While most travelers flock to Marbella, Spain’s sun-soaked shores during peak summer months, our recent winter road trip from Estoril, Portugal to the glamorous Costa del Sol revealed a different, more intimate side of this renowned Spanish beach town. There’s something magical about exploring a destination during the off-season. come along with us as we reveal all that Marbella (pronounced Mar-BAY-ah) has to offer.
The Journey: A Portuguese-Spanish Road Trip Adventure
The seven-hour drive from our home in Estoril, known as part of the Portuguese Riviera, to Marbella, Spain took us through some of the Iberian Peninsula’s most stunning landscapes. But we have a confession. The highlight of the road trip was our strategic pit stop at the Costco in Sevilla. Yes, you read that right. Call us creatures of comfort, but there’s something irresistibly nostalgic about sharing a Costco hot dog and pizza slice combo in Spain. As a special indulgence, we even opted to purchase a side of fries. And true to Costco’s worldwide uniform pricing philosophy, that hot dog and soda combo still rings in at just €1.50. A deal is a deal, even across borders.
Marbella’s Culinary Scene: A Feast for All Senses
Marbella’s restaurant scene offers a great deal of variety in a relatively small space. We dined at Restaurant Luini, where your meal comes with a bit of theater. Picture this: fresh pasta being tossed in massive wheels of aged Parmesan cheese right at your table. The aroma alone is worth the visit, but the taste? A cheese lover’s dream. The cheese-coated pasta hits your plate glossy and perfectly al dente, with just the right amount of that nutty, aged Parmesan flavor. One dish we particularly enjoyed was the special tagliatelle with pesto, cherry tomatoes, and pine nuts, a lovely balance of fresh basil, sweet sun-ripened tomatoes, and crunchy pine nuts. Another favorite was seafood pasta, loaded with mussels and tiny sweet clams.
La Taberna del Pinxto offers what we can describe as a delicious assault of tapas. If you’re new to pinxtos (pronounced “peenchos”), think of them as beautifully crafted small bites, usually served on bread and held together with a stick or skewer. At La Taberna del Pinxto, servers carry plates of these delightful morsels, which they parade past your table with increasing frequency. The type of stick in your pinxto indicates its price, ranging from under 2 euros to about 4 euros each – a clever system that lets you keep track of your spending while sampling the wide assortment of options.
Cold pinxtos include bites like creamy Russian salad filled with tuna, carrots, and potatoes in a mayonnaise dressing topped with olives, and delightfully thin slices of jamón Ibérico with aged Manchego cheese on crusty bread. But the hot pinxtos really stole our hearts. Our absolute favorite was this incredible chicken creation – spiced, shredded chicken wrapped in crispy, paper-thin layers of filo dough that just melted in your mouth. Other hot standouts included garlicky mushrooms topped with a quail egg and meaty croquettes with a delicate crunch.
Pro Tip: Pace yourself. It’s easy to get carried away when those perfect little tidbits keep catching your eye, and the friendly servers seem to have a sixth sense for knowing exactly when you’re ready to try something new.
If you’re craving a fine dining experience, Skina is worth a look. This intimate, Michelin-starred restaurant has only a handful of tables and a menu that celebrates the finest Andalusian flavors innovatively combined with international influences. Expect dishes like red prawn tartare with citrus caviar or slow-cooked Iberian pork with truffle-infused jus. The wine list is extensive, featuring some of Spain’s most prestigious labels, and the service is impeccable. Tasting and à la carte menus are both offered, celebrating creative cuisine of seasonal, locally sourced, premium ingredients.
For a memorable beachfront experience, Trocadero Playa delivers. Gorgeous views, grilled meats, and seafood are served in an atmosphere that seamlessly blends elegance with laid-back Mediterranean charm. Seafood lovers will appreciate the grilled calamari, octopus, sole, turbo, and more. Carnivores can enjoy beef, lamb, pork, chicken, and more—a selection of 100% Iberico de Bellota products pairs well with a crisp Albariño wine.
Three-Michelin-Star Chef Dani Garcia’s Leña is all about accessible dining and meat. Charcoal and wood fire grilling are what it’s all about. Dry-aged beef ribeye, porterhouse, USA smoked spare ribs, tomahawk steaks, and the chef’s famous burger all grace the menu. Other options include everything from chicken turnovers to charcoal-grilled salmon. The cocktail menu is just as impressive as the food, making you want to linger just a little longer.
Accommodation Options: Unique, Boutique, and Chic
When it comes to accommodations, Marbella caters to every type of traveler. The old town is full of charming boutique hotels, while the Golden Mile features chic resorts with every amenity. During the off-season visit, rates are particularly reasonable, and there are plenty of available choices.
The Marbella Club Hotel on the Golden Mile is an absolute dream if you’re looking to splurge. This beachfront resort feels more like a Mediterranean village than a hotel, with its lush gardens, multiple pools, and elegant spa. Their seaside fitness club and world-class golf facilities aim to please. But in the end, it’s location, location, location that wins the day. Right between Marbella and Puerto Banús, you’re perfectly positioned for exploring both.
For those who prefer to be in the heart of the action, Hotel Lima Marbella sits right in the city center, just steps from the historic old town and Venus Beach. The rooftop pool offers beautiful views over the Mediterranean, and their recently renovated rooms strike a perfect balance between modern comfort and Spanish charm. Paladar Taberna restaurant offers a changing menu of soulful creations until 11:30 pm and has a wine cellar with more than 100 options.
The boutique Amàre Beach Hotel Marbella offers an adults-only policy and beachfront location. It’s a perfect choice if you’re looking for a more peaceful vibe, and their rooftop bar offers some of the best sunset views in town. The fact that you can walk to most of Marbella’s best restaurants in under 10 minutes gets another check in the plus column. Modern technology and decór, along with multiple dining options, including a Michelin star restaurant, Latin pop-up, rooftop bar, and terrace restaurant, keep things nice and easy.
For budget watchers, the recently renovated Óbal Urban Hotel in the historic center of Marbellais just 200 meters from the beach. They focus on being an accessible and sustainable hotel with personalized attention and quality services. There’s a gym, spa treatments, a Mediterranean restaurant, and the new 360 Blue Sky bar to cover all your needs. For even more of a deal, if you book directly on their website, you’ll get a 5% discount on web rates, a welcome drink in the Blue-Sky Bar, and complimentary water in your room.
If you’re looking for an apartment-style stay, we spotted plenty of Airbnb options in the Marina area and Old Town, offering everything from cozy studios to luxe penthouses with Mediterranean views. Many come with access to community pools and gardens, which is nice if you’re planning an extended stay.
The Puerto Banús Experience: Superb Coastal Glam
Just under 4 miles (6 km) southwest of Marbella lies Puerto Banús, a swanky seaside resort where luxury knows no bounds. This ritzy marina playground is home to superyachts that sit like floating palaces and enough high-end cars to film a Fast & Furious sequel. McLarens and Lamborghinis park on the streets like ordinary family sedans.
Shopping in Puerto Banús is a fashionista’s dream. With over 100 premium brands lining the glittering marina, this is where superlative shopping meets stunning Mediterranean views. Whether on a serious spending spree or just indulging in a window-shopping fantasy, you’ll find designer boutiques from the world’s most coveted brands.
Stroll past the gleaming storefronts of Dior, Versace, Gucci, Hermès, and Valentino, where the latest runway pieces practically beg to be taken home. Louis Vuitton, Prada, and Balenciaga are just a few more of the iconic names that grace this buyer’s paradise, each offering a curated selection of apparel, perfumes, handbags, shoes, and statement pieces that scream posh. For fine jewelry and timepieces, Cartier, Rolex, and Bulgari are ready to add some sparkle to your collection.
A Culinary Playground of Flavors
But it’s not all about the glitz. Puerto Banús has some serious culinary game, too. The line in front of Pizzeria Picasso might look like people queuing up for a celebrity sighting, but nope—it’s all for the food. We heard rave reviews about their thin, crispy-crust pizza with perfectly balanced toppings. But after one glance at the oversized queue, we made a unanimous, highly strategic decision: we were way too hungry to wait.
So, in a move of both desperation and burger lust, we split a perfectly seared, crispy-edged double smash cheeseburger and a side of fries at Five Guys instead. Because sometimes, the call of a beautifully cooked, flavor-packed burger with gooey melted cheese cascading over the sides is simply too strong to resist. No regrets—except maybe not grabbing extra napkins.
Puerto Banús also boasts an abundance of top-tier restaurants catering to every craving. For fresh seafood and classic flavors with a stunning marina view, Los Bandidos serves up dishes like grilled sole, tuna, and turbot or Chàteaubriand for two. Breathe Restaurant, Bar & Garden offers a stylish, eco-friendly ambiance with fresh, seasonal, and locally sourced ingredients. Plant-forward options like mushroom ravioli and panang curry share menu space with the likes of Wagyu brisket, fillet, or ribeye steak. Fish and sushi round out the fare. And for something a little more out of the box, Meksian offers a colorful and tasty fusion of Asian and Mexican cuisine in a lively atmosphere. Creative cocktails and various entertainments add to the fun.
Off-Season Charm: A Mixed Blessing
Visiting Marbella in the off-season was a bit of a double-edged sword. Yes, we encountered some windy and rainy times, but the trade-offs were worth it. The usually packed old town streets were pleasantly navigable, restaurant seats easy to find, and we had prime photo opportunities without dozens of tourists in the background.
Our patience with the weather was rewarded with one perfectly gorgeous day – the kind that reminds you why the Costa del Sol earned its glowing reputation. The sun glinted on the blue Mediterranean while the promenade radiated a relaxed energy that you just don’t find during peak season.
Eva Longoria’s Marbella: A Star’s Perspective
When a Hollywood A-lister gives a destination their stamp of approval, it may just get some special attention. Eva Longoria, who now spends her home time in Spain and Mexico, recently became Marbella’s “luxury” ambassador, and for good reason. While strolling through the charming streets of old town Marbella, we couldn’t help but think about Eva’s enthusiasm for her beautiful Spanish home.
Her love for the city’s gastronomy scene resonates as she, too enjoys the beachfront chiringuitos (beach restaurants) where you can wiggle your toes in the sand while savoring fresh-caught fish and seafood.
Another pleasing aspect of Marbella is how the city seamlessly blends its traditional Spanish charm with modern luxury. From the cobblestone streets of the old town to the glamorous Golden Mile, there’s this beautiful fusion of old and new that makes Marbella extra special.
The Verdict: Marbella Spain is a Year-Round Destination
Whether you’re a food enthusiast, a luxury seeker, or simply someone who appreciates a great coastal destination, Marbella delivers. While the weather might be more predictable in the high season, there’s something special about experiencing the sophisticated Marbella beach town when it’s not putting on its summer show. A wide variety of dining options, beautiful beaches, the charming streets of the old town, and lots of comfortable accommodations dominate the plus column. When you’re looking for a special place to explore at a comfortable pace without the crowds, Marbella is a great option in the off-season.
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