Home / Marbella
Luxury villas for sale in Marbella
Your agent: Manuela Pérez, luxury villa specialist in MarbellaWhich villa to buy and where, with the questions every buyer asks and where to start answering them.
Marbella guide
What you will be able to answer once you have read it
Choosing a luxury villa in Marbella takes months of questions: which area fits your life, how much plot you really need, what you truly pay on top of the price and what to check so the house holds no surprises.
We have gathered the questions almost every buyer asks and answer them here calmly, area by area, so you know which home to look at before visiting any.
Marbella
Marbella, area by area
Tap an area to explore it. Approximate positions.
Estepona and Benahavís are municipalities of their own, next to Marbella.
Golf
Hotels
Fine dining
Beachfront dining club
Landmarks
Nightlife
International schools
Airport
Buyers often cite Marbella’s microclimate, sheltered by La Concha, as the first reason to buy. From there, each area has its own buyer.
01
La Zagaleta
Total privacy- Who buys
- Great fortunes, family offices and public figures. They come mainly from the Gulf states, Switzerland, the UK and Germany, and buy in cash.
- Why people choose it
- The most exclusive private estate in the area: access only for owners and authorised guests, its own golf courses and a discretion that is hard to find elsewhere. Many deals are closed without ever reaching the market.
02
Sierra Blanca
Security and views- Who buys
- Business owners, public figures and buyers from the Gulf, the UK, Switzerland and the United States. Purchases are almost always in cash.
- Why people choose it
- A community with 24-hour security, views of the sea and La Concha, and Puerto Banús a few minutes away. Large villas and carefully protected privacy.
03
Nueva Andalucía
Golf and family- Who buys
- Families from the UK, Scandinavia and the Netherlands, golfers and professionals who work remotely. Many live here more than six months a year.
- Why people choose it
- International schools, four golf courses nearby and Puerto Banús five minutes away. This is the area designed for family life.
04
Guadalmina Baja
Golf and beach- Who buys
- Business owners, families whose children have grown up and retirees with means. It was historically an area for buyers from Madrid and is now very international.
- Why people choose it
- Its own golf club with two courses, the beach close by and great calm. It tends to cost less than the Golden Mile.
05
Las Chapas
Nature and beach- Who buys
- Families and buyers who want to leave the city behind, mainly from the UK, Scandinavia, Germany and the Netherlands.
- Why people choose it
- Wide beaches, large plots, plenty of greenery and a quiet setting in East Marbella, at a more contained price than the centre.
06
Golden Mile
Where it all began- Who buys
- Buyers who want to live at the centre of Marbella’s social life, from entrepreneurs and families to investors from the Gulf, the United Kingdom and Scandinavia.
- Why people choose it
- The beach, the beach clubs and Puerto Banús are a few minutes away, and the calendar of restaurants and events changes every season. Privacy depends a great deal on the street the house is on.
07
Guadalmina Alta
Golf and gardens- Who buys
- Families looking for space and quiet, golfers, and buyers from the United Kingdom, Scandinavia and Spain who prefer an unhurried pace.
- Why people choose it
- Daily life revolves around golf, the international schools of San Pedro and walks to the beach, with shops and services close by.
08
Los Flamingos
Mountain and views- Who buys
- International buyers who want privacy and good views without the level of reserve of a private estate such as La Zagaleta.
- Why people choose it
- Life runs between golf, spa and the resort’s own restaurants, with Puerto Banús and Estepona a short drive away and the village of Benahavís close by.
09
Río Real
Golf and calm- Who buys
- Families and buyers who want to be close to the centre of Marbella in a green residential setting, many of whom live here for most of the year.
- Why people choose it
- Golf, schools and shops near home, the beach a short distance away and a more relaxed rhythm than the Golden Mile.
10
Los Monteros
Beach and discretion- Who buys
- Buyers who value discretion and a nearby beach, mostly families, entrepreneurs and residents who spend long seasons in Marbella.
- Why people choose it
- The beach takes centre stage, with a club, restaurants and services in the same area and the centre of Marbella a short drive away.
11
Elviria
Beach and schools- Who buys
- International families, especially from the United Kingdom, Scandinavia and the Netherlands, along with buyers looking for a second home with services nearby.
- Why people choose it
- The beach, the school, the golf and the restaurants are a short walk or a few minutes by car, which makes daily life comfortable all year round.
01
Where to buy
- What is the difference between the Golden Mile, Sierra Blanca, Nueva Andalucía, La Zagaleta and Las Chapas?
- Which area suits me if I want golf, the sea or maximum privacy?
- How many minutes is each area from Puerto Banús, the centre and Málaga airport?
- Which area is better for living all year round and which for seasonal stays?
- Which international schools and services are close to each area?
- How secure is each area, with access control and surveillance?
02
Which villa to choose
- How much plot and built area do I really need?
- Which orientation and views are worth more, and why?
- Which is better, new build, renovated or to renovate?
- Which extras raise resale value and which do not?
- What signs show that a villa is overpriced?
- What weighs more when choosing, the house or the area?
03
What it costs
- How much does a luxury villa cost in each area?
- Which taxes and fees come on top of the price?
- How much does it cost to run a villa each year?
- How do you finance a purchase as a non-resident?
04
How to buy safely
- Which documents should you ask for before signing?
- What should you check about the licence, title and charges?
- What does an independent lawyer do and when should you hire one?
- Which steps lead from reservation to the deed?
- Which mistakes do foreign buyers make most often?
- What proof of funds is asked for before showing you a villa, and how is the price negotiated?
05
If you are buying from abroad
- What is the NIE and how do you get it?
- Do you need a Spanish bank account?
- What has changed for British buyers since Brexit?
- Can viewings and the signing be done remotely?
By Manuela PérezLuxury villa specialist in Marbella with more than 12 years as a real estate agent. I help families who come here to live find the home that fits the way they live.