Marbella
Slim Aarons, El Venero, Marbella, Spain (1971), Getty Images
Marbella is a city and resort area on southern Spain’s Costa del Sol, part of the Andalusia region. The Sierra Blanca Mountains are the backdrop to 27 km of sandy Mediterranean beaches, villas, hotels, and golf courses. West of Marbella town, the Golden Mile of prestigious nightclubs and coastal estates leads to Puerto Banús marina, filled with luxury yachts, and surrounded by upmarket boutiques and bars. Here is our guide to Marbella, Spain.
STAY
MARBELLA CLUB Founded by Prince Alfonso von Hohenlohe in 1954, this legendary resort had a recent renovation by Marie-Caroline Willms, and is the center of the social scene in Marbella. The gorgeous property has a hotel, restaurant, bar, pool, golf course, retail shop, spa and wellness center, fitness studio, and beautiful gardens. Bulevar Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe s/n,; marbellaclub.com
FINCA CORTESIN This polished resort sits on a 215-hectare property with Mediterranean Sea views. The 3 restaurants include a renowned Japanese eatery and 1 serving Italian fare. There's also a beach club, bar and a golf course, plus a spa, a gym and an indoor heated pool. Carretera Casares, km2; fincacortesin.com
PUENTE ROMANO BEACH RESORT Opposite Nagüeles Beach, this large, upscale resort is near Paseo Marítimo and includes 15 restaurants and bars, including Japanese, Thai, and Italian eateries. Other amenities consist of a nightclub, tennis courts, a fitness center and a spa, as well as outdoor pools and gardens. Bulevar Principe Alfonso von Hohenlohe; puenteromano.com
NOBU HOTEL This ultra-hip hotel is next to La Plaza, a buzzy square with bars and restaurants. There's an acclaimed, progressive Japanese restaurant, a sophisticated cocktail bar, and a terrace. Other amenities include an outdoor pool, a serene spa, sports courts, and a gym.Bulevar Principe Alfonso von Hohenlohe; marbella.nobuhotels.com
ANANTARA VILLA PADIERNA PALACE BENAHAVIS MARBELLA RESORT Located five miles southeast of Marbella in the mountain town of Benahavis, the resort boasts beautiful private villas, three championship golf courses, a racquet club, a hair salon—and even a Roman-style amphitheater. The enormous, 21,000-square-foot Thermae Spa features eight themed baths, a full menu of ESPA facials and massages, aqua-fitness, and Pilates. Urbanizacion Villa Padierna Golf Resort, Autovía del Mediterráneo; anantara.com/en/villa-padierna-marbella
LINDA MARBELLA A boutique hotel with 14 cozy rooms (some with small terraces) along one of the Old Town’s busiest streets. The lobby-level restaurant with tables that spill out into the street serves a hearty breakfast, plus a vegan menu and Spanish wines throughout the day. There’s also a charming rooftop terrace that has become guests’ favorite place to watch the sunset. C. Ancha, 21; lindamarbella.com
DINE | DRINK
EL PATIO A dreamy day-to-night garden terrace restaurant at the famed Marbella Club. Av. Bulevar Príncipe Alfonso de Hohenlohe; marbellaclub.com/es/gastro/el-patio
EL PIMPI The famed Malaga restaurant has finally opened a location in Marbella at the Puente Romana Beach Resort. Urb. B Jardines Andaluces, 9; puenteromano.com/dining-drinks/el-pimpi/
KAVA A contemporary yet intimate restaurant with a focus on modern cooking which aims to incorporate the traditional flavours of Andalucian cuisine through the use of locally sourced ingredients. Av. Antonio Belón, 4; kavamarbella.com
BIBO DANI GARCIA Tapas with a twist by Madrid Chef Dani García at the Puente Romano Beach Resort. Order the signature oxtail brioche. Hotel Puente Romano, Av. Bulevar Príncipe Alfonso de Hohenlohe; grupodanigarcia.com/bibo/marbella
LA CABANE A beach club and restaurant by Dani García. C. Jabalí; lacabanemarbella.com
BAR ALTAMIRANO An unforgettable seafood feasts await at this iconic restaurant, which faces a small plaza in the heart of town. If you’re lucky, there’ll be a table outside where you can tuck into buttery plates of grilled razor clams, addictive cod croquettes, and made-to-order grilled whole fish. Pl. Altamirano, 3; baraltamirano.es
RESTAURANT SKINA This two-Michelin-starred restaurant is a jewel box of a dining room hidden away in one of the neighborhood’s little side streets. The creative tasting menus is so seasonal that daily tweaks aren’t unheard of if chef Marcos Granda’s purveyors have something especially fabulous to share, like the most gorgeous green peas from Catalunya tossed with beet cubes and little pieces of pork lard for just a hint of indulgence. C. Aduar, 12; restauranteskina.com
TABERNA LA NIÑA DEL PISTO A buzzy, traditional restaurant with tables packed with big groups sharing tried-and-true tapas of lightly fried anchovies and prawns, garlicky bowls of gambas pil pil, and hearty servings of tripe stew. There’s an equally robust wine list, but you might as well keep things Andalusian with free-flowing bottles of Manzanilla and Amontillado. C. San Lázaro, 1,
THE FARM Farm-fresh dishes offered in a colorful restaurant with terrace & outdoor seating. Pl. Altamirano, 3; thefarm-marbella.com
ART | CULTURE | ACTIVITIES
MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY SPANISH ENGRAVINGS Located inside an old hospital that was once a Renaissance-era palace. But in addition to its spectacular architecture, the museum is home to a world-class collection of engravings, lithography, and even sketchbooks from renowned Spanish artists like Goya, Dalí, Miró, and Picasso. Original letters, photos, and other memorabilia from Jean Cocteau, who spent a lot of time in Marbella back in the 1960s, are also on display. C. Hospital Bazán; museodelgrabado.es
STARLITE FESTIVAL Located in a quarry with ocean views, this seasonal summer concert series is not to be missed. Quarry of Nagüeles; starlitefestival.com
MARBELLA CLUB HOTEL GOLF RESORT An18 Hole Golf Course designed by Dave Thomas, a20 minute drive from the Marbella Club Hotel, amidst the hills of Benahavis, in the heart of the Costa del Sol with spectacular views of Gibraltar, the African Coastline, the Mediterranean and the surrounding mountains. Av. Bulevar Príncipe Alfonso de Hohenlohe; marbellaclub.com/golf
NAC (NUEVA ALCÁNTARA CLUB) An athletic and social club with a co-working space, restaurant, cafe, gym, hair salon, and multiple padel courts with instructors. Av. de Barcelona, 8; nuevaalcantaraclub.com
SHOP
PUERTO BANUS An upscale, chic port designed by MS Design & Architecture with luxury shops, bars, and restaurants. puerto-banus.com/en/
SPA
SPA AT THE ANANTARA VILLA PADIERNA PALACE BENAHAVIS MARBELLA RESORT The enormous, 21,000-square-foot Spa features eight themed baths, a full menu of ESPA facials and massages, aqua-fitness, and Pilates. Urbanizacion Villa Padierna Golf Resort, Autovía del Mediterráneo; anantara.com/en/villa-padierna-marbella
THALASSO SPA AT THE MARBELLA CLUB The menu at the beachfront Thalasso Spa includes an impressive range of therapeutic seaweed, mud, and algae treatments, plus Turkish steam baths and a relaxation room overlooking the sea. Av. Bulevar Príncipe Alfonso de Hohenlohen; marbellaclub.com/explore/spa