Marbella
Where We Stay
Marriott's Marbella Beach Resort
Paradise. Home. Escape.
This beautiful resort has a place in my heart. My family has been going here for the past ten years now and it is just so luxurious. The resort is on the beach and also has two outdoor pools and one indoor pool. There is a gym and 2 restaurants and a Nespresso machine in every villa. I can't wait to go back.
Marriott's Playa Andaluza
About a 20-minute drive from Marbella town, this gorgeous resort in Estepona is another beach resort full of luxury. Lots of pools, lots of bars, lots of fun and relaxation to be had. This resort is also within walking distance of some delicious local restaurants and an Aldi to stock up on wine and salad for your trip!
Tips and Tricks
A few simple bits to make your vacation easier and more relaxing.
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Rent a car:
If you're playing on doing day trips it's definitely worth your while renting a car. Car rental is super cheap in Spain and public transport in the Marbella area is not very tourist-friendly.
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Have a loose plan:
If you're there for a week or two it's ideal to have a bit of a plan of what day trips you want to do and on what days.
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Do a grocery shop:
If you stay in a resort that has a kitchen in the villa, it's well worth picking up some water, breakfast items, snacks and any alcoholic beverages you might want. (Alcohol is super cheap in supermarkets in Spain but they charge a lot within the resorts.
Things To Do
Marbella Old Town
Marbella Old Town is one of my favourite places. You can walk through the beautiful cobblestone hills covered with flowers, eat traditional tapas and then head down towards the beach. On your way to the beach, there is a gorgeous park full of original Salvadore Dali sculpture which are well worth a look.
Malaga City
Possibly one of the coolest cities I've ever been to. Malaga is a hidden gem. We found the Picasso Museum which had an Andy Warhol Exhibition on when we went which was fantastic. You have to pay in but it was quite cheap and well worth it. There is a cool waterfront with independent shops and restaurants and there is a historical centre with beautiful museums and architecture. I highly recommend the Interactive Music Museum.
Gibraltar
A very cool excursion. We did a tour of Gibraltar on our last visit and it was amazing. You can see some stunning views and meet some lovely monkeys.
Word of warning: Gibraltar is own by the UK so you need your passport to enter and they use pound sterling, not Euro.
Ronda
This mountain top village is well worth the journey. Stunning views for miles around, authentic tapas and ceramic shops and a gorgeous atmosphere. There's a bull ring, a castle and the most glorious bridge you will ever see. You could probably do this tiny town in a half a day, but make sure and take into account that most places close for a long siesta from about 12pm til 3pm.
Puerto Banus
"Lifestyle of the rich and famous" The fanciest part of Malaga, filled with yachts and fancy sports cars. You can stroll along the seafront, grab a bite to eat in one of the yummy restaurants overlooking the pier and window shop in Dior, Chanel or Dolce and Gabbana . There is also an El Corte Ingles department store nearby which houses a Sephora so you can stock up on all the beauty bits you need!
Shopping
I love shopping in Marbella. I love to browse El Corte Ingles for makeup and designer bags that I can't afford. There are also two shopping centres my family and I hit up whenever it rains on our vacations, Miramar shopping centre in Fuengirola (which has a Primark for all the essentials you forgot to bring) and La Canada Shopping Centre which has a big Sephora and a HUGE supermarket. Am I the only one who loves a supermarket on holiday?
Marbella Vlog 2019
More Coming Soon
- Places to Eat