Located on Costa del Sol, in picturesque Andalusia, Marbella was one of my favourite experiences in Spain, alongside Ibiza, Mallorca, Barcelona, and Madrid. Every single city, village, or region in Spain has its own distinctive character, so none of them is replaceable.

Below the top things to do while in Marbella:

A glimpse of eccentricity in Puerto Banus

Puerto Banus is a marina located in the west of Marbella, a one-of-a-kind mixture of outstanding nightlife, prototype cars, famous yachts, and heavenly shopping. In order to make myself clear and to offer those who haven’t been there before a glimpse of what’s inside, I will just say that Puerto Banus is actually a kind of lavish movie scene, a place that most people only dream of, and the display of an intangible world.

Puerto Banus is a playground for the rich and famous, where the backstreets afford shops such as Chopard, Roberto Cavalli, and Hermès, while the front streets are served for prototype cars with personalized Arabian license plates, such as a Batmobile or a white-gold-plated Mercedes.

Famous for its vibrant nightlife, Puerto Banus is a mecca for party haunters, boasting an incredible variety of clubs, bars, pubs, discos, and everything selling alcohol. Paradoxically, nightlife in this exclusive resort was quite different from the daytime – hundreds of tourists storming the streets, rich and poor, young and old, nosy and curious, all of them eager to soak up the flamboyant atmosphere of this luxurious enclave.

Always Marbella Old Town

Stretching around the lovely Plaza de los Naranjos (Orange Square), the charming Old Town boasts some of the loveliest narrow streets I’ve ever strolled, fenced by serene white buildings adorned with tiny flowered balconies and ground-floor stylish boutiques.

Plaza de los Naranjos is a cluster of outdoor traditional restaurants and orange trees, belongings that seem to turn this place into a pleasure for all senses. So, whether you choose to begin a leisurely morning here with a sweet fragrance of oranges and a Spanish Café con hielo, or want to watch the world go by while sitting in the shade of a tree, lounging over a cold sangria in a hot afternoon, you’ll find this enchanting square one of those rare, perfect sanctuaries. So surprising and yet so familiar. A genuine delight.

Fashionable day on Nikki Beach

Located just a few minutes’ drive from Marbella center, on a picturesque shoreline, Nikki Beach is one of the best daytime beach clubs in the world. However, once you arrive, it’s not that hard to realize it.

Shirts drenched in thousand-euro beverages, glamorous designer swimsuits, world’s best DJs, several RTL reporters, and dozens of offshore yachts shining in the sun. The fun part? You’ll have the best time of your life.

Relax at the Bonsai Museum

After all the hustle and bustle of Marbella’s nightlife, soaking up the Bonsai Museum’s heavenly peace it’s a real pleasure. Sheltering an impressive collection of species, the museum is known as one of the best of its kind in Europe.

Marbella’s Bonsai Museum is located in Parque de la Represa, in the city center, and makes for a beautiful leisure spot for the whole family.

Day trip to Morocco via Gibraltar

For most Europeans, Morocco is a different world, and booking a day trip there from Marbella is almost mandatory. Just think about it – landing on another continent, sailing the blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea, experiencing new traditions, unusual tastes and sounds, and different beliefs. That’s certainly not something you do every day, but due to its ideal location, Marbella offers you this chance, so take it, make the most of your vacation! Who knows when or if you’ll still have this opportunity?

The trip will take you to Tangier, one of the oldest cities in Morocco, and will include some amazing sights, a guided tour, and a traditional meal – A great twist for your Spanish vacation!