Marbella Centre

Marbella is famously known globally as a lavish and magnificent place to visit and live. Located just 45 minutes from Malaga Airport, Marbella is a popular tourist destination for many each year. The reason so many people are attracted to come here is because of the extensive and diverse mix of people that choose to work and live here. This makes Marbella a truly International jewel in the heart of Andalucia.

Brimming with culture, there is so much to do and see you are literally spoilt for choice. From the emerald green backdrop of the mountains to the constantly changing blue of the sea, everything in between consists of a mix of Spanish and European culture, from the museums, to the food, to the architecture and to the actual demographics.

Due to its well-established business infrastructure, Marbella has grown into a centre for professionals and business tycoons who find that Marbella has everything to offer them and their business needs.

On the entertainment side, you will find no shortage of restaurants – many of them Michelin star quality, with such a diverse selection of gastronomy your only problem will be deciding which one to choose. For beach lovers, you can pick from any area along the shoreline that is full of activity and water sports. Here you will find seafood restaurants aplenty, especially in the Fishing Port, where the quality and price of the food cannot be beaten.

Also on the beach is the Paseo Maritimo, a lovely marble pathway that stretches 7 kilometers all the way to Puerto Banus. Here you will pass runners and cyclists who take advantage of the long straight stretch with the beautiful scenery. If you are going for a stroll you can stop at one of the many cafes or bars to enjoy the views whilst you enjoy refreshments or lunch.

Puerto Banus

Situated to the West of Marbella, Puerto Banus is visited by around 5 million people each year, and is officially named as Puerto Jose Banus, after the architect who designed the town. This cosmopolitan zone of Marbella is known as the Costa del Sol’s playground for the rich and famous, who are attracted by the glamour, beaches, nightlife and shopping.

If you take a walk down to the port you can see this wealth reflected in the shops, cars and luxury yachts moored here. Famed as being one of the most luxurious marinas in the world with space for almost a 1,000 boats, it is home to some of the most opulent yachts you will come across, owned by some of the world´s wealthiest people including the King of Saudi Arabia.

In summer, the pavements are full of holidaymakers and clubbers who want to experience a little of what Puerto Banus has to offer….expensive restaurants, exclusive clubs and swanky boutiques. Whether its beach clubs, restaurants, shops, beauty services or just a nice bar to drink in you will find it all here in Puerto Banus.

Puerto Banús is home to three beaches: Playa Nueva Andalucia, Playa Puerto Banus (or Playa de Levante) and Playa del Rio Verde. These beaches are all very different from each other so there is a beach to suit everyone and Playa Nueva Andalucia and Playa del Rio Verde have both been awarded a blue flag by the European Union for their excellent facilities and high standards of cleanliness.

Golden Mile

The Golden Mile is the expanse of area the stretches from Marbella town to Puerto Banus. Well known for its exclusivity, it is home to many wealthy inhabitants including the King of Saudi Arabia who built his palace here.

Along the Golden Mile are many Business Centres, elite hotels, golf courses and other business services. There are also a number of Home Décor/Interior Design companies as well as top restaurants and popular cafes.

On the beach side, are situated the Marbella Club Hotel and the Puente Romano Hotel where you will find exceptional restaurants, art galleries and shops. These hotels are also home to many local events and exhibitions.

Nueva Andalucia

Nueva Andalucia is located behind Puerto Banus going inland. It is made up of many residential urbanisations. It is well planned and very attractive as well as being extremely well maintained, and the architecture is styled upon traditional Andalucian design.

This area is also growing its gastronomy scene with many esteemed restaurants that have opened up in competition with the standards set in Marbella and Puerto Banus. There is a wide range of cuisine to choose from, as well as many bars and cafes.

Nueva Andalucia is also host to many established businesses, many of who are based in the commercial centre Centro Plaza, which is a mine of activity and also includes many restaurants and bars.

San Pedro de Alcantara

San Pedro de Alcántara was once an ancient farming community, and a big producer of sugar cane. It is located only 10 minutes from the glitz of Marbella, 5 minutes from Puerto Banus and a very short distance to the stunning Sierra de Ronda Mountains. Situated more to the west of Marbella you will find more Spanish authenticity here and is more unspoilt than other areas on the Costa Del Sol.

Not renowned for being flash or having crazy nightlife, San Pedro has a more relaxed pace of life. Much investment has been poured into San Pedro recently improving the road system and building a new boulevard, which is host to many new restaurants.

The centre is packed full of businesses, restaurants and shops and has a unique character that is contributed to by the lovely Plaza de la Iglesia with its big parish church and surrounding maze of narrow streets.

The beach side also has many trendy beach clubs and several excellent chiringuitos specializing in seafood. An event not be missed in San Pedro is the the last summer fair (feria) in Andalucia being in the second week in October.

Guadalmina

Guadalmina beach is 1,600 meters long and 30 meters wide and belongs to the adjacent towns of San Pedro Alcántara (Marbella) and Estepona. In 1992 the beach was awarded a blue flag thanks to the excellent quality of its water. There is a lot of history in the area and many things to see and do. Lying within a protected archaeological site are some third-century AD Roman ruins known as Las Bóvedas, which are located in Guadalmina´s unique surroundings.

Approximately 26,500 people reside in San Pedro de Alcántara and Guadalmina, many of them being young professional couples opting to live in this affluent part of Marbella that reflects more of the regional culture of Southern Spain.

There are four schools of exceptional standards in and around Guadalmina and the local Commercial Centre has a great supply of amenities such as Banks, supermarkets, restaurants, cafes and shops.

Cancelada

Cancelada is a few minutes drive away from the natural beauty of the Sierra de Ronda mountain range and only 15 minutes drive from Estepona. It is a relatively unspoilt area with its own unique appeal, and only a hop away from San Pedro. The village of Cancelada offers of a great local school, and a nice choice of restaurants, cafes and shops. You also have a small weekly market, and it is only a short drive to the local beach.

Benahavis

Benahavis is a charming mountain village situated between Marbella, Estepona, and Ronda. With around 2,000 residents, it is located 7 kilometers inland and at a height of 500 metres above sea level. It is a goldmine of gastronomy with many restaurants and bars, supporting a mainly Spanish style, in keeping with the village itself.

Benahavis is also host to a good many of the Costa del Sol´s golf courses actually having more in this area than any other along the coast, making this place extremely popular amongst golf lovers. And with over 300 sunny days here, that’s a lots of golf that can be played.

There are 3 rivers in this area – Guadalmina, Guadaiza and Guadalmanza, which run through the beautiful mountains of the Serrania de Ronda. There are also many areas of natural and historic interest to be found here such as the Montymayor Castle, which was built on top of the tallest mountain in the area. Those brave enough to walk to the top can feast upon the amazing views of the surrounding areas.

Estepona

Estepona is located 25 kilometres from Marbella Centre and 75 kilometres from Malaga airport. Home to almost 40,000 residents this town is rapidly expanding to become a popular destination for tourists who prefer a more ´Spanish´ experience than what is available in Marbella. Estepona offers a more relaxed pace, often preferred by families looking for somewhere a bit more quiet than the busy nightlife in neighbouring Puerto Banus. Here you can find traditional Andalucian architecture and style in the medieval centre, with its maze of narrow streets and white washed walls that reflect the sun and show off the beautiful flowers hanging over the residents´ balconies.

With 17 beaches stretching along 21 kilometres, you are spoilt for choice, and with many beaches boasting a blue flag award you can take advantage of all the activities on offer.

Like Marbella, the port in Estepona consists of two halves, the fishing port, and the boating marina where it is possible to charter a boat or book to go on one of the many excursions available. The marina is also a great place to go and let your hair down in one of the many bars there. Alternatively you could sample some of the freshly caught wares in one of the numerous restaurants in the fishing port.

Torre Real

At Torre Real, you can find the wonderful El Pinillo Beach. At more than 1.5 kilometers long, this very attractive beach features large areas of natural sand dunes.

Torre Real is a small area just to the West of Marbella town, popular all year round with families and golfers alike. Lying just next to it is Rio Real Golf Course, which is open all year round for visitors paying green fees. There are so many activities to do in the area, and the water sports make it a popular place to come in summer for those who want a bit less of the hustle and bustle in Marbella.

Los Monteros

Located to the East of Marbella just outside of the main town lies Los Monteros, an exclusive area well sought after by those looking for a quiet place to reside. Next to a beautiful stretch of beach, this area is well known amongst Golf lovers as it is situated on the famous Golf Mile. Although Los Monteros is made up of two areas – Bahia de Marbella and Altos de Marbella, most people consider it to be the same area.

El Rosario

El Rosario is predominantly a residential area with many beautiful private villas, town houses and apartments. Located midway between Marbella and Calahonda, this tranquil urbanization has its own Tennis Club, schools, bars, restaurants and beauty salons. El Rosario is not known for its rowdy nightlife but even so there are several beach bars and restaurants that are open until late if you want to enjoy a few drinks in the evening, and busier Elviria is only a 3 minute taxi journey away.

Elviria

Elviria is a seaside residential haven. A thriving community, complete with Town Hall, church, post office and schools this location is a hub of activity. Many people find Elviria an ideal place to live as its only 8 minutes from Marbella and only 30 minutes from Malaga Airport.

This lively area is full of bars and family friendly restaurants, which maintain an atmosphere all year round, even in the quiet season. The Commercial Centre also contains many small businesses which help make up this self contained community, and there is an Organic fruit and vegetable market on the first Saturday of every month.

The fine sandy beaches are also full of beach bars and chiringuitos selling cold beer, a great range of cocktails and delicious food, with fresh seafood being the main attraction.

Las Chapas

Las Chapas is a small residential and beach urbanisation situated on the Costa del Sol. Situated between Fuengirola and Marbella, it is an ideal location for families who want to enjoy a beach holiday, but would also like to explore the local coastline. Surrounded by beautiful pine forests, in a quiet area, it is ideal for family holidays, sportsmen and all those who are attracted to nature.

Only 15 minutes away from the centre of Marbella, and close to the lively Elviria, Las Chapas is also close to the Golf Course of Santa Maria. The beautiful clean beach of Las Chapas is another link in the long chain of great swimming areas that join together all the zones of Marbella.

Cabopino

Cabopino is located on the eastern side of Marbella. This lovely beach resort is very small which gives it an air of exclusivity. The wide expanse of beautiful clean beach is backed by sand dunes, which have been preserved as an area of natural habitat. The port is quite small but very popular and is packed with lively bars and restaurants, which make it a favorite tourist destination especially for families. Cabopino is also loved by golfers who enjoy the lush surrounding golf courses.

Calahonda

Sitio de Calahonda is the largest property development you will find between Marbella and Fuengirola. Actually part of La Cala de Mijas this development has grown hugely over recent years. Located between Fuengirola and Marbella, Calahonda’s boundary is actually the divide between the boundaries of Marbella and Mijas Costa.

The small Commercial Centre is actually the start of a large area of urbanisations and golf courses. The main area of Calahonda, has many restaurants and shops, with the best options for shopping, dining and entertainment, located in the El Zoco commercial centre in Calahonda.  Very popular with ex pats, this busy community has a large number of businesses including dentists, medical centers, hairdressers, bars, vets and restaurants.

Although the beach is small it is very clean and has a very popular beach club called Royal Beach, which offers great food and a fun beach vibe in summer.

Riviera

Covering a small zone west of La Cala and near Marbella, this peaceful and attractive area of the coast has plenty of appeal. Riviera Plaza Commercial Centre has become a social and commercial heart of this area with many shops, cafes, restaurants and businesses.

Riviera´s beach is usually more relaxed and less crowded than the surrounding beaches. The popular venue of Max Beach is a great place to spend the evening offering fantastic cuisine in a beautiful setting. A short distance towards La Cala you will find El Oceano, a well established Hotel and Spa which has a gorgeous seafront restaurant with creative gastronomy and lovely wines.

La Cala de Mijas

At the heart of the Costa del Sol on Mijas Costa, and only a short distance from Marbella and Fuengirola, La Cala de Mijas or ´The Cove of Mijas´ was once an old fishing pueblo and has a beautiful charm about it. Unspoiled by mass tourism with golden sandy beaches and every sporting activity you can bring to mind, it is also a hub of business activity. You will find estate agents, here that are very professional and able to look after you in many different languages and banks, doctors, lawyers, dentists equal to those in any part of Europe. La Cala has grown considerably in recent years and is now a thriving self-sufficient community.