Marbella Old Town tapas tour: three bars, local guide

You taste eight different tapas across three bars instead of ordering one plate at a time.

A 3-hour walking tour of Marbella Old Town led by a local English-speaking guide, stopping at three long-standing tapas bars to eat a full meal of pre-selected dishes in shared dining style. The guide shares stories about the city's history and points out the highlights—charming alleyways, the 16th-century church, and Plaza de los Naranjos—so you understand the layout and the culture at once. A PDF with restaurant tips and things to do in Marbella is included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Marbella Old Town and tapas tasting

• Meet at Alameda Park fountain
• Walk through Marbella Old Town alleys
• Stop at three tapas bars for tasting
• Visit 16th-century church site
• Visit Plaza de los Naranjos square

The Experience

You meet at the big fountain in Alameda Park in the centre of Marbella, where the guide sets the pace for the morning or afternoon. The route moves through the charming alleyways of Marbella Old Town, passing cultural sites and the points of interest locals actually know. Between the three tapas stops, you walk past the 16th-century church—built on the site of a former mosque—and through Plaza de los Naranjos, the heart of the old town, where orange trees surround the square. The guide fills the walking sections with stories about Marbella's history and insider tips, so the city starts to make sense as you move through it.

At each of the three bars, you taste different local dishes paired with a glass of wine or another drink of choice. The tapas are pre-selected and served in shared dining style, the way locals eat—not a tasting menu plated one course at a time, but several dishes that together make up a full and varied meal. Eight or more types of tapas come across the three stops, so the meal holds together without anyone ordering separately or waiting between rounds.

The tour runs three hours, which is long enough to walk the old town without rushing and short enough to fit into a free afternoon. You can book a private tour in English or Spanish, or join a small group; the guide speaks English and Spanish depending on which option you choose. A PDF arrives after booking with more restaurant recommendations and things to do in the area, so you have options for the rest of your time in Marbella.

What’s included

• Walking tour through the historic centre with a local English-speaking guide.
• three glasses of wine or another drink of choice at the tapas bars.
• eight or more pre-selected tapas dishes that make up a full meal.
• a PDF guide with restaurant tips and things to do in Marbella.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Marbella Adventures

Is this one for you?Choose the group tour if you want to meet other food lovers and share the cost, or book privately if your group prefers to eat together without joining other travellers.

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Top questions

What's the difference between the private tour and the group tour?

The private tour is just your group and the guide; the group tour includes other travellers. Both follow the same route, stop at the same three bars, and include the same tapas and drinks. Choose the private option if you want the guide's attention on your group alone, or the group tour if you're happy to meet other people and split the cost.

Can I do this tour if I don't eat meat or I have dietary restrictions?

The tour is not suitable for vegans, gluten-free diets, or halal requirements, because the tapas are pre-selected and served in shared dining style. If you have other dietary needs, contact the operator before booking to see if an exception is possible.

What happens at Plaza de los Naranjos?

Plaza de los Naranjos is the heart of Marbella Old Town, surrounded by beautiful orange trees. You'll stop there during the walking sections of the tour to see the square and hear the guide's stories about its place in the city's history.

Is this tour good for someone visiting Marbella for the first time?

Yes. The guide shares stories about Marbella's rich history and points out the highlights as you walk, so by the end you'll have a feel for the layout of the city and a deeper understanding of Spanish culture and local history. The route covers the main sights of the old town, and the tapas stops show you where locals actually eat.

How much walking is involved?

The tour is three hours long and moves through the charming alleyways of Marbella Old Town on foot, with stops at three bars. It's suitable for all physical fitness levels, so the pace is manageable for most travellers.

What's included in the price?

The tour includes the walking route with a local guide, entry to the three tapas bars, eight or more pre-selected tapas dishes, three glasses of wine or another drink of choice, and a PDF with restaurant tips and things to do in Marbella.