The best times of year to visit Marbella

Published Date: January 5, 2023

Marbella, Spain, is the ultimate year-round holiday destination. With its expansive Mediterranean coastline, beautiful landscapes and an average of 325 sunny days every year, this Costa del Sol town offers something wonderful in every season. 

Autumn

Summer crowds have all but dispersed, leaving quiet beaches, open tables at the most popular restaurants, and a warm autumnal glow. Walk, run or bike along the 10km-coastal promenade that stretches from Puerto Banus to Cabopino. If you’d prefer to take it easier (we don’t blame you), head to Marbella Old Town. Delightful during any time of the year, the streets are less crowded in fall, making this the perfect place to spend the afternoon.Autumn is also a great season to travel inland to visit to the spectacular city of Ronda. Perched on dramatic cliff faces and surrounded by prehistoric settlements dating to the Neolithic era, Ronda is one of the most beautiful cities in Andalusia. For centuries, it has produced olive oil from the surrounding ancient olive groves. LA Organics opened in the 1990s and uses ancient techniques to produce organic olive oil. The company plans to build a Philippe Starck-designed facility dedicated to ecological agriculture, gastronomy and culture. 

Winter

Thanks to a microclimate created by the nearby mountains, winter months in Marbella are pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 8 to 17 degrees. Golfers will be keen to make use of the mild climate — with the highest concentration of golf courses in the world (64 courses line the way between Malaga and Sotogrande), Marbella offers plenty to choose from. Among many highly-rated courses, Los Naranjos Golf Club is certainly one to put on your list.For those wishing to enjoy some winter sports, the Sierra Nevada Mountain range is home to the largest ski resort in Andalusia. It’s just a 2.5-hour drive from Marbella, meaning you can ski in the morning and be back on the beach by the sunset.Over the Christmas and New Year period, there is plenty to do to embra e the festive spirit. Marbella hosts a Christmas market, and the Marbella Club Hotel offers al fresco dinner and drinks by its beautiful bar with an open fire and heaters.Ring in the New Year like a local by heading to Plaza de los Naranjos in the town centre. Enjoy a bottle of Cava and punnet of grapes before watching the fireworks light up the sky over the coast.

Spring

Spring brings clear, warm days — perfect for exploring the stunning, varied landscape surrounding Marbella. There’s no better place to hike than at La Concha, a conch-shaped mountain in Sierra de la Nieves Natural Park behind town. On clear days, you can see Gibraltar and the north coast of Africa from the top. About seven kilometres inland from the coast — between Marbella, Ronda and Estepona — is Benahavis, a mountainous village nicknamed the "dining room of the Costa del Sol" thanks to its renowned restaurants. Spend time exploring the area via mountain bike before stopping off for a well-earned feast.Whilst we’re feeling active, why not have a game of tennis at Puente Romano Tennis & Paddle Club? The facility offers eight top-quality clay courts, two plexipave courts, a fully equipped gym, sauna, Turkish bath and massage room.

Summer

By now, Marbella is really living up to its sunshine coast name, with temperatures peaking in the mid to late 30sin July and August. The streets fill with visitors, and there’s a real buzz in the air as people head to the beach, fill sun beds and play in the soft Mediterranean swell. There are plenty of water sports to enjoy over these months, and with sea temperatures sitting around the mid-20 degrees mark, it’s the perfect time to take a dip.The hotter days and larger crowds also mean parties are on the agenda, and the Starlite Festival is a great place to start. This two-month music and cultural event is held over July and August at the Cantera de Nagüeles in Marbella. Guests can watch music from the auditorium and dine in the Starlite restaurant before dancing the night away in the sessions area.  

Enjoy Marbella all year

Co-owning a luxury second home in Marbella means you can enjoy year-round sunshine and all the delights in this coastal destination. Relax in your carefully curated holiday home and get to know the area like a local.

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