By Laura Kemp • 20 February 2022 • 15:58
Credit: big-ashb
The buzzing city and resort area of Marbella has the Sierra Blanca Mountains as its backdrop and 17 miles of stunning sandy beaches including the popular San Pedro de Alcantara, golf courses and villas for those thinking of moving to the Costa del Sol.
So, you’re thinking of moving to Marbella, but where do you go for all that essential information on the types of property on offer, the best schools and the restaurants with the best vibe?
To make moving to Marbella a bit easier, the Euro Weekly News has put together this handy guide to everything you need to know before heading over.
Contents
Marbella is a city and resort area on southern Spain’s Costa del Sol and is part of the Andalucia region.
The closest airport to Marbella is Malaga Airport just 32 miles away and hosting regular national and international flights every day.
With plenty of sunshine hours in the day, the climate in Marbella is warm and temperate, with the hottest month being August and the coldest month being January.
Marbella is known to have its own micro-climate, making it one of the most popular destinations on the Costa del Sol for expats moving to Spain.
Puerto Banus is one of the most popular places to visit in Marbella. With its beautiful marina full of yachts, a long list of luxury boutiques and shops and lots of restaurants and bars, Puerto Banus is also very popular with celebrities.
The nightlife in Puerto Banus is also the best in Marbella, with several of the most popular beach clubs including Ocean Club, Funky Buddha and La Sala by the Sea.
Nueva Andalucia is a popular development with an excellent choice of properties. Many of the villas are front-line golf positions and boast exceptional mountain or sea views.
Known as Golf Valley, Nueva Andalucia has excellent sporting facilities as well as amenities such as restaurants, bars and one of the largest international schools in Marbella.
Known as San Pedro for short, this small town in between Marbella and Estepona has a beautiful seafront and lots of amenities such as health centres, schools and sports facilities.
San Pedro also has several sought after developments including Guadalmina and Linda Vista.
Our top pick Mibro International Properties Mibro International Properties, featured on the hit TV show A Place in the Sun in 2018, isn’t your typical estate agency. Founded by ‘Lancashire lass’ Zoe Dyer – an agent with over 20 years experience in the property market on the Costa del Sol – the agency’s friendly team share Zoe’s goal of finding the perfect property for you with a relaxed and no-nonsense approach. Covering the areas between Sotogrande to Mijas, Mibro International aims to save you the hassle of trawling through property websites and dealing with many agents they do the work for you while offering you much needed advice on buying property on the Costa del Sol, with a good knowledge of all aspects of living on the Costa del Sol they can also offer advice on Schools, Doctors, Work Possibilities, Lawyers, and much much more. A trusted agency that has built their business through word of mouth having previously had an office in Puerto Banus, the team at Mibro International is small, straight-talking and skilled in sourcing the right property for their clients. They also offer a full aftercare service with full Management available, and also anything from small DIY jobs to a full reform with their sister company Mibro Builders. To find out more about the properties available and to speak to one of the team, get in touch with Mibro International Properties on: +34 670 069 623 or +34 952 908 823. To find out more visit the website: www.mibrointernational.com also available on WhatsApp and Facebook. Sponsored
Our top pick
Mibro International Properties, featured on the hit TV show A Place in the Sun in 2018, isn’t your typical estate agency.
Founded by ‘Lancashire lass’ Zoe Dyer – an agent with over 20 years experience in the property market on the Costa del Sol – the agency’s friendly team share Zoe’s goal of finding the perfect property for you with a relaxed and no-nonsense approach.
Covering the areas between Sotogrande to Mijas, Mibro International aims to save you the hassle of trawling through property websites and dealing with many agents they do the work for you while offering you much needed advice on buying property on the Costa del Sol, with a good knowledge of all aspects of living on the Costa del Sol they can also offer advice on Schools, Doctors, Work Possibilities, Lawyers, and much much more.
A trusted agency that has built their business through word of mouth having previously had an office in Puerto Banus, the team at Mibro International is small, straight-talking and skilled in sourcing the right property for their clients. They also offer a full aftercare service with full Management available, and also anything from small DIY jobs to a full reform with their sister company Mibro Builders.
To find out more about the properties available and to speak to one of the team, get in touch with Mibro International Properties on: +34 670 069 623 or +34 952 908 823.
To find out more visit the website: www.mibrointernational.com also available on WhatsApp and Facebook.
Our top pick Currencies Direct When transferring money overseas to purchase a property, choosing the right currency provider can make a huge difference to the amount you finally receive. Currencies Direct offer excellent exchange rates, award-winning service, and a range of tools to help you get the most out of your transfers. With Currencies Direct, you’ll also never pay transfer fees or receiving charges in Spanish banks, potentially saving you thousands of euros. They have 18 branches spread across Spain, so you can pop in and speak to a friendly currency expert face to face. Alternatively, you can transfer funds quickly and easily online, over the phone or using their app. Website: Click here Facebook: Click here Sponsored
When transferring money overseas to purchase a property, choosing the right currency provider can make a huge difference to the amount you finally receive. Currencies Direct offer excellent exchange rates, award-winning service, and a range of tools to help you get the most out of your transfers.
With Currencies Direct, you’ll also never pay transfer fees or receiving charges in Spanish banks, potentially saving you thousands of euros.
They have 18 branches spread across Spain, so you can pop in and speak to a friendly currency expert face to face. Alternatively, you can transfer funds quickly and easily online, over the phone or using their app.
Website: Click here
Facebook: Click here
There’s plenty to do when living in Marbella, from playing golf, wandering the beautiful old town and soaking up the sun on the beaches to visiting some of the most prestigious nightclubs and bars.
Marbella’s old town is full of romance with winding narrow streets, Renaissance-era whitewashed buildings, balconies draped with flowers, orange trees and lots of restaurants, bars and shops – perfect for a stroll and immersing yourself in the Spanish atmosphere.
One of the best-known nautical tourist destinations in the world, with beautiful views and a wide variety of amazing restaurants and bars, Puerto Banus Marina is perfect for soaking up the Mediterranean sun while watching the incredible yachts pull in.
The Costa del Sol is extremely popular for golf and Andalucia is one of Europe’s foremost golfing destinations with over 100 courses. Marbella is one of the main hotspots for time on the tee featuring Los Naranjos, Marbella Gold Club and La Quinta, to name a few.
The ultimate in luxury, a visit to a casino should definitely be on the cards! Marbella has three casinos with Casino Marbella coming up top. Casino Marbella is a boutique Casino with more than 3,500 m2, discover an exceptional range of leisure and entertainment including slot machines, sports betting areas by Sportium, American Roulette, Black Jack, different types of poker and a VIP Lounge.
Marbella is home to over 18 miles of Blue Flag beaches offering a variety of ambiences, from the coolest in the centre to VIP ones such as Nikki Beach Restaurant and Beach Club.
When the sun gets too hot, this newly refurbished shopping centre is a great way to cool down and look around the variety of high street shops. This multilevel shopping centre features shops selling clothing, shoes, accessories & more.
A must-see in Marbella, Avenida del Mar offers a rare opportunity to enjoy the famous sculptures of Salvador Dali. Close to several other attractions in Marbella and linking with the Paseo Maritimo, Avenida del Mar is the perfect place for a stroll or to sit and people watch.
When living in Marbella, the local food market is the best place to immerse yourself in the culture, see what the locals eat and pick up some of the freshest produce.
This ancient farming community known for sugar cane is located just six miles from the glitz and glamour of Marbella city and its narrow streets are packed with shops and history.
This terrain boasts spectacular views of Marbella and you can follow the old water supply dating back to before Roman times. Once at the top, you are on an apex of around twenty metres square, with an iron cross crowning it and an incredible 360-degree view over the sea and the mountains with eagles flying below your feet.
For great European and Italian food with a buzzing atmosphere, Da Bruno is a firm favourite in Marbella for residents and visitors.
Open: 1pm until 11pm, closed on Tuesdays
Address: Camping Cabopino, Cabopino, 29600
Booking: 952 83 19 18
Price: €€ – €€€
For fresh Italian food including a range of pasta and pizzas, Pasticcio Pizza & PastaBar is the best place to go in Marbella.
Open: 1:15pm until 3:45pm and 7:15 until 10pm, closed Sundays and Mondays
Address: Calle 19 Centro Comercial Guadalmina, Local 5, 29670
Booking: 952 71 59 31
Price: €€-€€€
If healthy Hawaiian poke bowls are more your thing, Wabi Sabi Marbella offers the freshest dishes with vegan and vegetarian options.
Open: 12:30pm until 10:30pm
Address: Av Antonio Belon 26, Local 10, 29602
Booking: 951 47 26 83
Rib Shack Marbella feels like an American backyard BBQ with your friends, a laidback vibe with masses of perfectly succulent meat.
Open: 12:30pm until 4pm and 7:30pm until 10pm, 12:30pm until 4pm on Sundays, closed on Mondays
Address: Avenida del Duque de Ahumada 16 Edificio Eden Rock 1, Local 9, 29602
Booking: 605 33 05 10
Price: €
For Middle Eastern healthy street food, Yabaof offers the freshest dishes with vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options.
Open: 12pm until 5pm
Address: Calle del Padre Enrique Cantos 2 Miguel Cano, opposite to Hotel Lima, 29602
Booking: 951 73 08 75
Boasting beautiful surroundings and just minutes from Marbella, Cascada Cocina and Bar serves up some of the best Mediterranean, Spanish and international BBQ food around.
Open: 1pm until 12am, closed Sundays and Mondays
Address: Urb Montua, 39, 29602
Booking: 623 00 14 65
The Playwright serves local contemporary cuisine and a unique cocktail menu specially designed by their mixologist, perfect for something a little different.
Open: 6:30pm until 12am, closed on Mondays
Address: C/ Manzana, Local 8-11 Pueblo Los Acros, km 191, 29604 Elviria
Booking: 952 83 08 68
If you fancy a curry, Mumbai City Indian Restaurant Marbella is highly recommended by regulars and residents in the area.
Open: 1pm until 4pm and 6pm until 11:30pm, closed on Mondays
Address: Calle Los Jazmines no467 la campana La campana Nueva Andalucia, 29660
Booking: 951 70 59 77
For something a little fancier, ERRE & Urrechu Marbella has a Michelin star menu of healthy Spanish and Mediterranean food and meats.
Open: 1:30pm until 4 and 7:30pm until 11:30pm
Address: Calle de Jose Melia S/N Hotel Don Pepe, 29602
Booking: 952 85 82 38
Price: €€€ – €€€€
For food fusion, head to Gastrobar Pikaro and choose from a wide variety of contemporary dishes and tapas while enjoying spectacular views of the harbour.
Open: 1:30pm until 4pm and 7pm until 12pm Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, 7pm until 11pm Wednesdays and Thursdays, closed Mondays and Tuesdays
Address: Puerto Deportivo Marbella Local nº4, 29602
Booking: 674 25 08 41
When moving to a new location, making sure there are some great schools is extremely important, and Marbella has some impressive local schools.
Marbella and the Costa del Sol have many international schools for expats moving over, with 13 private English schools in the area to choose from including The British School of Marbella, Queens British Grammar School and Aloha College.
For public Spanish schools, Colegio San Jose teaches the Spanish curriculum from infants to secondary school while Alboran College and Las Chapas School teaches from age 3 to age 18.
Having access to high-quality healthcare is essential when moving to a new home and Marbella has an impressive public health service and several private healthcare options.
This private hospital is among the best in the Costa del Sol and has become a benchmark in private healthcare for Malaga and the people of Malaga. It offers 24-hour emergency service.
Address: Avda. Severo Ochoa, 22, 29603 Marbella
Contact: 952 774 200, for more information click here
Costa del Sol Hospital is one of the best-equipped public hospitals in Marbella with 24-hour emergency service.
Address: Autovia A-7 Km 187, 29603, Marbella
Contact: 951 976 669, for more information click here
Centro de Salud Leganitos, located in the old town, offers medical services to those entitled to free public healthcare in Spain.
Address: Pl. de Leganitos, 5, 29601 Marbella
Contact: 951 97 33 74, for more information click here
Grupo Dental Clinic is the leading dentist in Marbella bringing you top-quality oral health services.
Address: Av. Oriental, 46-48, 29670 San Pedro Alcantara, Malaga
Contact: 951 17 17 81, for more information click here
Moving to a new location is exciting but it’s important to know the contact information for the emergency services. So we have included information on important contacts when moving to Marbella.
Emergency services, including health, fire and police: 112
National police: 091
Local police: 092
Thank you for reading, and don’t forget to check The Euro Weekly News for all your up-to-date local and international news stories, and remember, you can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
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Originally from UK, Laura is based in Axarquia and is a writer for the Euro Weekly News covering news and features. Got a news story you want to share? Then get in touch at [email protected]
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