We are planning on 5 days down here. Want to day trip to caminito del Rey and perhaps Gibraltar. We are arriving by train from Seville. Which should be our home base?
Cannot speak to Marbella but last September we enjoyed Malaga and, by car, travelled easily to El Caminito and Gibraltor.
I liked Malaga (although we really just passed through), and was much less impressed by Marabella. Gibraltar was a fun day trip (we were staying at a golf resort in the area).
Malaga has a lot more to do than hang out at the beach. Malaga is way better than Marbella.
Marbella is smaller, posher, more upscale, and lacks historical sites to match Malaga (which has a few nice attractions though nothing to compare with Seville). If you want a vacation from your vacation, Marbella could fit the bill-- but so could Malaga.
Either way, you'll have a great time!
Have a great trip!