Vacation in Marbella! City, beach, vacation home, golf club and beach – Travel tips

In this guide to holidays in Marbella, you will learn a lot about the city, from how to get from Marbella Airport to Mijas, to the best beach clubs in the city. Naturally, there are also insider tips, such as Juan’s restaurant, where every evening a real opera is sung! The special, from a waitress and a chef. Naturally, there is also a small special on golf and the best golf courses in Marbella. After all, this is what the Costa del Sol region is famous for. We show you the most exclusive places to live, such as the “Golden Mile” in the center. Here you will find magnificent villas under the palms with XXL pools! You will also get to know Puerto Banús, with its exclusive boutiques Burberry and Louis Vuitton and the numerous yachts moored here. Welcome to Marbella, Europe’s Miami.

Marbella: city, location and weather on the Costa del Sol

If you ask me about Marbella, there is only one sensible answer:

Marbella is Europe’s Miami!

A pleasant climate all year round, lots of sunshine, right on the Mediterranean Sea, and all this just a few hours’ flight from European capitals such as Berlin, Stockholm, and Rome. In fact, many Italians are here in Marbella, as well as Swedes and Germans. One reason for this, for example, is the countless, large and green golf courses. Just as much as the “old town” of Marbella, the kilometers of beaches and the Spanish attitude to life. Discover what it means in this Marbella guide for your first holiday.

Location: South-east Spain, almost Gibraltar

Marbella is located in Spain, more precisely on the south-eastern coast, just before the southernmost point of Europe.

Before starting, a piece of Marbella, from above!

By car from the airport: 40 minutes to the marina

Marbella itself, like the other coastal cities (Malaga, Mijas), extends along the beach and the coast. When driving from Malaga airport to Marbella, the transitions between the cities and districts are barely noticeable.

Malaga, Mijos, Marbella: Route

The trip from the airport to the center of Marbella takes about 40 to 45 minutes by car.

Motorway, speed limit and coastline

You can drive up to 120 km/h on the motorway. In fact, you often slow down even more, as the road runs right along the coast. The view is attractive, especially if you’re coming from the northern regions of Europe.

As you drive, to your right are the residential areas and behind them the mountains. More precisely, the Sierra Blanca. The mountain range runs along the coast, through Istán, Ojén, Marbella and Monda. One particular mountain stands out later in Marbella, the Mushel peak, which is 1,215 meters high.

In Marbella they say that the mountain retains the heat from the interior, even the clouds! Hence the good climate, the bag of sunshine, but more on that in the “Climate and Weather” section of Marbella.

To the right there are the mountains and to the left the Mediterranean Sea is always visible. With good visibility, you can even see the African coast from here. Gibraltar (the southernmost point of Europe, just a few kilometers from Africa) is only 30 minutes by car.

So Marbella is different from the typical European city. It is not located in a central position, but, typical of coastal cities, it stretches along the sea. As a result, it is more likely to travel by car than by bicycle or on foot.

Along the entire route from the airport to Marbella, there is a lot of greenery with palm trees, golf courses and residential complexes with holiday homes and villas. Everything has a typically Spanish appearance. Here, properties are mainly used by the owners for their holidays, and when the occupants are not present, the houses and villas are rented out to tourists. The further you go into Marbella, the more the neighborhoods become exclusive, especially if you look towards the mountains.

This is how many people spend their autumn and winter in Marbella. Then, when it gets cold and rainy in the rest of Europe! Why? Because the climate is always pleasant in Marbella.

Climate: Weather and temperatures in Marbella

Temperature – Due to its southern location with sea air and heat from the interior, a warm, not just warm, climate has established itself here. Palms grow in this location and the oranges on the trees are ready to be harvested in December. Indeed, in December!

Pure Mediterranean climate.

All of this, in Europe.

Plants and fruits: Green all year round

Also here, Marbella reminds a lot of Miami, the palms grow up to 20, 30 meters in height. Orange harvest in December, palms and fruit all year round – this is what everyone dreams of when thinking about holidays and relaxation.

During the day, the city is relatively protected from the more extreme heat of the interior by the high mountains.

Houses built into the ground – Just 30, 40 km further inland, for example, there is a region where houses are traditionally built into the ground! From above, you only see a small door, the rest of the house is underground and therefore always cooled. As I said, in Marbella such extreme heat, for example above 35, 36 degrees, is rather rare.

At the same time, a fresh breeze blows in from the sea, especially in the evening, so that even after hot days, it is not uncomfortably hot in the evening. The Mediterranean Sea provides the balance.

Clear and starry sky through mountain and sea air

At the same time, mountain protection ensures that few clouds pass over Marbella, even at night. Marbella is not a big city like Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, or other European cities like Paris and London. The starry sky over the sea sparkles like in few places in Europe.

Desalination of seawater and irrigation – clouds, rain, all of these are very rare in Marbella. If you’re wondering why there is so much greenery here, most of the land is permanently irrigated. Marbella, and Spain as a whole, are among the most successful countries when it comes to seawater desalination. This allows them to create a lot of greenery despite the hot temperatures and all the sun. Hence the almost unique golf courses in the region, with almost always good weather.

The moment between sunset and the starry sky:

Weather in Marbella: today + temperatures

Here’s a quick look at the current situation in Marbella:

Marbella city: historic center, villas and Starbucks

The center of Marbella consists of many small neighborhoods. However, the city itself seems larger than it actually is, due to its extension along the coast.

Downtown and historic center

Old Town of Marbella – One of the most important places is probably Marbella’s “Old Town.” The name says it all – this is how one imagines a Spanish old town. Many small restaurants, small boutiques, little plazas, orange trees, and even small attractions, for example, a wall with hundreds of blue flower pots (ideal for Instagram). Here in the historic center you’ll find the real Marbella. Further ahead in the tips, we also recommend a restaurant where a piece of art surprises you every evening.

During the day, you’ll find relatively few people in the city center due to the high temperatures, especially in the summer months! After all, there’s hardly ever a bit of breeze in the alleys of the city center. But in the evening, the historic center of Marbella comes alive!

The “big meal” here doesn’t start at 6 or 7 in the evening. It starts with a few drinks around 8 or 9 pm, then the tapas arrive, and only late in the evening, around 10, 11 pm or even midnight, comes the real dinner, the main course.

Shopping: Shopping and tips

Puerto Banús – Another important place, especially for the first visit, is Puerto Banús. At Puerto Banús you will find large yachts, sailboats and also a lot of shopping opportunities. But it’s not cheap here, because everything is on Gucci, Louis Vuitton or luxury brands like Hermés.

Position in Marbella:

Google rating: 4.4 / 5.0 with 1,660 reviews

To the left and right of the Puerto Banús port extend the beaches and large hotels. In addition, there are beach bars and many other ways to spend time here.

Golden Mile: Villa District in the center

Just a few minutes by car and you’re on the Golden Mile. The Golden Mile is the most exclusive area, at least in the center of Marbella. Here you’ll find large, elegant villas. As a result, many streets are closed off by barriers.

The Golden Mile is located above the main road (in yellow on the map) and covers a large area. The higher you go up the mountains, the larger the villas and estates become.

Apart from that, you’ll find everything you need. From daily shopping and markets like Lidl and Aldi, to small shops on the streets, to large shopping centers with Starbucks and Wendy’s, so even American stores that you won’t find in the city. It’s this variety that makes Marbella special. With only 141,500 inhabitants. Here you can find everything, just like Gucci, Louis Vuitton & Co. in Puerto Banús.

Beach and shopping in Marbella

For many people, a holiday in Marbella means above all: relaxing, going to the beach and finally having time for shopping!

Beaches in Marbella: almost 100% sand

Se passi le tue vacanze a Marbella, sei fortunato, perché qui troverai quasi esclusivamente sabbia! Proprio sul Mar Mediterraneo, non lontano da Gibilterra, la punta più meridionale d’Europa, si può avere una sensazione di spiaggia pura. Da tutto il viaggio attraverso Malaga e Mijas, a Marbella e fino alla prossima città è Estepona.

Cioè, dove si va in spiaggia non ha molta importanza! Si può trovare della bella sabbia ovunque.

Per quanto riguarda lo spazio, è meglio cercare una spiaggia fuori dal centro della città. Naturalmente, è qui che si trova la maggior parte dei turisti, e naturalmente anche la gente del posto. Ecco perché molti indirizzi molto buoni, come Nikki Beach, non sono situati al centro della città, ma a qualche chilometro fuori dalla grande folla turistica.

Toplist: Le migliori spiagge di Marbella

Cosa dice la comunità su Google? Migliaia hanno lasciato recensioni, queste sono le migliori spiagge:

1. Playa del Alicate
2. Playa Nagüeles
3. Spiaggia di Cabopino
4. Spiaggia di Puerto Banus
5. Spiaggia di Artola
6. … and many more!

On the beach in Cabopino:

Shopping:

Believe me, you have so many shopping options in Marbella! From large shopping centers, where you’ll also find many international stores, from Starbucks to Wendy’s, to many small shopping streets and naturally many small boutiques in the “Old-Town”.

If you want an exclusive shopping experience, you have to go to Puerto Banús, where you can find luxury brands from all over the world, from Louis Vuitton to Burberry and Hermès. My first stop was at Louis Vuitton, in fact we even came out with a pair of shoes. Why not! In line with our almost daily visits to big beach clubs, here at a local level. Always with a yes, you can enjoy the good life.

You will find the Louis Vuitton store and many other luxury brands:

Villas and holiday homes: Real Estate

In Marbella, there are practically all types of real estate. So to speak, from rental apartments to exclusive mountain design villas.

Villas: Golden Mile

If you can afford it, you can live very exclusively in Marbella! On one hand, there’s the “Golden Mile,” meaning the entire area that runs from the Golden Mile up to the mountain slopes. Here you will find villa after villa. The higher up in the mountains, the more exclusive the location. Even more exclusive than in the Golden Mile, it becomes a bit more inland. Here there are small settlements where the super-rich live. Again, they live somewhat secluded, so they are not directly accessible to everyone from the city. In addition to the isolation, security also plays an important role for these real estate buyers.

If you want to see the expensive villas of Marbella, take the coastal road, which becomes the main street of Marbella, and head towards the mountains. You can start, for example, in the “Golden Mile”. It is important to note, however, that you cannot explore the area on foot.

Tip: it is better to organize a good quality car. After all, you will have to pass through some checkpoints where you don’t want to draw attention. You can find the map and location above, in the “City” section.

Vacation home: beach location

In Marbella, however, you will also find many holiday homes, especially in the beach areas, to the left and right of the city. As already described in the introduction, Marbella extends across the entire coastal area and the settlements are correspondingly spread out, with both small and large holiday homes.

They are often owned by owners who rent them out as holiday homes for many months. In this way, you can enjoy the luxury of Marbella all by yourself, for example during the cold autumn and winter months in Europe. In spring and summer, the holiday homes are then rented out to tourists.

A good deal! Because, as a rule, you pay 20% commission to the local administrators. So, if the house costs 1,000 euros per month, regardless of whether it is rented out or the loan is paid off, you can still make 3,000 euros per month (minus 20%, 600 euros), leaving you with 1,400 euros per month after renting out or paying off the loan!

• Reading tip: buy a property as an investment and first apartment

Properties for golfers

Marbella is Europe’s Miami. There are more than 100 golf courses in the surrounding area, all within an hour’s drive. Only in Marbella will you find about 20 golf courses and golf clubs. The golf courses in Marbella are very popular! That’s why business is booming and at the same time more and more properties are being designed directly on the golf courses. So, very popular, and also very special, are the various properties that are built directly on or around the golf courses!

The big advantage for all golf enthusiasts is that the golf club is just a few minutes walk away. For example, directly through your own garden, past your own pool. You’re already at the first hole. Very practical for everyone who plays golf as a hobby and sport. The membership is included in these properties, so you can start playing immediately.

Whether as a permanent residence or as a temporary property that is rented out when not in use, there are many houses and villas here, especially for golf enthusiasts. The big advantage is that the way to the golf course is not far, often it leads only through your own garden, past the pool.

Golf in Marbella: number 1 in Europe

Apart from the city and the beaches, and naturally the Mediterranean climate, Miami had something in particular to offer: golf courses! That’s why the name “Miami of Europe” is so appropriate.

Tips: Los Naranjos Golf Club

A good tip for golfers is, for example, the “Los Naranjos” golf course. “Naranjo” is the Spanish word for “orange tree”, “Naranja” means “orange”. The golf course is named after the extremely large number of orange trees in the area. The golf course is managed by Swedes. There are many of them in Marbella! In addition to the vast and lush greenery, you will also find a great culinary offering with international cuisine here. Los Naranjos is definitely worth a visit, not only for golf, but also for the delicious food.

The best golf clubs in Marbella

Marbella is not only a dream destination for holidaymakers seeking sea and sun, but also for golfers! The city offers several exclusive golf courses in the city center and surrounding areas, with varied courses for passionate golfers or a shooting ranch for beginners and novices. We have selected some of the most popular and highly rated golf courses for you and present them here. Whether it’s a large golf course with an associated restaurant and hotel offering full service or a secluded and quiet golf course with a sea view: Marbella has the right golf course for every golfer!

Other top recommendations for Marbella can be found here:

• Marbella Golf Course

Restaurants and beach clubs: good life

Here are 3 more tips: 2 beach clubs and 1 characteristic restaurant in the historic center of Marbella!

Why 2 beach clubs? If you want to enjoy the good life in Marbella, you absolutely must visit the beach clubs or restaurants. On one hand, this is where you can meet your friends to end the day, and on the other, you can decide for yourself whether to enjoy a delicious meal, take a dive in the sea, or go straight to the pool. Relax on a sunbed with cocktails and snacks.

Just 10 minutes from the historic center, right in the middle of the beach:

Nikki Beach: Las Chapas

Nikki Beach Club – Outside the city center, you’ll find Nikki Beach Club in Las Chapas (Marbella). Right on the beach, extremely welcoming with fantastic and elegant food. Trendy? Yes! Only sushi, but read more here! Our recommendation for those who want beach club, food and drinks that are extremely tasty.

• Nikki Beach Marbella

Are you right in the city center? Then you should check out this beach club:

Ocean Club: in town

Beach Club XL – Right in the center of the city, between the hotels and shopping streets, you’ll find the Ocean Club, directly on the beach! The best location, everything in white, an XXL pool, live DJ, dancers… there’s nothing more to it. The reviews online are top-notch, the community on Google gives it almost 5 stars out of 5. A sufficient reason to visit one of Marbella’s recommendations, the Ocean Club.

• Ocean Club Marbella

Expert tip: Juan! Restaurant with spontaneous art

Here’s an insider tip I know only through good friends! In the heart of the city (Old Town), you’ll find the restaurant Juan’s. Every evening, in a completely surprising way, under the palms, in the inner courtyard of the restaurant, something unexpected happens during the meal: An opera! Performed by a real married couple who work respectively in the kitchen and service. Both are classically trained opera singers and when Juan heard about it, he found it so fascinating that there’s now a small live show every evening.

Not in fine suits, just in the typical clothing of the kitchen and service. The performance lasts from 10 to 15 minutes and includes two or three songs, with a special charm, during the night in Marbella.

El Patio De Mariscal – Calle Virgen de los Dolores, 3, 29601 Marbella

Tip: Nearby there’s a beautiful church “Templo de Dios” hidden in the alleys.

Discovering Marbella

The beautiful historic center, kilometers of beaches, villas on the Golden Mile and beyond the city, and number 1 in Europe when it comes to golf courses. This is Marbella!