Marbella is the best-known address on the Costa del Sol and one of the most sought-after places to buy a home in Europe. Between the Mediterranean and the Sierra Blanca mountains, the municipality stretches for kilometres along the coast, from San Pedro Alcántara in the west to Cabopino in the east. It brings together beaches, marinas, golf, international schools and a whitewashed Old Town, and it has year-round life rather than a summer-only season.
At Premiere Global Properties, our office is in the centre of Marbella and we sell homes in every part of the municipality. Our properties range from €200,000 to €10 million, and most of our sales are between €300,000 and €500,000. That means we know the market for a well-located apartment just as well as the market for a frontline villa. This guide explains where to buy, what you get for your budget and how buying in Spain works.
Why buy property in Marbella
Marbella’s buyers range from families who move here permanently to retirees, remote workers, golfers and investors who want a holiday home that holds its value. Here is what keeps them coming:
- Climate and lifestyle: mild winters, long summers, and outdoor life all year, from beach clubs and tapas bars to hiking in the Sierra Blanca.
- Choice: studio apartments, Old Town townhouses, gated golf communities and contemporary villas on large plots, all in the same municipality.
- Services: international schools, private and public hospitals, shops and restaurants that stay open all year.
- Connections: Málaga airport is about 48 km by road, roughly 40 minutes by car, and the AP-7 and A-7 connect you to the whole coast.
- A mature market: a large, international buyer base, which supports both resale demand and rentals.
Marbella’s areas: where to buy
Marbella is really a collection of neighbourhoods, each with its own character. Choosing the right area matters as much as choosing the right property.
The Golden Mile (Milla de Oro)
The Golden Mile runs west from Marbella town towards Puerto Banús. It is home to some of the most prestigious villas, beachfront apartment complexes and landmark hotels on the coast. Look here for frontline beach homes, mansions on the mountain side of the Golden Mile, and luxury apartments within walking distance of both the town and the port.
Puerto Banús and Nueva Andalucía
Puerto Banús is Marbella’s famous marina, with yachts, designer boutiques, restaurants and nightlife. Behind it lies Nueva Andalucía, known as the “Golf Valley” because of the Los Naranjos, Las Brisas and Aloha golf courses. It offers apartments and penthouses in landscaped complexes, townhouses and a large stock of villas, many of them renovated or newly built in contemporary style. It is popular with families thanks to the nearby international schools.
Marbella Old Town and the centre
The Casco Antiguo is a maze of narrow streets, flower-filled balconies and small squares around the Plaza de los Naranjos. Property here means character townhouses and apartments, many renovated, within walking distance of the beach, the Paseo Marítimo promenade and the Alameda park. The wider centre suits buyers who want to live in a real Spanish town with everything on foot, and prices are often more accessible than in the most exclusive areas.
Sierra Blanca
Just above the Golden Mile, at the foot of La Concha mountain, Sierra Blanca is one of Marbella’s most exclusive gated residential areas. It is known for large villas with panoramic sea views, privacy and 24-hour security, and is only minutes from the town centre and the beach.
Marbella East: Elviria, Los Monteros and Cabopino
East of the town centre, the coast becomes greener and quieter. Los Monteros and Río Real offer luxury villas and beachside homes close to golf and beach clubs. Elviria has pine woods, a long sandy beach and a strong community of families and long-term residents, with plenty of apartments, townhouses and villas. At the far eastern end of the municipality is Cabopino, with its boutique marina, protected dunes and golf course. Read our full guide to property for sale in Cabopino.
San Pedro Alcántara
West of Puerto Banús, San Pedro has a relaxed town centre, a modern beachfront promenade and good-value apartments and family homes. Since 2012 the A-7 has run through a tunnel beneath the town, and the land above it has become a large landscaped boulevard park, linking the old centre with the beachside districts. San Pedro is a favourite with buyers who want Marbella amenities at a more moderate price, with Puerto Banús and the golf courses close by.
Property types for sale in Marbella
- Apartments: from compact one- and two-bedroom apartments in the centre and San Pedro to large frontline beach apartments. Many sit in gated complexes with communal pools, gardens and security.
- Penthouses: prized for big terraces and sea views, often with private rooftop solariums or plunge pools.
- Townhouses: a practical middle ground, with private outdoor space and a community feel, common in Nueva Andalucía, Elviria and San Pedro.
- Villas: from traditional Andalusian-style homes to contemporary designs with infinity pools, on the Golden Mile, in Sierra Blanca, Nueva Andalucía, Los Monteros and Elviria.
- New developments: modern projects with high energy-efficiency standards, especially around Marbella East, Nueva Andalucía and the hills above San Pedro.
Marbella property prices
Average asking prices in Marbella, from the Fotocasa listings index (October 2026):
- Marbella as a whole: about €5,060 per m², up around 4.8% year on year.
- Golden Mile (Milla de Oro): about €5,626 per m².
- Nueva Andalucía: about €5,417 per m².
- Río Real–Los Monteros: about €5,323 per m².
- Las Chapas–El Rosario: about €5,175 per m².
- San Pedro Alcántara: about €4,760 per m².
- Elviria–Cabopino: about €4,647 per m².
- Marbella Centro: about €4,523 per m².
These are averages of asking prices across listings, not completed sale prices, and individual homes vary hugely with views, orientation, condition and distance to the beach. A two-bedroom apartment in the centre and a frontline villa on the Golden Mile are different markets. Ask us for an up-to-date valuation of any property you are considering, whatever your budget.
How to buy property in Marbella: the buying process in Spain
Foreign buyers of any nationality can buy property in Spain, and the process is well established. The main steps are:
- Get your NIE. The Número de Identidad de Extranjero is a tax identification number that every foreign buyer needs. You can apply in Spain or through a Spanish consulate, or your lawyer can do it with a power of attorney.
- Open a Spanish bank account for the purchase and for paying bills and local taxes later on.
- Appoint an independent lawyer. They check the title at the Land Registry, any debts or charges, planning status and licences, and the community of owners’ accounts.
- Reserve the property with a reservation deposit, which takes it off the market while the checks are done.
- Sign the private purchase contract and usually pay a deposit, often around 10% of the price.
- Complete at the notary, pay the balance and receive the keys. The deeds are then registered in your name.
Buying costs in general terms: on a resale home in Andalusia you pay transfer tax (ITP) at the general rate of 7% of the purchase price. On a new build bought from a developer you pay VAT (IVA, 10% on homes) plus stamp duty (AJD, 1.2% in Andalusia). Reduced rates exist for some buyers of a main residence, so ask your lawyer whether you qualify. On top of that, allow for notary, Land Registry and legal fees, and mortgage costs if you take out a loan. Your lawyer will confirm the exact figures for your purchase.
Lifestyle in Marbella: beaches, golf and schools
Beaches: Marbella has many beaches along its coast, from the town beaches such as La Fontanilla next to the Paseo Marítimo to Puerto Banús, the long sandy beaches of Elviria and the protected dunes at Cabopino. A seafront promenade connects much of the coastline for walking, running and cycling.
Golf: Marbella is at the heart of the “Costa del Golf”. Nueva Andalucía’s Golf Valley has Los Naranjos, Las Brisas and Aloha. Río Real and Santa Clara are only minutes from the town centre, Cabopino lies at the eastern end of the municipality, and many more courses are within a short drive.
Schools: families can choose from international schools teaching the British, American and other curricula, including Aloha College in Nueva Andalucía, Swans International School in Marbella and the English International College in Marbella East, as well as Spanish state schools.
Mountains and nature: La Concha, Marbella’s landmark mountain, rises behind the town and offers hiking trails with sweeping views over Marbella and the coast.
Getting to Marbella: airport and transport
Málaga–Costa del Sol Airport is the main gateway, with direct flights to cities across Europe. It is about 48 km by road from Marbella, and the drive usually takes around 40 minutes via the AP-7 toll road or the A-7, depending on where you are going in the municipality and on traffic. Gibraltar International Airport, about 80 km to the west, is an alternative with flights to several UK airports. Coastal buses connect Marbella with Málaga, the airport and neighbouring towns, and high-speed trains from Málaga run to Madrid and other Spanish cities.
Why buy with Premiere Global Properties
Our multilingual team works from Marbella every day, so we know each neighbourhood, community and development first hand. We help with:
- shortlisting homes that genuinely match your brief, including off-market properties
- viewings in person or by video for overseas buyers
- negotiating the price and terms
- connecting you with independent lawyers, mortgage brokers and NIE support
- completion at the notary and help after you buy, including property management and rentals
Explore more areas on our property for sale on the Costa del Sol page.
Ready to find your property in Marbella?
Call or WhatsApp +34 600 54 79 73, or send us your requirements. Visit us at Calle Camilo José Cela 9, Edificio Diana, 29602 Marbella.
FAQ: buying property in Marbella
How much does property cost in Marbella?
Fotocasa’s listings index puts the average asking price in Marbella at about €5,060 per m² in October 2026, from around €4,500 per m² in the centre to over €5,600 per m² on the Golden Mile. Premiere Global Properties sells homes from €200,000 to €10 million, and most of our sales are between €300,000 and €500,000.
What are the best areas to buy property in Marbella?
It depends on your lifestyle and budget. The Golden Mile and Sierra Blanca are the most exclusive. Puerto Banús and Nueva Andalucía are ideal for golf and nightlife. The Old Town is full of character, Marbella East (Elviria, Los Monteros, Cabopino) is greener and quieter, and San Pedro Alcántara offers good value.
Can foreigners buy property in Marbella?
Yes. Buyers of any nationality can buy property in Spain. You need an NIE (foreigner identification number) and a Spanish bank account, and an independent lawyer is strongly recommended.
What are the costs of buying property in Spain?
On resale homes in Andalusia you pay transfer tax (ITP) at the general rate of 7%. New builds carry 10% VAT plus 1.2% stamp duty (AJD). Reduced rates apply to some buyers of a main residence. Notary, Land Registry and legal fees are added on top. Your lawyer will confirm the exact figures.
How far is Marbella from Málaga airport?
Marbella is about 48 km by road from Málaga–Costa del Sol Airport, roughly 40 minutes by car, depending on your destination within Marbella and on traffic.
Is Marbella a good place to buy a holiday home or investment property?
Marbella’s year-round climate, international demand and services make it popular with holiday-home buyers and investors. To rent to holidaymakers you need a tourist licence registered with the Junta de Andalucía, and local rules may apply. Call or WhatsApp Premiere Global Properties on +34 600 54 79 73 for advice on a specific property.
Photos: Pedro Luis Domínguez Ruiz, Liisbet Luup, David Pickup and Atlantic Ambience via Pexels (Pexels License).
