Getting Around Marbella: A Practical Transport Guide

Marbella is spread out along the coast, with the old town, Puerto Banus, and beach clubs all in different directions. Here's how to navigate it all.

The short answer: Marbella's old town is walkable, but the wider resort area sprawls along the coast. To reach Puerto Banus, the beach clubs, or towns like Estepona and Malaga, you'll need buses, taxis, or a rental car.

Unlike compact Spanish cities, Marbella stretches for kilometres along the Mediterranean.

The charming old town is small and pedestrianised, but the famous Golden Mile, Puerto Banus, and the beachfront developments are spread out. Most visitors combine walking in the centre with other transport for longer distances.

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The Quick Summary

Getting Around Marbella

The old town is compact and walkable
Local buses connect the centre, Puerto Banus, and beaches
The coastal bus links Marbella to Malaga and Estepona
Taxis are plentiful but expensive for longer trips
A rental car gives the most flexibility along the coast

Walking: The Best Way to See the Old Town

Marbella's casco antiguo (old town) is a delight to explore on foot. The whitewashed streets, flower-filled plazas, and orange trees are best appreciated at walking pace, and the area is largely pedestrianised.

What you need to know:

The old town is compact, around 15-20 minutes from end to end
Streets are narrow, often cobbled, and mostly car-free
The Paseo Maritimo (seafront promenade) stretches for 7km
Most restaurants and shops in the centre are walkable
Summer heat makes midday walking challenging

Local tip

The Paseo Maritimo is one of the best walks on the Costa del Sol. Start in Marbella, head towards Puerto Banus, and stop at one of the beach clubs (chiringuitos) along the way. It's about an hour's walk, or take the bus back.

Walking Distances

From	To	Time	Notes
Plaza de los Naranjos	Beach	5 min	Downhill, easy
Old town	Paseo Maritimo	5 min	Flat
Marbella centre	Puerto Banus	45-60 min	Via Paseo Maritimo
Old town	Golden Mile	20 min	Along the coast
Old town	Bus station	15 min	Slightly uphill

Local Buses

Marbella has a local bus network that covers the town and connects to key destinations along the coast. The service is operated by Avanza (formerly Portillo).

Urban Bus Routes

Local buses run within Marbella and to nearby areas:

Route	Connects	Notes
L1	Marbella centre to San Pedro	Via the coast
L2	Marbella to Puerto Banus	Tourist favourite
L3	Marbella to Las Chapas	Eastern beaches
L5	Circular route	Through residential areas

Practical information:

Single ticket: approximately €1.50
Buses run from early morning until around 10-11pm
Reduced service on Sundays and holidays
Pay the driver in cash or use a transport card
The main stop is on Avenida Ricardo Soriano

Tip:

The bus to Puerto Banus is one of the most useful routes for visitors. It runs frequently during the day and costs a fraction of a taxi fare.

Coastal Buses (Avanza/Portillo)

The intercity bus connects Marbella to other Costa del Sol towns:

Destination	Journey Time	Frequency	Approx. Cost
Puerto Banus	10-15 min	Every 20-30 min	€1.50
San Pedro	15-20 min	Every 20-30 min	€2
Estepona	30-40 min	Every 30 min	€3-4
Malaga	1-1.5 hours	Every 30-60 min	€7-9
Malaga Airport	45-60 min	Several daily	€8-10

The main bus station is on Avenida del Trapiche, about 15 minutes' walk from the old town.

Local tip

If you're heading to Malaga Airport, the direct bus is the cheapest option. Book your seat in advance during busy periods, as the bus can fill up.

Taxis

Taxis are readily available in Marbella, especially around the old town, Puerto Banus, and major hotels.

Where to find taxis:

Taxi ranks in the old town (Plaza de los Naranjos area)
Puerto Banus marina
Outside major hotels
Marbella bus station
Call Radio Taxi Marbella

Typical fares:

From	To	Approximate Cost
Marbella centre	Puerto Banus	€12-18
Marbella centre	San Pedro	€15-20
Marbella centre	Malaga Airport	€65-85
Puerto Banus	Malaga Airport	€70-90
Marbella centre	Golden Mile hotels	€8-12

What you need to know:

Fares are metered
Night rates (10pm-6am) are higher
Supplements for airport trips and luggage
Most taxis accept card payment
Uber operates in Marbella (coverage varies)

Warning:

Taxi fares in Marbella are higher than in Malaga city. For airport transfers, compare the taxi price with a pre-booked private transfer, which is often similar or cheaper.

Driving and Parking

A rental car is useful if you want to explore beyond central Marbella, particularly for reaching beach clubs, mountain villages, or other Costa del Sol towns at your own pace.

Driving in Marbella:

The A-7 coastal road runs through the area (can be congested)
The AP-7 toll motorway is faster for longer distances
The old town is pedestrianised; park on the outskirts
Traffic on the Golden Mile can be heavy in summer
Finding parking in Puerto Banus is notoriously difficult

Parking in Marbella

Type	Location	Cost
Underground car parks	Old town area, Puerto Banus	€2-3/hour, €15-25/day
Street parking (blue zone)	Around centre	€1-2/hour
Free parking	Residential areas (outskirts)	Free
Hotel parking	Varies	Often €15-30/day
Puerto Banus (summer)	Very limited	Expensive when available

Tip:

If you're visiting Puerto Banus in summer, take the bus or taxi. Parking is a nightmare, and the local bus from Marbella is frequent and cheap.

Renting a Car

Car rental agencies are available in Marbella and at Malaga Airport, where you'll find more choice and often better rates.

Tips for renting:

Book in advance during summer and holidays
The airport has all major rental companies
Check if your accommodation has parking before renting
Full coverage insurance is worth the peace of mind
GPS is helpful for navigating the coastal developments

Getting to Marbella

From Malaga Airport

Malaga Airport is the main gateway to the Costa del Sol, about 50km from Marbella.

Method	Time	Cost	Notes
Direct bus	45-60 min	€8-10	Avanza service, several daily
Private transfer	40-50 min	€60-90	Pre-booked, door to door
Taxi	40-50 min	€65-85	Available at airport rank
Rental car	40-50 min	Varies	A-7 or AP-7 (toll)

Local tip

The AP-7 toll motorway is faster and less stressful than the free A-7 coastal road, especially in summer. The toll from Malaga to Marbella is around €6-8.

From Gibraltar Airport

Gibraltar Airport is closer to Marbella (about 60km) but has limited flight connections.

Taxi or transfer: approximately 45 minutes, €60-80
Bus: Change at La Linea for Marbella
Rental car: Available in La Linea

By Bus from Other Cities

From	Journey Time	Frequency
Malaga city	1-1.5 hours	Every 30-60 min
Seville	3.5-4 hours	Several daily
Granada	3-3.5 hours	Several daily
Cordoba	3.5 hours	Several daily

Getting to Puerto Banus

Puerto Banus is 6km west of Marbella centre and is one of the most visited destinations on the Costa del Sol.

Your options:

Bus: Route L2, every 20-30 minutes, €1.50
Taxi: €12-18 from Marbella centre
Walk: About 45-60 minutes along the Paseo Maritimo
Car: 10 minutes, but parking is challenging

Tip:

Walk to Puerto Banus along the Paseo Maritimo, enjoy lunch at the marina, then take the bus back. It's the best of both worlds.

Getting to the Beach Clubs

The famous beach clubs (chiringuitos and day clubs) are spread along the coast, many on the Golden Mile between Marbella and Puerto Banus.

Popular beach clubs and how to reach them:

Nikki Beach: Taxi or car (limited bus access)
Ocean Club: Taxi or car (on the Golden Mile)
Trocadero Arena: Walking distance from Puerto Banus
La Cabane: Bus or taxi from Marbella

Most upmarket beach clubs offer valet parking, which solves the parking problem if you're driving.

Day Trips from Marbella

Marbella is well-positioned for exploring the Costa del Sol and beyond.

Easy by bus:

Estepona: 30-40 minutes
Malaga: 1-1.5 hours
Ronda: Possible but requires planning (change at Malaga or direct from San Pedro)

Easier with a car:

White villages (Casares, Mijas, Ojen)
Mountain restaurants in the Sierra Blanca
Gibraltar: About 1 hour
Tarifa and the Atlantic coast: 1.5 hours

Tip:

Rent a car for a day to explore the white villages in the hills behind Marbella. Ojen, Casares, and Istan are all within 30 minutes and offer stunning views and traditional restaurants.

Accessibility

Marbella's accessibility varies by area:

Old town: Narrow, cobbled streets can be challenging
Paseo Maritimo: Flat, paved, and wheelchair accessible
Puerto Banus: Generally accessible around the marina
Buses: Newer buses have low-floor access
Beaches: Some have accessible ramps and facilities

Warning:

The old town's historic streets have uneven surfaces and some steep sections. The seafront promenade is the most accessible area for walking.

Practical Tips

Before You Arrive

Book airport transfers in advance during peak season
Consider a rental car for day trips to villages
Download offline maps of the Costa del Sol
Check bus times if visiting Puerto Banus by bus
Bring comfortable shoes for cobbled streets

Best Times to Walk

Morning (before 11am): Cooler, locals shopping, best light
Midday (11am-5pm in summer): Very hot, beach time
Evening (after 6pm): Town comes alive, restaurants open
Night: Safe and atmospheric, especially around the old town

Money and Transport

Buses accept cash (have small change ready)
Taxis accept cards but carry some cash
Uber is available but coverage varies
Blue zone parking machines take coins and cards

Plan Your Marbella Trip:

The Bottom Line

Marbella is a tale of two towns: the compact, walkable old centre and the sprawling coastal developments that stretch for kilometres.

In the old town, your feet are all you need. For Puerto Banus, the beach clubs, and destinations along the coast, you'll use a combination of buses, taxis, and possibly a rental car.

The local bus to Puerto Banus is the transport hack most visitors discover.

It's cheap, frequent, and saves the hassle of parking at the marina. For day trips to white villages or exploring at your own pace, a rental car opens up the beautiful hills behind the coast.

Whether you're here for the boutiques, the beaches, or the beach clubs, Marbella is easy to navigate once you understand the layout. Walk the old town, bus to Puerto Banus, and save the rental car for when you want to escape into the mountains.