Marbella Golden Mile area guide

About the Marbella Golden Mile Area Guide

The Realista Marbella Golden Mile area guide forms part of our Area Guide series covering the principal resorts on the Costa del Sol. This guide focuses particularly on the Golden Mile and offers information about specific developments as well as general facts about this part of Marbella.

Where is the Golden Mile?

The Golden Mile, one of the most luxurious residential areas in Marbella, lies to the west of the resort along the Mediterranean coast. It stretches for slightly over a mile (2km) from Puerto Banus in the west to the edge of the centre of Marbella in the east.

What’s the Golden Mile like?

The best word to describe the Golden Mile in Marbella is luxury. Here you’ll find the best hotels in Marbella, some of the resort’s most expensive properties, lots of tropical gardens and exclusive restaurants and shops. In addition, the Golden Mile has probably the nicest seafront promenade on the Costa del Sol.

What about the history?

High-end tourism in Marbella began on the Golden Mile when Prince Alfonso von Hohenlohe opened the Marbella Club Hotel in 1954. As a result, long list of celebrities and royalty began to visit Marbella. And many of them fell in love with the resort and ended up building or buying property in the area around Marbella Club. These glamourous residences gave their name to the Golden Mile. Over 60 years later, the area continues to attract la crème de la crème from high society and some of the world’s rich and famous have homes here.

Like to buy in Marbella’s finest postcode? See what’s on the market on the Golden Mile right now.

What are the main areas on the Golden Mile?

Although the Golden Mile isn’t particularly big it has several clearly-defined areas, all sharing the common denominator of luxury:

West-end

The area closest to Puerto Banus is made up of several developments

including Rio Verde, home to several new property projects; Urb Ancón where you’ll find Victor’s Beach, one of the most famous beach bars on the Costa del Sol; and El Oasis with several apartment complexes and a shopping centre.

To the north of this section of the Golden Mile is the world-famous Olivia Valere nightclub plus two popular establishments for higher international education – Les Roches International School of Hotel Management and the American College of Marbella.

East-end

The section between El Ancón and Marbella houses some of the most luxurious properties and hotels on the Costa del Sol. The most prestigious of the 5-star hotels in Marbella are located here: Puente Romano and Marbella Club. Both have exceptional facilities including beach clubs, spas and Mediterranean gardens. Puente Romano is also home to the renowned Puente Romano Tennis Club that hosts world-class tournaments and in the summer, concerts and events. Marina Puente Romano offers high-end frontline beach apartments in landscaped Japanese and Persian gardens.

Michelin-star holder Dani García owns two restaurants on the Golden Mile – Leña and Bibo, both at Puente Romano Hotel. There are several other good restaurants here including 13 more at Puente Romano Hotel. Trocadero Playa, one of the best beach restaurants in Marbella, is also located in the area.

Nearer Marbella are several exclusive boutiques and art galleries.

Property on this part of the Golden Mile consists of apartment complexes such as Las Lomas de Marbella Club, built in a Mediterranean pueblo style and luxury villas. Some of them are so large they resemble palaces. Much of the new development on the Golden Mile has recently taken place here. New builds include exclusive apartments at Las Lomas del Rey and La Trinidad, and ultra-modern villas at Concept.

The sloping terrain means that most properties on the Golden Mile have sea views. In addition, many also enjoy panoramic views of the Sierra Blanca mountain range that backs the resort to the north.

North

Several exclusive property developments lie to the north of the Golden Mile. These include Hacienda Nagueles, a development combining apartments, townhouses and villas. Sierra Blanca, slightly further north and in the foothills of La Concha, Marbella’s emblematic mountain peak, has several high-end apartment complexes and large villa properties. The Buchinger-Wilhelmi Clinic, the world-famous fasting clinic is also in Sierra Blanca.

How easy is it to get to the Golden Mile?

Very easy! The Golden Mile has easy access to Marbella and Puerto Banus, nearby resorts and Malaga Airport. Both the A-7 highway and the AP-7 toll motorway are just a short drive away.

How far is the Golden Mile from Malaga Airport?

The Golden Mile is around 54km from Malaga Airport and the drive takes just over half an hour.

How far is the Golden Mile from Marbella?

The centre of Marbella is literally a five-minute drive from the Golden Mile. The same applies to Puerto Banus. In fact, both are so near you can walk there along the pleasant seafront promenade.

What are the beaches like on the Golden Mile?

Some of the best beaches in Marbella lie along the Golden Mile

. They are mostly sand and can be surprisingly quiet even in high season. A succession of good beach bars and restaurants line the seafront promenade.

What about property?

As this Marbella Golden Mile area guide shows, it is home to some of the finest property on the Costa del Sol. But don’t take our word for it – browse our extensive listings to see for yourself. They include fabulous penthouses, stunning new builds and of course, amazing villas.

The difficult bit? Choosing the one for you! But help is at hand – just get in touch with our friendly team. We’ll be only too happy to share their local expertise and knowledge to help you the home for you on the Golden Mile. Contact us now.