This is a guest post by the lovely Hannah from Hannah Lewin Fitness!
Typically, when most people think of Marbella, they think of flash cars, nights out in Puerto Banus and TOWIE! Whilst these stereotypes have some truth, there is so much more to this beautiful region of Spain than that. I’ve been going to the region for many years (I even got married in nearby Mijas) and have completely fallen in love with the area.
Check out my guide below, and ¡Hasta pronto! (See you soon!)
Hannah x
Workout
What could be better than a morning workout by the ocean? Beach fit Marbella offer outdoor group workout sessions across 4 locations across Marbella at varying times- so there’s no excuses! By utilising the landscape (think sand, slopes, benches etc) the team at Beach Fit provide a tough (but enjoyable!) workout- setting you up perfectly for the day and ready for breakfast! Contact them here to sign up.
Refuel
Rachels Eco Love is a beautiful café serving an amazing variety of delicious, healthy and organic food- a perfect post workout breakfast spot. The crepes are not to be missed, which you can enjoy by the cafes very own pool. You can also stop by for a delicious juice or coffee on the gorgeous terrace- which lends itself perfectly for that Instagram photo opportunity. The website is limited, so check out their facebook page here
Get Active
Marbella has a whole host of activities that will get you working up an appetite for lunch. For the daredevils in your group, Redfly Marbella offer a flyboard experience, and the chance to fly into the air like superman! If that’s not enough excitement, Jetboat Marbella offer an adrenaline fuelled tour of the beautiful coast line, complete with power brake stops and wild wave riding!
If you fancy a dry land activity, Born To Be Wild Eco-Tours offer you the opportunity to discover the beautiful and carefully protected UNESCO Nature Park, and a real chance to see a less touristic side of the costa del sol, as guests are also taken to initmate white-washed villages, far from tourist hotspots and for lunch in local restaurants.
Get Historic
No visit to this region of Spain is complete without wandering around Marbella old town. A welcome respite from the busy main streets, the old town is full of beautiful cafes and restaurants, shops and some amazing gelato places! The cobbled streets and stunning houses are a wonderful backdrop for a late afternoon stroll, and it’s so nice just to walk amongst them for a few hours, even without a end destination in mind. I always love to stop for an iced coffee and tapas in Orange Square for a spot of people watching, and in the evening, there are often fabulous buskers to listen to near the “Iglesia Mayor de la Encarnacion” which is often referred to as the most beautiful church in Marbella.
Relax
After all that activity, it’s time for some serious relaxation and pampering. The Wellness spa at the Marbella Club Hotel offers a host of treatments and full day programmes to help to calm and relax you after a busy day, or to pamper you ready for a fun night out in glamorous Puerto Banus. The spa has a wonderfully holistic feel, and treatments and day programmes are designed around the four pillars of wellness “Mindset, Sleep, Nutrition and Movement” to ensure that you leave feeling your best. I highly recommend the heated lava stone massage- be sure to book in advance!
Tuck In
Marbella has become a real gourmet destination, and has a vast variety of restaurants catering to all budgets and tastes, from amazing dining experiences to more imitate tapas bars. For a fun dining experience with friends, head to La Sala located in the heart of Puerto banus- they offer a great A La Carte menu, but it’s also a fab place to start the night if you fancy a cheeky cocktail or two as they have a separate bar area. For tapas, I really like Arco Tapas bar located in the old town. The food is incredible, but it’s always busy so do ensure that you book in advance! Finally, if it’s a special occasion or fine dining is your thing, I would urge you to head to Bistro Paloma which is also located in the old town- the food is beautiful, the service is great and Patrick the owner is a wonderful host- a dining experience not to be missed.
