Christmas and New Years in Marbella and the Costa del Sol in 2025
Christmas in Marbella is a special place to be. A season defined by Mediterranean light, festive atmosphere, and a relaxed winter rhythm that feels worlds apart from northern Europe, yet still delivers its own brand of magic in the winter sunshine of Spain´s Costa del Sol. Discover everything you need to know about spending the holidays in the Golden Triangle.
From late November to early January, the towns along this stretch of coast fully embrace the season. Streets dazzle with lights, the town hall programme weeks of celebrations, and a vibrant calendar of markets, concerts, ice rinks, and children’s events creates a warm seasonal buzz. Discover everything you need to know about the winter festivities.
Marbella at Christmas time is a beautiful paradox: fairy lights and carols against a backdrop of blue skies and palm trees. No snow, no frozen streets, but somehow still cosy, romantic and unmistakably festive.
Beyond official events, the city’s luxury hotels organise workshops, galas, and curated menus. Meanwhile, local communities offer charity events and neighbourhood markets. The result? You can start your week with churros and chocolate at a Spanish market, enjoy Scandinavian pastries mid-week at Forum, finish with a proper British Christmas lunch on the 25th before relaxing at your wonderful Costa del Sol property.
For residents and winter visitors, the season feels both relaxed and full of life, punctuated by warm afternoons and crisp evenings. There’s always something happening, if you know where to look. In this complete guide, you’ll find the season’s highlights, from town hall traditions, hotel festivities, and December dining to romantic cultural events, Santa visits, festive markets, light shows, and yes, even ski escapes in 2025-2026.
Main Christmas Events in Marbella
With so much going on, it’s helpful to know the key non-missable Christmas events in Marbella’s winter season. The first event is the illumination of the lights through town around 1 December, followed by concerts, markets, Santa and Zambomba celebrations throughout the main town nodes on the centre, San Pedro, Nueva Andalucía and Elviria.
The next main event is the traditional family Christmas Eve (noche buena) dinner usually celebrated with your closest friends or loved ones in an elegant evening setting, whether it be at home or one of Marbella’s fantastic restaurant venues. After Christmas, you have New Years, of course, where you dress up in your best glam and welcome the years start with a laugh and dance with your favourites, at either a private party or one of the town’s most entertaining venues.
But probably the biggest event in Spanish culture is the Cabalgata of the Three Kings (aka los Reyes Magos) on 5th January (before or after in the small town centres), where the Three Wise Men arrive and tour the town, children in tow, collecting the lollies thrown to the crowds as they parade through the town on a convoy of floats, marking their arrival in preparation for the big day of presents on 6th January. After ‘Kings’ day, Christmas lights switch off, everyone is back at work or school the next day, and winter goes on for another month or two until spring fills the air with flowers and the promise of a long summer ahead.
From early December until 6 January, the historic centre transforms into a stylish winter wonderland. The old town becomes a fairytale backdrop, especially around Plaza de los Naranjos, where orange trees, narrow cobbled streets, old churches, and balconies become elegantly decorated with lights.
Avenida Ricardo Soriano and the Paseo de la Alameda shine with illuminated arches, festive décor and some of the city’s main municipal displays. Strolling this axis, from old town to the seafront, gives you a sense of the whole town dressed for Christmas, and once you’re in the mood, it’s hard not to linger at boutique shops and market stalls at Avenida del Mar along the way.
Beyond the centre, Puerto Banús adds its own version of festive glamour, featuring illuminated marina views and boutique-lined walkways. Simply wandering after dark becomes part of the seasonal rhythm, whether you’re in the old town, on the paseo marítimo, or just walking through your own neighbourhood.
Marbella Christmas Markets & December Shopping in 2025
Throughout December, Marbella and its surrounding areas host a series of Christmas markets, most of which combine local crafts, food, live music, and children’s activities. They make for pleasant sunny winter strolls, hot chocolate stops, and relaxed gift shopping.
La Fábrica de Elfos (Elf Workshop) : Avenida del Mar in Marbella old town, centro historico, Marbella Runs 28 November 2025 to 5 January, daily 12.00 – 22.00. Located near the old town and seafront, expect stalls, kids’ activities and festive energy.
Puerto Banús Christmas Market : Plaza Antonio Banderas between 6 December 2025 to 6 January 2026. Shopping, seasonal entertainment, and sometimes an ice-skating rink, all set in the marina’s shopping heart.
Charity Christmas Bazaar for Cáritas : Palacio de Ferias, Congresos y Exposiciones 11 and 14 December 2025, 12.00 to 21.00. Marbella’s festive fundraising market at the exhibition centre with proceeds benefiting Cáritas, one of Spain’s most prominent social charities. Stalls, raffles, strong community atmosphere.
Nueva Andalucía Christmas Market : Marbella town hall hosts this annual market Saturday 20 December at the Nuevo Espacio Polivante de Nueva Andalucía, between 12.00 to 21.00. Over 40 stalls, live music, kids’ activities, raffles, Santa at 4.00 p.m., and a mini campanadas at 8.00 p.m.
Smaller Community Markets
Watch for flyers, local community markets pop up throughout December featuring crafts, jewellery, clothing, homeware, and festive treats like churros, mulled wine, and pastries. A few events worth knowing about:
Sunset Christmas Market, (Golden Mile): In 2025, El Fuerte Hotel Marbella hosts their festive market between 12.00 to 18.00 Saturday 6 December featuring live shows, workshops and other family activities.
La Virginia Community (Golden Mile): Boutique Christmas market on 7 December 2025, 11.00 to 18.00, with artisan and vintage goods, local food stalls, and festive activities in a La Virigina picturesque Andalusian complex.
Bubu Nook, San Pedro: 12–13 December, 12.00 to 21.00. Independent brands in a concept-store atmosphere and a local crowd.
British International School of Marbella Christmas Fair: Saturday 13 December, 11.00 to 14.00. Homemade crafts, treats, and decorations are ideal for unique gifts.
Christmas & Ecological Marketin El Pinar, Elviria: 6 December 2025, 9.00 to 14.00. Free breakfast at 10.30 am, music from 12 noon, workshops and a lottery.
For classic department store and mall-style Christmas shopping, El Corte Inglés in Puerto Banús and La Cañada shopping centre deliver full decorations, events and stylish “everything under one roof” convenience.
Local Spanish Christmas Concerts and Events
Marbella’s Town Hall Christmas programme adds a layer of local culture to the season. These aren’t always the headline events, but they’re where the local community side of Christmas comes most clearly to life in concerts, parades, and markets, as well as workshops and neighbourhood parties.
Below is an overview of the main town hall events. For full details of all the free festivities in Spanish, including local events in Elviria and Nueva Andalucía, check the Marbella Town Hall Christmas Programme as well as the San Pedro Festive Pamplet.
The Belén Route: Nativity Scenes Across Marbella
Like many towns in southern Spain, Marbella takes its nativity scene tradition seriously. The season opens with an inauguration of the Marbella Portal de Belen en Paseo de la Alamada Park at 6.00 pm on 4 December 2025.
Throughout December and into early January, you can follow an informal Belén Route (Ruta de Belenes), visiting more than a dozen nativity scenes at Parroquia de la Encarnación, Parroquia del Calvario, Casa Hermandad del Rocío and Capilla Santo Cristo, among others, with a full list on page 35 of the town hall programme. Many of these nativity scenes are handcrafted, detailed works of art and are free to visit, making them an atmospheric way to explore different corners of the town and feel a traditional Andalusian Christmas.
Town Hall Christmas Concerts in 2025
Throughout December, Parroquia Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación hosts classical Christmas concerts featuring groups such as Collegium Musicum, Coral La Encarnación, and the Órgano del Sol Mayor series. The mix leans towards traditional carols, Spanish villancicos and classical pieces, all performed in one of Marbella’s most beautiful traditional churches.
The Recital de Navidad by the Marbella Conservatory of Dance and Music at Teatro Ciudad de Marbella takes place 11 December 2025 at 6pm, bringing together student musicians, dancers and choirs. The Marbella Municipal Band concert follows at the Iglesia de La Encarnación at 8.30pm.
More traditional Spanish Christmas concerts happen at the town’s central church, Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación, at various times throughout December: 7.30 pm on Thursday 18th and Friday 19th, then 7.00 pm on Saturday 13 December, 5.00 pm on Sunday 14th and 8.30 pm on Tuesday 16 December 2025.
The town hall also hosts Karaoke Solidario in La Plaza de la Iglesia for charity, 1.00 pm to midnight on Saturday 27 December, a little pre-New Year’s party to keep you busy throughout the holidays.
Zambombas Flamencas & Andalusian Traditions
One of the most distinctive Andalusian Christmas experiences is the zambomba, a flamenco-style festive gathering built around the zambomba drum, a traditional wooden or clay cylinder instrument that produces sound by rolling a stick against its top.
During December, Zambombas Flamencas take place at Alameda Park, the Leganitos neighbourhood, Cortijo Miraflores, Nueva Andalucía and Las Chapas at different times. Refer to the programme link above for details.
They combine live music, dancing, traditional songs, and a very local, family-friendly atmosphere. Pastorales and choir performances also take place in plazas, churches and cultural venues across the city, adding to the sense of an authentic Andalusian Christmas.
Creative Christmas Competitions & Theatre
Beyond the parties and parades, the Town Hall’s Christmas postcard and carnival poster competition invites residents to design the official festive artwork for the season, adding a creative, community-focused element to the programme.
In 2025, other cultural events include:
“Cuento de Navidad” (A Christmas Carol) – a Spanish adaptation of Dickens’ classic, running in San Pedro from 4 December 2025 to 4 January 2026.
“Tardeo Solidario” Charity Concert at the Hard Rock Hotel Marbella on Saturday 20 December 2025, 17.30 to 22.00, mixing live music and fundraising.
The festive season in Marbella carries a strong spirit of community, with many solidario local initiatives supporting marginalised groups across the municipality.
One of the main charitable events is the Cáritas Christmas Bazaar, 11 and 14 December at the Palacio de Ferias, as mentioned in the market section above. The market brings together local businesses, volunteers and neighbours to raise funds for Cáritas, one of Spain’s most respected social charities.
Another meaningful initiative takes place on 6 December with the Zambomba Flamenca Solidaria, which begins at La Pollinica and continues along Paseo de la Alameda from 12.00 noon onwards. The event blends traditional Christmas flamenco with a community toy collection. Donations gathered throughout the afternoon are delivered to La Virgen de la Victoria, ensuring they reach children before the main festivities.
On the Golden Mile, the Mosh Group organises a Christmas toy donation drive, inviting guests and residents to drop off new toys distributed to children in need across the coast. It’s a simple but impactful way to brighten the holidays for local families.
The Hard Rock Hotel Marbella hosts a Tardeo Solidario on 20 December 2025, a charity afternoon that mixes live music, entertainment and seasonal fundraising. It attracts a wide cross-section of the community and has become a well-supported event that combines a festive atmosphere with charitable giving.
These initiatives form part of the warm, community-focused side of Christmas in Marbella: a reminder that the season here runs deeper than lights and dining.
Traditional Christmas themes throughout the Golden Mile
The Golden Mile’s best-known hotels and clubs anchor the luxury Christmas and New Year’s scene, combining beautiful settings with carefully curated festive programmes.
At Marbella Club season events, expect classic, understated elegance. In 2025, the resort’s festive program features seasonal tasting menus, family workshops, and creative activities, including wreath-making, pastry classes, and ceramics. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are marked by refined celebrations in the hotel’s restaurants, with an emphasis on high-quality produce, attentive service and a warm, family-friendly atmosphere. New Year’s Eve is celebrated with a sophisticated gala, style and good company rather than spectacle.
Puente Romano festivities take a different approach, more expansive and varied. Different restaurants across the resort offer their own festive menus, from relaxed beachside dining to more formal options. The resort’s kids’ programmes, cooking classes, and workshops keep younger guests entertained, while live entertainment and carefully staged New Year’s Eve parties create a livelier atmosphere along the Golden Mile. The beachside terraces take on a special quality in December, especially on sunny days.
New to the scene, Motel Particulier, a collaboration between Michelin-starred chef Dani García and the Mosh Group, is another key address for glamorous nights out in the 2025 season. Think cabaret-style dinner shows, immersive performances, sophisticated cocktails and fine dining, all wrapped in a distinctly “Golden Mile after dark” mood. It works well for those seeking a more theatrical Christmas or New Year’s experience.
Family Events & Festive Fun in the City
True to form, Andalusian families in Marbella have no shortage of options for parties. Families spending Christmas here have a near-constant choice of parties and events, many of which are free and organised by the local government. Below are some of the most well-loved December events for children in 2025, but read jump for Santa and El Real Cartero visits.
Magic Christmas Park – Parque Mágico de Navidad & Mini-Campanadas
For children wanting to celebrate Christmas spirit throughout the holidays, the main family highlight is the Parque Mágico de Navidad, a temporary winter wonderland featuring a synthetic ice rink, a Christmas train, inflatables, slides, hot chocolate, drinks, and various other attractions. In 2025, the event will take place at Campo de Fútbol Arroyo Primero between 29 December and 4 January (closed 1 January) afternoons 16.00 to 20.00, with morning sessions starting on 30 December between 11.00 to 14.00.
For families with younger children, the town hosts Mini-Campanadas on Saturday 27 December 2025 from 11.00 am at La Plaza del Mercado in Marbella. This early New Year’s celebration offers music, New Year’s cotillion celebrations, sweets, and a countdown designed for children who can’t (or won’t) stay up until midnight.
Throughout December, neighbourhood associations organise chocolatadas and small festive gatherings, offering churros, hot chocolate, buñuelos (small fried pastries), games and children’s entertainment. Check the calendar links above and keep an eye out for flyers in your local area for details.
Family Christmas at The Forum: Ice Rink & Scandinavian Delights
Forum Marbella on the Golden Mile has quietly become one of the most exclusive family-friendly Christmas hubs on the coast. From late November to early January, a full-sized ice rink operates every afternoon, creating a winter village feel under palm trees and blue skies. The space is dressed in lights and seasonal décor, with elegant, low-key entertainment.
Children can meet Father Christmas on select dates, typically Saturdays from 14.00 to 17.00, as well as a few additional key days in December, while parents enjoy coffee, a glass of wine, or Scandinavian pastries nearby. Forum’s Nybakat Bakery serves Swedish and Norwegian treats, while the adjoining café makes excellent coffee. A Scandinavian supermarket inside the complex also stocks Nordic festive essentials, from ginger biscuits to speciality breads and Christmas sweets, plus real Christmas trees.
For many families, an afternoon here filled with skating, Santa, hot chocolate and pastries has become one of their favourite simple Christmas traditions. View the Forum events calendar for details on times and events.
Visit at Santa’s House on the Costa del Sol
Santa Visits in Marbella in 2025
Although Santa (Papá Noel) isn’t the original star of Spanish Christmas (that honour goes to the Three Kings), he’s still easy to find if your children want the Santa experience in Marbella.
Santa first arrives in Marbella town during the Pasacalles de Navidad (Christmas Parades), 17 December 2025 at 5.30 pm, starting at Plaza de Santo Crusto, a festive street procession through Marbella’s historic streets that turns Santa’s arrival into an event.
From 18–24 December 2025, children can visit Santa’s house (Casa de Papá Noel) at the Paseo de la Alameda in Marbella centre, afternoons 5.00 pm – 8.30 pm on 18 -23 December 2025, and mornings 11.00 am-1.30 pm on 20-24 December 2025. Set in this gorgeous central park between the centro historico and paseo maritimo, children can deliver their letters and get their photo taken before studying the town’s Navitity Scene and wandering through the surrounding Christmas markets and decorations.
Beyond the Alameda, Santa makes appearances at:
A Santa motorcade parade on 18 December 2025 at 6pm, Motoclub Los Mentirosos tours Marbella with Santa, starting from Boulevard Pablo Ráez and ending at the famous arc at Marbella centre’s entry.
Nueva Andalucía Christmas markets at Nuevo Espacio Polivante Christmas Market at 4 pm on 20 December 2025, offering visits, letter collections, shows, and free jumping castles for all the family to enjoy.
Las Chapas Elviria Christmas event, on Friday 19 December 2025 at Plaza Pueblo Platero. Meet Santa from 4.30 pm, with children’s activities and a traditional zambomba.
Further afield, the Miramar Shopping Centre in Fuengirola runs a rooftop Christmas wonderland called El Poblado de los Sueños de la Navidad (The Village of Christmas Dreams), where you can visit both Santa and the Three Kings, ride attractions and book themed workshops. Reservations are made through the Miramar app, with slots released at midnight one week in advance, a detail that reveals something about demand.
Casa del Cartero Real : Paseo de la Alameda
From 26 December to 5 January, the focus shifts to El Cartero Real, the Royal Postman of the Three Kings (Los Reyes Magos). El Cartero Real appears around town and at El Corte Inglés to collect children’s wish lists for their gifts from the Kings before the Cabalgata parade events. Read our Kings blog for details of meeting the Royal Postman between 26 December and 5 January.
International Christmas Favourites Around Marbella
Thanks to Marbella’s international community, Christmas here isn’t just Spanish: it’s a mix of beautiful international traditions, just like its people.
Alongside the Scandinavian offerings at Forum, you can enjoy a Swedish-style Christmas buffet at Los Naranjos Golf Club Restaurant in Nueva Andalucía. British and Irish residents, or anyone who enjoys a traditional roast, can book Christmas Eve or Christmas Day menus at places like The Harbour Bar & Restaurant on the Puerto Deportivo in Marbella centre, which serves classic Christmas dishes overlooking the sea. There will surely be many other wonderful options popular with local expats around the town if you look for them.
International schools, golf clubs and community groups organise their own festive lunches, fairs and charity balls during December, adding to the mix of options.
Christmas lights in Calle Larios, Málaga centre
Experience a Christmas Light Wonderland in Málaga
If you love extravagant Christmas lights, you might enjoy an evening trip to Málaga city, about 50 minutes by car from Marbella.
The star attraction is the Calle Larios light show: a dazzling overhead canopy of lights that transforms the entire shopping street into a glowing tunnel of colour, synchronised with music several times each evening. Busy, noisy, full of energy: ideal if you like big-city Christmas flair mixed with the smell of roasted chestnuts, boutique and designer-store browsing.
The rest of Málaga joins in properly:
Jardín Botánico : La Concepción hosts a themed light trail each year, transforming the botanical gardens into a peaceful illuminated walk with projections, music, and creative installations.
Muelle Uno and the port are lined with lights, photo spots and seasonal décor, framed by views of the illuminated Alcazaba.
Streets around Alameda Principal and Plaza de la Constitución are decorated with arches, hanging lights and canopies, making the whole historic centre feel like a Christmas set.
Whether you go for the full Calle Larios show or a calmer evening around the port and gardens, Málaga’s lights make for a memorable night out during your Marbella Christmas stay.
Light show in La Concepción Jardines Botanicos, Botanic Gardens in Málaga, 2024
Christmas in Estepona, Benahavís & Mijas
Similar to Marbella, Estepona decorates its old town with elegant Christmas lights along Calle Real, Calle Terraza, and surrounding streets. The promenade and marina host concerts, kids’ workshops and small markets. The Estepona Town Hall cultural programme outlines full cultural agenda details.
Benahavís town, often called the “dining room of the Costa del Sol”, offers a quieter and more intimate Christmas. Just a short drive from Marbella, this hillside village decorates its narrow streets and central square with warm lighting and traditional décor. There’s usually a small calendar of children’s activities and village events, but much of the magic comes from simply wandering, taking in the mountain air, and then settling into one of its many restaurants for a long, leisurely dinner in December.
Mijas Pueblo is another picture-perfect Christmas setting. The whitewashed houses, views down to the sea, and little squares filled with lights and nativity scenes make it feel like a Christmas card. The Town Hall’s seasonal programme includes markets, choir performances, children’s shows and local traditions.
Down in La Cala de Mijas, the promenade hosts markets and family events, while Las Lagunas offers Christmas concerts, theatre and municipal markets.
New Year’s Eve in Marbella: Start 2026 in Style
New Year’s Eve in Marbella covers everything from low-key dinners to full-scale galas. On the Golden Mile, hotels like Marbella Club and Puente Romano host classic New Year’s Eve galas, while Motel Particulier and other nightspots offer high-energy shows and dancing until late.
In town, restaurant menus, live music and family-friendly celebrations fill the centre and the port. Fireworks depend on the programme, but the atmosphere needs no help: terraces are full, people are dressed up, and the whole town is in a good mood.
If you want a specific restaurant or hotel, book early as New Year’s Eve is one of the few nights in winter when “Marbella in December” feels as in-demand as August.
The Spanish have their own unique take on New Year’s, which they call Noche Vieja (Old Night). First, it’s tradition to get dressed up in sparkles and shiny details known as cotillon (pronounced cor-ti-yon). If going out, this gets done tastefully and glam, but you can also buy cotillón party packs from the supermarket, colourful ribbon wigs, party hats, clown noses and sparkly paper ties to jokingly dress any old outfit up for the occasion. At midnight, the Spanish eat 12 grapes to the 12 campanadas (bell chimes), counting down the last 12 seconds to the new year. It’s a fun tradition that ensures you start the new year with a laugh.
New Years eve fireworks are common at many luxury hotels in Marbella
The Three Kings: Arrival, Parades & Traditions
One of the best things about Christmas in Spain is that it doesn’t finish on the 25th or 31st. The season continues until Three Kings Day (Día de los Reyes Magos) on 6 January, the traditional main gift-giving day. This culminates with Cabalgata parades in most Spanish towns on 5 January. For details of this tradition and local events, read our blog on Reyes Magos celebrations in Marbella and the Costa del Sol.
Skiing Escape to the Snow: Sierra Nevada
If you start missing “real winter”, Marbella is 2.5 to 3 hours by car from it. The Sierra Nevada ski resort in Granada offers skiing, snowboarding and Alpine-style mountain views within easy reach of the coast.
The 2025/2026 ski season runs from late November to around mid-April, conditions permitting. Many people do a day trip, leaving early to spend a few hours on the slopes, enjoy lunch in Pradollano (the resort village), then drive back in time for dinner by the sea. Others book a couple of nights in Monachil or nearby villages of Pampaneira, Bubión, and Capileira to stretch it into a mini-break.
Sierra Nevada has slopes for all levels, ski schools and lessons for children, on-site rental shops and a mix of casual bars and cafés. Childcare options are available for younger children who are not yet skiing. It’s a rare combination: skiing in the morning, walking along the beach in the afternoon.
Mountains and lodge at Sierra Nevada Ski fields, Granada
Practical Tips for Spending Christmas in Marbella
A few pieces of advice to help you make the most of the season:
Reserve restaurants early: Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve book out quickly.
Pack layers : daytime temperatures sit between 10–20°C, making lunch on a terrace very doable, but evenings feel cooler. A light jacket is essential.
Plan for outdoor time : this is an excellent time of year for hiking, golf, beach walks and lunches in the sun without summer heat.
Explore more than one town : Marbella, Estepona, Mijas and Benahavís all run their own Christmas calendars. Check local agendas above and you’ll always find something on.
Enjoy the calmer rhythm : December is busier than autumn but far quieter than summer. Lovely, lively and romantic, but not overwhelming.
Why Christmas in Marbella Is So Special
Christmas in Marbella is less about snow and more about community, sunshine, tradition, and life, really. It’s a season when you can wander through a medieval square at night, follow a route of handcrafted nativity scenes, see the Three Kings arrive by boat, drive 50 minutes to Málaga’s famous light show, skate at an ice rink under palm trees, or be on the ski slopes of Sierra Nevada the next morning. All just more examples of Marbella’s famous lifestyle.
For families, couples, winter residents or regular visitors, Christmas on the Costa del Sol offers a special combination of festivities, sunshine, charm and tradition, all distinctly Andalusian Spanish.
And if, while you’re here, you start to imagine what it might be like to spend every winter here, our trusted Marbella estate agents are happy to guide you through property options, from holiday apartments to family villas in the Golden Mile, Nueva Andalucía, Estepona and beyond.
FAQs: Christmas in Marbella : What Visitors Want to Know
What’s the weather like in Marbella at Christmas?
Mild winter temperatures, 10–20°C (50–68°F). Daytime often feels pleasantly warm in the sun. You can sit outside for lunch on many days. Evenings require a light to medium jacket. Rain is possible but less frequent than in late summer or early autumn.
Is Marbella crowded during Christmas?
Busier than October or early November, but nothing like summer. Think festive and lively rather than packed. New Year’s week is livelier than Christmas week, but December overall feels like a sweet spot: picturesque and atmospheric without stress.
How do I experience an authentic Spanish Christmas in Marbella?
Visit nativity scenes in churches and public spaces, spend an evening in the old town and Plaza de los Naranjos, book Christmas Eve (Nochebuena) dinner at a traditional Spanish restaurant, and stay for the Three Kings parade on 5 January and Roscón de Reyes on the 6th. That’s where the local culture shows up most clearly.
Can you swim in Marbella at Christmas?
The sea sits around 16°C (61°F). Some people swim on warmer days, especially on Christmas or New Year’s as a “tradition”, but most prefer walking along the beach to soak in the vitamin D. Many villas and some community pools are heated, making pool dips more realistic than long sea swims.
What’s the best area to stay for Christmas in Marbella?
Depends on how you like to spend your time:
Marbella old town : walk straight into the lights, markets and Town hall events.
Puerto Banús : shopping, dining and marina atmosphere.
Golden Mile / Nueva Andalucía villas : space, privacy, easy car access to both old town and Banús, plus quick access to the golf valley and beach.
Melinda is an experienced writer specialising in real estate, urban planning, lifestyle, architecture and design. A seasoned Marbella resident, she holds an Undergraduate Degree in Social Science with Honours in Politics, and a Masters degree in Urban Planning.
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