Marbella is many things. Offering a diverse range of things to do, including beautiful beaches, award-winning restaurants and thumping nightlife, the jewel of the Costa del Sol remains as popular as ever.
We chose 10 reasons why to choose a luxury Marbella villa for a family holiday.
1. Beaches
With 23 beaches, Marbella is sun-lovers’ paradise. Stretching along its 27km of coastline, the golden sands are home to a choice of fabulous beach bars, selling fresh fish and seafood plus a choice of water sports, sun bed & parasol hire. Perfect for swimming and soaking up the sun.
2. Restaurants
Fancy some fine dining on the beach, Michelin-starred restaurants or casual tapas bars in town? You will find it all in Marbella – both in the town centre, the Old Town and the vibrant suburbs of town such as Elviria, where you will find cocktail bars, Italian, Chinese, Thai and of course, Spanish restaurants.
3. Puerto Cabopino
Smaller and prettier than Puerto Banus, Cabopino is situated just 14km east of Marbella. With a protected beach, ideal for swimming and a choice of water front bars and restaurants around the Marina, Cabopino is a perfect family resort. Water sports and dolphin trips can also be booked from the Port.
4. Golf
Golf fans are spoilt for choice in Marbella with over 70 courses open along the Costa del Sol. In Marbella area, La Quinta Golf, Los Naranjos, Aloha and Las Brisas are among the most popular and challenging. Cabopino Golf, Greenlife and Santa Maria Golf in Elviria are also worth a visit.
5. Climate in Marbella
Marbella’s microclimate is legendary, and this part of Spain offers 325 average days of sunshine each year. Couple that with a backdrop of the Sierra Blanca mountains, the town boasts a typically Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters. Luxury Marbella family villas book up quickly.
6. Marbella nightlife
No trip to Marbella is complete without experiencing a night or two on the tiles in Puerto Banus. Dance ‘til dawn, schmooz down at a piano bar or trip the light fantastic at some of Banus’s award-winning clubs. Spain is a late night kind of country, so don’t expect the clubs to really get going in summer until around 3am!
7. Day trip to Ronda
Situated just a 1 hr, 15-minute drive from Marbella, Ronda is well worth the trip. This beautiful, historical town is perched high up above the 100m-deep Tajo Gorge and offers a fabulous range of things to see and do. Sample the delicious local tapas, visit the bullring – one of the oldest in Spain or soak up the local architecture either side of the Puente Nuevo bridge.
8. Water sports
Adrenalin-junkies can find a choice of water sports on almost all Marbella beaches, including skiing, kite surfing, paddle boarding and sailing. For the younger kids there are also massive inflatable water parks on the sea in Marbella and Fuengirola for them to play on – life jackets and qualified life guards on duty to keep everyone safe.
9. Culture in Marbella Old Town
Visit the Old Town of Marbella, with its choice of great things to see and do. The old castle walls can still be seen at the edge of the old part and cobbled streets lead off from Orange Square in all directions, where you can rest or sip a drink, while admiring the local architecture.
10. Traditional Flamenco
For a real traditional treat, head down to Flamenco Ana Maria where you can enjoy tapas, a Sevillanas class and a full Flamenco show. Reserving a table is essential, particularly in the summer months. A one-off fee of €25 per head includes tapas, the show and a drink.
If you are planning to book a luxury Marbella villa for a family holiday, choose one with an infinity pool, a knowledgeable host and stunning interiors and grounds.