Marbella is a year-round Holiday Destination

While other Costa resorts in Spain virtually shut down for the winter - the hotels and attractions in the Balearics being just one example - Marbella and its neighbouring resorts offer many year-round tourist attractions. For those with a holiday home in Marbella there's always something to do, no matter when they visit during the year. From food festivals to gala performances of world-class music stars, Marbella has it all!

Marbella Family Attractions

During the spring and summer and, to a lesser extent in the autumnal season, families can enjoy attractions like Funny Beach, Tivoli theme park, the new inflatable water park at Elviria, which is located in the east of Marbella and the more traditional rides and swimming pools at Mijas and Torremolinos' own water parks.

For those with a head for heights there is the exciting tree top adventure park situated just outside of Elviria and zip wires at imposing Fuengirola Castle, a fortress looming over the resort just a few miles distance from Marbella.

Small Costa del Sol visitors particularly enjoy visits to nearby Benalmadena Butterfly Park, an enchanting place where different habitats have been lovingly recreated to suit individual species of butterflies and moths.

Would-be racing drivers can practice their skills in safety at Fuengirola's own go-karting circuits and ever so often there are classic car shows and vintage car runs organised by local classic car owner clubs, where Mums and Dads can turn misty-eyed and nostalgic.

Swimming, Surfing, Sailing, Fishing, Hiking, Cycling and Climbing

Apart from the man-made attractions there are, of course, those created by nature. Marbella is a fantastic place for bikers, surfers and divers, anglers, water-ski enthusiasts, yachtsmen- and women. From the Golden Mile to the outskirts of Cabopino, there are glorious sandy beaches, marinas, hiking and biking trails to be tried and tested.  

Just a few miles inland climbers can test their mettle in the mountains surrounding Marbella. Nature lovers have a great time, too. Boats leave from Puerto Cabopino Marina, also located to the east of Marbella, several times a day to go dolphin watching, a fabulous guided tour that takes 3 to 4 hours. Several diving schools take their diving students to fabulous dive sites and show them a rich local marine life.

Culture and Heritage

A few miles further along, there are the delights of white-washed hill town Ronda, a magnificent ancient settlement already frequented by the ancient Romans.

Lovely country homes, museums, historic gardens and an abundance of amazing art galleries, music venues and theatre stages tempt holidaymakers indoors during the winter months, when Marbella is still busy, but no longer as crowded as it is during the summer months. It's a great time to sample the wonderful cuisine at Marbella's historic Orange Square restaurants or go shopping at La Canada shopping mall, when retailers start their sales in preparation for the Festive Season.

Throughout the winter season Marbella residents stage all sorts of entertainments, from the amateur dramatics clubs performing panto to raise money for charities in the run up to Christmas to the various Christian festivals that are held up and down the coast.

Getting to know the Neighbours

October is a great time to hold a few last BBQ parties on the sun terrace, while the weather is still sunny and mild. Cheerful orange and black Halloween decorations are suddenly appearing on patios and in sub-tropical gardens of luxury villas. It's the perfect opportunity to get to know the neighbours of one's holiday home, for during the peak season many owners let out their holiday apartments and villas, only using them when the main season is over and the throng of tourists has returned home.

A luxury 2-bed holiday apartment in Elviria or Cabopino, boasting sea views and access to a communal swimming pool, can cost as little as EUR 159,000. Elviria is close to championship golf courses and Capobino has its own upmarket marina and port. Both are a short drive from Marbella centre. Townhouses and villas with 3 bedrooms start at ca. EUR 265,000