Marbella All Inclusive Holidays: Resorts, Weather and Tips

On most all inclusive deals your room price includes breakfast, lunch and dinner, usually served buffet-style with some à la carte options, plus snacks during the day and local drinks: house wine, beer, soft drinks and locally made spirits. Imported brands, premium wines and some specialist restaurants are often charged extra, so read the board description carefully before you commit.

For Marbella this matters more than in some resorts, because the old town around the Castillo de Marbella and the Casa del Corregidor is full of places to eat out. Many travellers choose all inclusive for a family fortnight and half board for a shorter couples' trip, keeping evenings free for the town. You can compare all inclusive hotels in Marbella and the board options side by side on this page.

Marbella itself is the coastal heart of this stretch, a town of around 156,000 people, and it is along its seafront that you will find the larger resort-style properties with pools and gardens. The central beaches, Playa de Venus, Playa del Faro, Playa de la Fontanilla and Playa del Cable, are all within roughly a mile of the centre, while Playa de Cabopino lies about 8 miles east for a quieter, more open beach. If you are searching for Marbella all inclusive resorts, the coast is where to look.

Ojén, about 4 miles inland, and Istán, about 6 miles inland, are small mountain villages of a couple of thousand people or fewer. They are better as day trips than as bases for all inclusive hotels in Marbella's orbit: Ojén has its own castle and sits at the foot of Sierra Blanca, a protected mountain area.

Families looking for a Marbella all inclusive family resort will want the beachfront options close to town, while couples after Marbella all inclusive adults only stays can filter for that in the deals shown here. The same goes for Marbella 5 star all inclusive hotels: use the star rating filter rather than relying on a name.

The best months are April, May, June, July, September and November. April averages 22°C with just two rain days, May 24°C and June 27°C, which is the sweet spot for families who want warmth without the peak of summer. July and August are the hottest, at 31°C and 32°C, and almost entirely dry, so an all inclusive hotel with shade and a good pool earns its keep.

September drops back to 27°C, and November still reaches about 21°C with only two rain days, a good choice for a late-season break. October is warm at 24°C but is the wettest month, with around 115mm of rain over nine days, and March is also damp. From December to February daytime highs sit around 17°C to 18°C, mild enough for walking but not for sunbathing all day.

Expect all inclusive holidays to Marbella, Spain to cost more during UK school holidays, especially in summer, so booking early or travelling in May, June or September is worth considering.

Most British travellers book Marbella holidays all inclusive as a package: flight, hotel and transfers together. Málaga airport has direct flights from the UK and is about 34 minutes from Marbella by road, 30 minutes from Ojén and 37 minutes from Istán. Gibraltar also has direct UK flights and is roughly 51 minutes from Marbella, which can be handy if the dates or departure airport suit you better.

Check the board basis on each offer, as all inclusive, full board and half board can look similar at first glance. Families should look at child places and pool facilities, and anyone planning trips to Sierra Blanca, the King Abdelaziz Mosque or Playa de Cabopino may want car hire for a day or two. You can compare Marbella, Spain all inclusive deals from Jet2holidays, TUI, loveholidays and On the Beach on this page, along with hotel prices, tours and tickets, and car hire.