Best Activities in Marbella

When you visit a place for the first, second or third time, it is likely that you will be interested in knowing what the distinctive activities of that place are so that you can enjoy your trip to the region to the fullest. In turn, the best plans in Marbella are those that know how to take advantage of the distinctive beauty of the Costa del Sol while also offering quality entertainment to those who decide to join that tourist activity.

So I advise you to continue reading this compilation of plans and activities that I have prepared for you, so you can get a more concrete and accurate idea about the kind of things you could do on a daily basis when visiting Marbella. No matter what time of year you decide to visit the Costa del Sol or how many days you are going to stay, these are short, fun activities that don't take up more than 10 hours of your day in the case of the longer ones.

The sleek and colourful Vespas, a type of Italian motorbike, have become the vehicle par excellence for those looking to explore most European cities on two wheels, with this scenario occurring much more frequently in the well-known coastal communities of the Mediterranean countries. For your convenience, in Marbella you have the alternative of renting one for a full day so that you can enjoy a ride on your own terms around the historic and urban centre of Marbella and its surrounding communities.

Keep in mind that it almost always includes helmets for two people, as it is usual for there to be a driver with a passenger. A vehicle like this can help you get to where you want to go in Marbella and its surroundings, such as the famous Puerto Banús or around the Paseo Marítimo in San Pedro de Alcántara.

Details of interest:

• Price: it is usually around 40 euros. This means that the figure could be split between two people in case your companion is travelling on a separate budget from you.
• Duration: the motorbike rental is for exactly 24 hours and you could perfectly pick it up at the agency at around 8 am to return it at the same time the next day.
• Conditions: You have the possibility to pay for additional insurance for the Vespa and it is of course necessary to have a motorbike licence.

Ronda is a town located north of Marbella in the mountains near the Sierra de las Nieves National Park. The entire extension of this town is on the top of a mountain as well as a deep gorge that offers quite captivating landscapes for all visitors who decide to go there.

It was founded during the Islamic occupation of the province and boasts several attractions such as a famous stone bridge spanning the gorge, a beautiful cathedral, a historic bullring and also an excellently preserved old town.

Private excursions that take you from Marbella to this point in the Andalusian mountain ranges include a transfer in a minibus reserved exclusively for your group of companions. This along with the inclusion of a guide who will be with you at all times so that you can understand the historical significance of each of the corners you will see on the excursion.

Details of interest:

• Price: Approximately 300 euros per transfer for a car for two people. The rate goes up to about 150 or 170 per person for any other group that is intended for a trip of more than 3 participants. Children between 10 and 17 years of age pay approximately 70 euros.
• Duration: A private guided tour from Marbella to Ronda takes about 8 hours on average. Please note that departures are usually around 9 am.
• Conditions: Pick-up is usually offered directly from the hotel. Lunch is not included, but there is a space for it within the tourist itinerary in Ronda. Most of the time these are minibuses and cars that are wheelchair accessible.

About 33 km from the historic centre of Marbella, in the west of the Costa del Sol, is the town of Estepona. This place is worth a visit during your stay in the region, as it has several attractions such as a promenade or a historic centre just as interesting as Marbella. Now, the dolphin watching trips that leave from the marina of this town to sail the waters of the bay of the same name is one of the best activities to do in Marbella with children, as well as when travelling alone or with adult companions.

Keep in mind that they usually take place on a sailboat that has a maximum capacity of about 15 people including the captain and the sailing assistants. Also note that it includes some free drinks such as soft drinks, natural juices, summer reds, white wines or bottled waters. You have the possibility to bring food on board the boat and sometimes the same organization of the boat trip to see dolphins includes the transfer from your hotel in Marbella to the port of Estepona.

Details of interest:

• Prices: it usually costs around 30 euros per adult and around 20 euros per child as long as they are between 3 and 10 years old.
• Duration: these dolphin watching boat trips usually last approximately 2 hours and the departure times from the port usually range from 10am to 4pm.
• Conditions: The boat is not suitable for wheelchair users, assistance animals are allowed, babies are allowed and although there must be a minimum number of participants, the number of passengers is limited to a maximum of 12 tourists.

Adrenaline is also a good way to experience tourism in Marbella and therefore buggy excursions from the outskirts of the city to the village of Istan are an excellent activity for all types of tourists. Keep in mind that Istán is a locality in the mountain range which is located at the bottom of the Costa del Sol. Therefore the ascent is via a paved road, but at a certain point it turns into a completely mountainous terrain that allows you to live a totally country experience.

Clearly, it is not an activity available for people with reduced mobility to a wheelchair and is reserved exclusively for adults because of the driving characteristics of an all-terrain vehicle like this. In addition, drinks, dust wipes, gloves for the driving handlebars and dust goggles are included.

Interesting details

• Price: it can cost around 80 euros per person and this includes payment for the 4 wheel off road vehicle known as a buggy between two people for a total of 160 euros per buggy. The fee also includes a guide who accompanies the participants at all times.
• Duration: this type of excursion usually lasts about 2 hours on average which is more than enough time to go up to Istan and back to Marbella and even to have a break.
• Conditions: it is important that at some point you have driven a vehicle like this for safety reasons and you also have to keep in mind that there will always be two people per buggy and if you do not have a companion then the rate will be 160 euros individually.

Estepona is a place that deserves to be visited on your own when visiting Marbella and the whole region of the Andalusian Costa del Sol. Therefore, a guided tour can be your best alternative to get to know in a fun and planned way the historic centre of this town highlighting its streets full of vegetation in this community known as the Garden of the Coast by the locals.

El Castillo de San Luis, the route of the urban murals, the famous Plaza de las Flores, the promenade of Estepona and the Archaeological Museum of Estepona are other places that are usually included in the itinerary of an excursion like this.

In addition, it should be noted that this excursion is planned on the basis of an electric bicycle or electric scooter tour, depending on the case of each participant. Helmet and insurance are included in the price of the service, as well as the payment of the guide specialised in the history of Estepona.

Details of interest

• Price: the tour usually costs around 48 euros per person and there is no distinction between adults and minors.
• Duration: this type of guided tour usually lasts approximately 2 and a half hours. This is the usual, but could be extended up to 3 hours depending on the conditions of the experience.
• Conditions: this is usually a private tour and therefore there must be a minimum number of participants for the tour to be scheduled. Most often the itinerary starts in Estepona and therefore the transfer from your hotel in Marbella will have to be arranged by you.

In addition to Ronda's architectural beauty and historical importance there is also the fact that it has a small wine industry within the agricultural sphere of Andalusia. With this in mind, guided tours departing from Marbella that take you to a Ronda bodega to appreciate the beauty of the vineyards and the quality of a tasting of locally produced wine are ideal.

Bear in mind that the tasting extends beyond simply sampling the vintages achieved to date in the region's bodegas. For there is also a whole section of the itinerary focused on learning what goes into the making of the wine in the maturation barrels. As well as free time is also given to enjoy a sightseeing tour of the centre of Ronda in case participants have not had the opportunity to visit the city on previous occasions.

Details of interest:

• Price: The price is approximately 180 euros and there is a minimum requirement of two participants with a maximum of 6 people on the tour. The price includes the tour guide as well as the transfer to and from your hotel.
• Duration: This type of tour usually lasts about 8 hours. Which is wise if you see that there are two hours of free sightseeing in Ronda along with an hour's drive there and an hour's drive back.
• Conditions: this tour is not suitable for wheelchair users and is reserved exclusively for participants who are of legal age.

Flamenco is one of the most important cultural manifestations in all of Spain and is definitely one of the hallmarks of the identity of Andalusia, the region where Marbella is located. So attending an evening performance of this very famous dance and musical genre when you are on the Costa del Sol is a must on your visit.

The best way to do this is to take part in one of those performances organised by dance companies. For these are events that feature professional artists trained in epicentres of this music industry such as Seville or Malaga.

Details of interest:

• Price: you may be able to get a performance for 30 euros per person for a show of 4 acts in which there are different musicians and several performers.
• Duration: The duration of a show at this price and with these characteristics is usually an hour on average and depending on the venue you may be able to stay a couple of hours longer drinking and drinking in the establishment.
• Conditions: minors are allowed as long as they are accompanied by their parents. At the same time, theatres are usually equipped for wheelchair access.

The Caminito del Rey is a hiking route that crosses the uneven terrain of the mountains near Marbella and consists of a series of sections that cross cliffs with suspension bridges and tunnels in natural stone through the Ardales National Park. A private guided tour may be the best alternative for those looking to enjoy the experience with a specialist in the terrain and history of this natural region.

This type of excursion consists of a tour that includes the transfer to and from your accommodation, the use of helmets and safety equipment for the sections where they are necessary and also the payment of the guide who will be accompanying you and your companions at all times. The Gaitanejos Gorges and the Hoyo Valley are some of the highlights of this famous mountain hiking route.

Details of interest:

• Price: this excursion usually costs around 300 euros which is divided according to the number of participants. Keep in mind that there must be a minimum number of participants in the reservation for the excursion to take place.
• Duration: it usually lasts about 5 hours, but in that time the transfer from Marbella to the access area to the Caminito del Rey in Ardales National Park is added.
• Conditions: Not suitable for minors and definitely not allowed for children under 8 years old. Pregnant women and heart patients should also avoid participating in an activity like this.

Jet skiing is one of the most fun activities on any beach with the right weather conditions to enjoy it and the Costa del Sol is an ideal place to enjoy a jet ski session on the waters of the Mediterranean.

Keep in mind that this activity is suggested for adults and is basically something worth doing if you intend to continue a day at the beach on the Marbella coast. For when you get out of the water you will be soaking wet and so it is preferable that you have the desire to continue on to the beaches near the Marbella Marina, as these jet skis are located there for the enjoyment of those looking for a short session of aquatic adrenaline.

Details of interest:

• Price: usually costs around 100 euros approximately. Keep in mind that a single jet ski can fit two people.
• Duration: the jet ski rental usually lasts half an hour but there are occasions when the service is designed for a 45-minute format.
• Conditions: children are allowed to participate if they are the companion of an adult and lifejackets in appropriate sizes are clearly provided to all participants of the jet ski session.

One of the best things to do in Marbella in summer or at any time of the year is to take a luxurious boat ride to enjoy the sunset while enjoying gourmet snacks and a nice glass of wine. Keep in mind that the best way to participate in this activity is by booking a private tour and that means that the only passengers on the sailboat, catamaran or yacht will be you and your companions.

Some of these tours depart from the Port of Marbella, but there are also others that usually start sailing from Puerto Banús. Which is logical knowing that this is the neighbourhood par excellence of luxury and exclusivity on the Costa del Sol.

Details of interest:

• Price: usually around 150 euros per person, but rates can be adjusted up or down depending on the number of participants.
• Duration: A sunset boat ride with champagne and a few companions for tapas usually lasts about 2 to 3 hours.
• Conditions: the experience includes a sailor as well as some navigation assistants. There is a guide who may be present on the boat in case you wish to be accompanied to learn about the historical details of the Costa del Sol.