Europe’s Best Destinations has crowned Marbella, Spain, as the top beach city for 2024!
This destination delivers a sizzling mix of history, culture, and beautiful beaches.
Here’s why it’s drawing record attention:
Europe has only continued to explode in popularity with American travelers in recent years. It boasts the perfect blend of rich history, unique culture, and beautiful beaches.
One lesser-known beach city has all 3 and is attracting huge amounts of attention as a result.
In 2023 this city broke all of its tourism records and now it has been chosen as Europe’s best destination for 2024.
Here are 7 reasons why this lesser-known beach city is one of the best destinations in Europe for 2024:
Mediterranean Paradise: 23 Beaches to Choose From
The beautiful Spanish city of Marbella has some of the best Mediterranean beaches in Europe. With so many options, you’ll be spoilt for choice.
27km of coastline and 23 different beaches mean you could explore a new beach on each day of your vacation.
Marbella is in the heart of the Costa Del Sol, a Spanish coastal region that Boasts a record 39 Blue Flag beaches. If you head further afield, you’ll find even more beaches on offer.
Marbella has a reputation for its eye-wateringly expensive high-end beach clubs, but if you’re a budget traveler, there’s no need to worry.
All beaches in Spain are public and are free, so you can access this stunning coastline without spending a penny.
Michelin Stars & Mega-Yachts: Marbella’s Luxe Life
Marbella is most famous for being one of Europe’s most luxurious beach city destinations. It is home to 3 Michelin-starred restaurants which is impressive given the relatively small size of the city.
During the summer months, the rich and famous will moor their yachts in the marina in Marbella, and it is a great place to see and be seen. Or just to celebrity spot!
Marbella is famous for its beach clubs and some of the most luxurious of these are Trocadero Arena, Puro Beach or Amare Beach Club. Meanwhile the most famous clubs in Marbella are the Ocean Club and the Nikki Beach in Víbora beach. You can enjoy every possible amenity in ultimate comfort without leaving the sand.
From fine dining to high-end shopping and some of the most luxurious resorts and hotels in Spain if you’re looking to blow the budget on a luxury escape then you won’t be disappointed here.
Marbella on a Budget: Insider Tips
Despite its well-deserved reputation for being a destination for luxury lovers, it’s easy to explore Marbella on a budget, too.
There are plenty of places in the city where you can stay and eat cheaply; you just need to get off the tourist beaten track.
Avoid the seafront and Puerto Banus marina areas when you’re ready to eat, though these are still great places for exploring and people spotting without spending a penny.
Look for the restaurants that locals flock to rather than the ones packed with tourists, and you’ll get a delicious meal and an authentic Spanish experience without breaking the bank.
Other tips for exploring Marbella on a budget include visiting the city’s many museums which are free or have low admission ticket prices. The city’s parks are also popular with tourists and locals alike, and are a great place to relax in the shade.
Plus don’t forget that the beach is the biggest attraction in Marbella and as long as you don’t want a Bali bed in a high-end beach club it doesn’t have to cost a penny.
And if you really want to try those luxurious resorts but you’re conscious of the price tag? Book in the shoulder months outside of June-September and the prices often drop considerably.
Old Town Marbella
As well as modern malls and an abundance of 21st century luxuries Marbella is also a wonderful place to learn more about rich Spanish and Andalusian culture.
Marbella’s Old Town is considered one of the most scenic historic districts in the Costa Del Sol.
You can wander down cobblestone streets, linger in flower-filled patios, and admire the abundance of beautiful white-washed houses.
Old Town Marbella is surrounded by the remains of its 10th-century castle walls and sections are still walkable.
Highlights of Marbella’s Old Town include seeing the paintings inside the Church of Our Lady of the Incarnation and people-watching in the Plaza de los Naranjos.
Rich Cultural Scene
If you want to enrich your mind on your next Spanish vacation, then Marbella is a great place to be.
The city is home to a surprisingly large number of museums, art galleries, and other cultural attractions.
One of the best of these is the Museo del Grabado Español Contemporáneo.
This art gallery contains over 4,000 prints and engravings by Spanish artists from the 20th century. Some of the highlights include works by the nation’s most globally famous creators, Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dalí.
The Japanese Bonsai Museum is another unexpected highlight in the center of Spain, but it is also a fascinating place to visit.
The Kasser Rassu Gallery showcases the work of new and emerging artists.
Shop, Shop, Shop
We have already mentioned that Marbella is a mecca for high-end shoppers and fans of luxury brands. The stores in Marbella are luxurious and comfortable.
You can enjoy well-known brands such as Gucci and Dior alongside smaller emerging Spanish designer labels.
If you’re budget doesn’t quite stretch to designer brands then there are still plenty of shopping opportunities in Marbella.
The city boasts several well-known street markets where you can buy items such as jewellery, articles of clothing, and decorative items for your home.
This is the place to embrace Spanish hippy-chic and try something new.
The Rain In Spain
The weather in Marbella is a massive reason why this breathtakingly beautiful resort city is so popular.
It doesn’t matter what time of year you choose to visit, it rarely rains here and Marbella boasts an incredible 325 days of sunshine a year. That means it’s sunny more than 90% of the time!
August is the hottest month in Marbella with average high temperatures of 29 degrees (84 F) while January is the coldest but temperatures are still a very pleasant 15 degrees (59 F). In August the average sea temperature is 24°C (75°F) which is perfect for swimming in the beautiful blue ocean.
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