Marbella
Marbella is far more than a glamorous holiday destination. The town is one of the most sought-after places to live on the Costa del Sol, uniquely combining a Mediterranean way of life, beautiful beaches, an international atmosphere and first-class infrastructure.
From the charming old town with its whitewashed houses and small squares, to the famous Golden Mile, to Puerto Banús and the exclusive villa districts in the hills, Marbella offers an extraordinary range of lifestyles. Here, Spanish families live alongside people from all over Europe and the world. Some spend only a few months a year in Marbella, while others have made the town their permanent home. What unites them is the exceptional quality of life: more than 300 days of sunshine a year, the Mediterranean on the doorstep and the mountains in the background.
At a Glance
- Golden Mile, Puerto Banús and exclusive villa districts
- More than 300 days of sunshine a year right on the Mediterranean
- Diverse golf courses and first-class international infrastructure
Location
What is life like in Marbella?
Life in Marbella can be as relaxed or as varied as you want it to be. The day might start with a walk on the beach, followed by lunch at a chiringuito, a round of golf in the afternoon and dinner at one of the many excellent restaurants. Those who prefer a quieter pace will find beautiful residential areas away from the centre, spacious villas with private gardens, and residential complexes with sea or mountain views. At the same time, Marbella offers all the amenities of a modern town: international schools, medical facilities, shopping, sports clubs, restaurants and a varied cultural and social life. It's precisely this combination that makes Marbella equally appealing to families, professionals, second-home owners and retirees.
Beaches and Mediterranean living
Marbella's coastline stretches for many kilometres and offers a wide choice of different beaches. Alongside lively beach stretches with restaurants and beach clubs, there are quieter areas where traditional Mediterranean beach life takes centre stage. The promenade invites long walks and bike rides. Numerous chiringuitos and restaurants sit right by the sea, making the beach an important part of social life all year round. The mild climate is a major reason why so much of life in Marbella happens outdoors — not just during the summer months.
Marbella old town
A fascinating contrast to modern Marbella is offered by the historic old town. Narrow lanes, whitewashed houses, flower-decked balconies and small boutiques shape the scene around the famous Plaza de los Naranjos. Here you'll find traditional tapas bars alongside elegant restaurants, small shops and art galleries. The old town shows a completely different side of Marbella and is a reminder that, long before its development into an international destination, the town was a traditional Andalusian coastal town.
Puerto Banús and the Golden Mile
Marbella is internationally known above all for Puerto Banús and the Golden Mile. Puerto Banús combines a marina, designer boutiques, restaurants and a lively nightlife. The harbour has been one of the best-known meeting points on the Costa del Sol for decades. The Golden Mile stretches between Marbella and Puerto Banús and is one of the most prestigious addresses in southern Spain. It's home to luxurious villas, exclusive apartment complexes, renowned hotels and some of Marbella's best-known restaurants and beach clubs. But Marbella consists of far more than these glamorous addresses. It's precisely the different neighbourhoods and residential areas that make the property market so varied.
The most popular residential areas in Marbella
Golden Mile The Golden Mile is one of Marbella's most exclusive property locations. High-quality apartments, penthouses and villas, together with its immediate proximity to the beach, Marbella and Puerto Banús, make the area particularly sought after. Sierra Blanca Sierra Blanca sits on elevated ground above Marbella and is known for spacious luxury villas, privacy and impressive views over the Mediterranean. At the same time, Marbella's centre and beaches are only a few minutes away by car. Nueva Andalucía Nueva Andalucía lies directly behind Puerto Banús and is one of the town's most popular residential areas. The area is particularly known for the so-called Golf Valley, with several renowned golf courses. The property range spans from apartments and townhouses to exclusive villas. San Pedro de Alcántara San Pedro belongs to the municipality of Marbella while retaining its own Spanish character. The lively centre, the long beach promenade, restaurants, schools and excellent infrastructure make San Pedro particularly popular with people who want to live on the Costa del Sol year-round. Elviria and East Marbella East of the town centre lie popular residential areas such as Elviria, El Rosario, Los Monteros and Cabopino. Here you'll find a mix of apartments, townhouses and villas, as well as some of the region's most beautiful beaches. International schools and numerous golf courses make East Marbella particularly appealing to families.
Golf and leisure
Marbella is one of Europe's best-known golf destinations. The town and its immediate surroundings are home to numerous high-quality golf courses. Nueva Andalucía in particular, with several renowned clubs, is known as the Golf Valley. Marbella also offers excellent options for tennis, padel, water sports, fitness, hiking and cycling. The mountains behind Marbella provide an impressive backdrop. The distinctive La Concha is one of the region's landmarks and a popular destination for hikers. Thanks to the mild climate, an active lifestyle can be enjoyed almost all year round.
International schools and healthcare
Marbella is particularly well set up for its international population. Families in Marbella and the surrounding area have a wide choice of international and bilingual schools with different curricula and languages of instruction. Healthcare is also excellent. Alongside the public health system, there are numerous private clinics, specialists and medical centres with multilingual staff. Hospital Universitario Costa del Sol is located east of Marbella and is one of the region's most important public hospitals. This infrastructure is one of the reasons why Marbella is so popular not only as a holiday destination but also as a permanent place to live.
The advantages of living in Marbella
Marbella offers a combination that few places in Europe can match: a mild climate, beautiful beaches, excellent restaurants and leisure options, and an international infrastructure. Add to this a wide selection of properties, numerous golf courses, international schools and proximity to Málaga Airport. At the same time, you can choose between very different lifestyles — from an apartment right in the centre to a beachfront property or a private villa in the hills.
What should you know before moving to Marbella?
Marbella's great popularity naturally has its effects. During the summer months, the town becomes noticeably livelier and traffic along the coast increases. Particularly popular beach areas, restaurants and the centre can get very busy during high season. Property prices in many residential areas are also among the highest on the Costa del Sol. Properties close to the beach, on the Golden Mile or in exclusive villa areas command correspondingly high prices. In return, Marbella offers a highly international and well-established property market with an exceptionally wide selection of high-quality residential areas.
Is Marbella expensive?
Marbella is generally one of the higher-priced regions on the Costa del Sol. However, both property prices and the cost of living vary considerably between the different residential areas. While the Golden Mile, Sierra Blanca and some parts of Nueva Andalucía belong to the luxury segment, other parts of Marbella and the surrounding areas offer properties across a range of price brackets. Daily life also depends largely on personal lifestyle. Marbella offers exclusive restaurants and luxury shops, but equally normal supermarkets, local markets and traditional Spanish restaurants. You can live very luxuriously here — but you don't have to.
Properties in Marbella
Marbella's property market is one of the most varied and international in Spain. The range spans from beachside apartments and modern penthouses to spacious golf properties and spectacular luxury villas. Particularly sought after are properties with sea views, generous terraces, modern fittings, and good access to the beach, golf courses and international schools. Which area is right for you depends heavily on your personal lifestyle. Someone who likes to live in the middle of it all has different requirements from a family seeking peace and quiet close to schools, or a golfer who wants to live right on the course.
Buying a property in Marbella
Marbella isn't just an address — the town offers a wide variety of quite different lifestyles. Whether a charming apartment in the old town, a modern flat by the sea, a golf property or an exclusive villa with panoramic views: Marbella has a suitable location for almost every requirement. This is precisely why local market knowledge is so important when searching for a property. Right Casa Estates helps you find not just the right property, but above all the right area for your personal lifestyle. Discover our properties for sale in Marbella and find your home in one of the most sought-after places on the Costa del Sol.
