Plaza de los Naranjos
The heart of the old town: Renaissance town hall, the Santiago chapel and orange trees
Get directionsLocal guide
Marbella's old town
Fifteen minutes from the studio lies a whitewashed Andalusian town of bougainvillea-draped lanes and orange-tree squares. You can see it in an afternoon, it's best enjoyed wandering without a plan — and it ends with a good dinner.
What to see
Iglesia de la Encarnación
The 16th-century main church, home to the Sol Mayor organ
Get directionsMurallas del castillo
Remains of the 10th-century Moorish citadel peeking out between the alleys
Get directionsMuseo del Grabado Español Contemporáneo
Prints by Picasso, Miró and Dalí inside the 16th-century Hospital Bazán
Get directionsAvenida del Mar
The promenade down to the sea, lined with Dalí sculptures
Get directionsParque de la Alameda
A century-old garden with fountains and tiled benches, gateway to the old town
Get directionsWhere to eat
From classic tapas to two Michelin stars, almost all within a stroll of Plaza de los Naranjos.
El Estrecho
Calle San Lázaro
A narrow bar and classic tapas, since 1954
Get directionsTaberna La Niña del Pisto
Calle San Lázaro
Córdoba cooking: salmorejo, pisto and oxtail; tiny, so book ahead
Get directionsTaberna Gaspar
Calle Luis Oliver
Home-style Andalusian cooking and famous meatballs; book ahead
Get directionsBar Altamirano
Plaza Altamirano
Fried fish on the square since 1985; no bookings, arrive early
Get directionsBodegas La Venencia
Avenida Miguel Cano
Hand-carved ham, tapas and wine near the promenade
Get directionsLa Taberna del Pintxo
Avenida Miguel Cano
Pintxos come round on trays — take what you fancy, pay per stick
Get directionsCasanis Bistrot
Calle Ancha
French-Belgian bistro beneath a spectacular bougainvillea
Get directionsEl Rincón de Cynthia
Calle Virgen del Pilar
A neighbourhood Peruvian cevichería: ceviche and pisco sour
Get directionsGenji Sushi Bar
Calle Ramón Gómez de la Serna
Family-run sushi, small and much in demand
Get directionsOrigen Asador Argentino
Calle Gregorio Marañón
Argentine grill: chargrilled steak and a wood-fired oven
Get directionsCotxino
Avenida Antonio Belón
KAVA's casual bar, across from its big brother: tortilla, anchovies and cheesecake
Get directionsKAVA
Avenida Antonio Belón
Fernando Alcalá's tasting menu, Michelin-recommended
Get directionsSkina
Calle Aduar
2★ Michelin in a tiny old-town dining room
Get directionsChurrería Ramón
Plaza de los Naranjos
Churros with hot chocolate on the square since 1941
Get directionsGetting there and parking
By car
Fifteen minutes along the A-7 (about 12 km) from the studio.
Where to park
The Avenida del Mar and Plaza de la Victoria car parks are two minutes from the lanes; the open-air Arroyo de la Represa is usually cheaper.
When to go
Late afternoon into the evening: a cool stroll, the squares lit up, and dinner to finish.