Marbella Old Town — A Complete Guide

Marbella is famous for glamour, yachts and Puerto Banus — but the soul of the city is somewhere else entirely. The Casco Antiguo, or Old Town, is a tightly packed network of whitewashed streets, flower-draped balconies and centuries-old plazas that feels like a completely different world from the luxury marina just a few kilometres west. Understanding both sides of Marbella is essential for anyone spending time on the Costa del Sol.

A Brief History of Marbella Old Town

Marbella has been inhabited since at least the Bronze Age, but its modern identity was shaped during the Moorish period, when the town was fortified with walls and towers that still partially survive today. The Reconquista of 1485 — when the town was taken by the Catholic Monarchs without bloodshed — marked the beginning of the Christian era, and much of what survives in the Old Town today dates from the decades immediately following: the Plaza de los Naranjos was built in Castilian Renaissance style around this time, and the 16th-century Town Hall remains in use today.

Sugar cane was introduced to Marbella in 1644, and the town developed as an agricultural and later industrial centre through the 18th and 19th centuries — a history that is largely invisible from the beach promenade but very present in the Old Town's architecture and character.

Plaza de los Naranjos — The Orange Square

The Plaza de los Naranjos is the geographical and social centre of Marbella Old Town. Laid out in the Castilian Renaissance style after the Christian Reconquista of 1485, it is named for the orange trees that shade the square — planted by the conquering Christians as a deliberate statement of the new order, in contrast to the date palms favoured by their Moorish predecessors.

The square is surrounded by three landmark buildings: the 16th-century Town Hall (Ayuntamiento), the 15th-century Renaissance fountain and the 17th-century Casa del Corregidor. The Town Hall facade is one of the finest examples of its era in Andalucia. The square itself is lined with restaurant terraces — best in the early evening when the light softens and the heat of the day begins to ease.

What to See in Marbella Old Town

• Plaza de los Naranjos — The main square, surrounded by historic buildings and orange trees. Start here and explore in any direction.
• Moorish City Walls — Sections of the original 9th-century walls survive around the perimeter of the Old Town, most visibly near the Puerta de Ronda.
• Iglesia de la Encarnación — The main church, built in the 16th century in Spanish Baroque style. Its facade and ornate interior are among the finest examples of religious architecture in the province.
• Ermita de Santiago — The oldest church in Marbella, located on the Plaza de los Naranjos itself. Dating from the 15th century, it is still used for religious ceremonies.
• Avenida del Mar — The promenade connecting the Old Town to the seafront, with ten original Dalí sculptures on permanent exhibition.
• Calle Nueva — The main commercial street of the Old Town, lined with independent boutiques, ceramics shops, galleries and restaurants.

Where to Eat in Marbella Old Town

The Old Town has a concentration of excellent restaurants that rivals anywhere on the Costa del Sol. The key distinction is to look beyond the tourist-facing places on the main square — the best food is almost always in the side streets.

• Skina — Two Michelin stars in a tiny dining room on a narrow street. Chef Marcos Granda's tasting menu is one of the finest dining experiences in Andalucia.
• La Tienda Casa Curro — A tiny, famous tapas bar just off Plaza de los Naranjos, known for local wine and a genuinely buzzing atmosphere. Go early or queue.
• El Patio de Mariscal — Classic Spanish dishes in one of the most atmospheric Andalusian courtyards in the Old Town.
• Casanis Bistrot — An elegant French-Belgian restaurant near the plaza, popular with the local expat community.

Marbella Old Town and Your Boat Charter

From the deck of Maia Fair, the Marbella coastline — including the seafront promenade that connects the Old Town to Puerto Banus — is visible throughout a charter day. The 5km promenade runs from Marbella town all the way to Puerto Banus along the shore, giving those ashore a remarkable view of the Mediterranean. From the yacht, you see the whole context — the town, the mountains behind and the open sea ahead.

Many Maia Fair guests combine a morning in Marbella Old Town with an afternoon on the water. Take a taxi to the Old Town, explore for a few hours, return to Puerto Banus by bus or taxi, and step aboard at Berth 092 for an afternoon sunset charter along the Golden Mile. It is one of the finest ways to spend a day in Marbella.