Planning a Marbella vacation? We’re here to help!

Spain’s Costa del Sol is the go-to destination for European holidaymakers keen to enjoy a vacation filled with sun, sand, and sea, plus a touch of glamour and five-star luxury. The region has much to tempt every type of vacationer from the active to the more sedate and Marbella is the ultimate seaside enclave to set as your vacation base. With much to offer in the way of activities, with its Old Quarter, nearby world-class museums, never-ending beaches, golf courses, and fine dining restaurants, you may want to plan your itinerary carefully to ensure you see everything this beautiful part of Spain has to offer. That is if you can bear to leave the perimeters of your luxury villa. Whether it’s a romantic honeymoon just for two, a family get-together, or corporate retreat for 20, let Marbella be the backdrop to a vacation you won’t forget.

It is safe to say you will not go hungry while vacationing in Marbella. The close proximity to the sea combined with the clement weather ensures a rich variety of fresh, local produce is available throughout the year. It’s this fresh produce which inspires some of Spain’s most original chefs, whose restaurants are dotted on Marbella’s beachfront and Old Quarter. For celebrity spotting combined with a delicious bite to eat, MC Beach, set within the iconic Marbella Club is a must-visit. Bridget Bardot and Sean Connery are just some of the fans who’ve enjoyed alfresco meals there. Another Jet Set favorite is Villa Tiberio; a restaurant situated within 6,000 square feet of lush, tropical gardens. It was created by chef Sandro Morelli, who combines Spanish flavors with Italian dishes such as fettuccine al salmone and Osso Bucco.

Marbella’s Old Town has many eateries to enjoy. If you’d like a meal filled with classic French dishes, head to Casanis Bistrot; a charming bistro close to the Old Town’s Orange Square, here you can enjoy a glass of something chilled outside in the pedestrianised street before enjoying a meal from the menu of daily specials, such as foie gras, confit of duck, and steak tartare. Close by on Plaza de los Naranjos is Pico Jimenez, a restaurant with seafood at the heart of its menu. Freshly caught sea bream, turbot, and monkfish are just some of the delicacies you can eat when you visit. If you are looking to celebrate a special anniversary, make a reservation at Skina, a Michelin starred restaurant, whose 12-course tasting menus are the talk of the town. It’s a tiny restaurant with a big wine list, and is famous for using seasonal, local produce in ingenious ways.

It comes as no surprise that Spain’s ‘Golden Coast’ has a large number of beaches to enjoy during your stay. It’s important to note that as it is a popular destination for European holidaymakers, some of the beaches get very busy during the summer months, but there are more than enough sandy beaches for everyone to enjoy. One of the most loved, is Playa de Alicante, just outside Marbella. It is filled with restaurants and bars, which makes it a great place to spend the day. Los Sardinales is the restaurant to grab a bite to eat in and if you fancy dancing the night away then the South Beach Club is the place to do just that. Just east of Marbella, close to all the five-star luxury resorts is Playa Nagueles. It’s the most exclusive part of the coast and you can rent a bike or yacht to explore this beautiful stretch of sand.

For a fun family day out, have a stroll along the boardwalk and harbour at Puerto Cabopino beach and marina. The views of the sand dunes, sea, and the mountains are spectacular, as is the nearby nature reserve.

For a day and night filled with full on glamour, look no further than Nikki beach. This infamous hot spot is the go-to for party lovers who want to be seen and worship the sun at the same time. Rent a VIP day bed, enjoy the music pumping out across the waves and sip a cocktail or two. It’s what vacations were made for.

There are plenty of activities and cultural hot spots to explore near to your Luxury Retreats villa. Marbella’s Old Quarter has the remains of a 9th century Moorish fortress to walk around, while a trip through the palm trees in Alameda Park is a pleasant way to while away an hour or two. If you’d like to be immersed in nature for a little longer, spend a day in the Sierra de Las Nieves national park. The El Canalon natural rock pool formations here are well worth a visit. If hiking is your passion, a 90-minute walk up the La Concha mountain will reveal breathtaking views of Marbella’s coastline.

In central Marbella, you’ll find Avenida del Mar, an avenue filled with sculptures by Salvador Dali. Art lovers should also consider a day trip to nearby Malaga, to visit Picasso’s childhood home, an outpost of the Centre Pompidou, Santiago Hermitage, and CAC Museum of Modern Art, which are open all year round.

Wine connoisseurs will enjoy a vineyard tour near the historic hillside town of Ronda, where vines have been grown since Roman times. And the truly adventurous will delight in making a day trip to Morocco. It only takes a couple of hours to get to Tangier by ferry, and the tours of the souks and spice markets make this journey a vacation highlight.

Where to stay – Marbella villas

The Costa del Sol has white sandy beaches that stretch for miles along the coastline. Luxury Retreats’ villas are set on or near some of Marbella’s most exclusive beaches. The only question you need to ask yourself is which villa do you want to make your home from home.

When deciding on a beach rental in Marbella , Luxury Retreats does all the hard work for you, as its select edit of first-class villas has all the amenities and modern essentials to please even the most particular vacationer. Based in the most sought-after locations, such as Marbella or Hippo beach and with a full roster of staff, including housekeeper and butler, these villas are what summer dreams are made of.

Set within secluded, gated communities, these villas have expansive, lush gardens with sun terraces, heated pools, alfresco dining spots, and inbuilt bars. If tennis or golf are your sports of choice, there are golf courses, tennis courts, and even an equestrian center at the iconic, and close by, Marbella Club which are available for Luxury Retreats guests to use. The sleek interiors are a pleasure to lounge in after a day’s sun worshipping, as are the bedrooms that all come with en-suite bathrooms as standard. You are bound to want to rustle up something delicious in the villa’s state of the art kitchen, but if the inclination lies elsewhere, the culinary delights of Marbella are just a quick drive away.

A family vacation in Marbella is a vacation experience to cherish for years to come. Set in the sunniest part of Spain (this destination has over 320 days of sunshine per year) with a variety of activities and beaches just on your villa’s doorstep, it’s the perfect place to relax and unwind with your nearest and dearest. The palatial villas are all close to the bright lights of Marbella, such as Puerto Banus beachfront. All villas boast a variety of amenities that are tailored to your complete enjoyment. Think indoor and outdoor heated pools, sun terraces, rooftop hot tubs, saunas, tennis courts, and indoor bars. Professional kitchens, floor-to-ceiling windows, marble flooring, and molded ceilings are just some of the design features to note. The luxury king-size bedrooms all have en-suite bathrooms, with double basins, rain showers, and deep oval-shaped baths. The golfers in your family will be pleased to have Spain’s top premium courses close by, such as Real Club de Golf Las Brisas, Los Naranjos Golf Club, and Los Flamingos Golf Course.