WHAT is Marbella?

Picture this: a place with endless sunshine, where the life slows down and wellbeing is at the heart. Welcome to Marbella!

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Marbella is Everything

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Sandy beaches and impressive mountain landscape. Magical sunsets and breathtaking views. Ancient monuments and urban life. Exclusive luxury and traditional culture. Glitzy social life and peaceful sun lounges. Family life and working nomads’ paradise. Loud friendliness and quiet privacy. Local flavours and international cuisine. Rounds of golf and tennis matches. Extravagant yachts and local fishing boats. Lavish mansions and typical Andalusian neighbourhoods. Marbella is joy and forever more.
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Marbella is Near

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Situated on the Mediterranean Sea, between Málaga and the Strait of Gibraltar, in the foothills of Sierra Blanca, Marbella belongs to the province of Málaga, in Andalucía. It is surrounded by the beautiful municipalities of Istán, Ojén, Benahavís, Estepona and Mijas with the Mediterranean Sea to the south. With a privileged position, it enjoys spectacular views of the sea and mountains from almost every part of the city because of the proximity of the mountains to the coast.

Marbella is also exceptionally well connected and within reach of many other areas to explore on day trips, from the white villages to cities like Ronda, Málaga, or Sevilla. It is located only 40 mins drive to Málaga Airport, one of the main airports in all of Europe, with direct flights to 156 destinations including New York, Montreal, Moscow, or Doha. Also, a car, train or ferry will take you within a few hours to Portugal, Madrid, or Morocco.

Marbella is Always 

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With 320 days of sun, Marbella is an all-year-round destination. Not only that it enjoys glorious summers making the most of beach days, dinners al fresco and nautical sports but winters are mild, setting the perfect spot for golf lovers, tennis competitions, mountain trekking, picnics in the woodland and much more. When the sun is out, everything just seems easier. Life is still life… but brighter and sunnier here in Marbella

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Marbella is its People

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In a place with more than 140 nationalities and where everyone comes together, it is not surprising to spot celebrities walking through Marbella seafront or eating out in the Old Town. Michael Jordan, Noval Djokovic, Eva Longoria, Hugh Grant, Lenny Kravitz, Lionel Richie, or Erling Haaland, are some of the VIP visitors who have enjoyed Marbella.

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Before them, Hollywood celebrities and Europe Royal Elite, including Audrey Hepburn, Cary Grant, Sean Connery or Prince Rainier of Monaco and his wife Grace Kelly, began to make Marbella their preferred holiday destination.

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However, Marbella is much more than the “rich and famous” and the fascinating culture melt. It is also the immense heart and soul of its (local) people. People born and bred locally, are never plain or boring. Cheerful, friendly, generous, laidback, and always welcoming any new comers who want to discover this special place.

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Moreover, Marbella is not just about the high life. Against the backdrop of luxury hotels, mega mansions, and glamourous visitors, this is a destination with plenty to offer everyone: family-run restaurants with authentic local flavours, tasty tapas bars where the locals go, walks around the pebble stoned alleys of Marbella Old Town, great art showcasing giant Dalí sculptures or the year-round calendar of cultural events are some of the budget-friendly or often even free options.

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Marbella is History

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The first settlement on the present site of Marbella was founded by the Phoenicians in the 7th century BC. From then on, a rich array of civilizations has come and left behind remarkable examples of art, architecture, language, and customs. Carthaginians in Río Real, Romans and their Roman Bridge on the grounds of Hotel Puente Romano (hence the name) and Byzantines and its Basílica Vega del Mar, in San Pedro Alcántara. Later, the Islamic influence with the Arabs, left the city with the Moorish defensive walls in Marbella Old Town and the name of Marbella after a derivation of the Arabic Marbal·la. The Catholic Monarchs marked the design of Plaza de Los Naranjos and some other historical buildings that surround it. In the 19^th century, Marbella was a mining town, then it turned to agriculture and finally opted for tourism as its most important economic drive.

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The early decades of the 20th century brought the building of the first hotels. But it was not until Ricardo Soriano moved to Marbella, when he popularised the city among his rich and famous friends, that the development of tourism in Marbella began. In 1954, his nephew, Prince Alfonso of Hohenlohe, opened the Marbella Club, an international resort aimed at movie stars, business executives and aristocratic families. This transformed Marbella into a destination for the international jet set, taking the first steps towards the Marbella we know today with the development of the Golden Mile and Puerto Banús in the 1960s. During the decades of 70s, 80s and 90s, Marbella was the cradle of luxury and glamour with Hollywood stars, European aristocratic families, Arabs fortunes and multimillionaire business personalities spending their summer holidays in Marbella.

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The beginning of the 2000s brought a few years of tumultuous times and Marbella was often in the papers for its political turmoil and chaotic building construction. However, Marbella managed to resurface like the legend of the Phoenix and be crowned Best European Destination in 2024 by Forbes. As such, we are now seeing: Marbella being internationally acclaimed as a symbol of quality and excellence; luxury hotels attracting selected visitors once again; mid-range hotels offering a great selection of services and experiences; savvy investors having their eyes on residence and hotel opportunities; more and more high-end brands landing solo or partnering with local brands and establishments; an emphasis on privacy and "quiet luxury” with La Zagaleta as a prime example; the blossoming of Marbella Golden Triangle (Marbella, Estepona, Benahavís); and the increase of residential tourism.  

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The end of the global pandemic was another important moment in the history of Marbella as a premium destination, opening a whole new world of possibilities. Not only did Costa del Sol experience a property market boom, but Marbella especially was confirmed as a luxury destination as digital nomads and relocating families began to value more than ever their qualily of life. 

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Marbella is Unique

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Marbella was a fisherman village that has grown into a top destination but it still retains the essence and tradition of a quiet coastal village. The original sun, sea, and sand destination is also home to tradition, laid back way of life and diverse landscape. 

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More than just a luxury destination, Marbella is authentic. This genuine feeling is infused everywhere around the city. Local festivities and fairs throughout the year, great variety of fresh food and dishes, plenty of choices to choose from, open friendship, “everything can wait” vibes, long lunches and chats around the table, a day on the beach in December and local artisanal craft are some of the examples of how Marbella has kept genuine and loyal to its roots whilst undergoing a huge transformation.

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Marbella is absolutely the place to be, a unique part of the world with endless possibilities and opportunities. What are you waiting for? Come and discover it now!

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