
A Guide to Marbella: an investment hub, a playground of the rich and famous and a great place to live
The town of Marbella is located on the southern stretch of Spain’s coastline known as the Costa del Sol. The region is protected by the Sierra Blanca Mountains, so it enjoys a unique microclimate with temperatures rarely dipping below 18ºC and this is key to its buoyant seasonal and residential tourist sector.
In recent years, Marbella has appealed to a growing number of professionals from the international community, who have chosen to settle in the region, attracted by its sophisticated and high quality of life, world-class sporting facilities, excellent international schools and wide range of specialist services. A third of Marbella’s population is currently registered as foreign.
Beaches
Cabopino
Cabopino is situated on the coast of East Marbella, just 10 minutes from the town centre. A pine forest leads to the protected sand dunes and the finest stretch of natural beach on the coast. With a small but beautiful port, home to luxury yachts, superb restaurants and trendy bars, this is a fantastic beach for all the family.
Elviria
Located in East Marbella, Elviria beach boasts shallow waters and wide golden sands. It is also home to the luxury beach clubs of Nikki Beach and Estrella de Mar.
Nagüeles
Nagüeles beach is found on Marbella’s famous Golden Mile, a stretch of over 6km between Marbella and Puerto Banús. It is approximately 1.5km long and is very popular with the rich and famous so is perfect for some celebrity spotting. Home to the Hotel Puente Romano and the Marbella Beach Club, it offers numerous facilities including showers, WCs, sun loungers, windsurfing, jet skiing and pedalos for hire.
La Fontanilla
One of Marbella’s urban beaches, La Fontanilla is almost 1km long and is extremely well-maintained. Often less crowded than some of the other city beaches, it is serviced by both lifeguards and first-aid stations and offers pedalos, sun beds, parasols and many beach restaurants and bars.
El Faro
El Faro is a small beach situated to the west of the port in the centre of Marbella. There are two beach restaurants as well as a large children’s play area on the beach, making it a popular destination for families.
Restaurants
La Sala
The popular La Sala restaurant in Puerto Banús offers the ultimate social and dining experience, day and night, attracting a young and vibrant crowd. You can enjoy its extensive menu in several different areas depending on your mood – there is a private dining area for the more intimate evening, a beautiful terrace where you can relax whilst enjoying the stunning views over the La Concha mountain, or stools at the bar for those who want to be in the thick of it.
C/Belmonte s/n
29600 Nueva Andalucia
Marbella
Málaga
+34 952 814 145
MC Café
MC Café opened its doors in 2002 and has been delighting both visitors and locals with its European/Asian fusion cuisine ever since. Strategically located at one of the entrances of the Marbella Club Hotel, it is the perfect meeting place for a morning coffee, late breakfast, light lunch or a relaxed and delicious dinner.
Marbella Club Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa
Bulevar Príncipe Alfons von Hohenlohe s/n
29602 Marbella
Málaga
+34 952 822 211
Suite, Hotel Puente Romano
If you’re looking for more of a nightclub atmosphere then Suite is the answer. Situated in the Hotel Puento Romano, it offers an Asian-inspired fusion cuisine served in a relaxed and exotic environment. With its live music and DJs, Suite is more than just a restaurant, and is now considered one of the hottest nightspots in Marbella.
Bulevar Príncipe Alfons von Hohenlohe s/n
29600 Marbella
Málaga
+34 952 820 900
Villa Tiberio
Owned and run by renowned restaurateur, Sandro Morelli, Villa Tiberio opened its doors in 1989. The villa is set in beautiful grounds and is the perfect location to enjoy the most exquisite Italian food in fabulous surroundings.
Ctra N-340 Km 178,5
29602 Marbella
Málaga
+34 952 771 799
Zozoï
This charming, rustic restaurant is one of Marbella’s hidden gems. Located in the heart of the Old Town, Zozoï offers interior dining as well as two outdoor courtyards for the spring and summer months. The perfect place to enjoy tasty food made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients in a wonderful atmosphere.
Plaza Altamirano 1
29601 Marbella
Málaga
+34 952 858 868
Bars
O’Grady’s Irish Tavern
If you’re looking for something other than Spanish music and tapas, then head to O’Grady’s Irish Tavern for some real Guinness and proper British food. This lively Irish pub also offers live music and a karaoke night once a week.
Second Line Puerto Banús
Marbella
Málaga
+34 952 817 736
Bar Seven
Seven is one of the most exclusive and elegant bars in Puerto Banús. It boasts a stylish Indian decor, an indoor terrace for up to 100 people, and a fabulous VIP area. With its friendly bar staff, superb music and the famous Seven go-go dancers, this is a real gem of a bar.
Avenida Julio Igelsias
Puerto Banús
29660 Marbella
Málaga
+34 696 566 036
Güey
One of the latest “in” venues in Marbella, Güey boasts an extensive wine cellar and a chill-out terrace where you can relax whilst listening to live music until the early hours.
Plaza de las Orquídeas 4
29660 Marbella
Málaga
+34 952 929 250
El Palique
Situated in the Old Town of Marbella, this cosy and comfortable bar is a typical Andalusian bar, the perfect place to enjoy a few cañas.
C/Ancha 3
29600 Marbella
Málaga
+34 952 774 063
Lounge Bar
The Lounge Bar is situated in Puerto Banús and boasts a fabulous outdoor terrace and an extensive cocktail and champagne menu. It even has its own specialist cocktail barman and is the ideal venue to get your night started.
Avenida de la Ribera
Puerto Banús
29660 Marbella
Málaga
+34 952 929 659
Nightclubs
Nikki Beach
Situated just 15 minutes from the centre of Marbella, this über trendy venue attracts the most glamorous, rich and famous clientele. It is the perfect place to spend a summer afternoon chilling out whilst listening to the coolest tunes and indulging in exquisite cuisine. Open 7 days a week, it is the perfect place to enjoy a great lunch or dinner with live music and the best beats of their resident DJ. On weekends the best party atmosphere is assured thanks to their wide calendar of events.
Playa Hotel Don Carlos
Ctra de Cádiz Km 192
29600 Marbella
Málaga
+34 952 836 239
Funky Buddha
Situated just off Marbella’s Golden Mile, home to the rich and famous, this London-style club attracts the coast’s ‘beautiful people’. It boasts a stylish decor with an Eastern influence, a large dance floor and lots of comfortable seating areas.
Camino de la Cruz s/n
29602 Marbella
Málaga
+34 672 702 085
TIBU
One of Marbella’s most exclusive venues, TIBU is located in the heart of the upmarket resort of Puerto Banús. With its large open-air terraces, stylish decor, gorgeous go-go dancers and glitzy interior, TIBU attracts a varied crowd ranging from young, trendy holidaymakers to stylish Marbella regulars. Resident DJs pump out funky beats in an electric atmosphere until 7am every day during the summer.
Plaza Antonio Banderas
Puerto Banús
29660 Marbella
Málaga
+34 952 810 918
Pangea
Situated in the heart of the exclusive Puerto Banús, Pangea is one of the most luxurious nightclubs in Marbella. It boasts a fabulous open-air roof terrace offering breathtaking views of the Mediterranean where international DJs spin all the latest beats while you can enjoy to-die-for cocktails.
Edificio Club del mar
Puerto Banús
29660 Marbella
Málaga
+34 952 908 336
Olivia Valere
Olivia Valere opened its doors in 1997 and has since been welcoming an exclusive clientele including Bruce Willis, Enrique Iglesias and Dolph Lundgren amongst others. The club boasts a beautiful Moorish-style decor, inspired by luxurious Arabian Palaces, and stunning outdoor courtyards as well as an exquisite restaurant.
Ctra de Istán Km 0,8
29600 Marbella
Málaga
+34 952 828 861
Events (from Jan 14)
The Starlite Festival
Starlite is a unique cultural event held in the summer bringing together fashion, film and art in a single outdoor venue, with artists from all over the world.
23 July – 23 August 2014
Feria de Sant Bernabé
The annual Feria de Sant Bernabé takes place every year in Marbella at the beginning of June in honour of the city’s patron saint, when numerous events are held throughout the city.
June 2014
Nikki Beach, the Grand Opening White Party
Situated just 15 minutes from the centre of Marbella, this trendy venue attracts the most glamorous, rich and famous clientele. It is the perfect place to spend a summer afternoon chilling out whilst listening to the coolest tunes and indulging in exquisite cuisine. At night, big name DJs pump out the very best in house and dance grooves until the early hours. The Grand Opening White Party is a nightlife legend In Europe and is seen as the official start of the summer season.
29 May 2014
Playa Hotel Don Carlos
Ctra de Cádiz Km 192
29600 Marbella
Málaga
+34 952 836 239
Ocean Club Marbella, Silver and White Official Opening Party
Famed as one of Europe’s largest beach-side venues, Ocean Club Marbella is set in 9000m² of luxurious surroundings located in the heart of Puerto Banús. Its amazing opening party is an event not to be missed.
2 May 2014
Avda Lola Flores s/n
29660 Puerto Banús
Marbella
Málaga
+34 952 908 137
Shopping Areas/Centres
La Canada
La Canada is the largest shopping centre on the Costa del Sol. There are over 150 shops with boutiques specialising in fashion, accessories and home furnishings, a huge Al Campo supermarket and plenty of parking space. It is more than just a shopping centre, offering many indoor activities for all the family as well as a multiplex cinema.
Ctra de Ojén s/n
29600 Marbella
Málaga
+34 952 860 142
www.parquecomercial-lacanada.com
Puerto Banús
Puerto Banús offers a wide range of exclusive boutiques from designers such as Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Versace and Louis Vuitton to fulfill the shopping needs of its wealthy visitors and residents. The port has grown over the years and it now includes a casino, shopping centre, marine observatory and cinema. For those with a pocket less deep there are retailers such as Zara, Massimo Dutti, Jack & Jones, and the ubiquitous department store El Corte Inglés.
Muelle Uno
Located in Málaga Port, Muelle Uno is not your average commercial centre with numerous shops, restaurants and bars bordering one side of the central orange tree-lined promenade and exclusive yachts flanking the other. This waterfront open-air shopping centre also offers a children’s play area making it an altogether pleasurable shopping experience.
Muelle 1
29001 Málaga
+34 952 003 942
Miramar Shopping Centre, Fuengirola
One of the largest shopping centres on the Costa del Sol, the Miramar Shopping Centre covers an area of 119,000m² and is home to 140 retail, business and leisure outlets including numerous designer shops and a huge supermarket measuring 8,000m². It also offers a children’s play area, a large multiplex cinema and free outside and underground parking for over 2,000 cars.
Avenida de la Encarnación s/n
2964 Fuengirola
Málaga
+34 952 198 195
Laguna Village, Estepona
This chic and stylish shopping centre is located in a beautiful setting. Offering ample parking, including valet parking and the pick up of clients arriving by boat, Laguna Village is home to 28 exclusive shops, and several sumptuous restaurants including the fashionable Puro Beach Restaurant.
A7 Km 159
29680 Estepona
Málaga
+34 952 798 172
Sports Centres/Activities
Puente Romano Tennis Club
Located in the heart of the Golden Mile in Marbella, the Puente Romano Tennis Club is one of the most important and professional clubs in Southern Europe. The club offers first class activities including a gym, activity room, massage room, sauna and Turkish bath as well as a children’s club.
Hotel Puente Romano
Bulevar Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe s/n
29602 Marbella
Málaga
+34 952 826 103
Santa María Polo Club, Sotogrande
The Santa María Polo Club is located in Sotogrande, one of the most prestigious resorts in Europe. The club has nine polo fields and a number of exercise tracks, as well as facilities and catering services to host any type of event.
Finca Los Pinos Ctra A7
(Dirección Málaga) Salida A133
11310 Sotogrande-San Roque
Cádiz
+34 956 610 012
Manolo Santana Raquets Club
Established in 1997 and run by a highly qualified staff, Manolo Santana Raquets Club is a family sports club that offers a great variety of sport and leisure activities for all the family.
Ctra de Istán Km 2
29600 Marbella
Málaga
+34 952 778 580
O2 Wellness Centre
Opened in 2005, this large and luxurious fitness and wellness centre boasts a state-of-the-art gym where you can enjoy breathtaking sea views while you train, a pool and spa area with a magnificent indoor swimming pool, and a calming ‘Zen’ beauty centre.
Centro Ocio y Deporte
Plaza del Mar
C/Camilo José Cela s/n
29600 Marbella
Málaga
+34 952 900 420
QI Gym
One of the hottest sports clubs in Marbella, QI Gym offers a variety of classes from traditional step and spinning classes to the latest trends such as Zumba. Professional instructors and personal trainers guarantee to motivate and inspire you whatever your level.
Urb La Alzambra
Edificio Vasaci Center
29600 Marbella
+34 952 907 090
Golf Clubs
Club de Golf Valderrama
The Club de Golf Valderrama is one of the best known golf clubs in Europe. Located in the resort of Sotogrande in the heart of Andalucia, it opened in 1974 and was initially known as Las Aves. The course was redesigned in 1984 by the original architect, Robert Trent Jones, and renamed Valderrama.
Avda Los Cortijos s/n
11310 Sotogrande
Cádiz
+34 956 791 200
Marbella Golf Country Club
Designed by the legendary Robert Trent Jones and located just 5 minutes’ drive from Marbella city centre, Marbella Golf Country Club provides one of the best and most challenging golfing experiences on the Costa del Sol. The club also offers a stylish restaurant, conference rooms, a golf academy with an excellent putting green and three tennis courts.
Ctra de Cádiz N-340 Km 188
29604 Marbella
+34 952 830 500
Flamingos Golf
This 18-hole course was designed by the renowned architect Antonio Garcia Garrido. It boasts a pristine landscape with lots of different varieties of trees and spectacular views of the Mediterranean Sea.
Villa Padierna Golf Club
Urb Los Flamingos Golf
Ctra de Cádiz Km 166
29679 Marbella
Málaga
+34 952 889 157
villapadiernagolfclub.com/campos/flamingos-golf
Los Naranjos Golf Club
Los Naranjos Golf Club is a typical Robert Trent Jones design with generous fairways and strategically placed bunkers and water hazards. Since the opening in 1977, Los Naranjos has been the host of several major competitions, including the Spanish Open, and is ranked one of the best golf courses in Spain.
Plaza Cibeles
29660 Marbella
Málaga
+34 952 812 428
Rio Real Golf Hotel
Designed by Javier Arana and opened in 1965, this magnificent 18-hole golf course is set in a beautiful sloping valley with challenging greens. Owned by the Rio Real Hotel Resort, it has its own country club and golf academy. Considered as one of the best golf courses in Marbella, it hosts prestigious tournaments and offers numerous holiday packages.
Urb Golf Rio Real
29603 Marbella
Málaga
+34 952 765 732
City Sights
Puerto Banús
Built in 1970 by Jose Banús, a local property developer, Puerto Banús is a luxury marina located 6km southwest of Marbella. Since then it has become one of the Mediterranean’s premier resorts attracting the rich and famous including numerous international celebrities.
Marbella Old Town
The Old Town of Marbella includes the ancient city walls and is composed of two historical areas, the Barrio Alto in the north and the Barrio Nuevo in the east. Its network of cobbled streets, simple whitewashed houses and plethora of cafés, restaurants and bars make it a pleasure to explore. At the heart of the Old Town is the Plaza de los Naranjos which is home to the Ermita de Santiago (Chapel of Santiago), the oldest religious building in the city, which dates back to the 15th Century.
Museo del Bonsai
Created by Miguel Angel García, the Museo del Bonsai houses a magnificent collection of over 300 beautiful miniature trees, considered one of the best in Europe.
Avenida Doctor Maíz Viñals s/n
29601 Marbella
Málaga
+34 952 862 926
Selwo Aventura
Selwo Aventura is an animal, nature and adventure park, located in Estepona. This enormous park measures 1,000 hectares and is home to more than 2,000 animals including elephants, tigers, giraffes, white rhinoceros and lions who are free to roam in conditions similar to those of their natural habitat. The park also offers a variety of adventure activities such as the longest zipwire in Europe, camel rides or the Path of the Hanging Bridges and there is even a lodge if you fancy an overnight stay.
Autovía A7 Km 162,5
29680 Estepona
Málaga
+34 902 190 482
Rio Verde Roman Villa
Located a stone’s throw from Puerto Banús, the ruins of the Rio Verde Roman Villa were discovered in 1960 when a Carthaginian bronze coin was found. They have been dated back to the 1st Century and boast impressive, perfectly preserved Roman mosaic floors depicting culinary and religious imagery.
C/Río
29602 Marbella
Málaga
+34 952 781 360