17 °C. This is the coldest time of the year, yet it is still very warm. In fact, many Spaniards prefer to spend the winter in this city to protect themselves from the cold.

Even though it is a warm winter, there can be different rains, so it is best to be prepared for that. In these months you can walk and walk normally without having to dress warmly. However, I don't recommend swimming at the beaches as the water feels much colder, but there is nothing to stop you from enjoying the breeze, although it may make you feel colder than you think.