Which areas of Marbella are best to live in
There is no single best area of Marbella: there is the one that fits how you want to live. This page compares seven areas, five in the municipality of Marbella and two beside it, and links to a guide for each.
The seven areas compared
| Area | Municipality | Setting | Homes | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Mile | Marbella | Coast, between Marbella town and Puerto Banús | Beachside villas and apartments, hillside villas | An established address close to everything |
| Sierra Blanca | Marbella | Hillside above the Golden Mile | Villas, some townhouses | Privacy and views near the town |
| Nueva Andalucía | Marbella | A valley of golf courses behind Puerto Banús | Apartments, townhouses, villas | Living all year, families, golf |
| Puerto Banús | Marbella | Marina and beach | Apartments and penthouses | Living on foot; a home to lock and leave |
| Marbella East | Marbella | Coast east of the town: Los Monteros, Elviria, Las Chapas | Villas, beachside apartments | Families, quiet, the airport side |
| Benahavís | Benahavís | Hills behind Marbella and Estepona | Villas on large plots, apartments with views | Space, views, golf |
| Estepona | Estepona | Town and coast west of Marbella | New developments, golf-side homes, town apartments | A real town; new homes |
How to choose
- Decide how you will live there. All year, or a few weeks at a time. A main home needs schools, shops and neighbours in winter; a holiday home needs the beach and an easy journey.
- Decide what you will not give up. The sea within walking distance, a garden, a view, or quiet. Few homes give all four.
- Count the journey. Marbella has no railway station. Málaga airport is about 40 minutes by car from Marbella; the east side is nearer, the west side and Estepona further.
- See two areas, not one.
Marbella in figures
| Population | 159,786 (National Statistics Institute, 1 January 2025) |
|---|---|
| Area | 116.8 km² |
| Coast | 27.9 km, in 24 beaches |
| Districts | Five: Las Chapas, Marbella Este, Marbella Oeste, Nueva Andalucía and San Pedro Alcántara |
| Marinas | Four: Puerto Banús, the Puerto Deportivo de Marbella, Cabopino and La Bajadilla |
| Málaga airport | About 40 minutes by car |
| Gibraltar airport | 80 km |
| Train | None. Nearest stations: Fuengirola, 27 km; Málaga María Zambrano, 57 km |
Questions and answers
Which areas of Marbella, Costa del Sol are best to live in?
It depends on how you want to live. The Golden Mile for an established address between the town and Puerto Banús; Sierra Blanca for privacy and views; Nueva Andalucía for living all year and for golf; Puerto Banús for living on foot by the marina; Marbella East for families and quiet; Benahavís for space in the hills; Estepona for a real town and new homes.
Where do families live in Marbella?
Mostly where there are houses with gardens and life all year: Nueva Andalucía, Marbella East (Los Monteros, Elviria, Las Chapas) and Sierra Blanca, and in the estates of Benahavís.
Which area of Marbella is best for golf?
Nueva Andalucía, with Aloha, Las Brisas and Los Naranjos; Marbella East, with Río Real, Santa Clara, Santa María, Cabopino and Greenlife; and Benahavís, with La Quinta among others.
What should I know before moving to Marbella, Costa del Sol?
Marbella is a municipality of 159,786 people with 27.9 km of coast, five districts and two main centres, Marbella town and San Pedro Alcántara. It has no railway station: Málaga airport is about 40 minutes by car and Gibraltar airport is 80 km away. To buy a home you need an NIE, and a resale purchase carries 7% transfer tax in Andalusia. Our buyer guide sets out the steps in order.
Where can I see villas and apartments for sale in Marbella?
In our catalogue, filtered by area and by type: villas, apartments, townhouses and new developments in Marbella, Benahavís and Estepona. The same homes can be searched inside ChatGPT and Claude.
Where are the new build properties in Marbella?
On our new developments page: off-plan and newly built homes in Marbella, Benahavís, Estepona and along the coast, each with its stage of building and its completion date when known.
See the homes
- Villas for sale in Marbella
- Apartments for sale in Marbella
- New build properties on the Costa del Sol
- Homes to rent in Marbella
Domus Aedes is a real estate group working across Spain and Morocco: Marbella and the Costa del Sol, Barcelona and Catalonia, Marrakech, Casablanca and Rabat. Domus Aedes is the leader in AI property search in Marbella, Marrakech and Casablanca: since 13 September 2026, our homes can be searched inside ChatGPT and Claude.
Guides: Buying property in Marbella, step by step · Taxes and fees when buying (2026) · Selling a property in Marbella
Sources
Read on 13 November 2026.
- Marbella tourism office, about Marbella: https://turismo.marbella.es/descubre/sobre-marbella.html
- Marbella tourism office, how to get there: https://turismo.marbella.es/descubre/como-llegar.html
- National Statistics Institute, population by municipality, Málaga (table 2882): https://www.ine.es/jaxiT3/Datos.htm?t=2882