AREA GUiDE

MARBELLA

Provides an insight into one of the most famous resorts on the Costa del Sol.

DISCLAIMER:

Please refer to Page 41 for attribution to the respective copyright holders of the works in this web story, or message us for any concerns, image credits, or more information.

LOCATION

It is located at the western end of the Costa del Sol, between Fuengirola and Estepona.

Marbella Area Guide

The resort faces directly south on to the Mediterranean and is backed by the impressive Sierra Blanca mountain range whose highest peak tops 1,200m.

Marbella Area Guide

What is it like?

Best-known resort on the Costa del Sol and enjoys a reputation as one of the most glamourous holiday destinations in southern Europe.

Marbella Area Guide

Discovered by the world’s jet set in the 1960s, Marbella stands for luxury and high-end experiences – not for nothing is some of Europe’s most expensive property located here plus prime golf courses and some of the world’s best beach clubs.

Marbella Area Guide

Marbella Area Guide

Marbella East

It is home to popular developments such as Cabo Pino (an attractive marina), Las Chapas, Elviria, El Rosario, Los Monteros and Río Real. All are well-established with easy connections to Marbella centre and good amenities such as shops, banks and a wide choice of restaurants.

Excellent private schools such as English International College and Colegio Alborán, you’ll also find miles of sandy family-friendly beaches like the world-famous beach club Nikki Beach plus the 5-star Hotel Don Carlos and Hotel Los Monteros. 

Marbella Area Guide

Several of the best golf courses in Marbella are found here including Marbella Golf and Country Club, and Santa Clara Golf.

Marbella Area Guide

Golf Courses

Marbella Area Guide

Marbella Centre

It includes the historic Old Town with its Moorish castle, maze of narrow streets and alleyways, and several lovely churches.

Marbella Area Guide

Seafront Promenade

One of the most popular places in Marbella – runs from the Bajadilla marina in the east all the way to San Pedro in the west, around 15km in total.

Marbella Area Guide

Marbella West / Golden Mile

To the west of the Piruli tower and the Corte Inglés store lies the most exclusive area in Marbella, known as the Golden Mile for its succession of mansions and palace-like residences. 

Marbella Area Guide

Two of the most renowned hotels in Marbella – Marbella Club and Puente Romano, both 5-star GL and part of the Leading Hotels of the World – are also here.  Michelin-starred chef Dani García runs two restaurants on the Golden Mile – Restaurante Dani García and BIBO.

Marbella Area Guide

Exclusive developments of Sierra Blanca, renowned for its stunning Mediterranean and mountain views, La Virginia, home to some of the loveliest townhouse properties in Marbella and the Buchinger fasting clinic. Numerous celebrities and royalty have homes in this area including the Saudi Royal Family, Baroness Thyssen, Simon Cowell and Lord Alan Sugar as well as several football personalities. 

Puerto Banús

Home to an attractive marina where some of the world’s largest private yachts and boats are moored, a long list of luxury boutiques — plus lots of marina-front restaurants and bars, this is a place to see and be seen. 

Marbella Area Guide

One of the best places for nightclubs and best beach clubs on the Costa del Sol are in Puerto Banús including Ocean Club, Funky Buddha and La Sala by the Sea.

Marbella Area Guide

Nueva Andalucía

Situated to the west of Marbella and north of Puerto Banús.Many homes here boast exceptional mountain and/or sea views.

Marbella Area Guide

Nueva Andalucía has excellent amenities including a small shopping centre at Centro Plaza (next to the bull ring) that hosts one of the most popular markets on the Costa del Sol on Saturdays.  Aloha College, one of the largest international schools in Marbella, is here.

Marbella Area Guide

Marbella Area Guide

San Pedro de Alcántara

The town has plenty of amenities with a wide range of shops and restaurants, good sports facilities, health centres and several schools including Laude San Pedro International College.

Popular Parks

The Boulevard, located in the centre of the town has children’s playparks and a small theatre, while the Parque de los Tres Jardines to the north has botanical gardens combining sub-tropical, Mediterranean and Arabic gardens.

Marbella Area Guide

Area Size

Marbella is one of the largest resorts on the Costa del Sol, both in terms of population and size.

Marbella Area Guide

Population

Around 140,000 people live in Marbella according to official records, although the real population is much higher.

Marbella Area Guide

Diversity

Nearly 34,000 foreigners have made Marbella their home. The biggest group is British, followed by Germans and Russians.

Marbella Area Guide

Weather

A combination of sunny days with warm temperatures, pleasant winter temperatures and temperate heat in the summer.

Marbella Area Guide

Main Attractions

Top of the list are the beaches, closely followed by sightseeing and enjoying the resort’s cultural and gastronomic scene.  Several museums of note as well as some interesting monuments. Not to mention the long list of outdoor activities, in and out of the water. 

Marbella Area Guide

Beaches

There’s a total of 23 beaches in Marbella, stretching along the resort’s 27km of coastline from San Pedro in the west to Cabo Pino in the east. In 2016, the resort had six beaches with blue-flag status, although almost all beaches have good facilities and easy parking, and lifeguard services between Easter and the end of September.

Marbella Area Guide

Elviria Beach

Family-friendly sands with shallow bathing and lots of beach bars and restaurants.

Marbella Area Guide

Fun Beaches

Puente Romano on the Golden Mile and Funny Beach (just outside Marbella to the east) are know for beach-fun activities. Party time at Ocean Club in Puerto Banús and Nikki Beach.

Marbella Area Guide

Quiet Beaches

Peace and quiet beaches located between Puente Romano & Puerto Banús; & sophistication at the beach clubs located at hotels such as Puente Romano, Marbella Club and Los Monteros. If you want to go au naturel, Cabo Pino has a designated nudist beach.

Marbella Area Guide

Other Attractions

The resort’s museums – the Museum of Engraving, the Bonsai Museum and the Ralli Museum – are all worth a visit as are the Roman ruins. These include the Roman Villa in Puerto Banús with its stunning mosaics and the Roman Basilica in San Pedro.

Marbella Area Guide

Marbella Old Town

A must-see,  where you can see traditional Andalusian architecture in the pretty squares and narrow streets that have hardly changed in centuries.  Highlights in the Old Town include Orange Square with the fine Town Hall and the Moorish castle walls. 

Marbella Area Guide

There are lots of bars and restaurants in Marbella Old Town as well as a great choice of boutiques and specialist shops. Don’t miss the traditional toyshops and the olive oil store where you can taste before you buy. 

Marbella Area Guide

Dali sculptures

Located in Avenida del Mar, which showcase the Catalan’s surrealist style, outside the Old Town.

Marbella Area Guide

Water Sports

Water sports fans are in for a treat with sailing, kayaks, stand-up paddle and fishing available. For water sports with an adrenalin rush, try your hand at flyboarding or water skiing on the Mediterranean or the natural lake at Las Medranas.

Marbella Area Guide

Trails

The Sierra Blanca mountain range that forms a backdrop to the resort offers lots of walking routes to suit all ages and abilities. Climbing and abseiling are available, several companies organise horse riding and mountain biking in the Marbella mountains.

Marbella Area Guide

Cultural Activities

* Starlite Festival * Art Fair  * San Bernabé  Fair * San Pedro Fair * Christmas Carol Concerts * Three Kings Parade

Marbella Area Guide

Eating Out in Marbella?

You’re literally spoilt for choice – the wide range of restaurants in Marbella cater for all tastes in gastronomy and all wallets.  *Tapas Trail, Michelin stars and beach restaurants, and  fancy dining with international flavours.

Marbella Area Guide

Typical Local Dish

One of the most typical dishes in Marbella is grilled sardines (espeto de sardinas). Chargrilled over an open fire at beach restaurants, the sardines are cooked to perfection and eaten with roasted pepper salad.

Marbella Area Guide

Shopping in Marbella?

It is probably the best resort for shopping on the Costa del Sol. In the city centre you’ll find high street brands plus lots of small specialist shops and boutiques. There’s also a fresh food market. Such as La Cañada, Alcampo hypermarket, DIY stores and more.

Marbella Area Guide

Thank you for making it this far!

Marbella Area Guide

IMAGE CREDITS

* Pexels.com * Unsplash.com * Pixabay.com * Envato * golfscape.com * kiwicollection.com * puenteromanomarbella.com * centroplaza.es * fabps.com * lasterrazasresidents    association.org * Nikki Beach Marbella * esquireme.com * fetajorentacar.com * hawtcelebs.com * strada20.com

Marbella Area Guide