Marbella is well known for its beaches, shopping and nightlife, but there are also some wonderful green spaces to enjoy. Our favourite is the Parque de la Constitución, close to Marbella’s port. This park is full of mature trees, water features and winding paths. Take a picnic, or visit the small café and take a moment to enjoy nature. But this is just the tip of the iceberg if you have a car and are happy to explore.
Within just a few minutes’ drive of this cosmopolitan hot spot, you can escape into nature and explore miles of beautiful woodland in the “LLlanos de Juanar” up behind the La Cañada shopping centre. You can enjoy the many different types of pines, as well as many different flora and fauna. The area is heaven for wildlife as well and you may spot mountain goats, eagles and other birds of prey. There are six routes to explore in the park, ranging in difficulty and length. Download the route information This is also the starting point for the demanding hike up the La Concha mountain, a 7,300 meter hike up to the iconic peak which dominates the Marbella skyline.
A little further afield from Marbella there is even more for nature lovers.
Take a short trip up to the beautiful town of Ronda, with its stunning scenery, including the impressive gorge. It is set in incredible countryside and there are a number of hiking routes which you can explore. The area is also famous for its wine, and you can visit the bodegas and enjoy the peace and beauty of the vineyards.
Around thirty minutes’ drive from Marbella is the pretty village of Mijas, and nature lovers will enjoy the well signed hiking routes around the back of the village. Ask in the Tourist Office for route maps and information, they also run regular guided hikes if you prefer to explore in a group.
El Torcal, is approximately an hour and a half away from Marbella, near the pretty town of Antequera and is one of the most striking natural parks in the area. It boasts extraordinary rock formations and three well marked walking routes through the park and you may see orchids, wild roses and many other plants and shrubs as well as many type of birds of prey. If you visit El Torcal, make sure you visit the Dolmens, an ancient site, so special that it is on the UNESCO World Heritage list. These are prehistoric burial chambers dating back 5,000 years and there’s a good visitors’ centre which explains more about this incredible place.
Around an hour away from Marbella in the other direction, you can visit Gibraltar and climb the Mediterranean Steps. If you have a head for heights and are in good shape, it’s a wonderful hike. The views are breath taking and you will get to see the famous Barbary Apes up close. Start from Jews Gate and climb the steep path up to O’Hara Battery close to the Rock’s summit.
Last but not least, we would recommend walking the Caminito del Rey, inland from Malaga. It is fast rising in popularity as one of the best activities in the area, so booking tickets in advance is essential. This hike is around 7.5 kilometres and normally takes between two and three hours. The highlight is sections which hug the cliffs and cross the El Chorro gorge via an amazing suspension bridge. It comes highly recommended and to make it easy for our guests, we have partnered with a tour company to offer half day private tours from Marbella to the Caminito del Rey. Please contact us to arrange the tour.
As you can see, Marbella is a great base for an active holiday, with many wonderful places to explore a short drive away. At Vacation Marbella, we have hand picked a selection of luxurious holiday rental properties. These make a wonderful place to rest, relax and recharge your batteries, leaving you ready and raring to go to explore the stunning nature within easy reach. Please browse our selection of Marbella vacation rentals online, our contact our helpful team and we’ll offer our recommendations based on your needs and preferences.