Living in Marbella: The Best Place to Retire in Spain

5 mins read

If you are yet to make a move, the dream of living in Marbella can become a reality. This place is one of the best retirement locations in the Costa del Sol of Spain. Marbella, a Mediterranean haven, offers everything a Spanish destination should, including a coastline of beautiful beaches, Andalusian vibes, the marina lifestyle, golf courses, a fantastic gastronomy scene, numerous bars, and restaurants and copious sunshine.

Don’t just believe us, though, that Marbella is a great expat destination. Spot rich and celebrities living here to see its worth, or look at the hundreds of thousands of ex-pats of many different nationalities who live here all year round. If you are still not convinced, read on to find out why Marbella should be your place to live.

About Living in Marbella

1: Weather and Climate

During the summer months, picturesque Marbella commands fame as one of Spain‘s best resorts for a holiday. Its location in the cosmopolitan south of Spain means warm summers, which wholeheartedly encourage poolside sunbathing. However, every expat living in the area also looks forward to tranquil and mild winters. Expect 320 days of sunshine a year, which all experts say is good for your health.

living in costa del sol

2: Beach-front Lifestyle of Southern Spain

Fronting the Mediterranean Sea, Marbella offers up many blue-flag sandy beaches and the beachfront promenade lifestyle permanently for anyone living here. Chill out on sunbeds or head to seaside beach bars to enjoy the ambience. The Nikki Beach restaurant and beach club is an excellent spot for relaxation, but the choice is endless. A life of retirement in Marbella guarantees a fantastic, panoramic sea-view.

3: Nightlife and Eating Out

Maybe you want a lively nightlife scene to drop by the nightclub disco till the early hours. Alternatively, a traditional tapas bar or quaint Andalusian cafes appeals. Some people like a high standard bar-restaurant while others prefer the busiest pubs offering live music. Regardless of your preference, Marbella delivers for a night out by providing a vast choice of establishments to party, enjoy Spanish evenings, indulge in the traditional fried fish sardines, or feast on gourmet food. Marbella is an all-rounder accommodating every expat’s idea of fun after dark. Read more about restaurants in Marbella.

living in spain

4: Impressive Transport Network

Marbella Municipality has invested millions into an impressive transport network that gets residents living here from A to B quickly. Buses and taxis get direct access to wherever you want to go. While the A7 motorway and AP7 highway lining the coast get residents to other places on the Costa del Sol and down to Gibraltar. Residents use Malaga international airport to get to and from Marbella all year round. This impressive air travel hub, one of Spain’s best and busiest, handles millions of air passengers every year with professionalism, expertise, and ease. Living in this part of Spain means flexibility and freedom to follow the open road.

5: Varied Property Market

For homebuyers looking to live in the Costa del Sol, Marbella presents a robust property market with everything for sale including townhouses, and villas. Look to numerous small villages of a whitewashed Spanish villa or coastline neighbourhoods for a penthouse apartment overlooking the Mediterranean. Maybe living in a countryside luxury villa appeals, or you will feel more at home in a two-bedroom apartment within walking distance to amenities like supermarkets.

Costa del sol panorama

Browse our portfolio to see exactly what the market offers. Each listing contains everything to know, including location, floor plans, price, and home features like balcony, jacuzzi, furnished, baths, swimming pools, number of bedrooms, gated community etc. Also listed are contact details to find out more via e-mail or arrange a viewing of homes in Marbella.

6: Things to Do in Marbella

Anyone who retires to Marbella suddenly has loads of free days, so now is the time to pursue your passion. Instant beach access presents varied water sports like windsurfing, or perhaps exploring numerous ancient ruins is more your idea of fun. Get off the sun lounger, head to the shopping centre to drop the cash, or explore Marbella old town with its renaissance buildings. Sign up for a day-trip excursion to places of interest like the Picasso Museum or Alhambra palace, join the local tennis club for lessons or go skiing in the Sierra Nevada Mountain range. Marbella is a big adventure playground for every retiree living here to enjoy themselves.

7: Golfing and Sailing

Two things Marbella does well is golf course delights and sailing cruises. Puerto Banus is probably the most famous marina in the area. This is where the jet-set hang out, so expect to see mega, millionaire yachts while heading out on daily Riviera cruises. Otherwise, the large Costa del Sol region offers more than 100 golf courses for sports fans to swing their clubs. This not only makes Marbella a popular ex-pat retirement place but also a leading holiday destination for golfers.

marbella costa del sol spain

8: Where to Live in Marbella

Marbella presents many neighbourhoods to live in. Our local agents have years of knowledge and experience about where will suit you, but some stand out as more popular than others for year-round living. The golden mile of Puerto Banus, Marbella, is where to head for luxury homes. Puerto Banus isn’t a location but a living lifestyle most people dream of. This is seen in high-end dining establishment and shops. Golfing fans will adore Nueva Andalucía, home to the Playa del Dugque beach. Benahavis, an inland location, opens Spanish culture and traditions through its authentic Andalusian vibes, while San Pedro offers excellent value for money when looking at Marbella house prices. Read more about where to live in Marbella here.

Further Reading

Our blog about Spain talks about many subjects to interest anyone thinking of living and retiring here. Including destinations like Estepona, Fuengirola, Mijas, Torremolinos, Benalmadena, Granada, Nerja, Mijas Costa, and Seville, we also discuss day to day living topics, like buying property, being a resident, the culture, and traditions.

About Us

We Are Spot Blue international property, and we have helped thousands of foreigners buy a holiday home or property for permanent residence in Spain. If you have any more questions about the property market and living in Marbella, contact us today. Otherwise, please read our article on the top ten things to know before moving to Marbella and Spain.

living in marbella

About Natalie

Natalie is a dedicated real estate professional currently working at Spot Blue International Property. With over a decade of experience in the industry, she has acquired a wealth of knowledge and expertise regarding global properties.