Marbella: Coast, Dunes and History

Marbella combines a long coastline with protected landscapes and a rich history. When planning your trip, you can focus on different aspects: beaches and activities by the sea, paths through the dunes, or museums and historic buildings. The city has 24 beaches along a 27-kilometre coastline.

Coast and Landscape

Activities offered at Marbella’s beaches include jet skiing, parasailing, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. Which activities are actually available may change. Chiringuitos are also part of the beach scene: they combine a restaurant right on the beach with fish and seafood from the Mediterranean region. Businesses and menus may change.

A section of the Senda Litoral from Puerto de Cabopino to Puerto Pesquero La Bajadilla is designated as a cycle path and can be used year-round without time restrictions. This rule is based on a municipal decree from 2025; check the cycling regulations again before your trip. Another described section is in Bahía Marbella, Las Chapas: there, the Senda Litoral has a 30-metre-long footbridge as well as toilet and rescue modules. If the infrastructure status is important to your plans, check it in advance.

The landscape also includes Sierra Blanca, the mountain range that protects Marbella. Its most prominent peak is La Concha. This means the mountains, as well as the coast, are a distinct part of the city’s landscape.

Dunes and Protected Buildings

The Dunas de Artola are a 19.27-hectare natural monument, designated in 2003. They preserve the last significant remnant of the former dune belt in Málaga province. Designated paths allow visitors to explore the area on foot. Nearby is the Torre de los Ladrones, a protected element of military and defensive architecture.

The origins of the Torre de los Ladrones appear to date back to Roman times; it was later rebuilt by Arabs and Christians. This cautious qualification is part of the building’s history. Together, the dune landscape and tower connect a natural area with a historic landmark, while each remains a subject in its own right.

Old Town, Museums and Art

Marbella’s Casco Histórico features Roman, Arab and Christian traces. The Castillo de Marbella is considered the most significant surviving evidence of Muslim civilization in the city centre. Its layout consists of two square enclosures. The historical context and the floor plan offer different ways to understand the building: its importance to the city’s history and its specific architectural form.

The Museo del Grabado Español Contemporáneo was founded on 28 November 1992, based on an initial donation of 1,350 graphic works by contemporary Spanish artists. It is housed in the former Hospital Bazán, a representative Renaissance complex of civil architecture from the 16th century in the Casco Antiguo. The building is protected in the Monument category as a Bien de Interés Cultural.

The Museo Ralli Marbella opened in 2000 and is dedicated to contemporary Latin American and European art. Artists represented include Wilfredo Lam, Marc Chagall, Joan Miró, Salvador Dalí and Giorgio de Chirico. The museum houses one of Europe’s most significant collections of Latin American art; exhibitions may change. Admission is free. As the admission policy may change, check before your visit.

Archaeological Sites and Planning Your Visit

Buildings and finds beyond the museums also tell stories of different eras. The Termas Romanas de las Bóvedas are a Roman bath building from the 2nd century AD: seven highly vaulted rooms are arranged around a central area. The Cortijo Miraflores, a notable example of Marbella’s 18th-century rural architecture, houses the Museo de Aceite and the Municipal Archaeological Exhibition.

At the Basílica Paleocristiana de Vega del Mar, the baptismal font is shaped for baptism by immersion. Visits for groups are offered there on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:15 to 13:00. Check the visiting arrangements in advance. Another historical point of reference is the Feria y Fiestas San Bernabé, which honours the city’s patron saint, San Bernabé, on 11 June.

Find Hotels in Marbella by Interest

The topics described can help you choose a focus for your stay. For specific hotel locations and amenities, the details provided for each offer are what matter.

Discover more destinations: Las Chapas, San Pedro De Alcántara, Puerto Banus, Urbanización Nueva Andalucía, Elviria, Artola, Cartajima, Benamocarra.

For the broader travel overview: Málaga.