Marbella is one of the most cosmopolitan corners of the Costa del Sol, which allows you to enjoy a sophisticated getaway.
The best areas to stay in Marbella
Marbella is one of the paradises of the province of Malaga, where the sun shines an average of 320 days a year, making it a destination that receives visitors every month of the calendar.
It also has one of the most famous and luxurious ports in the world, Puerto Banus; exclusive urbanizations and a high concentration of luxury shops.
Thus, Nueva Andalucía, Puerto Banús, Elviria or Nikki Beach have a good hotel offer, but are the most expensive areas to stay in Marbella. To find cheaper accommodation you must go to the charming town of San Pedro de Alcántara.
1.Downtown Marbella
Between the old town and the sea lies the centre of Marbella, one of the most cosmopolitan areas of the city, with its many green spaces, ideal for relaxation, such as the Alameda Park or the Constitution Park, which has a small astronomical observatory and a children\’s playground.
Not far from here is the “Avenue of the Sea”, embellished by the bronze sculptures designed by Salvador Dalí, the port and the lighthouse, with a good range of shops, bars and restaurants where you can enjoy fresh seafood or sardine skewers with views of the sea.
Nearby are the most notable urban beaches, such as Venus, Bajadilla or La Fontanilla, and access to the hiking trails that lead to Sierra Blanca.
The centre is one of the favourite areas to stay in Marbella for those who want to combine the enjoyment of the beach with cultural activities or a visit to the old town.
ACCOMMODATION IN THE CENTER OF MARBELLA
2.Old town
The old part of the city comprises the high quarter and the new quarter and is also close to the city centre.It is surrounded by the remains of the old Arab walls, crowned by the medieval castle and organized around the Orange Square.
This square has beautiful buildings such as the Town Hall, the Casa del Corregidor or the Hermitage of Santiago, the oldest religious temple in Marbella, and other interesting buildings such as the Baroque church of Santa María de la Encarnación, the chapel of San Juan de Dios or the Hermitage of Santo Cristo de la Vera Cruz.
This part also includes the engraving museum, which focuses on contemporary Spanish art, with special attention to the world of original graphic work; as well as an endless number of bars and terraces with a lot of animation.
It is an excellent area to stay in Marbella, as it allows you to enter the history and the authentic essence of the city, as well as to sleep among the most valuable architectural treasures.The offer of accommodation is quite extensive, whose prices vary depending on the season, but it is possible to stay in a 4 star hotel for about 55 euros per night.
ACCOMMODATION IN THE OLD TOWN HALL
3.Nueva Andalucía
This sybarite district is located between San Pedro de Alcántara and Marbella West.It includes Puerto Banús, the luxurious marina of Marbella, and the Golden Mile, which covers five kilometres and includes the most exclusive villas, apartments, hotels and shops.
It is also dotted with tourist apartments with a traditional Andalusian appearance and a good number of golf courses, making it one of the most acclaimed districts of Marbella.It also has the Duke’s beach, one of the most popular in Marbella.
Those who want to combine the enjoyment of the sea with cultural activities can visit the Roman era villa of Rio Verde, which still has many original rooms from that time, or the botanical garden of the Angel.
It is a neighborhood that should be taken into consideration when sleeping in Marbella those who seek exclusive areas or combine the enjoyment of the beach with golf.There is a wide range of hotels, many of which are located on the first line of the beach.
The prices are high, increasing even more in the summer, so it is not an area for small budgets.Thus, a 4 star hotel does not cost less than 110 euros per night.
ACCOMMODATION IN NEW ANDALUSIA
4.Puerto Banús
This nautical enclave is located in the Nueva Andalucía district, about six kilometres from the centre of Marbella and facing the sea. Built in the 70s, it has become one of the most important tourist centres in the world.In fact, it has been declared of National Tourist Interest and has been awarded the Gold Medal for Tourist Merit.
It is a luxurious area, where everything shines, and where the super luxurious boats, the high range cars, the most exclusive shops -they say that it is the area that agglutinates more luxury shops per square meter- and the millionaires’ houses decorate its corners.
With such characteristics, it is not surprising that the most assiduous are travellers with a high purchasing power, who also give a great animation to the area.In fact, at sunset many exclusive parties are held, in which glamour and champagne are the real protagonists.
The offer of restaurants is enormous, as well as that of bars, pubs and discos, which allow you to live the night in Marbella with all the intensity.
This is the area chosen to stay in Marbella by the most refined travellers who want to enjoy services that are not available to everyone or a stylish nightlife.
The range of accommodation on offer is interesting, although luxury hotels predominate.In fact, it is the fifth most expensive port in Europe. A 3-star hotel costs an average of 80 euros per night.
ACCOMMODATION IN PUERTO BANÚS
5.Elviria
This town is about six kilometres from the centre of Marbella, facing the sea.Quiet and with an evocative seafaring environment, it is surrounded by beaches that are quieter than those closest to Marbella, as well as a good range of bars, restaurants, shops, golf and tennis courses, making it extremely attractive to more and more travellers.
As an added advantage, it is only 45 km away from the Malaga-Costa del Sol airport, being an excellent option for travellers arriving by plane.In addition, the prices are expensive, rising more during the summer. A hotel of 4 stars costs around 110 euros – 120 euros.
ACCOMMODATION IN ELVIRIA
6.Nikki Beach
This beach, located near Elviria, is one of the most exclusive beaches in Marbella.It has even been selected on several occasions as one of the ten best beaches in the world. It is presided over by a luxurious and prestigious beach club, which organises very select parties and offers extremely exclusive services.
With such characteristics, it has become the favorite destination of the jet set, as well as a number of celebrities who choose it for a golden retreat.
Your club shares a stretch of beach with your luxury resort, giving you the opportunity to enjoy the sea with all the possible luxuries, with a glass of champagne, on exclusive deckchairs and even enjoying a show of acrobats or fakirs.
In this area you will find a very reduced and very expensive hotel offer.
FIND ACCOMMODATION IN NIKKI BEACH
We recommend you in addition to this article about the best areas where to stay in Marbella these others about other Andalusian cities: Where to stay in Seville, where to stay in Granada, where to stay in Malaga
7.Guadalmina
This residential area is located between San Pedro de Alcántara and Marbella and is divided into two well-defined areas: Guadalmina Alta, which extends over the northern side of the mountain, and Guadalmina Baja, next to the beach.In between there is a huge golf course, which acts as a powerful magnet for lovers of this sport.A good example of this is the numerous luxury villas, exclusive apartments and incredible mansions hidden away in the countryside.
To access services and enjoy leisure time, you must go to the neighbouring town of San Pedro de Alcántara, which has everything you need to enjoy a day.One may also choose Marbella, which is some ten minutes away by car.
The offer of hotels is not too extensive. There are some luxury resorts and hotels, as well as a few holiday apartments.As expected, prices are high, much more so during the summer season. Thus, a 4-star hotel with a view of the sea does not cost less than 130 euros per night.
ACCOMMODATION IN GUADALMINA
8.San Pedro de Alcántara
This charming town is about 15 km from the centre of Marbella, dotted with a succession of warm Mediterranean beaches and sheltered by several mountain ranges, which give it a beautiful landscape.It was born to give shelter to those who worked in the nearby cotton and sugar cane plantations, but today it is an extremely busy enclave.
Despite the fame of Puerto Banús, it has managed to carve out a niche for itself and not only does it retain the essence of the past, but it also has a number of attractions, such as the Roman temples of the Bóvedas, the church of San Pedro de Alcántara, the alcohol plant of San Pedro and the Paleochristian basilica of Vega del Mar.
However, its beaches are the reason why many travellers choose the coastal town to stay in Marbella. The fine dark sand, warm waters and quiet atmosphere are an excellent alternative to enjoy the sea and waves in tranquillity.
San Pedro de Alcántara is a destination far from the luxury that prevails in other Marbella enclaves and, therefore, with a more authentic atmosphere.
What is the best area to stay in Marbella?
If you want to spend a few days in the town of Malaga, the best option is to stay in one of the many hotels that line the promenade of Marbella , closer to the historic center of the city.In addition to first class hotel establishments, the pleasant Marbella promenade concentrates an endless number of restaurants, bars and souvenir and craft shops where you can buy souvenirs of this coastal town.
The extensive promenade is a succession of beaches that will delight the visitor and from there you can go on foot to visit the old part of the Andalusian city, whose origins date back to the Roman period, although it still has traces of the Muslim domination.The Alcazaba, the Plaza de los Naranjos, presided over by the Town Hall, or the old Bazán Hospital are some of the points of interest in a city that has kept its legacy almost intact and which has been chosen by many famous people from Spain and abroad as a holiday destination.
If you want a luxury and exclusive stay we have prepared a selection of the best luxury hotels in Marbella to make your stay on the Costa del Sol unforgettable.
If you are interested in knowing where to stay in Marbella , you may also be interested in knowing where to stay in Madrid, where to stay in Barcelona, where to stay in Valencia and where to stay in Seville.
The promenade and the old town of Marbella
The promenade of Marbella
The long promenade maritime of Marbella is a succession of beaches that center the interest of the majority of the visitors. between them meets Bounty Beach, one from the plus cool from the location, Beach of River Real or the exclusive Beach Nagüeles, located in the Mile of Gold of Marbella, whose water crystalline and sand clean make that is the place chosen by many travellers who seek the excellence during your stay in the Coast of the Sun.
In addition to idyllic beaches and exclusive locations, the promenade, which starts at the fishing port and ends beyond the well-known Don Pepe Hotel, is an ideal place to walk, cycle or rollerblade, as it is pedestrianised and can be enjoyed in this way.
If we follow the promenade south of the city, towards the town of San Pedro Alcántara, we arrive at Puerto Banús, a luxury marina, the most exclusive area on the Costa del Sol, reserved for only a few.It is worth taking a walk through this glamorous area where the most exclusive fashion shops, the most chic nightlife venues and the most spectacular yachts on the Andalusian coast reign, and where the Puerto Banús Boulevard of Fame is also located, paying tribute to personalities who have promoted Marbella nationally or internationally through their professional dedication, such as Julio Iglesias or Tita Cervera.
The Old Town of Marbella
Al margin del glamour and the sophistication you have made famous to Marbella, the town Malaga is a city full of history and their streets and buildings retain the footprint different civilizations that passed by her. The hull old, located in the interior the city, in parallel to walk sea, houses remains historical from large value from the time Roman, as various capitals one of the towers of the alcazaba.
Even so, nowadays, the historical centre of Marbella is the consequence of the establishment and evolution of a Muslim settlement from the 12th century onwards.Declared an Asset of Cultural Interest, this 10th century stone castle served as a defence for the city and occupies a prominent position in it, 30 metres above sea level.
The Church of the Incarnation, a Catholic temple from the 16th-17th centuries built over the old mosque of the city after the Catholic Kings reconquered Marbella, is another emblematic building of Marbella’s past.The main entrance to this temple is made of ochre stone and was built later, in the 18th century, and its Rococo style is noteworthy.
The Santo Cristo square is also a typical example of Andalusian construction, with a main façade made of exposed stone and the rest finished in lime.Built in the second half of the 16th century as part of the old Franciscan Convent, this church is the oldest sanctuary in the city and a local pilgrimage site.
And the Plaza de los Naranjos, the nerve centre of the city, is the place with the most activity and the meeting point where people go to have a drink, dinner or take a picture (the statue of King Juan Carlos is one of the most striking ones).
This square, in the centre of which there is a Renaissance fountain, is home to the Town Hall, the Ermita de Santiago, the city’s religious building from the 15th century, and the Casa del Corregidor, a stately building constructed in 1552 that stands out for its stone façade emblazoned with a viewpoint with three arches that combines Gothic and Renaissance elements and whose roof is in the Mudejar style.A few steps from this square is another symbolic building of Marbella, the Bazán Hospital, home to the Museum of Contemporary Spanish Engraving since 1989.
