Marbella‘s Golden Mile stretches 6.4km, beginning at the west end of Marbella at Plaza Bocanegra and continues west to just prior to Puerto Banús at Rio Verde. This well known strip has some of the most exclusive and luxurious villas, which offer views of both the mountains and sea. There are also some very exceptional hotels, the Hotel Marbella Club, and Puente Romano Hotel to name but two.
The Golden Mile was developed during the 1960s, it is divided into two areas by the motorway, which runs through it, beachside and mountainside. The name ‘Golden Mile’ was first given in the 1980s by the German property developer Roy Boston, there is a road named after him at Alhambra del Mar, his development.
Next to Rio Verde you will find the ruins of a Roman Villa, and at El Angel there is the Botanical Gardens, with three different types of garden on show, which date back to the 8th century.
Do not confuse the Golden Mile with the New Golden Mile, the New Golden Mile is between San Pedro de Alcantara and Estepona, further west than the Golden Mile.
The beauty of the Golden Mile is, that it is in close proximity, to all the amenities and activities offered by Marbella and Puerto Banus.
Marbella Golden Mile Amenities
The Golden Mile Marbella is 55- 60km from Malaga Airport, approximately 40-45 minutes via the AP7 (the toll road) or approximately 50-55 minutes on the A7 (non-toll road). There is a good network of roads, and transport services. There are buses which run to all the local towns, including Gibraltar, Estepona, Puerto Banus, Fuengirola, Torremolinos, Malaga Airport and Malaga. They also communicate with the Campo (countryside), nearby Benahavis, Ojen and Ronda. Via Malaga, you can then take connecting trains to Almería, Cádiz, Córdoba, Granada, Sevilla and further afield to Madrid and Barcelona.
There are plenty of taxis on offer, and it will cost in the region of 60-65 euros to get to or from Malaga Airport.
There are a number of private hospitals in Puerto Banus and Marbella, most notable Helicopter Hospital Health, Hospital Quiron Salud, and Marbella International Hospital. There are numerous clinics that offer a wide number of services. There is also the Hospital Costa del Sol, which is a state run hospital.
Puerto Banus and Marbella are home to a wide selection of good schools, starting with Nursery and going up to 18 years of age. There is the German School in Elviria, The British International School, Entoga the International Infant School, Marbella Montessori School, Colegio Saint George’s School, to name but a few.
Marbella Golden Mile Activities
The Golden Mile has access to a wide range of activities, including water sports such as scuba diving, paddle boarding, fly boarding, jet skiing, wind surfing, kayak, canoeing, and para-sailing, there are also sailing lessons available, and you can hire motor boats or sailing boats. There are many more options available, including fishing, for more information see: www.activitiesmarbella.es/activity/watersports.
There is the Cableski & Wake Board Centre, close by at San Pedro, and for the children, the nearest water park is on Mijas Costa, just 30-35 minutes from the Golden Mile .
Apart from the extensive range of water sports, you could go canyoning in nearby Benahavis, climbing on the outskirts of Marbella. You could also go hiking, cycling, skating, skateboarding, trampolining, skydiving and karting, there are endless possibilities.
Yoga & Pilates are widely available, and there are plenty of gyms to choose from, both in and around Marbella, Puerto Banus and San Pedro.
The Marbella area has beautiful beaches, in total there is 27 kilometres of coastline, accommodating 24 beaches. The closest to Marbella itself is Playa Fantanilla, within walking distance of the centre of Marbella. Our three favourite beaches are Playa Nagueles (12mins/4.7km), very exclusive beach on the Golden Mile, Playa de Nueva Andalucia (19min/9km) from Puerto Banus westward towards Estepona, and finally, our personal favourite, Cabapino beach (17mins/13.9km) with the nearby Las Dunas de Artola, a protected natural park. There is also Bounty Beach (6min/2.1km). Playa de Rio Real (9mins/4km), Playa de Alicate (12mins/7.5km), Playa Hermosa (14mins/8.2km) and the famous Nikki Beach (15mins/11.1km). There are three beach clubs in close proximity, Marbella Beach Club Hotel (9mins/3.7km), Ocean Club (15mins/10.5km) and La Sala Beach Club (15mins/11.2km).
There are plenty of nightclubs, there are also Gala Nights and the occasional concert held at Puerto Romano, and the Starlite Marbella Festival is an annual event. This year Texas, James Blunt, and Il Divo will be performing, along with a host of well known Spanish and international stars.
Marbella Golden Mile Markets
Each week in Marbella there is a large Monday morning street market, there are roughly around 350 stalls, selling everything from fruit and veg, clothing, and locally produced arts and crafts, at very good prices.
In addition, each Sunday from midday to 6ish, in the Puerto Deportivio de Marbella, you will find an arts and crafts market, which is one of the best. Here you will find antiques, beautiful ceramics, lovely jewellery and a range of hand-made items.
Each month, on the first Saturday, you can find the Ecological Market, held at Marbella’s Alameda Park between 10am and 2pm. Here you can find environmentally friendly, locally sourced produce, that are extremely well priced.
Every Saturday, between 9am and 3pm there is a street market in Puerto Banus. It is one of the largest markets on the Costa del Sol. There is a wide selection of produce to buy, everything from paintings, antiques, crafts, furniture and cloths, to flowers and fruit and vegetables. There are good bargains to be had at the market, and an opportunity to hone your bartering skills.
Marbella Golden Mile Golf
The Costa del Sol is also known as the Costa Golf, and the Golden Mile is right next to Golf Valley there are a plethora of excellent golf courses, these are some of the best:
Monte Paraiso Aloha Golf
Santa Clara Rio Real
Santa Maria Los Naranjos
La Quinta Artola
Cabopino Golf Marbella Club Golf Resort
For more information on Golf Courses in the area see: ww.myguidemarbella.com/golf/golfcourses
Marbella Golden Mile Tourist Attractions
You could take in most of the tourist attractions by walking the Golden Mile between Marbella and Puerto Banus. Starting at Plaza de Los Naranjos in Marbella, and finishing at Puerto Banus Marina, it takes between 2 – 3 hours, depending on how many stops you make. The walk is roughly 7.6km.
The Golden Mile, is the most sort after address on the Costa del Sol. It has much to offer, being in close proximity to both Puerto Banus and Marbella, both of which offer all the amenities anyone might require. There are numerous luxury and exclusive properties to be found here, with many very famous celebrities and extremely wealthy individuals choosing to make the Golden Mile their home or holiday destination. From Saudi Princes, to Hugh Grant, Lord Sugar, Simon Cowell and Rod Stewart, and many more, come to enjoy all that this fabulously opulent area has at their disposal.
