Marbella & Puerto Banus Shore Excursion from Malaga

This full day tour combines Malaga's city highlights with an afternoon along the Costa del Sol in Marbella and Puerto Banus. Malaga sits on Spain's Costa del Sol and was originally a Phoenician and Roman settlement before centuries of Moorish rule, ending when Catholic forces retook the city in 1487. It later became a major port during Spain's early trade with the New World.

After meeting your private guide, you begin with a panoramic driving tour past Malaga's city park, the Customs building, the Casita del Jardinero, the Bank of Spain, and the City Council. At General Torrijos Square you see the Noble Hospital and the Tres Gracias Fountain, along with the Malagueta bullring, the Justice Palace, and the English Cemetery.

Next you visit Gibralfaro Castle, built by the Nasrid sultan Yusuf I between 1344 and 1354, linked to the 11th century Alcazaba fortress below by La Coracha, a fortified corridor that once let soldiers move between the two strongholds unseen. From the castle you drive into the city center for a walking tour of the Old Town, passing Pablo Picasso's birthplace, Santiago's Church, and the monument to General Torrijos, before stepping inside Malaga Cathedral, the Renaissance building nicknamed La Manquita for its unfinished second tower. A short break for lunch (meal not included) follows.

From Malaga you continue along the Costa del Sol to Marbella, home to luxury hotels and villas since it became a favored resort of European and Gulf royalty in the mid 20th century. A short walking tour is followed by free time to stroll the beachfront or browse the shops. Just outside town, Marbella's King Abdul Aziz Mosque, funded by the Saudi government and completed in 1981, was one of the first mosques built in Spain since the Reconquista.

From Marbella you continue to Puerto Banus, one of the most exclusive marinas on the Costa del Sol, known for its yachts, designer boutiques, and beachfront restaurants. After free time here, you return to Malaga, passing the resort towns of Torremolinos, Benalmadena, and Mijas along the way.

• This tour is available every day, but Gibralfaro Castle is closed on Mondays.
• Mobility: Due to uneven surfaces, steps, and walking distances, this itinerary is not suitable for guests using wheelchairs. Please contact us for alternative sightseeing options, including private driving tours that may better accommodate your needs.