Marbella Golden Mile The most famous area of Marbella

The Marbella Golden Mile is the gem of Marbella and one of the first things that come to mind at the mention of this city. Dating as far back as the 1950s, the famous strip has become a symbol of ultimate luxury and exclusivity. Through this in-depth area guide, you will become well acquainted with everything there is to know about this glamour-filled community.

• Table of contents
• What is the Marbella Golden Mile?
• Where is the Marbella Golden Mile?
• What is the history of the Marbella Golden Mile?
• How big is the Marbella Golden Mile?
• How many houses are on the Marbella Golden Mile?
• What style of homes can you find on the Marbella Golden Mile?
• How much does buying a house in the Marbella Golden Mile cost?
• How much does buying a plot in the Marbella Golden Mile cost?
• How much would building a house in the Marbella Golden Mile cost?
• Where to find realtime Marbella Golden Mile real estate market info
• Does the Marbella Golden Mile have sea views?
• Is the Marbella Golden Mile a popular place to live?
• What is there to do in the Marbella Golden Mile?
• What is life like for kids on the Marbella Golden Mile?
• Schools on the Marbella Golden Mile
• How close is the Marbella Golden Mile to Marbella and its amenities?
• Who lives on the Marbella Golden Mile?
• What are the most famous houses on the Marbella Golden Mile?
• Is the Marbella Golden Mile safe?
• Which is the leading agency on the Marbella Golden Mile?
• Fun Facts about the Marbella Golden Mile

The Marbella Golden Mile is a promenade that extends for 5km along the coast of Marbella, ranging from Puerto Banus to the Piruli. The Piruli is a type of monolith that resembles that of a lighthouse. For many, it acts as the figure for the entrance of Marbella and is a reminder of the aesthetic that former president Jesus Gil brought into Marbella.

The Marbella Golden Mile is a highly prestigious area due to its proximity to the beach, making properties on this strip the most sought-after. It is home to some of the best 5-star hotels in Marbella, such as the Marbella Club Hotel and the Puente Romano Resort, as well as many Michelin-star restaurants and amenities. The name itself indicates the prestige the promenade holds, with many of the longest-standing businesses sitting on the Marbella Golden Mile.

It is important to understand that the Marbella Golden Mile isn't classified as a district, like in the cases of Nueva Andalucia or Marbella. It is simply a name designated to the strip and its surrounding areas. Interestingly enough, people in Marbella have their own conceptions of what is considered the Marbella Golden Mile and what isn't. For instance, some may consider Sierra Blanca to be part of the Marbella Golden Mile, although it is quite far from the strip itself. Nagueles, Puente Romano, Lomas de Marbella Club, La Carolina, El Vicario, Monte Paraiso and El Capricho are sub-areas under the Golden Mile.

For the purpose of this Area Guide, we will be dividing the Golden Mile into three sub-areas:

Area A will compromise the Marbella Golden Mile from the Beach to the N-340, treating areas such as Puente Romano and Marbella Club.

Area B will compromise all that stretches from the N-340 to the AP-7, thus areas such as Monte Paraiso, La Carolina and Lomas de Marbella Club.

Area C will compromise all that extends further than the AP-7, encompassing areas such as Sierra Blanca and Nagüeles.

We have an area guide on Sierra Blanca available on our website for those who want to learn more about the area.

The Marbella Golden Mile runs along the coast and is lined by lush palm trees, giving this road a Californian feel. The Marbella Golden Mile extends to areas such as Nagueles, Sierra Blanca, Cascada de Camojan and Marbella Hill Club. Needless to say, real estate on the Golden Mile is exclusive, and secure, and allows for a life full of tranquillity and elegance.

The Marbella Golden Mile has easy access to the A-7 and N-340 coastal roads and AP-7 toll roads, and Malaga Airport is 54km away. Within 5 minutes, you can find yourself in Marbella Old Town where you can enjoy the rich history of Marbella, enjoy typical Mediterranean dishes and explore the beautiful streets. You also can explore Marbella by foot due to the lovely promenade which encompasses the Golden Mile.

Distances to significant areas on the coast:

• Malaga Airport: 54km, 37 min drive
• Gibraltar airport: 69km, 1-hour drive
• Marbella centre: 3.3km, 8 min drive
• Malaga city: 61km, 43 min drive
• Estepona: 27km, 27 min drive
• Puerto Banus: 4.6km, 8 min drive

We have a section dedicated to guides on Marbella's prime locations for those who would like to learn more about Marbella.

The Marbella Golden Mile began its journey in 1954, when Prince Alfonso de Hohenlohe started building the iconic Marbella Club Hotel. It was inaugurated in 1976. This became the pinnacle of Marbella’s elite at the time, with many celebrities and royalty spending their vacations here. This area rose to popularity and in turn, development of surrounding areas began. The prestige lives on over 60 years later, as some of the world’s rich and famous have homes here. Jason Statham, Sylvester Stallone and Michelle Obama are just a small portion of the long list of celebrities that chose Marbella as their summer getaway.

Area A of the Marbella Golden Mile, ranging from the Beach to the N-340, covers a vast geographical location along the coast. It is considered the eastern area of the Golden Mile; an area filled with some of the most exclusive amenities and properties. The famous Marbella Club Hotel and Puente Romano Resort are located in Area A, along with many options for gastronomy and entertainment. This area, as it is considered beachside, lies on flat land and is more densely populated with houses, many of which have direct access to the beach.

Area B of the Marbella Golden Mile covers the distance from the N-340 to the AP-7, encompassing communities such as Monte Paraiso, El Vicario, Las Lomas de Marbella Club, amongst several others. Geographically speaking, it begins to extend towards the mountain, yet still being considerably close to the beach. Due to this, homes are more spaced out and usually found in urbanisations, although stand-alone villas are still prominent. Most properties also retain some form of sea view, but equally enjoy impressive mountain views.

Area C of the Marbella Golden Mile stretches further than the AP-7, into the mountains. Sierra Blanca and Nagueles, along with others, make up this area. Here, properties are built on a mountain, which makes the area less densely populated and more spaced out, even more so than those of Area B. Homes in Area C are usually quite large and many villas can be found here. However, there are also some apartment complexes. This area is a lot more residential, with not many amenities around. However, everything can be reached in merely a short drive. What’s more, it enjoys more privacy, general security and stunning views.

The Marbella Golden Mile covers quite an extensive geographical area, yet does not fall under the category of being a district. Additionally, people have different opinions as to what areas fall under the Marbella Golden Mile, seeing as there are not only independent villas, but several gated communities, urbanisations and apartment complexes that encompass the Golden Mile.

Thus, it is extremely hard to determine the exact number of houses that make up the Marbella Golden Mile. Even if we were to exclude areas such as Nagueles and Sierra Blanca, the amount of houses would still be hard to establish.

Area A, located right on the coast, holds many villas with beach access and several luxury apartment complexes that include direct access to the promenade and the beach. The homes found along the promenade usually follow a traditional Mediterranean style, known for its clean lines, curved archways and warm colour palettes. Recently, more modern villas have been built. However, due to the small amount of plot left for sale, building new property has been a little restricted. Thus, it has become a tendency with architects and homeowners to re-develop older traditional villas into a more contemporary style. Of course, these properties tend to have great or sometimes unobstructed sea views.

Area B is made up largely by urbanisations, where apartment complexes and townhouses are prominent. These, too, follow a Mediterranean style. Villas, of course, are also widely available and allow for garden space, which attracts many people. There are also many apartment complexes throughout, many of which are quite recent, thus following a contemporary style, causing a luxurious feel. This area benefits from having sea and mountain views, depending on where you are located.

Area C is quite an exclusive area due to its privileged location. Here, villas have gardens with private pools and are separated from one another on large plots. The style of these ranges is based on the homeowner, yet the Mediterranean style prevails. Modern villas and penthouses have increased in popularity in recent years.

Below is a property tour we filmed in a €17,950,000 villa in Sierra Blanca in Area C of the Golden Mile.

The Marbella Golden Mile is an area with many living options, suitable for all types of budgets, which creates a wide price range, and in turn, higher demand. However, it is essential to note that properties tend to be on the higher end of the Marbella market price range. Moreover, the property price heavily depends on where they are on the Golden Mile. Based on the current market, there is a price range of €500,000 - €35,000,000.

Area A holds a prestigious location, taking up the front-line properties and those close to the N-340 and Ricardo Soriano. Properties here are generally priced between €2,000,000-€10,000,000 if you consider apartments also. For larger properties the bracket would be €4.000.000-€10.000.000. However, it is essential to remember that areas like Puente Romano sit in this area of the Golden Mile, where prices for frontline properties can reach over €10,000,000. Moreover, properties can vary in price depending on how close they are to the beach and what the views are like from said property. Generally, the closer to the coast and the better the sea views, the more expensive.

A fun fact, one of the most expensive homes for sale on the Marbella Golden Mile - and in Spain -  is listed for €80,000,000. Casa Loriana is a grandiose mansion on the first line of the beach, located just minutes away from Marbella Beach Club and Trocadero Beach. It boasts a beautiful tropical garden equipped with fountains, sea views and two swimming pools. Its owner is the well-known Irish emblem, Michael Smurfit. For the lower end of the scale, properties such as townhouses, apartments, penthouses and smaller plots can be obtained. Their price ranges between €500,000 and €5,000,000. Higher prices are attached to villas, duplex penthouses, large plots and mansions.

Area B boasts larger plot sizes, a quieter atmosphere and larger builds. The prices of properties here fluctuate wildly, with homes being on the market for prices typically between €2,000,000-€6,000,000, depending on the size of the plot and property build. However, there are also many smaller townhouses and apartments that are for sale under €1,000,000. However, there is currently a house on the market that goes for higher price tags; for example, a property in this area is listed for €35,000,000, so one can imagine how distinguished the location is and how varied properties are.

Area C is home to the largest plots and the most grandiose houses on the Golden Mile. Known for its exclusivity, this area of the Golden Mile is generally the most expensive area to purchase a property, with prices ranging between €2,000,000-€30,000,000. But typically, properties, including apartments, can go for anywhere between €2.000.000-€10.000.000. The price range varies significantly as it covers a vast area and hosts many properties, from apartments to mansions. Area C encompasses the prestigious urbanisations of Sierra Blanca, Nagüeles and Cascada de Camojan, where Drumelia has sold many properties priced over €20,000,000, such as El Nido, La Favorita and El Cortijo. As with Area A, the better the views, the more privacy and the larger the property, the larger the price tag. It must be mentioned that although there is currently no property listed for over €30,000,000, there have been properties in the past with price tags of €40,000,000 and over. 

The Marbella Golden Mile compromises a wide area, and is not a district in itself, thus creating a wide price range for plots. It is important to remember this, as this is merely an estimation.

The cheapest you can find in the Marbella Golden Mile area would be of €500 per square metre of land and can go as high as €2000 per square metre of land.

Currently, the minimum price for a plot is of €500,000, equating to €500 per square metre on a 1000m2 plot. However, this is in a less exclusive area of the Marbella Golden Mile and is smaller in size. This is probably the cheapest you could find for a plot on the Marbella Golden Mile. The most expensive is €20,000,000 in Sierra Blanca. On average, a plot costs €2,000,000 - €3,000,000; however, this is a rough estimation. The price is always subject to where in the Golden Mile the plot is located.

The nature of the Marbella Golden Mile makes it unclassifiable as a district, making it hard to determine how much one would spend on building a house. However, the cost of building a property often depends on the size of the plot and its location. On average, one is looking at spending anywhere between €500 - €2,000 per square metre of land on the Golden Mile.

As an example, suppose you are building a 1.200 m2 house which costs €3000 per m2 on a 3,000 m2 plot which costs €1,500 per m2:

1,200m2 x €3,000 = €3,600,000 for the property build. 

3,000m2 x €1,500 = €4,500,000 for the plot.

That means you would be looking at spending €8,100,000 on the plot and the property build.

Then you would factor in €100,000 for a fully fitted kitchen and €100,000 for garden landscaping, equating to €8,300,000

Additional  fees such as architect, project management, licences, geological studies, technical reports, permits and taxes usually equate to 20% of the cost of the property build, in this case, = €720,000

Thus, it would cost around €9,020,000 to build a house on the Golden Mile.

However, this is merely an estimation because it is hard to determine the price without knowing its location along the Marbella Golden Mile. These prices can fluctuate greatly depending on the location of the property.

Look no further!

Our unique Market Watch property tracker gives you a detailed snapshot of the most recent property sales in Marbella Golden Mile area.

Offering you a true understanding of local market trends and dynamics, each entry features a rich set of data, from property type and size to its asking price, sale date, and price per square meter. You can observe fluctuations, compare prices, and get a good sense of real estate in this specific part of Marbella.

Go to MARKET WATCH for Golden Mile Marbella

Properties in Area A are literally by the sea. Villas line the promenade, with the beach being your garden. Mountain views are also prominent on the Marbella Golden Mile, with most properties having direct sea and mountain views, adding onto the special feel of the Marbella Golden Mile.

Area B has quick beach access, being a short walk or drive away. Sea views are also available due to it being on the beginning of a mountain slope, making the views some of the best in Marbella.

Area C is located some 300m above sea level which allows for direct sea views from any point. The panoramic sea views are outstanding. Some areas even open up to Gibraltar, Morocco and the Rif Mountain, with the Marbella Golden Mile beaches being visible throughout.

Due to the Golden Mile’s proximity to everything, it is an extremely popular place for home-buyers. The fact that you are living amidst all the action, and all the beauty Marbella has to offer, attracts many people. Being the closest community to the beach, this too boosts its popularity.

Additionally, the Marbella Golden Mile is heavily pedestrianised in order to accommodate walking and cycling, yet also has roads that enable cars to reach every point on the Golden Mile. This balance between both creates easy movement as it is very well connected, which is crucial when buying a house. Also, the A-7, N-340 and AP-7 are all closely and conveniently reached.

The Marbella Golden Mile holds a reputation of being the most high-end place in Marbella, which influenced people to purchase properties here. Similarly, it is also a very family-oriented area, as many families have homes here.

If you want to learn more about the benefits of owning a property in Marbella, read our blog.

The Marbella Golden Mile is the heart of the action. It is filled with amenities and entertainment to please crowds of all ages. For instance, one can find fine dining of any cuisine, whether it be Thai, Japanese, Mediterranean or Italian. The Marbella Golden Mile is home to several michelin-star restaurants and universally known trendy dining, such as Nobu. For a more relaxed dining experience, many cosy chiringuitos line the promenade, allowing for dinner or snacks whilst enjoying the fresh sea breeze. Some of Marbella’s most exclusive nightclubs are located on the Golden Mile, such as La Suite, Momento, Olivia Valere and Mamzel, where you can dance the night away. The majority of these amenities are located around the coastal road, thus relating to Area A.

Regarding activities, the Marbella Golden Mile holds the perfect location for any taste. Many of these can also be found in Area A, seeing as it is right by the beach. One can enjoy a variety of watersports, whether this be jet skiing, paddleboarding or parasailing. For those seeking an activity on their feet, the Puente Romano resort has an amazing tennis club, with 8 clay courts, 2 plexipave courts and a gym. If you aren’t a sports fan, there is no need to worry. The Six Senses SPA, which can be found in Puente Romano resort but is open to the public, is the perfect place to wind down and receive treatments that will leave you feeling nurtured and refreshed.

We also cannot forget retail therapy, much of which can be found in Area A; many international designer brands have shops and luxury retail stores here, Chanel being an example. Small boutiques and art galleries line the coastal road, adhering to any taste.

Area’s B and C are extremely popular for their biking and jogging opportunities, you can also find natural parks and reserves to freely roam. They allow a beautiful visual experience as you exercise, especially while chasing the subject.

If you would like recommendations on the best restaurants in Marbella, read our blog.

Kids can experience a fun, action-packed life on the Marbella Golden Mile. Whether they want to swim at the beach or splatter around the pool, the Marbella Golden Mile has it all. A wide range of activities is also on the palm of their hand, and can be easily reached even by foot. Examples of these include watersports, playgrounds and a variety of cafes, among other things. Parents can rest assured that their kids are safely roaming around due to the security that can be found throughout all urbanizations on the Marbella Golden Mile.

You can check out our blog to learn more about making the most of the outdoors in Marbella.

There are two schools within the Marbella Golden Mile, both private schools offering a British education. Both of these are located in Area C. Swans International School teaches children aged 4 to 18, and the British International School of Marbella provides education for children aged 2 to 12.

Other international schools for kids aged 4 to 18  include Laude San Pedro International, where education can be completed in either the Spanish or British curriculum, being only 7km (or a 10 minute drive) from the Marbella Golden Mile. Aloha College is 4km away, and the English International College is 15km away, heading toward the Elviria area and Marbella East.

Sotogrande International School, being the only boarding school on the coast, can be found 52km away, equating to a 40 minute drive. It is located in a beautiful municipality and students have the choice of boarding or attending day school.

For higher education, Marbella International University has its grounds in the hills of the Golden Mile, where degrees in business, marketing and international relations can be obtained. Les Roches, one of the world's top hospitality and hotel management universities, is also located in the Marbella Golden Mile. The American College, which provides an American higher education, can be found 6.3km away.

Spanish Public Schools on the Marbella Golden Mile are also worth mentioning. The most known is IES Guadalpin, which offers primary and secondary education, as well as Baccalaureat and further studies of subjects such as Production and Business. These classes are all conducted in Spanish.

If you want to learn more about education in Marbella, we have an article on our website.

The Marbella Golden Mile holds all the amenities one would need, with the beach being right at your doorstep. Restaurants, stores, and entertainment are all a walking distance away via the promenade. In essence, everything you may need is 10 minutes away.

The Marbella Old Town is a five-minute drive away, and Puerto Banus, the hub of elegance, is a short eight-minute drive away. Here, one can find a range of boutiques, such as Louis Vuitton, Tom Ford, Hermes and Versace. Puerto Banus is home to many upscale restaurants with a wide variety of cuisines, where you can enjoy the gastronomy with beautiful views of the Port. You can also find El Corte Ingles here, a luxurious shopping centre with brands such as Dolce & Gabbana, Carolina Herrera and Isabel Marant. There is also a grocery store inside, with a wide variety of products, including those tailored to a healthy, organic lifestyle. El Corte Ingles also has departments to shop for basic necessities such as sporting goods and items for the home.

San Pedro de Alcantara is also close-by for those that want to get a feel of the Spanish side of Marbella. It is a great place for families to visit, as the Boulevard is a peaceful area where kids can play. The Roman Ruins are also a place of interest, as they hold much history.

Distances to amenities:

• El Corte Ingles department stores - 3km and 8km, 4 and 12-minute drives, respectively
• Manolo Santana Tennis Club - 4km, 7 min drive
• Golf Valley of Nueva Andalucia - 5km, 10 min drive
• Boulevard of San Pedro de Alcantara - 8.5km, 10 minute drive
• Marbella Centre - 3.3km, 8 min drive
• Malaga City - 61km, 43 min drive
• Estepona - 27km, 27 min drive
• Puerto Banus - 4.6km, 8 min drive

Much of the world’s rich and famous have been enamoured by the Marbella Golden Mile lifestyle thus purchasing homes in the area. The Marbella Golden Mile is a very family-friendly location, with many choosing to raise their children here. It remains an international community, merging residents of various cultural backgrounds. Some of the big names that own homes on the Marbella Golden Mile include Prince Fahd of Saudi Arabia, who purchased a plot on the Marbella Golden Mile next to the Mosque financed by Saudi Arabia and named after their first monarch, King Abdul Aziz. A replica of the White House was built, thus the Saudi Royal family visit frequently. Simon Cowell, a British TV personality and record executive, owns a villa on the Marbella Golden Mile near Sierra Blanca. Also, Sir Alan Sugar owned a frontline villa just off the Marbella Golden Mile in Puente Romano.

The Marbella Golden Mile hosts some of the most grand, luxurious houses on the coast. To name a few, El Nido in Cascada de Camojan, priced at €21,900,000 was sold in May of 2022 to a direct client. This house was a very popular one, as it received a lot of attention due to our marketing efforts via social media. Another mansion, priced at €29,000,000, located in Nagueles and called El Cortijo was sold in October 2022; this one is considered a gem in Marbella due to the size of the plot and its prestigious location on the Marbella Golden Mile.

Several other homes on the Marbella Golden Mile received a lot of media attention, especially through social platforms. A favourite with audiences from across the globe is Villa Symphony, which was priced at €13,500,000 and sold by Drumelia. La Favorita, sold by Drumelia to a direct client in September 2022, was valued at €19,000,000. Forbes valued Villa Ricotta at €40,000,000, which Drumelia sold.

The Marbella Golden Mile has unrestricted movement, seeing as it is a very important road in getting around Marbella. However, several residential areas are often protected by barriers during the day and night with security hubs monitoring movement. Speed limits are strictly enforced throughout the Marbella Golden Mile, with several speed cameras being present. The limit used to be 80km/h, but has recently been changed to 50km/h to reduce traffic incidents.

Seeing as the Marbella Golden Mile is so close to Marbella Centre, there are many police stations in the area, so a fast and efficient assist in case of an emergency is assured. Furthermore, local police routinely drive around the Golden Mile.

The Marbella Golden Mile is also heavily pedestrianised, so people can safely walk, run or cycle the streets of the Golden Mile. Gated communities within the Marbella Golden Mile have their own on-site security and patrol guards. For villas on the promenade, gates and individualised entries protect the homes.

If you want to learn more about Marbella's security and safety or medical care in Marbella, make sure you read our blog.

Drumelia is the top real estate firm in Marbella and has many years of experience helping buyers and vendors with their properties on the Marbella Golden Mile. Drumelia leads sales on the Golden Mile, as we currently have over 100 properties for sale on the Golden Mile, ranging from building plots to luxury villas ready to move into. We are here to assist with your search and ready to guide you through your purchase or sale process.

Besides leading Marbella's luxury real estate market, Drumelia is also an expert in helping clients buy and sell high-end real estate on the Marbella Golden Mile. We have sold over 50 impressive properties within the community, like a classic mansion valued by Forbes at €40,000,000, Villa Symphony priced at €13,500,000, El Nido in Cascada de Camojan priced at €21,900,000. El Cortijo, a mansion located in Nagueles was priced at €29,000,000. As for plots, Picos de Sierra Blanca is rented to Starlite annually and is an exclusively signed plot with Drumelia, valued at €20,000,000. Drumelia has some of the best properties listed exclusively within the Marbella Golden Mile.

Drumelia is always ready to assist with your real estate needs. Whether you are looking to purchase a property or sell one, we will guide you through every step of the process. We have an extensive database of properties alongside unprecedented marketing strategies and a global audience on multiple social media platforms. Drumelia is very active on the Golden Mile real estate market and has a list of clients eagerly searching for properties in the Area. So, if you are looking into buying a property or selling on the Golden Mile, be sure to get in touch.

You can read more about Drumelia's record sales on our blog.

• In the 50s, iconic actresses like Audrey Hepburn often visited the Golden Mile and spent their summers here.
• In the 1970s, the Al Riyad Palace and Mosque was built on the Golden Mile, leading to the hosting of the Saudi King Fahd every summer.
• The Golden Mile received its name as, at first, it was only a mile long, ranging from the current Marbella Club Hotel until the Puente Romano resort.
• Beaches on the Golden Mile hold a Blue Flag certification, meaning they meet a set of rigorous requirements.