Local guide

Things to do in Marbella and the Costa del Sol

Beyond the beach and the events calendar, this is what never disappoints on any day of your stay. Start with the free must-sees — the old town and Plaza de los Naranjos, Puerto Banús, the seafront promenade and the hike up La Concha — then carry on with our favourite experiences in the area:

Museums & monuments

Museo Picasso MálagaMálagaThe painter's family collection, in a 16th-century palaceOfficial site → Get directions

Centre Pompidou MálagaMálagaModern and contemporary art under the port's colourful cubeOfficial site → Get directions

Museo Carmen ThyssenMálaga19th-century Andalusian and Spanish painting in a restored palaceOfficial site → Get directions

Museo Automovilístico y de la ModaMálagaClassic cars and haute couture in the old tobacco factoryOfficial site → Get directions

Alcazaba y Castillo de GibralfaroMálagaMoorish fortress above the city, with the best views over the portOfficial site → Get directions

Museo RalliMarbellaLatin American art and European surrealism. Free entryOfficial site → Get directions

Flamenco

Kelipé · Centro de Arte FlamencoMálagaAn intimate show, just metres from the stageOfficial site → Get directions

Cueva Los Amayas · TablaoMálagaFamily-run tablao in a cave, with live song and danceOfficial site → Get directions

Parks & adventure

Bioparc FuengirolaFuengirolaImmersive zoo with Madagascar, Africa and Asia habitatsOfficial site → Get directions

Aventura AmazoniaElviria (Marbella)Zip lines and high rope bridges among the pines, minutes awayOfficial site → Get directions

Selwo AventuraEsteponaAnimals roaming free and a vehicle tour of the reserveOfficial site → Get directions

Teleférico de BenalmádenaBenalmádenaCable-car ride up Monte Calamorro, the whole bay belowOfficial site → Get directions

AqualandTorremolinosSlides and pools: the classic summer water dayOfficial site → Get directions

Sea LifeBenalmádenaAquarium with a shark tunnel, at the marinaOfficial site → Get directions

Tours, boat & wellness

Caminito del ReyÁlora (~1 h)Walkways clinging to the wall of the Gaitanes gorgeOfficial site → Get directions

Hammam Al ÁndalusMálagaArab baths: cold, warm and hot pools, plus massageOfficial site → Get directions

Avistamiento de delfinesFuengirolaBoat trips to see them in the wild off the coastOfficial site → Get directions

Photo credits

Flamenco — Pepe Torress (CC BY-SA 4.0), Wikimedia Commons
Museo Picasso Málaga — Roderich Kahn (CC BY-SA 4.0), Wikimedia Commons
Centre Pompidou Málaga — Epizentrum (CC BY-SA 3.0), Wikimedia Commons
Museo Carmen Thyssen — Zarateman (CC0), Wikimedia Commons
Museo Automovilístico y de la Moda — Ko Oleg (CC BY-SA 3.0), Wikimedia Commons
Alcazaba y Castillo de Gibralfaro — Berthold Werner (CC BY-SA 3.0), Wikimedia Commons
Caminito del Rey — Malopez 21 (CC BY-SA 4.0), Wikimedia Commons
Hammam Al Ándalus — Diego Delso (CC BY-SA 4.0), Wikimedia Commons
Avistamiento de delfines — Olivier Dugornay (CC BY 4.0), Wikimedia Commons