sun kissed
A Guide to Marbella | Malaga – Costa del Sol, Spain
As the star in the Costa del Sol holiday resort crown, Marbella needs no introduction and this busy resort is one of the most visited in Spain.
Where is Marbella?
The city of Marbella lies around 60km to the west of Malaga and is around 30 minutes’ drive from Malaga Airport. With a population of approximately 150,000, the area of Marbella stretches as far as San Pedro de Alcantara in the west and Cabopino in the east. In between you can find Puerto Banus, the world-famous marina, the luxury Golden Mile and Los Monteros, and numerous other high-end developments. Many are centred around Nueva Andalucia and include Las Brisas and Aloha.
Why buy in Marbella?
There’s a long list of reasons why you should consider Marbella if you’re thinking of buying property on the Costa del Sol. This is a resort that combines old Spain with new – the well-preserved old quarter has maintained its typically Andalusian style in its narrow streets and flower-filled squares, and modern facilities offer the very latest in entertainment and amenities.
Plenty to see and do: Top tourist attractions here include lovely beaches (the best are to the east of the city), the long seafront promenade that stretches from Marbella to San Pedro, art museums and the old quarter where time seems to stand still. There’s a year-round calendar of activities with cultural events such as theatre and concerts (Starlite Marbella in July and August hosts big name concerts), and local festivities including the Marbella Fair that takes place in mid-June.
Pleasant climate: Marbella benefits from a year-round pleasant climate where temperatures are never too hot or too cold, and it’s warm enough to eat lunch outside even in the depth of winter. With over 320 days of sunshine a year, Marbella has one of the best climates in Europe.
Excellent amenities: Marbella offers a wide range of facilities and practically everything you need is on your doorstep. Shopping is excellent and includes the large La Cañada shopping mall home to many boutiques and large stores such as Apple, FNAC and Guess; high-street shopping with a range of stores in Marbella centre; and many lovely small shops in Marbella old quarter. Medical facilities cater for all needs in Marbella where state-run health centres are offered alongside private clinics and hospitals. Marbella is also home to several well-being clinics included the renowned Buchinger Centre.
Sports fans will find all they need in Marbella. The resort is home to several world-class golf courses including La Quinta and Marbella Golf. Numerous tennis clubs are located nearby such as Manolo Santana Tennis Club and Puente Romano, both offering top facilities. Excellent skiing is available from December to May in Sierra Nevada, a two-hour drive away. And watersports are available along the Marbella beaches, centred around the marinas at Cabopino and Puerto Banus.
Excellent beaches: Marbella’s coastline stretches for miles and offers a great selection of beaches, many of which have blue-flag status. Choose from urban fun at the beaches in Marbella centre where there’s a good choice of beach bars and restaurants, sunbeds and children’s play parks right on the seafront; if you prefer a trendier beach scene, head for one of Marbella’s exclusive beach clubs such as Nikki Beach on the sands at Don Carlos Hotel or Ocean Club and La Sala by the Sea, both in Puerto Banus. For those looking to get away from it all on a beach in Marbella, make Cabopino beach your destination. Here, the dune-backed sands are some of the least developed and most attractive in the area.
Buy-to-let potential: As probably the most popular resort on the Costa del Sol, Marbella has one of the best potentials for the holiday lettings market. Returns and occupancy are high, particularly for properties located in sought-after areas.