How To Spend The Holidays In Marbella
Give yourself the gift of a trip this holiday season.
We’re going to convince you to spend the holidays in Marbella – a Spanish city that is worth your precious time. Marbella is well known for its summer season. With stunning beaches, a harbor full of yachts, and more than a few swanky resorts just steps from the sand, it’s no surprise that tourists flock to this part of Spain during the summer months. But here at Baggage, we’re big fans of off-season travel, so we set out to experience Marbella for the month of December — and we were blown away by the most idyllic holiday getaway.
There’s no better way to get to the heart of a place, than to experience it during the holidays. Marbella literally glows during the month of December, coming alive for the holiday season and offering festivities for locals and visitors alike. What’s more, you’ll avoid large crowds and long waits by choosing to travel out of season.
Give yourself the gift of a trip this holiday season.
We’re going to convince you to spend the holidays in Marbella – a Spanish city that is worth your precious time. Marbella is well known for its summer season. With stunning beaches, a harbor full of yachts, and more than a few swanky resorts just steps from the sand, it’s no surprise that tourists flock to this part of Spain during the summer months. But here at Baggage, we’re big fans of off-season travel, so we set out to experience Marbella for the month of December — and we were blown away by the most idyllic holiday getaway.
There’s no better way to get to the heart of a place, than to experience it during the holidays. Marbella literally glows during the month of December, coming alive for the holiday season and offering festivities for locals and visitors alike. What’s more, you’ll avoid large crowds and long waits by choosing to travel out of season.
Why Travel During The Holidays?
The chance to experience the culture and traditions of a new place is a real gift. At Baggage, we’re all about prioritizing experiences over things — and what better gift is there than a trip to a new place? Consider giving the gift of travel this holiday season; and booking a trip to take with your family, friends, or S.O. While many people love to be home for the holidays, this time away from work is ideal to explore — even if it’s just a quick getaway for a night (a.k.a. a One Night Stand). Plan a little getaway and you may even find that you get more quality time with your loved ones away from your typical routines.
Alright, alright. Now that we’re ready and willing to be a bit adventurous this holiday season – let’s break down everything you have to do and see while spending the holidays in Marbella.
Alameda Park at night
Puerto Banus
Fountain in Alameda Park
Where To Stay
Old Town (for 1-3 nights)
In truth, where you should stay will depend on how long you plan to spend in Marbella. If you’re visiting for just a few nights, you’ll want to stay right in Marbella’s Old Town (or very close by) so you can fully immerse yourself in the festivities.
Recommendations: Hotel Claude Marbella – located right in Old Town, this quaint boutique hotel celebrates the season in style. Linda Boutique Hotel Marbella is also stylish and newly renovated, with a rooftop bar. Linda Marbella is the perfect hotel for a girls trip.
At the Beach (for longer stays)
On the other hand, if you’re planning to settle down and stay a while, we recommend finding a beachfront villa to call home for the holidays. We stayed at this amazing Airbnb for the month of December, which was just a short 10-15 minute drive from Marbella’s Old Town.
You’ll need a rental car if you plan to stay in this area, but unlike a great date, parking in Marbella is easy to come by. We recommend using this FREE parking lot (location below) at the edge of Old Town. It’s just a 3 minute walk to all the shops, restaurants, and lights.
Why stay outside of the city center? This Airbnb felt like a retreat, with a stunning garden and outdoor lounge area, resort style pool, and proximity to the beach. In addition, it had two balconies with ocean and mountain views. Our family enjoyed home cooked meals and everyone had their own space — the house has three bedrooms, each paired with an ensuite bathroom. The hosts even had a Christmas tree that we were able to set up!
Ultimately, where you stay depends on what kind of trip you fancy. If you want to be in the center of the action, stay in Old Town. If you’re traveling with a big group or looking for quiet relaxation, the nearby beaches are full of ideal accommodation options.
The Weather
If you’re going to spend the holidays in Marbella, you have to know how to pack. When we read trip guides, we always wish people would share a bit more about what clothes should make the cut. Suitcase space is precious, so let us help you make the most of it. Marbella has beautiful weather in December, with temperatures averaging high 50s to mid 60s. These in-between temperatures can be tricky to pack for, so we’ve started a packing list for you:
- Your best jeans
- A dress for the sunniest day (Maxi would be perfect)
- A pair of sneakers
- A pair of booties
- A light jacket or two
- Sweaters and long sleeves
The Holiday Festivities
Old Town Lights
Marbella is holiday magic. First and foremost, if you visit in December you get the chance to experience the way Old Town lights up each night. Each street is strung with a variety of different lights, so no matter where you wander, you feel the spirit of the season. Plan to have dinner, drinks, or dessert in Plaza De Los Naranjos to watch the light show that replays each night with larger than life angels.
Even better, Old Town is the perfect place to shop for Christmas gifts. This neighborhood seems to have a never ending supply of boutiques offering unique and original gifts for your loved ones. Plus, supporting the local establishments in this way helps the local tourism economy. This season, the gifts you give will each have a special story attached, of where it came from, and who made it.
Alameda Park
Parque de la Alameda is the city’s central park with a stunning fountain and botanical gardens. During the holidays, it comes alive at night with a lights display. This park is just steps from the edge of Old Town, so you can easily do both in one night if you’re tight on time. Grab your churro and chocolate from one of the Churrería’s in Old Town and walk over to Alameda Park to end your night.
Where To Eat
If you do one thing during your holidays in Marbella, eat at The Farm Restaurant in Old Town. The Farm is an urban beach bar and a true 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!
Most importantly, The Farm hosts special holiday events all month long in December. The restaurant puts on a Holiday Market, a Christmas Brunch, a New Year’s Eve DJ set, and many more festivities. Check out the Events Page on the restaurant’s website to see what they have in store for this upcoming season.
In general, many restaurants in Marbella offer unique holiday menus worth trying during your visit. Below we’ve listed some other notable restaurants we tried during our stay.
Restaurants in Downtown Marbella
If you’re staying outside the city center and looking for other recommendations, try Wild Cafe, or DeZentral Coffee for breakfast and lunch. Tikitano by Besaya offers a nicer atmosphere for dinner and a special menu on holidays.
Holiday Events Guide
Walk to Marbella’s waterfront and you’ll find a large directory-like display that lists all events in the city from Thanksgiving to New Years Day. This directory can be found right next to the fountains on the waterfront. The helpful guide includes dates, times and locations. Snap a quick picture of it at the start of your trip and refer back whenever you’re looking for something to do during your stay.
The Real Gift
The holidays in Marbella are truly something special. While Marbella is undoubtedly a picturesque summer getaway, there is also much to be desired here in the off-season. Some resort towns shut down in the winter time, but it’s worth knowing that Marbella is vibrant year round. If you’re traveling on a budget, spending the holidays in Marbella is ideal to get the best value for money.
In conclusion, you could say Marbella is the total package. You’ll fall for this sweetheart of a city if you choose to spend your holidays in Marbella.
Give Me More!
If you want more information on all things Marbella in any season, our Old Town Marbella guide will be perfect for you.
Looking for additional places to travel from Marbella? Speed Date The Best Cities in Andalusia, Spain to see which ones are a good match for your travel goals.
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