Admit it, which of us has never dreamed of living on the warm sea coast, at a picturesque and prestigious resort like the Spanish Marbella, enjoying the Mediterranean gentle climate and the privacy of an own luxury villa every day? Or maybe it conjures up mountain landscapes in the backdrop of the blue sea and spectacular views opening from your own penthouse? Today we will tell you about the best neighborhoods of Marbella, ideal for buying property and comfortable living in a relaxed Spanish style.
Real estate in Marbella has consistently demonstrated the high status of its owner, and houses and villas purchased in such trendy districts as the Golden Mile or La Zagaleta are universally considered a sign of exceptional prosperity.
To choose a desirable location in Marbella for the purchase of real estate, first you should have clear criteria of this purchase (rental, year-round or holiday residence, etc.), as well as take into account the amenities and services nearby that are important to you personally: beach clubs, golf courses, horse riding centers, marinas, private schools, etc.
In Marbella, you can choose any type of housing – from a spacious villa with a private pool to a cozy apartment with magnificent sea views – the important thing is to get our priorities right. By the way, according to the portal idealista.com, the average price per m2 in Marbella is 4526€.
So let’s not waste time and leave right now to explore the surroundings of Marbella, so that the purchase of the desired property met your highest expectations for this incredible resort.
Residential areas of Marbella: Milla de Oro («Golden Mile»)
The Golden Mile area is located between the Old Town of Marbella and the marina of Puerto Banus. It got its «shining» name due to the fact that many rich houses and exclusive villas have been built on its territory, surrounded by luxury shops and 5* hotels (Marbella Club Hotels, Puente Romano, etc.).
Next to the Golden Mile residential area there is a spacious beach of Nagüeles (Playa de Nagüeles), and the neighborhood itself is characterized by quiet parks, modern apartments on the beach and large houses surrounded by green gardens. Among the exclusive residential complexes of the Golden Mile, it is worth noting Marina Mariola or Puente Romano, located directly opposite the beach and the beautiful promenade. Close to them there are excellent restaurants, for example, Cappuccino Marbella with Mediterranean and European cuisine or Tahini Sushi Bar & Restaurant with Japanese and Asian cuisine. This neighborhood is chosen for living by wealthy people from all over the world, and the property here is characterized by large size, high comfort and a privileged location.
Residential areas of Marbella: Sierra Blanca («White Mountains»)
The Sierra Blanca area lies in the heart of the Golden Mile, at walking distance from the heart of the city and just steps away from the beach. The Sierra Blanca urbanization got its name from the snow-white mountain peaks located behind it, which securely protect surroundings from strong winds in winter and give a pleasant coolness in the summer heat.
The infrastructure is represented by a whole range of luxury boutiques, 5* hotels, exclusive real estate, trendy cafes, as well as excellent restaurants like Bibo Andalusian Brasserie & Tapas Dani Garcia with Spanish and Mediterranean cuisine.
Also, it is home to Swans International School – one of the oldest schools in Marbella, so this is a really great location for families with children!
The Sierra Blanca can boast convenient transport links: it is easy to get to the main neighborhoods of Marbella, and the popular Old Town and Puerto Banus are a short drive away.
As for real estate, according to the portal idealista.com, the average cost of housing in the Nagüeles-Milla de Oro area is 6031 €/m2.
Residential areas of Marbella: Puerto Banús («Marina Banus»)
We earlier wrote in detail about Puerto Banus – the port area, which is considered a real pearl for local and international tourism. Here you can see impressive private yachts moored in the port, as well as the most luxurious beach clubs, fine restaurants and many designer shops.
Economic development in this area started in 1970 under the direction of construction magnate Jose Banus. What began as just a small Mediterranean-style village with a picturesque marina for fishing boats and shops, over time turned into a first-class resort, which is now gladly visited by international celebrities, politicians and members of royal families. The developed infrastructure of this area offers casinos, a variety of restaurants around the lively yacht marina, high fashion boutiques and popular world brands in the Banus Marina Mall.
Like the previous districts, Puerto Banus has one of the highest prices per square meter in the entire Marbella. According to the portal idealista.com, the average cost of property in Nueva Andalucía area, to which the Puerto Banus zone belongs, is 5691 €/m2. No wonder Puerto Banus is called «the place where luxury begins»!
Residential areas of Marbella: Aloha Golf
This charming neighborhood, also located in Nueva Andalucía, is just a 10-minute drive from Puerto Banus. As its name says, this place is primarily perfect for golf lovers, but also families with children will appreciate the safety and peaceful atmosphere of this area, as well as the proximity to good international schools.
This quarter has a developed infrastructure and is famous all around the world for its golf courses «Aloha Golf Club» and «Las Brisas». For those who choose a permanent housing for their family here, it will be useful to learn about Aloha College – one of the best educational institution on the Costa del Sol.
Residential areas of Marbella: Los Naranjos («Orange Trees»)
Situated just a few minutes from Aloha Golf, the Los Naranjos quarter is also called «the Valley of Golf». The main attractions here are beautiful residential complexes with rich internal infrastructure, spacious private villas, an abundance of lush green surroundings and an unique Mediterranean lifestyle around.
In Los Naranjos, you can choose between living in a traditional white house, covered with flowers, in a charming Andalusian style; an ultra-modern villa with a private pool; spacious apartments and a penthouse with perfect views of the golf courses.
Schools, supermarkets and shops, as well as rental of paddle and golf equipment and the courses themselves – the infrastructure of Los Naranjos has taken care of everything you need to live in this wonderful place! In the last decade, the Nueva Andalucia area experienced the best increase of demand and currently this is one of the most promising places to live on the Costa del Sol.
Residential areas of Marbella: Los Monteros (“Jaegers”)
Located on the eastern side of Marbella, this residential area is known for its beautiful sandy beaches, country mansions and villas, as well as wellness centres and golf clubs.
The history of these places began with the Los Monteros Hotel, a luxury 5*establishment that was built here in 1962. After this event, the neighborhood started to develop rapidly, this was facilitated by the construction of new residential complexes and villas and the arrangement of golf courses.
Today it is a great location to live in: start your day with a healthy walk along the eponymous Los Monteros beach with its numerous bars and chiringuitos, visit the exclusive Trocadero Arena Beach Club with its stunning restaurant on the beach – life here is like a fairy tale!
For families with school-age children, there is one more big advantage – the proximity of the International English College. Among popular golf courses of Los Monteros are the Santa Clara and Marbella Golf clubs.
How about a new apartment next to a golf course in Los Monteros? Or maybe do you choose a luxury penthouse with a stunning view of the green surroundings?
According to the portal idealista.com, the average cost of housing in the Rio Real-Los Monteros is 4440 €/m2.
Residential areas of Marbella: Guadalmina
This neighborhood can offer its guests and residents lots of fun such as golf classes and beach holidays. It is home to one of the best golf courses in all of Andalusia – the Guadalmina Golf Club, located close to other golf courses.
The name «Guadalmina» is derived from the name of the local river that flows through this territory. Guadalmina consists of two parts: the neighborhoods of Guadalmina Baja and Guadalmina Alta, and the A-7 highway is between them.
Guadalmina Baja is a popular beach area with many restaurants, beach clubs, hotels and luxury apartments. Guadalmina Alta is famous, in turn, for its golf courses and a more measured lifestyle in spacious villas and cozy townhouses.
Guadalmina is a good choice for families with school-age children, there is a famous international school San José in close proximity.
If most of the housing in Guadalmina Baja is a combination of apartments and penthouses, then Guadalmina Alta is ideal for lovers of golf and a more relaxed lifestyle, but at the same time close to the main neighborhoods of Marbella.
Residential areas of Marbella: Los Flamingos
This place is rather a suburb of Marbella, located in the direction of Estepona. Los Flamingos is a quiet residential area surrounded by three golf courses and magnificent natural landscapes. In good weather there opens a good view to another continent – Africa.
Los Flamingos attracts tourists by the famous golf club Villa Padierna, which territory includes a hotel recognized as one of the best in Marbella and on the Costa del Sol. Here you can enjoy relaxing treatments at the spa or order a gourmet dinner at its charming restaurant.
So, golf courses, beautiful nature, a luxury hotel with wellness treatments and a fine restaurant – what else do you need for a lucky holiday?
Residential areas of Marbella: Elviria
Elviria is a modern developed neighborhood on the eastern side of Marbella. It combines beaches with snow-white sand, many restaurants, beach clubs and well-groomed golf courses. Elviria is a very successful choice, in our opinion, and an ideal place for both families and friends to relax.
Located just a 10-minute drive from the center of Marbella, Elviria is in demand at property buyers due to its proximity to beach areas, golf courses, international schools and a wide selection of cafes and restaurants. All this is just a few minutes from your new home here!
Various city events are often arranged in this neighborhood and life pulsates all around! For nice holidays, choose one of the beaches of Elviria – Las Chapas or El Rosario, enjoy the incendiary nightlife or sport activities .
According to the portal idealista.com, the average cost of property in the Elviria-Cabopino area is 3389 €/m2, and in Las Chapas-El Rosario – 4382 €/m2.
Residential areas of Marbella: La Zagaleta (La Zagaleta)
And for dessert, we could not but but introduce you to the most exclusive and fashionable neighborhood, a recreation area for billionaires, politicians and celebrities, a mega-luxury resort that has one of the highest prices per square meter in all of Spain – welcome to La Zagaleta!
This suburb of Marbella is located 20 km away from it and was once the hunting estate of a famous billionaire, an weapons dealer from Saudi Arabia, who was considered the richest man in the world with his fortune of $ 4 billion, and his name was Adnan Khashoggi.
La Zagaleta is a short drive from Marbella and Puerto Banus. This prestigious estate with luxury infrastructure attracts rich people from all over the world. However, to buy real estate here, it is not enough simply to have the fabulous sums on your account – you need to be approved as a neighbor by other residents of this luxury neighborhood.
To become the owner of real estate in La Zagaleta, you need to pay from a million euros for a plot, and the most expensive of them have a cost of up to six million. If you want to buy an already completed house, the cost of such a purchase can be as high as fifty million euros! The regular cost of houses for sale varies here from four to sixteen million.
According to the idealista.com, the average price of a property in La Zagaleta is about 10 million euros. This is even more than the cost of palaces and mansions in the hyped Barcelona, the second most expensive place to live in Spain.
La Zagaleta is not only one of the most expensive, but also the safest residential neighborhoods in all of Europe. The territory has its own golf course, a horse riding club and sports facilities intended only for residents of the complex and their family members. High privacy and boundless luxury are the essential characteristics of housing in La Zagaleta!
Superstars such as Hollywood actor Hugh Grant and British musician Rod Stewart have acquired real estate here, and football player Cristiano Ronaldo chose this place to relax with his family, renting exclusive housing worth 40.000 euros per month!
There is rumour that Russian President Vladimir Putin also owns real estate here, and Ukrainian journalists of the program «Схема», a joint project of « Радіо Свобода» and the «UA: Перший» channel are saying that former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has a magnificent two-storey villa in La Zagaleta, covering 1.729 m2! This ownership was carried out through affiliated companies, but, nevertheless, aroused considerable interest from the Russian and Ukrainian press.
How do you like this neighborhood, would you like to live next to presidents, Hollywood stars and heads of large international corporations in La Zagaleta or would have preferred another neighborhood of Marbella?
