Where to stay in Marbella [Best Places to Stay for 2024]

At the heart of Spain’s Costa del Sol lies the resort destination of Marbella. With dramatic mountain peaks against a backdrop of the Mediterranean Sea, it’s no wonder that world travellers flock to Marbella for rest and relaxation.

The cuisine is fantastic, the weather is good year-round and there is a nice mix of history, culture, and nightlife.

Luxury yachts and motor boats moored in Puerto Banus marina in Marbella, Spain. Marbella is a popular holiday destination located on the Costa del Sol in the southern Andalusia, it lies beneath the Cordillera Penibetica mountains

With so many hotels, hostels and villas in Marbella, it can be hard to decide where to stay in Marbella. We’ve put together this guide to help you find the best area of Marbella, along with the best hotels in Marbella for every budget and travel style.

We will cover off all types of Marbella accommodation options from Hostels to luxury Marbella hotels as well as how to decide where to stay in Marbella Spain 2024.

This guide shows the best Marbella hotels, best places in Marbella to visit, the best places to stay in Marbella, hotels near Marbella attractions, Marbella neighborhood guide and many more.

Below are 7 of the best places to stay in Marbella Spain to help you make the right decision when trying to work out best areas to stay in Marbella for you. We have tried to make the guide as easy to follow as possible.

We have also included some things to do or places to visit as well as some eatery suggestions of either our favourite places or some funky places to eat at within the areas in Marbella so you can use this as a go to guide to pick the best accommodation in Marbella for you.

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Table of Contents

Old Town – Where to stay in Marbella on a budget

Many visitors come to Marbella and miss the Old Town altogether. It’s not far from the city center and has a lot of history to explore.

Narrow cobblestone streets lead you to boutiques, vintage stores, cafes, and Spanish restaurants. Orange Square Marbella is the hub of Old Town, where you can grab a coffee at a sidewalk cafe and enjoy the Spanish atmosphere under a grove of orange trees.

Old Town happens to be a very budget-friendly neighborhood, with affordable tapas bars and a range of accommodation options.

Best places to stay in Old Town Marbella

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Old Town Marbella

Hostal El Gallo

Budget accommodation in Old Town Marbella

Mid range accommodation in Old Town Marbella

Family Friendly accommodation in Old Town Marbella

Affordable Luxury accommodation in Old Town Marbella

El Fuerte Marbella

Marbella, Spain - Plaza Fernando Alcala in the old town of Marbella, Spain. The plaza dates from 1485.

Downtown – Where to stay in Marbella for tourists

Closer to the waterfront, you’ll find the city center of Marbella. Just a few minutes’ walk from Old Town, this area is bustling in comparison.

Downtown Marbella is the best area for tourists who are visiting for a short time and want to experience all the sights of Marbella.

If you love to shop, you’ll find everything from high street shops to eclectic boutiques, and there are loads of restaurants and cafes to choose from.

Downtown Marbella even has its own beach at Playa Fontanilla. When it’s time to choose a Marbella hotel, there are tons of options as this area has the highest concentration of hotels.

Best places to stay in Downtown Marbella

Budget accommodation in Downtown Marbella

Mid range accommodation in Downtown Marbella

Family Friendly accommodation in Downtown Marbella

Narrow street of Marbella town with white walls decorated with flower pots

Playa Nagueles – Where to stay in Marbella for nightlife

For the luxury traveler, look no further than Playa Nagueles. Situated along the Golden Mile, Marbella nightlife hub (making this the best place in Marbella for nightlife), this beach area draws the rich and famous with the best hotels, restaurants, and beach clubs.

Some would say this is the best stretch of beach in Marbella, with impeccable maintenance and abundant services.

The beach is very family-friendly, with fine sand and shallow water, making Playa Nagueles a great choice if you are wondering where to stay in Marbella with family.

Best places to stay in Playa Nagueles

Budget accommodation in Playa Nagueles

Mid range accommodation in Playa Nagueles

Family Friendly accommodation in Playa Nagueles

Affordable Luxury accommodation in Playa Nagueles

Weathered lumber path leading to calm sea during beautiful sunset in countryside in Cabopino, Artola dunes. Marbella, Spain

Puerto Banus – Where to stay in Marbella for luxury travellers

Moving into the suburbs of Marbella, Puerto Banus is another popular resort area along the Golden Mile. This area is also a nightlife hot spots, so if you’re wondering where to stay in Marbella for party? Consider Puerto Banus.

Just four kilometers from downtown Marbella, this is one of the safest places to stay in the area, as it’s very posh and expensive.

It’s not exactly a budget-friendly destination, but if you are looking for a quiet area with a lot to offer, you might consider staying here.

Puerto Banus has everything a traveler could want, from casinos and golf courses to beaches and shopping malls. The restaurants, bars, and hotels in Puerto Banus cater to luxury travelers as well.

Best places to stay in Puerto Banus marbella

Budget accommodation in Puerto Banus

Mid range accommodation in Puerto Banus

Family Friendly accommodation in Puerto Banus

Affordable Luxury accommodation in Puerto Banus

Port of Puerto Banus. Puerto Banus, Marbella, Costa del Sol, Andalusia, Spain.

Funny Beach – Where to stay in Marbella with family

Not far from downtown Marbella, is Funny Beach, or Playa el Pinillo. The Funny Beach name comes from the family fun park and go-kart track that used to be located just behind the beach.

It has since been replaced by beach clubs, however, the beach remains a family destination.

Sun beds are available to rent, as are many watersports activities including pedal boats, jet skis, parasailing, and inflatables. If you are looking for an active day at the beach, Funny Beach is a great choice.

Best places to stay in Funny Beach

Budget accommodation in Funny Beach

Mid range accommodation in Funny Beach

Family Friendly accommodation in Funny Beach

MARBELLA, SPAIN - Tourists relaxing on Funny Beach with pedaloes to the left hand side Marbella Malaga Province Andalusia Spain Western Europe

Víbora beach – Where to stay in Marbella for beach lovers

One of the many beautiful beaches along the Marbella waterfront is Vibora Beach. This large beach is perfect for watersports and is home to several swanky beach clubs, including Nikki Beach Marbella Restaurant and Beach Club.

Away from the beach clubs, the remainder of Playa de la Víbora is actually quiet and serene, making it a great place to escape with the latest chick-lit. If you are looking for a beach hotel in Marbella, there are several nearby.

Wondering best place to stay in Marbella for couples? Playa de la Víbora is a fairly relaxed area for honeymooners or couples looking for relax.

Best places to stay in Vibora Beach

Budget accommodation in Vibora Beach

Mid range accommodation in Vibora Beach

Family Friendly accommodation in Vibora Beach

Affordable Luxury accommodation in Vibora Beach

MARBELLA, SPAIN - Tourists relaxing on Playa de la Vibora beach Elviria Marbella Malaga Province Andalusia Spain Western Europe

Cabopino Beach – Where to stay in Marbella for things to do

Cabopino and the adjacent sand dunes are some of the more natural waterfront areas of Marbella.

The beaches here are a bit less touristy, and you will find more locals enjoying the large, pristine beach that is protected by sand dunes. This area has a marina, several restaurants, and a couple of beach clubs.

If you are looking for a nudist beach in Marbella, there is one just west at Playa Artola. The Cabopino Golf Course is also very popular, making this a well-rounded place to stay in Marbella for anyone looking for many activity options.

Best places to stay in Cabopino Beach

Budget accommodation in Cabopino Beach

Mid range accommodation in Cabopino Beach

Family Friendly accommodation in Cabopino Beach

Palm trees and ancient stone tower on Cabopino beach. Coastline of ?arbella. Andalusia province, Spain.

Top 5 favorites accommodation options for Marbella

❤️ Best Area first timers	Old Town or Downtown Marbella
💸 Best Luxury Hotel	Alanda Marbella Hotel
👪 Best Hotel for For Families	GRAN BAHIA de Marbella
🏨 Best Mid-Range Hotel	Melia Marbella Banús
🛏️ Best Budget Hotel	Hotel Finlandia
✨ Best Hostel	Hostal El Gallo

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