Marbella is a cosmopolitan haven bathing in the south of Spain with over 320 days of sunshine by the warm Mediterranean Sea. Its inhabitants, a multicultural mix of Marbellis and Europeans mainly the British, Germans, French, Scandinavians and Russians live together in harmony. To be fair there are people from all four corners of the world that have chosen Marbella to make it their home. 

Marbella is not just a city or a whitewashed seaside village; it is a region in the Province of Malaga that extends from Guadalmina Alta to the west to Cabo Pino to the east. This five-star destination, known for its world-class tourism, celebrity visitors, Michelin star restaurants, luxury yachts and shopping, has got a wealth of choice in terms of location and style of living. Marbella is divided into various neighbourhoods, each with its distinct personality. Depending on your personality, there is a neighbourhood in Marbella which is more fitting for you and your interests. So the first thing to consider is location. 

Guadalmina 

Guadalmina is just west of San Pedro de Alcantara and includes two urbanisations: Guadalmina Baja and Guadalmina Alta. Originally Guadalmina was populated by the wealthy Madrilenos who own many of the beautiful villas and mansions in this area as a holiday home. It became known as one of the private areas for the wealthy looking to enjoy a luxury life under the sun and by the sea, without the hassle of glitz and glamour of Puerto Banus. Aznar, Spain’s late Prime Minister, has a home in Gudalmina, which he enjoys with his family away from the public eye. 

San Pedro de Alcantara

San Pedro de Alcantara is located west of the town of Marbella heading towards Estepona. The old town of San Pedro is charming. Keeping with tradition this whitewashed district of Marbella has a lovely authentic Spanish feel. Down from the town centre are Nueva Alcantara and the beachside promenade. This area boasts a lovely combination of lush villas, new and old apartments and some delicious restaurants and speciality shops.  

San Pedro’s Boulevard is a brand new section of the area with parks, outdoor theatres, restaurants and fun-filled activities for the entire family. 

The main street in the town centre is a pedestrian street full of shops, cafes, tapas bar and restaurants to suit all nationalities and tastes. 

Puerto Banus and Nueva Andalucia

What used to be the go-to destination for the rich and famous has become much more accessible in recent years. Puerto Banus is home to excellent shopping, including designer brands such as Louis Vuitton as well as the high street to favourites such as Mango and Zara. The leisure port also offers a wide range of restaurants and terraces with spectacular views of luxury yachts moored within the port, sensational cars and views to the Mediterranean, Gibraltar and the African coastline. 

Nueva Andalucia, also known as the golf valley, is a popular residential location, a stone’s throw from Puerto Banus, nestled in picturesque tropical gardens, surrounded by some of Europe’s top fairways. 

The Golden Mile

Located by the seaside, right between Puerto Banus and the town of Marbella Town is la “Milla de Oro” (Golden Mile), a majestic boulevard lined with palm trees and home to two of the most prestigious hotels on the Costa del Sol, the Marbella Club Hotel and the Puente Romano Hotel. This is a very prestigious address boasting some of the regions most spectacular mansions. 

Marbella – The Town

The quintessential old town (casco antiguo) is simply beautiful. It never ceases to charm, with its narrow, cobbled streets and beautiful squares surrounded by delicious restaurants and terraces. 

The centre’s main street is filled with stores and restaurants lined up one after the idea. By the beach, Marbella has a long promenade always busy with locals and tourists enjoying the sun and relaxed way of life. To the west, the noise dies down and the commercial streets open out to residential streets with gated apartment urbanisations.

The main residential area of Marbella is behind the old town. The neighbourhoods of Albarizas, Miraflores, El Mirador, are mostly lived by Spanish locals. 

East of Marbella

Between Marbella Town and the start of the municipality of Mijas, lies the east end of Marbella. The beaches here are some of the best on the western Costa del Sol, and you’ll find this area to be ideal if you want to be close to Marbella and enjoy an out of town lifestyle amidst picturesque, tropical surroundings. 

There are several urbanisations that make-up this area: Torre Real, Rio Real, Los Monteros, El Rosario, Elviria, Las Chapas and Cabopino. The area is a melting pot of nationalities, including some of the most renown international schools – The English International College and the German International College. This area is very popular with families and offers both living by the seaside or the mountainside in villas, mansions or beautiful apartments. You are most definitely spoilt for choice. 

Real Estate in Marbella

Real estate in Marbella is close to being one of the most expensive in Spain and certainly the most expensive in the entire Costa del Sol. It’s glamorous reputation and its popularity as a luxury holiday resort area makes for a higher price per square metre than is the case in other parts of the Costa del Sol. 

The region of Marbella is also quite diverse in terms of the per square metre and the type of property is endless. Marbella offers absolutely everything under the sun. The difficulty is not in lack of choice but rather being spoilt with choice. Which do I want? 

A good start is to figure out your budget. From there, I would make a list of the top priorities and with these two as a base, to begin with, you can then start your search for the perfect home. Zoom in on whether you want to be by the sea, near or in a city centre, or frontline golf or by the mountainside. Then narrow your search down to the type of property you are looking for and the number of bedrooms. Are you looking for an apartment in a private urbanisation with a community pool? Perhaps you would prefer a private villa, with a private garden, a pool and next to the Mediterranean sea. The choice is endless. Knowing your budget and sticking to your priorities will help narrow your search.  

To provide you with a guideline of what to expect to pay for your home in Marbella – 

• a 2-bedroom apartment starts at €295,000 and can go over €1million, depending on the type of development, the location, amenities and specs. 
• a 3-bedroom townhouse or semi-detached home starts at €375,000 and, 
• a private, 3-bedroom villa starts at €695,000 and the sky is the limit. 

These numbers can vary but they provide you with a good idea of what to expect. To rent a property on a long-term basis, a 2-bedroom apartment starts at €950/ month and you usually need to make a two months upfront deposit plus the first month rent. 

Education

Marbella has got a wonderful choice of reputable, international schools. The reason being, it is such a multi-cultural environment, that the region has had to adjust to providing education in multiple languages. Many of these schools are private and I would advise you to check the fees, as they do come at a hefty price. Education is available following the British curriculum, the German curriculum and the Spanish curriculum. 

Local, public schools are Spanish, however many offer a bilingual integrated education combining Spanish and English as the two main languages and as well a third language. Many choose French, German or Chinese as their third language. The public system is available to all Spanish residents and is free.

These are just a few things you may want to consider before packing your bags and moving the entire family to a new country. It is also a good idea to come and visit the area, meet with an agent who specialises in this area and can help advise and guide you accordingly. Not just with finding the home of your dreams, but as well with all of the legal formalities involved in becoming a resident in Spain. The agent should be able to point you in the right direction and help you connect with professionals who can assist you from beginning to end.