Looking for things to do in Marbella? Staying at El Paraíso Golf Retreat in Urb. El Paraíso, Benahavís, puts you in a handy spot for it. Marbella's Old Town is about 20 to 25 minutes away, Puerto Banús about 15, and the beaches, golf courses and the white village of Benahavís are all closer still. This page is our hub: everything we'd do around Marbella and the wider Costa del Sol from the apartment, grouped by type, with rough drive times and a link to our deeper guide wherever we have one.
Drive times below are for normal traffic from Urb. El Paraíso. Add time on summer weekends and in July and August, when the A-7 coast road slows down. A car makes almost everything easier here, so if you haven't sorted one yet, read our car rental in Benahavís guide first.
What to do in Marbella itself
Marbella Old Town
About 20 to 25 minutes, 18 to 19 km. The casco antiguo is the classic half day: white lanes, flower pots, little squares and a tapas lunch. Start at Plaza de los Naranjos, the orange tree square laid out after the Christian conquest of Marbella in 1485, with the town hall on one side and terraces all round. From there, wander the lanes, then walk down Avenida del Mar with its Dalí sculptures to the seafront. Park in an underground car park on the edge rather than driving in. Our Marbella Old Town guide has the car parks, a walking route and where to eat.
Puerto Banús
About 15 minutes, 13 to 14 km. The glossy marina: superyachts, designer shops, terrace drinks and people-watching. One to three hours is plenty for a first visit, and golden hour is the best time for photos. Plan on a paid garage, not a free kerb space. See our Puerto Banús guide for parking, the marina walk and the beaches next to it.
Beaches
About 10 to 25 minutes, depending on the beach. The nearest sand is at San Pedro de Alcántara and Guadalmina, roughly 10 to 15 minutes away, with longer, calmer stretches and a local feel. Puerto Banús and Nueva Andalucía beaches are livelier, with chiringuitos and beach clubs. For young children, Playa del Cristo in Estepona is a sheltered little bay with shallow water. Our beach guide is in Spanish for now: beaches near El Paraíso (in Spanish). If you're coming in autumn, the sea is still warm enough for many people in October, as we explain in the Costa del Sol in October and November.
Things to do on the Costa del Sol close to the apartment
Golf
A few minutes to about 25 minutes. This stretch of coast is packed with courses. El Paraíso Golf Club, a Gary Player design from 1973, is a few minutes from the door, and plenty of others are within a 15 to 25 minute drive. Our golf near El Paraíso guide lists the courses, and how to plan a Costa del Sol golf break covers tee times, green fees and flying with clubs.
Benahavís village
About 10 to 15 minutes. Benahavís is the white village up the valley from the apartment, small enough to walk round in an hour and famous for its restaurants. Go for a stroll in the late afternoon and stay for dinner. Our Benahavís village guide covers what to see, and restaurants in Benahavís helps you pick a table.
The Benahavís river walk
Just outside the village, the Guadalmina river runs through a narrow gorge known as Las Angosturas. In summer you can wade, swim and scramble your way up it, and local companies run guided canyoning trips of about three hours with helmets, jumps and short slides. It gets busy on summer weekends, so go early. Our first-hand write-up is in Dutch: Benahavís river walk (in Dutch).
Markets
Spanish street markets are a good slow morning. The big one near us is the Saturday market in Nueva Andalucía, next to the bullring above Puerto Banús, about 12 minutes from the apartment. It runs from 09:00 to 14:00 with clothes, crafts, flowers and an antiques section. Marbella's own market is on Mondays from 09:00 to 14:00 at the Recinto Ferial de Las Albarizas, and San Pedro's is on Thursdays from 09:00 to 14:00 on Calle Jorge Guillén. Markets can be cancelled for bad weather or local holidays, so check before you go.
Hiking
About 40 to 45 minutes to the trailhead. For a proper walk, drive up to the Refugio de Juanar above Ojén in the Sierra Blanca. The signed PR-A 168 path from Juanar to La Concha, the peak you see behind Marbella, is 5.5 km one way with 577 m of climbing, and the official route sheet allows about three hours for it. It's steep and rocky near the top, so wear proper shoes and skip it in the midday heat of summer. Gentler options are the river paths around Benahavís.
Marbella nightlife
Marbella nightlife starts late. Most people eat at 21:00 or later, and the clubs don't really fill up until after midnight. There are three broad flavours:
- Old Town: relaxed drinks and tapas around Plaza de los Naranjos and the lanes nearby. Good for a long dinner and a nightcap rather than dancing.
- Puerto Banús: the late scene. Bars around the marina get going in the evening, and the clubs open around midnight and run into the early hours. Expect door policies and smart dress at the bigger venues.
- Beach clubs: along the Golden Mile and around Banús, beach clubs do long lunches, sunset music and DJs. Book a day bed ahead in July and August and check the price list first.
In summer, the Starlite Occident festival puts on concerts in an old quarry, the Cantera de Nagüeles, in the hills behind the Golden Mile. The 2026 season ran from 19 June to late August, with concerts starting at 22:00. For any night out, take a taxi from the apartment rather than driving.
Family days out
Selwo Aventura, about 10 to 15 minutes. This wildlife park just outside Estepona is the easiest big family day from El Paraíso. You'll see giraffes, zebras, elephants and big cats, ride a safari truck through part of the park and cross hanging bridges. The 2026 season runs from 14 February 2026 to 6 January 2027, open daily from 10:00 to 18:00, with some viewpoints closing an hour earlier. Check the official calendar for your date and book online.
Other ideas: the playground and ponds at Parque Torre Leonera in Benahavís, the shallow water at Playa del Cristo, the Boulevard park in San Pedro, and Selwo Marina or Sea Life in Benalmádena if you don't mind a longer drive east. Our family guide is in Dutch: family activities around Benahavís (in Dutch).
Day trips from El Paraíso
San Pedro de Alcántara
About 10 to 15 minutes, 8 km. The town you'll actually use for shopping, with a long pedestrian park on the Boulevard and a beach promenade. Easy for an evening stroll or a quick lunch. See San Pedro de Alcántara from El Paraíso.
Estepona
About 22 minutes, 17 km. A prettier, calmer old town than many people expect, with flower-filled streets, murals, a long beach and a marina. A good alternative to Marbella for a relaxed day. See Estepona from El Paraíso.
Ronda
About an hour and a quarter, roughly 60 km. The mountain road from San Pedro climbs to Ronda and its famous Puente Nuevo bridge over the gorge. It's the best full day trip from the apartment. Our Ronda day trip guide covers the drive, parking and what to see.
Gibraltar
About an hour, around 60 km, plus time at the border. Ride the cable car up the Rock for the views and the Barbary macaques, then walk Main Street. Bring your passport or ID card and check whether your hire car is allowed to cross. Our guide is in Dutch: Gibraltar day trip (in Dutch).
Caminito del Rey
About 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours. The famous walkway pinned to the walls of the Gaitanes gorge near Ardales. Book a timed slot on the official site in advance. At the time of writing it lists general entry at 10 euros and the official guided visit at 18 euros, children under 8 aren't allowed in, and the shuttle bus between the two ends of the route costs 2.50 euros. Our guide is in Dutch: Caminito del Rey day trip (in Dutch).
Málaga city
About an hour, roughly 75 km. If you're also searching for things to do in Málaga, the city is an easy day out. Walk up to the Alcazaba, see the cathedral and the Picasso Museum, graze at the Atarazanas market and finish on the Muelle Uno waterfront. We're planning a full Málaga day trip guide. Until then, our Málaga Airport to El Paraíso page covers the drive along the coast.
How we'd plan a few days
Here's how we'd spread things out over a long weekend or a short week, mixing busy days with lazy ones at the apartment.
- Day 1: settle in, swim, then an evening walk and dinner in Benahavís village.
- Day 2: morning in Marbella Old Town, lunch near Plaza de los Naranjos, afternoon on the beach at San Pedro.
- Day 3: a round of golf or the river walk in the morning, then sunset drinks in Puerto Banús.
- Day 4: full day trip to Ronda, or Selwo Aventura if you have children.
- Day 5: Saturday market in Nueva Andalucía, a slow lunch in Estepona and a quiet evening in.
With a week or more, add Gibraltar, the Caminito del Rey and a day in Málaga, and leave at least one day with no plans at all.
FAQ
How far is Marbella from El Paraíso?
Marbella Old Town is about 18 to 19 km from Urb. El Paraíso, roughly 20 to 25 minutes by car in normal traffic. Puerto Banús, which is part of Marbella, is about 15 minutes away.
Do I need a car?
For most things on this list, yes. Buses along the coast exist, but they're slow and the stops aren't close to the apartment. Use taxis for nights out. Our car rental guide explains the options.
What is there to do in Marbella in autumn and winter?
Plenty. Golf, hiking, the Old Town, markets and day trips are all better outside the summer heat, and many beach restaurants stay open. Our October and November guide has the weather.
Is Marbella good for families?
Yes. Selwo Aventura, calm beaches like Playa del Cristo, the parks in San Pedro and Benahavís, and the river walk for older children make it easy to fill a week.
Is Marbella nightlife only in summer?
Summer is the peak, and some beach clubs and big venues run seasonally. The Old Town bars and restaurants and many places in Puerto Banús are open year round, just quieter outside the high season.
Book your base
El Paraíso gives you a quiet base in Benahavís with Marbella, Puerto Banús, the beaches and the golf courses all a short drive away. Check availability on our homepage and start picking your days out.
Written by Mex Smits
Hero photo: Plaza de los Naranjos and Marbella town hall, by Mark Gilbert, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped).
