How to get there from Seville
Approximate travel times, not counting waiting or traffic.
- Same time as in Seville
- Spanish
- Euro
Accommodation
Where to sleep in Marbella
Hotels, apartments and rural houses at the best prices. Compare and book in one click.
Marbella is the best-known Costa del Sol: a white old town full of flowers, kilometres of beach and the luxury of Puerto Banús, a little over two hours from Seville. It works just as well for a beach weekend in summer as for a peaceful winter sunny escape.
The Casco Antiguo and Plaza de los Naranjos
The heart of Marbella is its Casco Antiguo, a maze of whitewashed streets with pots, remnants of the Arab wall and small squares. The most famous is the Plaza de los Naranjos, dating from the 15th century, with the Town Hall, the Corregidor's House and terraces under the orange trees. Very close are the Church of the Incarnation and the Alto neighbourhood, the quietest area for a stroll.
To walk down to the beach, go through the Parque de la Alameda and the Avenida del Mar, a pedestrian promenade with Salvador Dalí sculptures that ends at the seafront.
Beaches, Puerto Banús and the Golden Mile
- City beaches: La Fontanilla and El Faro, with all services and the seafront beside.
- Cabopino and the Artola dunes: to the east, more natural and with a small marina.
- Puerto Banús: yachts, luxury shops and the liveliest nightlife on the Costa del Sol, about 15 minutes from the centre.
- The Golden Mile: the stretch between Marbella and Puerto Banús with the most exclusive hotels and villas.
When to go
Marbella has sun almost all year. In July and August it’s crowded and prices soar; May, June, September and October are the best months for the beach without crowds. In winter it’s a quiet escape, with mild days for strolling along the promenade.
Getaways near Marbella
- Ojén and Istán: mountain white villages 15-20 minutes away.
- Ronda: the Tajo and the New Bridge, about an hour along the Sierra road; you can stop on the outbound or return trip from Seville.
- Estepona: its old town of flower-filled streets, half an hour away.
- Málaga: museums and the Alcazaba, about 45 minutes.
Frequently asked questions about Marbella
How long does it take from Seville to Marbella?
About 2 hours and 20 minutes by car, about 205 km. Marbella has no train station: in public transport you must take a train to Málaga and continue by bus, or take a bus.
How to go from Seville to Marbella without a car?
By train from Santa Justa to Málaga (about 2 hours) and from Málaga's bus station a bus to Marbella (about 45-60 minutes). There are also buses from Seville; check schedules before you travel.
What to see in Marbella in one day?
The Casco Antiguo and Plaza de los Naranjos, the Avenida del Mar with the Dalí sculptures, the seafront and, in the afternoon, Puerto Banús.
What is the best time to go to Marbella?
From May to October for the beach, better avoiding July and August if you want fewer crowds and better prices. In winter it’s a quiet escape and with good weather.
What to do
- Casco Antiguo and Plaza de los Naranjos
- Avenida del Mar: Dalí sculptures on the way to the beach
- Seafront and beaches of La Fontanilla and El Faro
- Puerto Banús: yachts, shops and nightlife
- Cabopino and the Artola dunes
If it rains
- Museo del Grabado Español Contemporáneo, in the Casco Antiguo
- Ralli Museum, Latin American and European art
- Bonsai Museum, in Parque Arroyo de la Represa
- Tapas in the bars of the Casco Antiguo
Getting around and taxis
- Centre and Casco Antiguo on foot
- Urban buses, also to Puerto Banús
- Taxis and VTC
- Car for the Sierra villages
Tips
- In summer head to the beach early and book the beach clubs
- Parking in the center is expensive: use public car parks
- Ojén and Istán, white villages 15-20 minutes away
- Ronda is an hour away: you can stop on the way there or back
