Seasons in Marbella

The perks of living in Marbella include amazing weather, easy access to the airport with daily international flights, the best beaches on the coast, and a glamorous lifestyle.

Marbella is a wonderful destination year-round, depending on what you’re looking for. For an active beach holiday with peak weather, summer is ideal. The influx of tourists keeps many establishments open late, with lots of parties. However, summer traffic can be heavy, which might be inconvenient.

For a more relaxing sports holiday, spring or autumn is better, with comfortable temperatures for outdoor activities. Winter in Marbella is sunny and quiet, offering a more relaxed pace than the summer months. With lighter traffic, both locals and tourists are happier.

THE CLIMATE
Marbella is one of Spain’s most glamorous cities, with hot summers and mild winters. Winter nights rarely drop below 10°C, and summer days average 31°C in August, the hottest month. With 320 days of sunshine a year, it’s truly a dream location.

There’s never a bad time to visit Marbella. As autumn arrives, temperatures cool down but are still warm enough for shorts and sandals. The sun remains bright, and the sea still attracts bathers. Average temperatures in Malaga province are: September +28°C, October +24°C, November +20°C. Marbella’s exceptional microclimate makes it even more appealing.

Autumn shifts focus away from beaches, but the sea stays warm, inviting swimmers and water sports enthusiasts. Marbella East beaches, known for their large size and clean sand, are great for mid-season swimming.

The autumn weather is perfect for leisurely pursuits like finding your dream home or a real estate investment in Marbella. From October to May, Marbella offers the perfect climate for enjoying a magnificent terrace with a glass of good Spanish wine. The bustling high-season beaches and streets give way to a more tranquil atmosphere. With fewer tourists, there are shorter lines at attractions and supermarkets, and a more sophisticated, grown-up feel in restaurants and bars as children return to school. Many hotels, restaurants, and attractions offer discounted rates, and flights tend to be cheaper with less busy airports.

October brings harvest season, with local markets full of fresh produce. Restaurants incorporate seasonal ingredients into their dishes. Andalucía celebrates Fiestas of Almonds, Figs, Ajoblanco (cold almond soup), Feria Nacional de Queso Artesano (cheese festival), and Fiesta del Tostón, marking All Saints Day with roast chestnuts on 1st November. Las Fiestas de la Vendimia y Otoño (Wine Harvest) is a festive blur of wine crushing, bodega visits, horses, dancing, and general merriment. Autumn is also a great time to explore vineyards.

WALKING IN THE CENTER OF MARBELLA

Marbella’s history is rich, with roots tracing back to the Phoenicians around 700 BC and later becoming a key Roman Empire enclave. It wasn’t until the early 1960s that Marbella started to build on tourism with the opening of the Marbella Club Hotel.

The old town, Casco Antiguo, offers a taste of traditional Spain. The Old Town’s most famous area is Plaza de los Naranjos, or Orange Square, where you’ll find a range of restaurants with lovely ambiance. Around the square stands a 15th-century fountain, a 16th-century town hall, and a 17th-century church - placing you in the heart of history. For a relaxing stroll, unique shopping, or tapas tasting, the Old Quarter is the place to be.

Marbella’s Avenida del Mar connects the Old Town with the promenade, featuring a wide pedestrian zone that serves as an open-air museum. It showcases sculptures by Salvador Dali, which you can enjoy for free, along with many tapas bars and cozy cafes.

BEACH WALKS

The Málaga Coastal Path (Senda Litoral de Málaga) involves fourteen coastal municipalities and aims to connect Manilva and Nerja with a long path (160-180 km) along the coast. This ambitious project faces challenges, but it offers scenic beach walks such as:

- Cabopino to Marbesa: Start at Cabopino Marina and follow the coastline eastward to Marbesa. This scenic 3 km (1.86 miles) route passes Playa de Cabopino and quieter beaches.
- Los Monteros to Elviria: Begin at Los Monteros beach and head to Elviria, a 5 km (3.11 miles) stretch of sandy beaches and rocky coves, passing Playa de Los Monteros and Playa Real de Zaragoza.
- Guadalmina through San Pedro de Alcantara to Puerto Banus
- Puerto Banus through Golden Mile to Marbella up to Rio Real
- Estepona: Boasts the longest completed paseo maritimo of 22 km, covering Benamara, Guadalmansa, Avenida Litoral, La Rada Beach, Marina, Playa del Cristo, and Costa Natura.

SPORT

Marbella is a prime destination for golf enthusiasts year-round, especially during the shoulder season of autumn. Top golf courses from west to east include:

- Real Club de Golf Guadalmina
- Real Club de Golf Las Brisas
- Aloha Gold Club
- Los Naranjos Golf Club
- Marbella Golf and Country Club
- Rio Real Golf and Hotel
- Santa Maria Golf
- Santa Clara Golf
- The Cabopino Golf Club

Tennis and padel are also popular, with many clubs to choose from. Puente Romano Tennis Club, founded in 1979, has 4 padel courts and 10 tennis courts, 2 of which are Plexipave. Another favorite is the Real Club Padel, founded in 2008, featuring an amazing gym and 9 padel courts. In San Pedro, there is the International Tennis Club, and in Elviria, there is the Royal Tennis Club Marbella. Most large sports centers in Marbella offer padel and tennis courts, ensuring you’ll never be bored.

THE NEARBY TOWNS TO VISIT

- Ronda
- Ojen
- Tarifa
- Zahara de los Atunes
- Casares
- Genalguacil
- Setenil de las Bodegas
- Zahara de la Sierra
- Antequera
- Lanjaron
- Alora
- Nerja
- Frigiliana

For deep cultural tourism, day trips to Granada, Cordoba, and Sevilla are recommended, all about 2.5-3 hours away. Cadiz is 2.5 hours away, and from there, you can reach Portugal in 5 hours.

SHOPPING CENTERS IN MARBELLA

Marbella’s best-known shopping centers are El Corte Inglés and La Cañada, both offering a wide range of stores, from clothing to perfumeries to home decor.

Marbella is a magnet for luxury and elegance, attracting many high-end brands to Puerto Banús. Stroll along the yachts and supercars to find boutiques like Dolce & Gabbana, Valentino, Hermes, Dior, YSL, Bottega Venetta, and more. The Marbella Club Hotel features Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and others.

SOCIALISING IN MARBELLA

Marbella’s international community includes 149 nationalities. While Spanish is the main language, English is widely understood due to the mix of international tourists and residents. Expect a warm greeting with two kisses on the cheek. Life here moves at a relaxed pace, with late breakfasts and dinners starting around 8 PM, and Spaniards typically arriving between 9 and 10 PM. Many establishments operate at different and reduced hours compared to other cities.

EMERGENCY SERVICES IN MARBELLA

Each region of the Costa del Sol has its state-funded medical center or clinic with family doctors and nurses by appointment. In Marbella, the main public hospital is the Hospital de Costa del Sol, located in the eastern part of Marbella. In Estepona, they recently opened the Hospital de Alta Resolución de Estepona. It's best to make an appointment with Spanish doctors well in advance to get a suitable time. 

Marbella is well-equipped with hospitals and pharmacies for emergencies. Some pharmacies are open 24 hours a day. Public hospitals can have long queues, so many vacationers and wealthy residents prefer private clinics for premium medical care and personalized attention. The main private hospitals in Marbella are:

- QUIRON Hospital
- Helicopteros Sanitarios
- HC Marbella International Hospital
- Hospital Ochoa
- Hospiten Estepona
- Cenyt Vithas Estepona