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Marbella holidays: Fall in love with the south of Spain
Blessed with year-round sunshine, Marbella is an excellent choice for a family holiday or romantic getaway at any time. Glamorous nightclubs, beautiful beaches and family-friendly water parks are just a few of its many attractions. All this and more is waiting for you when you book cheap flights or an all-inclusive package holiday to Marbella.
Marbella at a glance: an essential holiday guide
Marbella is one of the hottest destinations in Spain – in more ways than one. Its superb beaches make it the perfect place for a sunshine holiday. Want to get away from it all? Here's the lowdown on Marbella.
What to know about Marbella before you travel
Flight duration (from London): Just under 3 hours
Main airport: Málaga Airport (AGP), approximately 37.3 miles away
Population: 150,000
Language: Spanish, but English is commonly spoken in the resort areas
Currency: Euro
Socket type: Type C (standard European)
Time zone: CET (GMT +1)
Where to stay in Marbella
Marbella is known for its incredible holiday deals. You may find that you spend most of your time inside the hotel, but if you want to get out and explore, there are some beautiful neighbourhoods to discover. Here are some of the best places to stay in Marbella:
Downtown Marbella
Are you a beach bum at heart? Anyone who wants a dedicated beach holiday should head for Downtown Marbella. It's close to the waterfront and ideal for beach-hopping while spending your days between Playa Venus, Playa La Fontanilla and Playa La Bajadilla. Which one will be your favourite? Downtown heats up after dark, too, with great bars and nightclubs.
Marbella Old Town
Yes, there's more to Marbella than just fabulous beaches. Old Town is the city's historic district, with traditional old buildings lining narrow cobbled alleys. The whitewashed walls of the houses will transport you back in time. Bring comfortable walking shoes to explore sights like Plaza de los Naranjos, home to fragrant orange trees, or the beautiful Iglesia de la Encarnación church. You're a little further from the beach, but you're surrounded by cultural beauty. In the evening, you won't find nightclubs with pulsating music, but there are often al fresco music performances in the summer months. Just listen out for the sounds of a flamenco guitar being strummed.
Puerto Banús
Say hello to luxury! Puerto Banús is the most exclusive part of Marbella, where you'll find the most glamorous hotels, casinos, golf courses and fine-dining restaurants. This is where the super-rich moor their yachts while they explore the town. It's not cheap, but it's the best choice for a truly luxurious holiday. Spend your evenings partying with the rich and famous in the area's poshest nightclubs, and try thrilling watersports at the marina by day. There's a reason so many Spanish footballers and film stars flock here during their summer holidays.
Things to do in Marbella
You may just want to lounge around beside the pool during your holiday in Marbella, but if you're feeling active, there are lots of things to keep you busy. Here are some of our favourite things to do in this charming Costa del Sol destination.
The best things to do in Marbella
Discover the beach clubs. There are lots of different options, depending on what you're into. Some of the most exclusive clubs are fully booked months in advance, but others will accept walk-ins.
Spend a day at a water park. Aqualand Torremolinos, the biggest water park on the Costa del Sol, is half an hour away and has rides and attractions for the whole family. You don't even have to leave town, as you'll find Costa Water Park, a smaller but equally exciting waterpark, right in Marbella itself.
Enjoy the food. Marbella is a foodie's paradise, with something for every budget. Try the tapas in the Old Town. Each bar has its own speciality for you to discover. If you're feeling flush, the city has a number of Michelin-starred restaurants. On a budget? Try the famous grilled sardines on the beach, served fresh from the sea.
Hop on the bus for a day trip to Málaga. This is a much larger city with a totally different vibe. You'll find a tonne of great bars with delicious tapas. Put on your boots and hike up to the hilltop Castillo de Gibralfaro for the best views.
It's time for your Marbella holiday! Book cheap hotels and flights to Marbella today and get ready to soak up the sunshine.
FAQs about Marbella holidays
Q: What is the cheapest day to book flights?
A: You'll usually find cheap flights to Spanish destinations like Marbella if you book a midweek journey. In particular, seasoned travellers recommend flying on Tuesdays and Wednesdays to save money. That'll give you a little more to spend on tapas after you arrive.
Q: What is the cheapest month to fly to Spain?
A: Generally, you'll find cheap flights to Spain from mid-October to late March. However, prices spike over the half-term breaks and again over the Christmas period. If you're trying to save money, avoid the Easter break. This is one of the busiest times of year in the south of Spain.
Q: Which UK airports fly direct to Marbella?
A: The nearest airport to Marbella is Málaga Airport. As the gateway to the Costa del Sol, it has direct connections to a number of UK airports. You can fly there easily from London Gatwick, London Stansted, Luton, Manchester, Bristol, Birmingham, Belfast, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Cardiff and more. However, keep in mind that some routes are seasonal. If you want to fly outside the peak summer months, there are fewer direct flights.
Q: What are the best ways to get to Marbella?
A: The easiest way to reach Marbella is to fly into Málaga Airport. It's about 37.3 miles from Marbella, and the journey will take 40 minutes by car. There are direct buses from the airport to Marbella bus station. If you'd rather take a taxi, prepare to pay around £60 to £70 for the journey.
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