Many people dream about retiring to warmer climates, spending their days lounging in the sun by the sea.
The glorious weather in southern Spain, where residents enjoy 320 days of sun a year, makes the Costa del Sol the best place to retire by the ocean.
This is why Marbella and the surrounding stretches of coast is one of the most sought-after sites in Spain for retirement properties.
In addition to exquisite Mediterranean vistas, Marbella offers excellent public transport and healthcare services, plus many outdoor activities to keep you entertained every day.
Not only is Marbella one of the best international retirement locations, it’s also home to some of the largest expat communities in Spain, making it easy to settle into life there.
If retirement in Marbella is on your mind, here’s a rundown of the best places in Marbella to help you find the ideal location for your new home.
Marbella is around a 40-minute drive from Malaga and Gibraltar airports, with easy access to the A7 highway.
It’s a popular destination for people of all ages from all around the world due to its glamour and charm.
Marbella Old Town offers beautiful cobbled streets and garden plazas, with traditional restaurants and quirky galleries.
Then there’s the modern side of Marbella, providing cosmopolitan shopping malls and glitzy nightlife.
Marinas full of luxury yachts, miles of sandy beaches, and golf courses make all areas of Marbella enticing for expats looking for a more laid-back lifestyle.
There are great public transport facilities to get around the coast and countless sports and social events to keep you occupied, plus delicious Spanish food and spectacular views even if you just sit in a cafe to people-watch.
There’s a strong community of multicultural expats in the area, making it easy to integrate due to the number of languages spoken.
Properties in Marbella range from apartments in gated developments to private villas or townhouses within walking distance of the beachfront.
The local amenities make the centre of Marbella an in-demand location for property owners.
This demand spreads along the Golden Mile to the west of central Marbella, an upmarket stretch of coast known worldwide for its luxurious properties.
One of the hottest spots to move to in Marbella is Puerto Banus, at the western end of the Golden Mile.
Puerto Banus is now known as a celebrity-spotting site with its lively marina, designer shops, and famous clubs and restaurants.
Along with its own gorgeous beaches, it’s close to the prestigious golf courses in the neighbouring Nueva Andalucia.
It’s an appealing area for anyone who prefers to be at the heart of the action, in a sunny setting with mountains on one side and the Mediterranean sea on the other.
Most properties in Puerto Banus are apartments, with some luxury villas available.
South-facing properties offer stunning views of the seafront, while properties further inland offer easy access to the amenities in a more tranquil area away from the bustle.
Since Puerto Banus is such a desirable area, property here is an excellent long-term investment.
There’ll be a high demand from holidaymakers if you decide to rent it out while you visit family.
The gated community of Sierra Blanca is just north of the Golden Mile, between Puerto Banus to the west and central Marbella to the east.
Its elevated location on the lower slopes of the La Concha mountain offers amazing views of the coast to the south.
The high standards of construction plus ensured security and privacy make Sierra Blanca a very exclusive area.
Its luxury villas and apartments enjoy the peaceful setting of the Spanish countryside sheltered by indigenous pine trees, while being a short drive from the beaches and glamorous attractions of the Golden Mile below.
Some contemporary properties include landscaped gardens, private pools and terraces, and elegant amenities such as home gyms, spas, cinemas, libraries, or games rooms.
Properties in Sierra Blanca offer everything a retiree could possibly want from living in Marbella, though its exclusivity makes their price tags higher than some other areas.
One of the more accessible-priced parts of Marbella is the residential area of Nueva Andalucia, within walking distance of Puerto Banus.
It offers similar elevated views and seclusion to Sierra Blanca for a lower price, with more open tree-lined streets and closer proximity to the beachfront.
The strategic location provides access to gorgeous lakes and the ‘Golf Valley’, home to 5 esteemed golf courses.
The Aloha Strip in the centre of Nueva Andalucia provides high-quality restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues without having to go into Puerto Banus.
Properties in Nueva Andalucia are a mix of villas, townhouses, and apartments in both contemporary and classic Andalusian architectural styles.
With the vibrant scenes of the seafront just a short distance away, the peaceful neighbourhoods of Nueva Andalucia offer the dream life for retirees who want the best of both worlds.
Around an hour from Malaga Airport and a few kilometres west of the Puerto Banus area is the traditional Spanish town of San Pedro de Alcantara.
If you prefer the old-town charm of narrow pebbled streets and authentic tapas, this tranquil town is only a 10km drive from the centre of Marbella, with access to the A-7 via a 2km underpass.
You won’t have to drive to get to the sun-kissed sand, though, as Nueva Andalucia has its own promenade lined with palm trees.
The newly-developed Nueva Alcantara boulevard connects the town centre to the promenade and its Blue Flag beach.
This area is perfect for scenic peaceful strolls and sampling freshly caught seafood at local cafes.
It’s one of the best-kept secrets on the Costa del Sol, huddled at the feet of the Sierra de Ronda mountains.
Properties in San Pedro de Alcantara are an ideal choice for people who just want a quiet, sunny life on the Spanish coast without the partying hustle of the Golden Mile.
To the east of Marbella centre on the road in the direction of La Cala de Mijas is the residential estate of Los Monteros.
It’s a few minutes drive into central Marbella or to the nearby Hospital Costa del Sol, and a short walk to the beaches of Los Monteros Playa.
This secluded suburb has easy access to the sand and sea, plus distinguished clubs, hotels, restaurants, and golf courses.
Exclusive developments in Los Monteros offer luxury apartments, while larger villas are located closer to the beachfront.
Properties in Los Monteros can include access to community gardens and swimming pools as well as private parking and 24-hour security.
Homes facing south or south-west will have panoramic seaside views, while other angles will enjoy majestic views of the mountains.
It’s one of the most prestigious addresses in eastern Marbella for its high-end contemporary properties and proximity to the beach in a residential oasis.
Between Marbella town and Los Monteros and next to the Rio Real resort is the classy urbanisation of Torre Real.
This exclusive zone is right beside the Rio Real golf course and boutique hotel, close to the Trocadero Arena beach club for sunbathing and La Cañada shopping centre for fashion, sports, and cinema.
Of course, it’s also only a few minutes to central Marbella or Puerto Banus by car.
Properties in Torre Real range from luxury hillside villas to stylish townhouse apartments along the beach.
It’s a more touristy area than the secluded Los Monteros or Sierra Blanca, but this comes in exchange for lower property prices with just as many amenities.
Around 15 minutes’ drive east of central Marbella is the elegant seaside community of Elviria.
Elviria Playa is home to the 5-star Don Carlos Hotel and the trendy Nikki Beach, which draw tourists from around the world.
Elviria Hills is a low-density and very green area, hosting small forests and golf courses including the Santa Maria and El Soto country clubs.
The coastal road splits Elviria into beachside and mountainside areas, which both offer houses and apartments with excellent views and access to local attractions.
Properties in Elviria are more expensive the closer they are to the beach frontline, while inland properties to the north offer a more down-to-earth residential environment.
The natural beauty and range of leisure facilities available in Elviria make it a desirable spot for all kinds of property buyers.
Just beyond Los Monteros along the coastal road to the east is the small urbanisation El Rosario, with Santa Maria and Elviria on the other side.
It’s only 45km from Malaga Airport and connects to nearby towns like Fuengirola and Mijas by bus.
This is a laid-back residential enclave close to the hospital, golf and tennis clubs, beach bars, and restaurants in the area.
The A-7 motorway divides El Rosario into a beachfront side with chiringuitos and low-rise villas and a mountain side with small hills surrounding houses and apartments with greenery.
Properties in El Rosario offer plenty of space for leafy gardens and private outdoor pools, while more compact apartments located in stylish complexes have access to balconies and terraces.
It’s an ideal quiet place to reside to enjoy the warm weather, beaches, and sports that Marbella is known for within easy reach.
Halfway between Marbella town and Fuuengirola is the hidden jewel Cabopino, surrounded by pine woods and rolling green hills.
The seaside town has a small marina and sandy white beaches, plus the protected Dunas de Artola nature reserve sand dunes.
There are plenty of affordable new-build properties in Cabopino which attract a number of European retirees to the community.
Residents have access to water and beach sports, fine dining, small boutiques, and championship golf courses, plus dolphin-watching or fishing trips run from the harbour.
It’s perfect for people wanting to experience the stunning scenery and sophisticated lifestyle of the Costa del Sol, while having a relatively peaceful and quiet area to retire to.
With central Marbella 15 minutes away to the west and Malaga 30 minutes to the east, Cabopino is perfectly placed to access Spanish city life whenever you want to venture into more touristy areas.
One of the most exclusive and prestigious areas in the whole of Marbella is La Zagaleta in Benahavis, about 15 minutes to the west of Marbella town.
The natural mountainous area in the Sierra Bermeja foothills provides privacy and security as well as elevated views of the coast below.
This country-club-style residential estate includes a private golf club, tennis courts, equestrian centre, and heliport, where the international elite fly in to visit their holiday homes.
The gated community is very selective, and as such the properties in La Zagaleta tend to be extensively curated luxury villas with high prices attached.
If you’re willing to invest in nothing but the best for your retirement in Marbella, then La Zagaleta is a prime spot.
You’ll have access to the meticulously maintained public areas and enjoy the peace and privacy of the secluded community while being in easy reach of towns like San Pedro and Puerto Banus.
If your heart is set on retiring on the sandy shores of Marbella, Bromley Estates is here to guide you through the process of buying the perfect retirement property.
Contact us today to start your journey to care-free retirement on the Costa del Sol.
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