Walking Marbella's promenade to Puerto Banús: a winter route

Few things sum up Marbella better than walking by the sea from the town centre to Puerto Banús. It's a flat, free stroll with plenty of stops along the way: Dalí sculptures, a lighthouse with more than 160 years of history, town beaches, a Roman villa with mosaics and a wooden footbridge over the Río Verde. In autumn and winter, with mild temperatures and fewer crowds, it's one of the best things to do on the Costa del Sol. Here's how to do it.

Distance and time: how long it takes

The official Marbella tourist map puts Puerto Banús about 6 km from the centre. Depending on where you start, the full walk along the promenade is around 6.5–7 km, which means an hour and a half to two hours at an easy pace, and a lot longer if you stop for drinks or photos. It's almost completely flat, so it works well for families too.

Starting point: Avenida del Mar and its Dalís

Start at Parque de la Alameda and walk down Avenida del Mar, the pedestrian street linking the park with the seafront. According to Marbella's tourist board, it's decorated with fountains, pergolas and a collection of 10 sculptures designed by Salvador Dalí and cast in bronze in Verona. It's a free open-air museum and a great way to start the day. If you have time before setting off, the Old Town and Plaza de los Naranjos are just a few minutes away.

Marbella Lighthouse and the tourist office

When you reach the sea, turn right (west). You'll soon see the Marbella Lighthouse: according to Andalusia's Ports Agency, the original lighthouse dates from 1864 and the current 29-metre tower from 1974. It's still in service and can only be seen from outside. Next to it, the El Faro Tourist Office opens Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 7:30 pm and at weekends and on public holidays from 10 am to 4 pm, if you'd like maps or up-to-date information.

Beaches and the Golden Mile

Past the marina, the promenade runs along town beaches such as La Fontanilla and Casablanca, lined with palm trees, beach bars and benches. Further on, the route continues through the Golden Mile, between gardens and seafront villas. In winter, with the sun low in the sky, the light on the sea is some of the most beautiful of the year.

A detour into history: the Río Verde Roman Villa

Shortly before Puerto Banús, it's worth a short detour to the Río Verde Roman Villa, in the Río Verde Playa estate. Marbella's tourist board dates it to the 2nd century AD and highlights its mosaics, including a polychrome head of Medusa and scenes of kitchen utensils and food of the period. Admission is free and it opens on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm. Note for Christmas: according to the municipal contract reported by El Periódico de Marbella, it doesn't open on 24, 25 and 31 December or 1 January.

The Río Verde footbridge and arriving in Puerto Banús

The final stretch crosses the Río Verde on a wooden pedestrian footbridge, 70 metres long and 3 metres wide, opened in March 2010 to link the Marbella and Puerto Banús promenades, according to La Opinión de Málaga. A few minutes later you're among the yachts, shops and terraces. To make the most of the rest of the day, here are ideas for enjoying Puerto Banús, and in December you can combine it with our Christmas in Marbella guide.

Tips for an autumn or winter walk

• Plan around the daylight: in December the sun sets in Marbella at around 6:05 pm (timeanddate.com data). Set off in the early afternoon and you'll reach Puerto Banús in the golden light of sunset.
• Comfortable shoes and a light jacket: it's pleasant in the sun during the day, but it cools down by the sea in the evening.
• No need to walk back: you can return to the centre by taxi or bus.
• Do it in sections: if you're with children, there are frequent exits along the way and you can walk just part of it.

A reward at the end of the walk

After some 6 km by the sea, you'll want to sit down. Pizzería Picasso is on Muelle Ribera in Puerto Banús, with a terrace facing the boats: a pizza or a plate of pasta is an easy way to round off the route. Please note that the restaurant will be closed from 9 to 27 November 2026 for maintenance work; you'll be able to visit us again from the end of November.

Cover photo: "Marbella" by Konrad Hädener, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0 (cropped).