When we think of Marbella, we think of the sunshine, the beaches, Puerto Banus, the glitz and glamour and beautiful, dream homes in Spain’s Costa del Sol. Rarely do we speak of Marbella’s cultural aspect and what this charming area has to offer cultural gurus. Yet, there’s more to Marbella than drinking Champagne and living the life of the rich and famous. This article provides a brief overview of a few museums and art galleries in and around Marbella. 

Ralli Museum

The Ralli Museum specialises in Latin American and European art. Spread across 10 showrooms, the museum has an extensive collection of some of the most beautiful art created by Latin Americans and European artists, some more famous than others. 

Entrance is free. The museum is open from 10-15h every day except Sunday, Monday and bank holidays. During Christmas and New Years, the Ralli Museum is closed from the 22nd/Dec to the 7th/January. A visit to the Ralli Museum takes approximately 2 hours. 

Address: Urb. Coral Beach (between Puerto Banus and Marbella, Ctr. Nac. 340, km 176, 29600, Marbella.

Excellence Art Gallery SL

The Excellence Art Gallery is managed by Massimo Cedrini and Giuseppe Carnevale. This fine art gallery showcases emerging artists as well as some more established, contemporary artists. The two charismatic managers of this prestigious art gallery are known for organising events and vernissage exhibiting beautiful works of art, on a regular basis. There is also a lovely restaurant, Art Caffé, serving exquisite, Italian cuisine.

The Excellence Art Gallery is open from 9 – 19 h daily. A visit to the art gallery takes approximately 1 hour. 

Address: Urb. Alhambra del Mar Locales TEMBO, No.3/bis, 29601, Marbella

Museo del Grabado Espanol Contemporaneo

The Museum of Contemporary Spanish Engraving was inaugurated on November 28, 1992. It opened its doors to the public exposing its first collection of 1,350 graphic works by contemporary Spanish authors. The collection was donated by Mr José Luís Morales y Marín.

The museum is located in a 16th-century building known as the Bazán Hospital, in the “Old Town”, Marbella city centre. The museum focusses on Spanish contemporary art and original graphic work. Currently, the museum holds a collection that exceeds four thousand prints, most from authors of the Spanish contemporary art scene.

The museum is open:

Monday: 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Tuesday to Friday: from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Saturdays: from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Sundays and holidays closed

Address: C / Hospital Bazan S / N, 29601 Marbella.

Es.Arte Gallery

Es.Arte is an art gallery in Marbella that focuses on innovation, transparency and artistic quality. Its objective is to promote contemporary art in Marbella so that it becomes a reference place for art lovers, art creators and art collectors. The art gallery is open to the public and welcomes everyone with an interest in the beauty of modern creativity. 

A visit to the Es.Arte Gallery takes approximately 1 hour. 

Address: Avenida del Mar Mediterraneo 20, 29670, Marbella

Salvador Dalí Sculptures

This is perhaps one of the most unexpected and surprising museums in Marbella. It is an outdoor museum, boasting a spectacular collection of Salvador Dalí Sculptures in the open air along Avenida del Mar, a wide boulevard in the centre of Marbella that leads to the seafront promenade. 

Needless to say, they are free to view 24/7. 

Marbella, like many other parts of Spain, has got a history worth discovering. There’s more to this sunny holiday haven. Take the time to discover this beautiful haven and enjoy every minute of it.