Welcome to The old town in Marbella

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Information on Marbella Old Town

Marbella Old Town, known locally as Casco Antiguo, is the historic heart of Marbella and one of the most attractive areas to explore on foot.

The Old Town dates back many centuries, with its present layout reflecting Marbella's Moorish past as well as its later Christian and Andalusian history. The narrow, winding streets were designed long before modern cars, creating a maze of lanes that are ideal for wandering and discovering the area at your own pace.

Whitewashed buildings, colourful flowers, traditional balconies and decorative details give the Old Town its distinctive Andalusian character.

At its centre is Plaza de los Naranjos, one of Marbella's most famous squares. Surrounded by orange trees, restaurants and historic buildings, it is a natural starting point for exploring the surrounding streets. The

The Old Town is also home to small independent shops, art galleries, cafés, restaurants and some of Marbella's most important historic buildings.

2. Location & Address

Marbella Old Town is located in the centre of Marbella, immediately north of Avenida del Mar and the seafront.

Main entrance / area:
Plaza de los Naranjos
29601 Marbella, Málaga, Spain

It is approximately:

• 2 minutes' walk from Avenida del Mar
• 5 minutes' walk from Marbella Marina
• 5 minutes' walk from Marbella beach
• 5 minutes' walk from Alameda Park

The compact nature of the Old Town means most of the main streets and squares can easily be explored on foot.

3. Opening Times

Marbella Old Town is a public area and can be explored:

Every day:
24 hours a day

There is no admission charge to walk around the Old Town.

Individual shops, restaurants, cafés, churches and attractions have their own opening hours.

The Old Town is particularly atmospheric in the evening when the restaurants and squares become busy.

4. What You'll Find in Marbella Old Town

The Old Town offers a mixture of historic buildings, traditional streets and modern businesses, including:

• Plaza de los Naranjos
• Church of Our Lady of the Incarnation
• Ermita de Santiago
• traditional whitewashed buildings
• narrow cobbled streets
• cafés and restaurants
• tapas bars
• tourist information centre

Plaza de los Naranjos is the main focal point and one of the best places to begin exploring.

The tourist information centre in the square can provide maps and information about Marbella and the Old Town, which can be particularly useful if you want to explore beyond the main streets.

5. How to Get There

By car:
Driving directly into the Old Town is not recommended because many streets are pedestrianised or extremely narrow. There are several underground car parks around the surrounding central area.

Avenida del Mar has an underground car park directly beneath the avenue and provides a convenient starting point for walking into the Old Town.

By bus:
Local buses serve central Marbella, with stops around Avenida Ricardo Soriano and the surrounding town centre.

On foot:
The Old Town is within easy walking distance of the beach, marina, Avenida del Mar and Alameda Park.

From Avenida del Mar, simply walk north towards the Old Town and follow the streets towards Plaza de los Naranjos.

6. Parking

There is very little convenient parking inside the Old Town itself, and many of the narrow streets are unsuitable for vehicles.

The easiest option is to use one of the underground car parks around the edges of the Old Town and explore on foot.

The underground car park beneath Avenida del Mar is particularly convenient, putting you just a few minutes' walk from the Old Town.

There are also parking options around the central Marbella shopping area.

But have a look at the parking options below for alternative car parks and the best places to park when visiting Marbella Old Town.

7. Tips for Visiting

• Explore the Old Town on foot rather than trying to follow a set route.
• Start at Plaza de los Naranjos and then explore the smaller streets around it. Pick up your free map at the tourist information centre.
• Look up as well as ahead — many of the buildings have colourful balconies and interesting architectural details.
• Allow at least 2–3 hours if you want to explore properly and stop for food or drinks.
• Wear comfortable shoes as many streets are cobbled.
• Visit early in the morning for a quieter experience.
• Return in the evening when the restaurants and squares are much livelier.
• Pick up a free map from the tourist information centre in Plaza de los Naranjos.
• Don't be afraid to explore the smaller side streets away from the main tourist routes.
• Combine the Old Town with Avenida del Mar and the beach.
• Take time to visit the Church of Our Lady of the Incarnation.
• Stop for tapas, coffee or lunch in one of the traditional squares.
• If you enjoy photography, the whitewashed streets and flower-filled balconies provide plenty of opportunities.

8. Nearby Attractions

• Plaza de los Naranjos
• Church of Our Lady of the Incarnation
• Avenida del Mar
• Marbella Marina
• Marbella Beach
• Alameda Park
• Museo del Grabado Español Contemporáneo

9. Overall Experience

Marbella Old Town is arguably the best place in the resort to experience the traditional side of Marbella. Away from the luxury hotels, designer shops and modern developments, the Old Town has retained much of its historic Andalusian character and is a pleasure to explore without a particular destination in mind.

The real attraction is not just one building or monument but the whole area. Wandering through the narrow streets, discovering little squares, looking into traditional courtyards and stopping at a café or restaurant is what makes the experience special.

Its location is another major advantage. You can spend the morning exploring the Old Town, walk down through Avenida del Mar to the beach, continue along the promenade and then return in the evening for dinner in one of the Old Town's many restaurants.

Our tip: Don't just walk to Plaza de los Naranjos, take a photograph and leave. The best part of Marbella Old Town is exploring the streets around it. Put the map away for a while, wander down the narrow lanes and see what you discover — some of the prettiest corners of the Old Town are away from the main tourist routes.

Pl. de los Naranjos, 29601 Marbella, Málaga, Spain

Getting around the Costa del Sol