Design-led
Stylish & Instagram-worthy
The most photogenic rooms and corners on the coast — design-forward spots worth dressing up for.
Our pickCasares
CLUB DE GOLF FINCA CORTESIN — Casares
One of the most decorated golf venues on the Costa del Sol, set in the hills above Casares on a parkland championship course designed by Cabell Robinson. Wide fairways, mature planting and sweeping coastal views define the layout, which has staged the Solheim Cup and Volvo World Match Play. A polished, tranquil setting for serious golfers and resort guests alike.
Quiet · Design
Our pickMarbella
Elements Gym
A results-driven training facility on Calle Chipre in San Pedro de Alcántara, set across spacious industrial-style spaces fitted with serious strength equipment. The focus is one-to-one coaching, structured transformation programmes and body composition, with recovery touches like sauna and ice baths. It suits committed individuals who want measurable progress rather than a casual workout.
Quiet · Design
Our pickEstepona
Ikigai Food for Life
A bright, health-led café on Avenida España in Estepona, set almost on the beach with deck chairs, parasols and open sea views. The kitchen draws on Asian and Scandinavian influences, with vibrant bowls, fresh juices and vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options made from organic produce. A relaxed, restorative spot for breakfast, brunch or a light lunch by the water.
Quiet · Design
NewMarbella
Don Carlos Marbella
One of Marbella's grandest five-star resorts, set in vast tropical gardens that open onto Elviria beach east of town. Recently reimagined, it gathers a large spa, the Rafa Nadal tennis and padel centre, several restaurants and beach clubs including Lucia and Nikki Beach. A polished base for families and groups seeking resort living.
Dining · Design · Lively
NewMarbella
La Petite Maison Marbella
La Petite Maison brings the warmth of its original Nice dining room to Puente Romano, in a spacious seafront setting with its own terrace and a signature bar. The Mediterranean and Provençal menu is built for sharing, from sea bass to truffle pasta, with golden-hour cocktails and DJs. An elegant, easygoing table by the sea.
Dining · Design · Lively
NewMarbella
Lucia Marbella
A vibrant poolside restaurant and bain de soleil from Nikki Beach Hospitality Group at the Don Carlos resort, following its debut in Cannes. Maximalist, colour-drenched design surrounds sun loungers and a grotto bar carved into the rock, paired with Mediterranean Cuisine du Soleil. Made for sun-filled days into the evening.
Dining · Design · Lively
NewMarbella
Nube Estepona
A contemporary beach club and restaurant on Playa del Cristo in Estepona, built around open-fire Mediterranean cooking and the day's freshest seafood. It flows from calm mornings on the sunbeds to lively evenings of cocktails and music, with a pool, bookable day beds and a late-night lounge. Suits couples and groups alike.
Dining · Design · Lively
NewMarbella
Sabine Marbella
An Ibiza-inflected beach restaurant on Marbella's eastern shore, set on the former site of a long-standing chiringuito. The kitchen leans into contemporary Mediterranean cooking built on fresh fish, seafood and rice dishes, while DJs and a Sunday vinyl session keep the mood relaxed. A stylish spot for sunny afternoons by the sea.
Dining · Design · Lively
NewMarbella
Serafina Marbella
The first Spanish home of Serafina, the celebrity-favoured Italian restaurant founded in Manhattan in 1995, now settled at Puente Romano. Expect modern Italian cooking, from wood-fired pizza to handmade pasta, in a stylish, lively setting beside the resort's gardens. A relaxed yet polished choice for groups and long dinners.
Dining · Design · Lively
Marbella
Aloha Golf Club
A championship parkland course in Nueva Andalucía, set in the golf valley a short drive inland from Puerto Banús. Designed by the celebrated Javier Arana and opened in 1975, its mature trees and demanding layout have hosted European Tour and Ladies European Tour events. The clubhouse and restaurant make it an inviting base for a day on the greens.
Quiet · Design
Málaga
Bar La Tranca — Tapas Bar in Málaga
A lively, much-loved tasca in Málaga's Centro, pouring vermouth, moscatel and wines from the tap alongside honest homemade tapas. Barrels for tables, vintage album covers on the walls and bills chalked on the counter give it real character and a buzzing local crowd. A spirited, authentic stop for an aperitivo rather than a quiet sit-down meal.
Quiet · Design
Málaga
Calle Larios — Málaga
Málaga's grand marble boulevard runs through the heart of the old town, pedestrianised and lined with Spanish high-street names and international brands. Wide, elegant and always busy, it anchors the city's social life and rewards a half-day trip combined with the cathedral, tapas and the port.
Casual · Design
Fuengirola
Centro Comercial Miramar — Fuengirola
A large covered mall a short drive east in Fuengirola, gathering high-street favourites, a multi-screen cinema and a generous food court. A rooftop terrace with a karting track and children's play area makes it especially easy with kids, and free parking keeps a rainy day simple.
Casual · Design
Marbella
El Corte Inglés Puerto Banús
Spain's flagship department store rises over six floors a few steps from the Puerto Banús marina, gathering high-end fashion, beauty and accessories under one roof. The top-floor Gourmet Experience pairs a food hall with terrace dining, and the whole place suits an unhurried afternoon between brands and lunch.
Casual · Design
Marbella
El Txoco de Luis Salinero
A modern, elegant restaurant at Plaza Marina Banús in Nueva Andalucía, where chef Luis Salinero cooks a seasonal "north to south" menu spanning regional Spanish flavours. The open kitchen, refined plating and quality raw materials set the tone, with specialities such as ox and flamenquín. A confident choice for couples and groups dining near Puerto Banús.
Quiet · Design
Marbella
La Cañada Shopping Centre
The largest centre on the Costa del Sol sits just above Marbella town, with more than 150 shops spanning international names and homeware alongside a multiplex cinema. Generous free parking and a relaxed food court make it the obvious choice for families, a rainy afternoon, or stocking up before a villa stay.
Casual · Design · Hidden Gem
Benahavís
Los Abanicos
A long-standing family restaurant in the centre of Benahavís, the hillside village known as the dining room of the Costa del Sol. Now run by a second generation, it blends Spanish and Mediterranean cooking, with tables spilling onto a narrow, atmospheric street. Warm, welcoming service and dishes such as slow-cooked lamb make it a dependable village favourite.
Quiet · Design
Marbella
Marbella Old Town boutiques
Independent and Spanish designer shops thread through the whitewashed lanes of the casco antiguo, around Calle Nueva and the orange trees of Plaza de los Naranjos. Handmade jewellery, leather and one-off pieces fill the storefronts, and the cobbled, car-free setting makes the shopping as much about the wander as the buying.
Casual · Design
Marbella
Puerto Banús Marina Boutiques
The waterfront promenade is lined with the great fashion houses, where Chanel, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Hermès trade beside moored yachts. Compact and walkable, the strip turns browsing into people-watching, and works best paired with a drink at one of the marina terraces.
Casual · Design
Sotogrande
Real Club Valderrama
A legendary Robert Trent Jones course in Sotogrande, long regarded among the finest in continental Europe. It hosted the 1997 Ryder Cup, the first staged outside the British Isles, and years of the Volvo Masters. Tight, tree-lined fairways and immaculate greens reward precision over power, drawing serious golfers to one of Spain's most storied private clubs.
Quiet · Design
Nerja
Restaurante Oliva — Nerja
A contemporary Mediterranean restaurant on Nerja's Plaza de España, founded by a Dutch-Spanish partnership and recommended in the Michelin Guide for several years. Locally sourced, seasonal cooking spans an à la carte and a tasting menu, served in a stylish room with an inviting terrace on the square. A refined option for a considered lunch or dinner in the old town.
Quiet · Design
Fuengirola
Restaurante Tánicos — Fuengirola
A respected Mediterranean and Spanish kitchen in central Fuengirola, built on market cuisine and proximity produce since 2008. The cooking is unfussy and product-led, with homemade croquettes, seafood and slow-cooked classics at its heart. An assured, neighbourhood-favourite address that rewards a relaxed lunch or dinner away from the busier seafront.
Quiet · Design
Marbella
Saturday Flea Market — Nueva Andalucía
The weekly mercadillo sets up beside the Nueva Andalucía bullring every Saturday morning, with well over a hundred stalls. Vintage clothing, antiques, Moroccan ceramics, leather and fresh produce share the aisles, and a little friendly haggling is part of the experience. Arrive early before the crowds build.
Casual · Design · Hidden Gem
San Roque
Sotogrande Golf / Marina — San Roque
The waterfront heart of Sotogrande in San Roque, where an elegant marina of yachts, boutiques and bars sits within one of Andalucía's most exclusive golf and polo enclaves. Waterside restaurants serve Mediterranean cooking and seafood, with the area's celebrated courses moments away. A sophisticated, unhurried setting that suits golfing groups, couples and families.
Quiet · Design
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