Horseriding in Marbella: the bests riding schools and horseback tours

Do you want to try horse riding in Marbella? Discover the best clubs which offer riding lessons, treks and hacks in a unique environment.

Do you dream of cantering along the beach or in the countryside with the sun on your face? We’d definitely recommend trying horse riding in Marbella for your next vacation. Horses and horse riding has a strong history in this area.

There are many stables in and around Marbella which are open to the public and in this article, we’re going to explore the very best. Whether you already ride and just want to explore the beautiful countryside on horseback, or you want to take advantage of your holiday to learn to ride, Marbella has some great options for you.

Horses and Spain – the history and culture

Horses are depicted in cave paintings in the Iberian province from 30,000 BC and are very important in the development of the country.

The Spanish have always been renowned for their love of horses and the Andalusian breed of horse was created through the Moorish conquest of Andalusia in 711 AD, becoming a fully-established breed by the end of the 15th century. Andalusian horses have been used for warfare and bullfighting in the past, and in the practice of dressage, with renowned fame for their elegance and intelligence.

The Andalusian horse is officially called the Pura Raza Española (PRE) as it is considered a horse par excellence and is the most renowned of Spanish equine races. Andalusia is also home to El Rocio, a legendary horse-loving town which hosts an annual Easter pilgrimage on horseback, where you can enjoy a spectacular parade of horses and carriages.

Seville and Jerez celebrate horses in their famous festivals and almost all ferias featuring these noble beasts. The connection between horses and the Andalucian people is very strong, and as a result, many riding stables and equestrian centers have been developed.

If you love horses and would like to experience riding the majestic Andalusian breed in Southern Spain, Marbella is the perfect riding destination. With excellent weather conditions that allow riding all-year long, and stunning scenery and mountains, Marbella is an excellent place to ride horses, whether it’s your first time or you’re already an experienced rider.

Read on for our recommendations to the best riding schools, riding tours and experiences in Marbella.

Riding schools in Marbella

Marbella Club Golf Resort Riding Stables

The Marbella Club is at the very center of the development of Marbella as a 5* destination, so it’s only fitting that we talk about their equestrian center first. As well as the hotel, there is an excellent golf club, and within that area you’ll also find their riding stables.

Set in stunning countryside, with one of the best arenas in Spain, this is a fantastic place to horse ride in Marbella. They have hosted the Spanish Show Jumping Championships and offer hacks and tours on horseback for riders of all levels. The incredible estate boasts a 4,500m2 arena that is one of only two of this quality in the whole country and is one of Europe’s most modern riding arenas.

As you’d expect with the Marbella Club, this is a 5* horse riding experience. Plus, being part of the golf club, there are other activities on offer for family members who want to partake in other non-equestrian activities.

Find out more about the Marbella Club Riding Stables

La Zagaleta Riding Club

Another very special place close to Marbella is the La Zagaleta estate, which is a former hunting estate in the hills above Marbella, where some of the most spectacular villas are located. It is best known for its luxury villas and golf course, but it also has a wonderful riding club and offers horseback riding trips into the incredible countryside that they have on their doorstep. You won’t be disappointed with these facilities! They have 20 stables, six paddocks and an arena for training, dressage and show jumping.

At the La Zagaleta Riding Club you’ll find the very best facilities for stabling horses, as well as a highly experienced team to teach children and adults. At their riding school, they are available to coach riders and improve their general horse riding, or help them prepare for competitions.

If you love the riding club and want to be close to it for your holidays, we’d recommend opting for a holiday rental in Benahavis. This also gives you access to the white village of Benahavis, with its many fantastic restaurants, plus the outstanding golf courses in the area.

Hacienda MonteMarina

You can find Hacienda MonteMarina in the hills of Marbella. It is a beautiful setting, where they grow organic produce, have a lovely restaurant and an equestrian center and riding school and they organize treks on horseback through their stunning estate and beyond. They regularly host dressage and show jumping competitions in their top-class arena.

At their pony club, they have lovely Shetland ponies for the youngest riders to take lessons on and to give small children their first experience of being on a horse. They pride themselves on teaching the basics, up to more advanced techniques as well as the complete experience of grooming, feeding and mucking out the horses.

You can also take a tour on horseback from Hacienda MonteMarina and there are routes suitable for all ability levels, which makes it a great activity to include as part of your holiday in Marbella.

El Repique Equestrian Centre

This is a great option for anyone looking for horse riding in Marbella, which is close to the city center and offers a range of experiences with horses, suitable for the whole family. The El Repique Equestrian Centre is very convenient if you have a holiday rental in central Marbella, or to the east of Marbella.

They have a great riding school, with classes for children and adults, as well as for all levels – from beginners to competition level. They have a pony club for the little ones to start their journey into horse riding. Once riders progress beyond this, there are classes in all aspects of horse riding, including dressage and show jumping.

The also offer 1 to 3 hour horse riding routes from their center out into the countryside. These are open even to people who have never ridden a horse, as their expert team will be on hand to help you throughout the experience and will adapt to all levels.

Enjoy horse riding in Marbella and the Costa del Sol

There are a number of companies who organize riding tours in different parts of the Costa del Sol and it’s a wonderful way to experience the beautiful countryside which lies just back from the coast. We’ve written about a few horseback riding tours in Marbella and you can also see a range of options on TripAdvisor. Riding Fun in the Sun is another company that comes highly recommended to explore the countryside around Casares, Manilva and Gaucin.

So now that we’ve offered the list of best horse-riding schools and tour companies, all that remains is to throw on your riding boots and set off on your riding adventure in the Spanish countryside, the rugged mountains or along the sun-kissed coastline.

Where to stay?

All of these equestrian centers and riding schools are within easy access of central Marbella, the Golden Mile and Nueva Andalucia, so you can really take your pick of Marbella holiday rentals. However, if you plan to spend a lot of time at one of these equestrian centers, please feel free to contact our team and we can recommend the nearest vacation rental properties to that school. We also have pet friendly villa rentals for any of you traveling with furry friends.

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