Marbella by car or on foot. When to drive and when to leave the car

Marbella is one of the most visited gems on the Costa del Sol. It combines a lively urban atmosphere with beaches, mountains, and charming nearby villages. If you’re planning to rent a car during your trip to Marbella, it’s important to know when it will be useful and when it’s better to leave it parked and explore on foot. This is the key to saving time, avoiding frustration, and fully enjoying the city.

At Cafisa Rent a Car, we’ve been offering car hire in Marbella for over 40 years. We know the city inside out and understand that there are times when a car is essential, and others when it’s much better to park and walk.

Driving in Marbella. When is it worth it?

Marbella isn’t particularly large, but it stretches along the coast. It has several separate urban centres: the Old Town, city centre, Golden Mile, Puerto Banús, San Pedro de Alcántara, Nueva Andalucía, and others. If you’re not staying in the historic centre or want to visit places outside the main town, having a rental car will be very useful.

When to use the car in Marbella:

• To reach quieter or more remote beaches like Cabopino, Artola, or Guadalmina.
• For day trips to nearby villages like Ojén, Istán, Mijas Pueblo, or even Ronda.
• To visit Puerto Banús, especially if you’re staying far away and want to avoid public transport.
• To move between urbanisations, hotels, or villas not easily accessible on foot.

In these cases, a car is not only useful but practically essential to make the most of your time.

When to leave the car and explore on foot

There are areas in Marbella where driving is more of a hassle than a help, especially due to traffic, narrow streets, and parking difficulties.

Better to walk if:

• You want to stroll through the Old Town, full of narrow streets, squares, bars, and shops. This area is pedestrian or heavily restricted to traffic.
• You’ll spend the day in the centre or along the promenade, where it’s best to walk at your leisure.
• You’re staying near the beach or in the urban zone, where everything is within walking distance.

In these areas, using a car may lead to wasted time looking for parking and the risk of having to pay for private parking (which isn’t cheap).

Avoid rush hours and weekends

Traffic in Marbella increases significantly in summer, especially around midday and late afternoon. If you’re going to drive:

• Avoid driving between 13:00 and 15:00 if possible.
• Be patient when accessing Puerto Banús and the Golden Mile during peak times.
• Plan your routes in advance if leaving Marbella via the A-7 or heading to popular tourist areas.

What about parking?

In summer, finding free parking near the beaches and city centre can be very difficult. There are paid zones (blue zones) and public car parks:

• Old Town: best to use parking lots like the Municipal Market or Avenida del Mar.
• Puerto Banús: almost mandatory to use paid parking in high season.
• San Pedro or Nueva Andalucía: slightly easier, but it depends on the time of day.

If your accommodation has private parking, use it. And if not, consider whether you really need to use the car every day.

Public transport as a complement

If you rent a car with Cafisa Rent a Car, it doesn’t mean you have to use it for everything. Public transport can be a great alternative. There are local buses connecting Marbella with San Pedro, Puerto Banús, La Cañada, and other key locations. You can also take taxis or use services like Uber or Bolt for occasional trips if you want to avoid parking.

A rental car in Marbella is an excellent tool to explore further areas, move between urbanisations, and visit nearby towns. But in the Old Town, the promenade, or Puerto Banús during peak hours, it’s best to park and walk.

Plan your day in advance: use the car in the morning to get around, and once you reach a central tourist area, park and enjoy it on foot. That combination gives you the best of both worlds: convenience and freedom without unnecessary stress.