Combine a good lunch with a nice walk

Walking the Golden Mile – our all-time favourite Marbella ritual

Our all-time favourite thing to do in Marbella, and something we actually do almost every week, is walking the Golden Mile. It’s one of those rituals that never gets old. Some things along the way change, others stay exactly the same—and that’s what makes it so special. It’s an easy way to combine movement with sunshine, a bit of people-watching, and always a good glass of wine or a long lunch somewhere along the way.

The Golden Mile is without a doubt the most iconic part of Marbella. It stretches around 7 kilometres between Puerto Banús and Marbella town, or 14 if you walk there and back like we usually do. It’s home to the most exclusive villas and apartments in the area, but also to beach bars, chiringuitos, luxury hotels, and a good mix of locals, visitors, and early morning joggers. From stylish sports lovers to big Spanish families spending the day at the beach—you see it all here.

We love to start early, walk along the sea, and stop halfway for lunch or just a coffee. Simone’s go-to finish? A gin and tonic at MC Beach. Trust us—once you’ve done it, it’s hard not to make it a weekly thing. For us, this is the real Marbella feeling.

Parking

You can actually start anywhere, but the best thing is of course to start from Puerto Banus and walk the entire Golden Mile. Puerto Banus has many parking spaces and garages. Because it is a route along the coast, you can board at any time. You can also park at Puente Romano or at Victors Beach, shorten the route a bit and still take the most beautiful part.

The walk

It is best to walk this route in the morning. It is busy but in a nice way, people are running, cycling or just walking. Due to the wide path there is enough space for everyone. The route is beautiful and takes you past many beautiful places with beautiful views. Enjoy two Spanish sun-tanned seniors resting together on a bench in the sun or fathers running with their children.

 the view

The walk has many beautiful viewpoints to the sea, the hills and Marbella. But it is also beautiful from the sea. From the pier of Puente Romano or Marbella Club you can look inland with a spectacular view of La Councha.

Coffee, drinks, bites & lunch

We like to combine our bi-weekly walking tour with breakfast, coffee, a drink or a delicious lunch on the beach. Below are the hotspots that you will encounter and that you should not miss. You can’t do everything at once, so you really have to do the walk yourself a few times, and that’s certainly not a punishment!

A coffee in the morning?

Do you want to drink coffee while walking or a fresh juice? Halfway you will find el Chiringuito of Puente Romano where you can sit in the sun and enjoy a delicious coffee. A little further you come across Marbella Club Beach (MC Beach) where you immediately go back in time to the 70s and you can enjoy music and a beautiful view of the sea in lovely white lounge chairs. Also worth seeing: Trocadero Playa. We often end up at Cappuccino Marbella, a wonderful business with excellent service, nice music in the background and a very nice menu. Everything is top notch here. If you are craving for organic and 100% natural breakfast, or an early brunch, Manuka Alanda is the place to indulge yourself without giving up on your health. Further on your Golden Mile walking, but on a privileged spot also, is Besaya Beach where you can start your mornings with an array of breakfast choices and unique views. For a more Scandinavian touch, Nybakat, located in Forum Marbella, offers delicious freshly baked treats and excellent coffee in a cosy and inviting setting. Alternatively, KoffiClub, also in Forum Marbella, is perfect for coffee aficionados seeking barista-quality brews in a modern, relaxed atmosphere.

Combining walking and lunch?

Do you want to combine walking and lunch? Then the Golden Mile is the right place for you. We start at the beginning (or the end of the walk) at Banús Beach, a pearl born out of meticulous renovation, that combines the freshness of the Mediterranean with international gastronomic excellence. Camuri, a typical Spanish Chiringuito which is also very suitable for children. A little later you come across the somewhat dressed Besaya Beach, sit quietly with a very nice lunch and wine list. Later on the route we again encountered El Chiringuito of Puente Romano with a fantastic lunch menu, certainly also nice to have lunch with groups. Our all time favorite is lunch all afternoon at MC Beach, where the service is truly fantastic. You will not find fresher fish. We would almost forget, but in the meantime you have also walked past Seagrill. The fish restaurant of Puente Romano. The wine and food menu are really fantastic! If you are seeking a healthy option, the Manuka Alanda, located at the Alanda Hotel, but open for to the public is an award-winning eatery that serves delicious Mediterranean and international cuisine, using only the freshest and highest quality ingredients.

And there’s still more to taste at the Golden Mile! At Forum Marbella you have four fantastic alternatives that are not to be missed. For a creative Asian-inspired lunch, Beast Marbella offers a vibrant setting with dishes that mix innovation and flavour. If Italian cuisine is more your style, Florentine Marbella serves up authentic recipes with a modern twist in a chic atmosphere. Planta Bistrot, known for its plant-based culinary creations, provides a healthy yet indulgent dining experience. Finally, seafood lovers will adore The Fisherman’s Daughter, where fresh, locally-sourced ingredients are the star of the menu in this charming location.  For all these hotspots, especially in the high season, book on time!

A good glass of wine or a fresh Gin Tonic?

If you walk the route in the afternoon, you often go for a drink somewhere. There are plenty of hotspots for every budget for that. You will come across Tiki beach halfway along the route, friendly staff and cheap, which is an A location. It is also very nice to have a drink at Victors Beach, if you walk down there there is a real old-fashioned beach bar. At Trocadero Playa they have lovely lounge sofas to enjoy the afternoon sun, with the snacks that you can share you immediately have a delicious snack. At Camuri you can also relax on the lounge sofas and enjoy the afternoon sun. Close to it, Banús Beach, represents the perfect mix where elegance and relaxation converge to create a perfect spot for enjoying an afternoon drink by the Golden Mile. Besaya Beach offers the perfect setting for an afternoon drink, it’s the ideal for relaxing with friends while enjoying the view.

It is also a good place to stay at El Chiringuito from Puente Romano, a DJ in the background ensures that your bottle of rosé tastes just that little bit better. Do you want to drink something more chic? The Lounge at MC Beach is the perfect location. Beast Marbella, located in Forum Marbella, is a fantastic Asian eatery and cocktail bar that offers a creative selection of cocktails paired with a vibrant, modern atmosphere. It’s a wonderful addition to the Golden Mile’s array of venues, perfect for an afternoon or evening drink with a touch of flair. Planta Bistrot, also located at Forum Marbella, offers a distinctive twist with its signature Nootropic Cocktails, designed to enhance cognitive function and boost your mood, making it an exciting and innovative option for those seeking a unique experience.

Good to know

  • You can start from any point, taxis are relatively cheap, so if you walk 7 kilometers and want to return by taxi, there are places to catch a taxi everywhere.
  • Are you having lunch? Be sure to book in high season (April to October).
  • The Golden Mile is also great for running or cycling. There are several places to rent bicycles on the Golden Mile, including Puente Romano.
  • Fun to do with children.
  • Various outdoor gym equipment can be found on the route

Conclusion

A great route, we have walked it literally hundreds of times. Every time we see new things and enjoy them intensely. Combine it with a coffee, drink or lunch and you have an unforgettable experience. The big advantage is that most people come to Marbella more often, have a second home or live there, if you come for the first time there is a good chance that you will come back soon. So don’t try to do everything at once, but enjoy and take your time.