Marbella is the heart of the Costa del Sol, but the real magic begins when you have your own wheels. Renting a car in Marbella is the fastest way to see Ronda at sunrise, the Cabopino beaches without the crowds, the white mountain villages and Gibraltar with the monkeys – all in one day and without waiting for buses. Below you will find a complete guide: where to rent a car with delivery to the hotel, how much it really costs and a ready plan for 7–14 days of exploring the Costa del Sol by car.
Why is renting a car in Marbella the best choice?
- Buses run rarely and finish services at 8–9 PM
- Taxis and Uber for longer routes cost €100–250 one way
- Delivery to hotels in Marbella, Puerto Banús, Nueva Andalucía is possible thanks to Malaga U Drive rental
- You park where and when you want
How much does car rental in Marbella cost?
- Small car (Fiat 500, Seat Ibiza) – €23–35/day
- Compact automatic (Toyota Corolla, Seat Leon) – €35–49/day
- SUV / 7 seats (Seat Tarraco, Peugeot 5008) – €55–85/day
- Convertible (Mini Cooper, Fiat 500 cabrio) – €59–95/day
- 9-seat minivan – €95–140/day
Ready itinerary for exploring the Costa del Sol by car from Marbella
Day 1–2: Around Marbella
- Marbella Old Town + Orange Square
- Puerto Banús in the evening
- Cabopino and the Artola dunes
- Benahavís (best restaurants)
Day 3: Ronda + Setenil de las Bodegas
70 km, 1 hour drive – a bridge over the abyss and houses in the rock
Day 4: Istán + Ojén + viewpoint above the lake
70 km loop – green mountains and turquoise water
Day 5: Gibraltar
75 km one way – monkeys, St. Michael's Cave, view of Africa
Day 6: Nerja + Frigiliana
120 km – caves, Balcón de Europa, the most beautiful white village
Day 7: Estepona + Casares
50 km + 20 km uphill – flowery Estepona and the village on the rock
Day 8–10 (longer stay):
- Caminito del Rey (80 km)
- El Torcal de Antequera (100 km)
- Mijas Pueblo + Fuengirola
- Selwo Aventura and Bioparc (for children)
Day 11–14: Further
- Granada and the Alhambra (180 km – doable in one day)
- Tarifa and Bolonia beaches (130 km)
- Sotogrande and Valderrama
Practical tips for stress-free rental in Marbella
- Book online in advance – in season there are no cars at the last minute
- Always take the “full insurance with no deposit” package
- Choose an automatic – in Marbella and on switchbacks it’s a lifesaver
- Order delivery to the hotel – you save time and nerves
- Fill up at the large stations when entering San Pedro (cheapest fuel)
- Park in the shade – in summer the car interior becomes like an oven
Summary – Costa del Sol without a car is only half a holiday
With a rented car in Marbella you are not a tourist – you are an explorer. Instead of staying in one hotel, you wake up in a different place every day: morning on the beach in Nerja, evening watching the sunset in Ronda, and dinner at night in Puerto Banús. All for €30–50 per day.
The Costa del Sol is too big and too beautiful to explore by bus. Hit the road! 🚗☀️🌴
Car rental with service in English in Marbella and on the Costa del Sol – Malaga U Drive is the freedom to travel
Car rental Marbella – MALAGA U DRIVE is a guarantee of a successful holiday.
Our company has been operating since 2013:
- we offer car rental without a credit card and without a deposit.
- service in English language
- free delivery to many places on the Costa del Sol
- 24-hour roadside assistance also in English language
Visit our website https://malagaudrive.com/en/ check our offer, make a reservation and enjoy your holiday on the Costa del Sol. At Malaga U Drive you will rent a car in a friendly atmosphere, on time, without a credit card and without a deposit.