where is the best place to stay in marbella, spain?

Where is the best place to stay in Marbella?

By Carles Barcelo. Updated October 27, 2023

Marbella is one of Spain’s top tourist destinations and is located by the Mediterranean Sea on the Costa del Sol. The place, not too long ago, was once just a small village of fishermen, which has now turned into a thriving cosmopolitan beach resort.

One of the main tourist attractions here is the 20kms of coastline, which provides various clean and golden beaches, promenades and magnificent clean blue waters for swimming and water sports. There are also historical attractions, which mixes the influences of Andalucian and Moorish and there are many luxurious residences to take photos of as well as lots of excellent shopping, exquisite restaurants and breath taking accommodation.

The best area to stay in Marbella is the beach area in the city centre, which is where the Old Town is found and lying at the heart of it is the popular “Orange Square”. This area allows you to see some of the oldest attractions in the city as well as taking in the marvellous views of the city’s surroundings like the rolling hills and the gorgeous blue seas that are only a few minutes walk to. The Old Town provides many cuisines to try, shopping opportunities to explore, brilliant nightlife and the best hotels in Marbella.On the map, which shows the most convenient area to stay in Marbella, you can see a selection of some of the best located hotels.

If you are interested in where to stay in Marbella, you may also be interested in where to stay in Madrid, where to stay in Barcelona, where to stay in Valencia and where to stay in Seville.

Beach area in the city centre, the best area to stay in Marbella

The charming Old Town of Marbella is steeped in history and is awash with whitewashed houses their delightful flower-filled balconies and narrow streets, which are located in a very safe neighbourhood. The Old Town is partly surrounded by the ruins of an old Arab wall and at the centre of the area is the famous “Orange Square”. This square dates back to the late 15th century and is home to various shops, cafes and restaurants as well as a good amount of historical buildings.

The most dominating spectacle on the square is the Church of Saint Mary, which is one of the most important buildings in the city and has lots of interesting features like the outstanding red stone Baroque-style entrance and the impressive church organ, which is made up of 5000 copper and wooden made pipes. The Town Hall is next door, which was built in 1568 and is home to the original council chambers and has two floors that feature various murals that represent the Catholic King and Queen, Christ’s crucifixion and Marbella’s first coat of arms. The building also has a sun dial, commemorative stone inscriptions and numerous shields.

Another particular place of interest is the Old Governor’s House, which was built in the mid 16th century and is where you can see the original stone façade that has shields and a three arched balcony. The great thing about the Old Town is that wherever you go, you will be greeted with friendly faces, beautiful hanging flowers and lots of fascinating white buildings, which provide superb photos. Other things to see and do include the Museum of Spanish Contemporary Engravings, which is housed in the former residential palace of Mayor Don Alonso de Bazan. The museum promotes some of the best Spanish art from some of the most famous painters in the world like Picasso, Miro, Chillida, Tapies as well as many others.

The city centre is also home to a few parks and gardens with the best being Alameda and is where many people come to meet. The gardens here have a great range of wonderful tropical plants, flowers, fountains and amazing vista as well as being accompanied by popular cafes, bars and restaurants. The Old Town has many shops and stores that sell a variety of products from antiques, souvenirs, clothes, foods and much more. The Old Town is well connected to the rest of the city with buses and taxis serving all neighbourhoods of the city as well as the airport, bus and train station. Just a few minutes from the Old Town is the incredibly popular promenade, which is home to an amazing amount of traditional and modern cafes, buzzing bars and excellent restaurants that offer an extensive range of cuisines.

The beaches here have black sand and do get very busy during the summer months with the most well-known being La Fontanilla followed closely by Venus and El Pinillo. All of the beaches have sun loungers that can be hired as well as numerous water sports like diving, windsurfing, jet skiing, banana boating and others.

For nightlife, the Old Town is blessed with a huge amount of restaurants, bars and some of the best hotels that cater for all budgets. Though if you a fancy a change and a little more sea breeze, then the waterfront is ideal but can be a bit more expensive.

Hotes in Marbella City Centre

Other neighbourhoods to stay in Marbella

Puerto Banus

This neighbourhood is found 4kms to the west of the city centre and is known as Costa del Sol’s playground for the rich and famous. Puerto Banus was built by Jose Banus, who was a local property developer and designed the place to be a luxury marina and shopping complex. The area is exceptionally safe to stay in and is easily accessible from Marbella and the airport, but do be aware most things here are a lot more expensive than Marbella.

Having said that, there are an unbelievable choice of restaurants that offer outstanding food with influences from all over the globe, as well as top quality bars and a brilliant selection of hotels that promise beautiful views of the sea. There are also many golf courses, beaches, shopping malls, water sports, casinos, boat cruises and markets to check out too. Don’t be surprised if you see somebody famous, as the area is a major favourite with pop stars, actors and athletes from all over the world.

Most booked hotel in Puerto Banus: H10 Andalucía Plaza ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Golden Mile

Sitting between Marbella town centre and Puerto Banus is the world-famous Golden Mile. This is a 8 km stretch of Europe’s most sought-after real estate and is often compared to Beverly Hills. If you choose to stay here, you will find luxury villas, hotels, and flats, and be amongst successful businessmen, aristocrats, and possibly royalty! The long, golden sand beach is lined with palm trees and is perfect for spending the day soaking up the Spanish sun or taking a dip in the azure blue waters. Dining here is also first-class with Michelin-starred restaurants, beach-front dining, and traditional tapas bars.

If you’re looking for a more tranquil retreat, stay at the foot of the mountain for peaceful nights and stunning sea views, or stay closer to the shore and walk along the beautiful boardwalk and take advantage of the high-class nightlife this area has to offer.

Most booked hotel in Golden Mile: Nobu Hotel Marbella ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Guadalmina

Guadalmina is a high-end beach community located 10 minutes away by car from Puerto Banus, and just east of lively Estepona. This is the place to stay if you’re looking for an upmarket, luxurious, and relaxing beach holiday. There are many golf courses nearby for those wishing to spend their holiday winding down on the golfing green, or you could go the distance and attend one of the many health clubs in the area for a tranquil spa experience. The Guadalmina beach is a magnificent, long stretch of golden sand, ideal for sunbathing or lounging.

There are also many restaurants and trendy beach bars along the shore. For families, visit the Guadalmina Commercial Centre which has a children’s indoor play park and serves delicious child-friendly food. This small town has many luxury accommodation options to offer, so take your pick from stunning beach-front hotels or rent your very own private villa.

Most booked hotel in Guadalmina: Barceló Marbella ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Elviria

This beautiful upmarket seaside town is only 10 km east of Marbella and borders the town of Mijas. Like many other towns along the Costa Del Sol coast, Elviria is made up of both glorious stretches of beach and lush mountains. It has been a popular tourist destination for a long time and is home to the renowned Nikki Beach Club and world-class Santa Maria Golf and Country Club. There are lots of great accommodation options here, and a typical day can be spent lounging in your hotel or villa pool, before heading to the beach for a dip and a bite to eat.

Dining out here is a real treat as there are many first-class restaurants, as well as places serving Spanish, British and Chinese cuisine. During the evenings, go to one of the many fantastic bars and enjoy al-fresco eating and drinking until the early hours of the morning.

Most booked hotel in Elviria: Vincci Selección Estrella del Mar ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Cheapest 5-star hotel in Marbella)