5 Reasons To Visit Marbella’s Old Town
You will fall head over heels for Marbella’s Old Town. Located in Spain’s Costa Del Sol, a region comprising coastal towns from Málaga to Cádiz, Marbella’s Old Town is large, lively, and picturesque. You’ll want to visit Marbella if you’re looking to experience a less widely known, but equally idyllic, Spanish city.
Below are just 5 of the many reasons that Marbella’s Old Town is a must-see. This historical city is perfect for any girl who dreams of walking down white Andalusian streets; shopping at hole-in-the-wall boutiques; and finishing the day at a tapas bar as the sun sets over the mediterranean. Or was that just me?
Marbella is the total package.
1. The Mouthwatering Cuisine
The food in the city of Marbella is unmatched. We spent three weeks in the area, but it was the Old Town restaurant we visited on our very last day that has our hearts. The Farm is a rustic oasis–walking inside feels like stepping into another world. A better world at that, full of plants, organic ingredients, refreshing cocktails, and unique dishes. Everything on the menu is sourced from local farmers, and the owners’ very own farm! This is precisely how we prefer to eat, with an emphasis on organic, locally grown produce. It’s also a great way to support the local communities of the places we travel.
Recommendations
The Farm Signature Cocktail, Tabla The Farm, Grilled Octopus on Potato Foam. Ask your server about the specials too!
2. The Colorful Plazas
The next reason to visit Marbella stems from its signature plazas. Amidst the maze of white buildings and winding streets are the Old Town plazas. Plaza De Los Naranjos boasts a wide array of restaurants and beautiful holiday decorations if you visit in the off-season. We recommend Lateral—where the indoor dining room is an interior designer’s dream. The menu is vast and surprisingly authentic considering that the restaurant is so centrally located. Lateral offers tapas, tartar, sushi, and more. See below for our personal recommendations from the menu.
Recommendations
THE GF BREAD (you’re welcome, to all our GF ladies) dipped in the Roasted Carrot Cream Moruna, Tuna Tartar, Veggie Nigiri
Watch Old Town Come Alive
If you happen to visit during December, the plaza comes alive with a light show each night. Larger than life angels glow in the center of the square. Select an outdoor table at Lateral and you’ll have a front row seat. Just don’t forget your sweater, as temperatures range from 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit in December. You can finish the night off with a warm churro from the small stand next to the restaurant. If you’re traveling to Marbella around the holidays, read our guide on How To Spend The Holidays In Marbella.
Plaza De La Iglesia has…you guessed it…an exquisite, old church known as La Encarnación. Built in the 16th century, this church is a can’t miss historical site in the old city.
Visit Marbella to explore these unique plazas hidden away in the winding streets of Old Town. Larger Spanish cities have their own appeal, but nothing quite compares to the small town feel and authentic charm of this historical city.
3. The Sun Always Shines
What’s more, Marbella has a temperate Mediterranean climate. In other words, it’s beautiful and sunny year-round. Visit Marbella in the summer and retreat into the shade of Old Town on your day off from the beach. Or, plan your stay in the off-season to experience the city’s unmatched holiday charm and abundant Christmas lights that we mentioned above. If you’d like, you can get all your Christmas shopping done along the streets of Old Town. But you might have to bring an extra suitcase home with everything you buy!
4. The Beach Boardwalk
Speaking of the beach, Marbella’s Paseo Maritimo is less than a 10 minute-walk from Old Town. While en route, you’ll pass through the must-see Alameda Park, a botanical garden oasis with an overflowing fountain, colorful yellow walkway, and tiled benches. During the holidays, the trees of this park display a light show each night, and it’s a magical experience to get lost among the leaves. Specifically, this park is a great spot for families if you’re traveling with children and want to find activities for everyone to enjoy.
In addition, you’ll want to walk the beach promenade and check out Marbella’s harbor filled with boats. We recommend stopping at a few waterside restaurants along the way–try one for tapas and one for drinks.
Recommendations
Mimo by the Sea for a quick brunch (grab the Acai but skip the Avo Toast) and La Bodega Del Mar, which is at the other end of the promenade. This authentic restaurant made us feel right at home in Marbella as we dined on a traditional dinner of Spanish Paella during one of our very first nights. If you visit Marbella, you have to try Paella during your stay. Our last tip: stick around until they bring out the Honey Rum (on the house at La Bodega) as a nightcap.
5. The Bustling Nightlife
Picture this: little tables strewn across the streets, filled with people tasting tapas and drinking Cava (a Spanish sparkling wine); the yellow glow of the restaurants and still-open shops illuminating the walkway ahead. Trust us, you’ll be infatuated with this adorable town after dark. You visit Marbella for moments like this. If you’re anything like us, you’ll find that you quite like the pace of life here.
Traditional Spanish dinners are later, in the 9:00 – 11:00 pm range, so shops and restaurants stay open late in Old Town. The sweet smells drift from the Churrerías, so be sure to stop into a cafe and try the churro and chocolate, or the gelato.
Stay Up Late & Sleep In
In truth, you won’t find late night clubs and loud music right in the heart of Marbella’s Old Town. But many bars line the boardwalk down by the beach, which is just a short walk away. For this reason, Old Town is the perfect place to stay, because you won’t be kept up late with the noise of a city that never sleeps. If you book accommodation in Old Town, you’ll be able to walk to the nightlife, while staying in a quiet and safe area. It’s a win-win. The next morning, you can allow yourself to sleep in before venturing out for a late brunch.
Visit Marbella
Have we convinced you to visit Marbella? Ultimately, there are many amazing travel destinations, each offering something different. But we love Marbella because it checks so many of our boxes. That’s precisely how we wound up going steady here for almost a month.
- Exquisite Food
- Charm
- Safety
- Walkable
- Affordable
- A bit off the beaten path (compared to cities like Barcelona and Madrid)
- Ocean Views
- Mountain Views
Wrap It Up
Honestly, what’s not to love about all that? If you want even more info on visiting Marbella’s Old Town, let us know what questions you have in the comments. Unlike bad relationship advice, we would never steer you wrong.
Love,
Your Baggage girls
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