Marbella launches guided tours of its Old Town to uncover the city’s history

Marbella is adding a new cultural experience for anyone looking to discover the city beyond its beaches and leisure scene. The Town Hall has launched a programme of guided tours around Marbella Old Town, led by professionals specialising in heritage interpretation.

The initiative begins on 19 September and will continue over the coming months, with a total of 27 tours aimed at both the general public and school groups.

The aim is to make Marbella’s history more accessible by exploring the streets, squares and monuments that help explain how the city has evolved over the centuries.

A journey through Marbella’s history

The tours will go beyond simply pointing out individual buildings and monuments.

Specialist guides will explain how the different cultures that have passed through Marbella have left their mark on the city’s architecture, urban landscape and identity.

The routes will explore different periods of local history while walking through the streets, squares and historic landmarks of the Old Town.

No previous knowledge will be required, making the experience suitable both for residents who want to learn more about their city and visitors discovering Marbella for the first time.

Plaza de los Naranjos, the old walls and La Encarnación

The itineraries will include some of the best-known landmarks in Marbella’s historic centre.

One of the main stops will be Plaza de los Naranjos, one of the Old Town’s most recognisable spaces and a popular starting point for exploring its narrow streets.

The tours will also take in Marbella’s historic walls, reminders of the city’s defensive past, as well as the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación, one of its most important religious buildings.

Other sites of historical and architectural interest will complete the routes, offering a broader picture of how Marbella developed over time.

27 guided tours over the coming months

The programme includes 27 tours throughout the next quarter.

The first will take place on 19 September, opening a calendar that will continue with further dates over the following months.

Some of the tours will be specifically designed for schoolchildren, using a more educational approach to bring local history closer to younger generations.

The idea is to help children understand the heritage around them and why protecting historic buildings, monuments and public spaces matters.

A different way to experience Marbella

Marbella may be internationally known for its beaches, hotels, restaurants and nightlife, but its Old Town preserves a very different side of the city.

Narrow streets, historic squares, remains of defensive structures and centuries-old buildings reveal a Marbella far removed from the image usually associated with the Golden Mile or Puerto Banús.

These new guided tours aim to highlight that heritage while expanding the range of cultural things to do in Marbella.

For anyone planning a day in the city, the experience can easily be combined with lunch in the Old Town, shopping or a walk down towards the seafront.

How to find out about the guided tours

Dates, times and participation details for the different tours will be announced through the official channels of Marbella Town Hall and its Culture Department.

Further information is also available by calling 952 768 710.

With this new programme, Marbella is offering residents and visitors the chance to walk through the historic centre with a different perspective: not simply seeing its buildings, but understanding the stories and cultures that shaped the city.