Golden-hour aerial view of the Marbella coastline, with mountains, a pier reaching into the sea and the coast stretching to the horizon.

Nueva Andalucia, Marbella

The Area

A guide to golf, markets, the coastline and nearby villages around Villa Tulua in Nueva Andalucia, Marbella. Each note below is a practical detail worth knowing before you go: a booking requirement, a closure day or a seasonal limit.

Golf

Nueva Andalucia is known as the Golf Valley, home to several golf courses within the valley itself.

Real Club de Golf Las Brisas

Real Club de Golf Las Brisas sits inside the Golf Valley, one of Nueva Andalucia's private members clubs.

Good to know: It is a private members club with roughly 1,225 members and only about three visitor tee times a day, so it is effectively closed to casual visitors.

Los Naranjos

In the Golf Valley, Los Naranjos welcomes visiting players every day.

Good to know: A handicap certificate is required and advance booking is essential.

Aloha

Aloha, also in the Golf Valley, is a private club that sets aside a limited number of green fees for visitors.

Good to know: It is a private members club that sells a limited number of visitor green fees. A handicap certificate is required: 28 or lower for men, 36 or lower for women.

La Quinta

At the edge of the valley, technically within Benahavis municipality, La Quinta is a resort-linked course with 27 holes that is open to visitors.

Close-up of spice sacks and hand-labelled price cards at an Andalusian street market stall.

The Saturday Market

The Puerto Banus Market

Every Saturday from 9:00 to 14:00, more than 120 stalls set up beside the Marbella bullring (Plaza de Toros) in the Centro Plaza area of Nueva Andalucia, known interchangeably as the Puerto Banus market and the Nueva Andalucia market.

Good to know: It can be cancelled for bad weather or public holidays.

La Concha

Rising above Marbella, La Concha is reached from the standard access point at the Refugio de Juanar car park.

Good to know: This is a serious hike, not a stroll: reported as 13 to 14 km and 5 to 7 hours. The final stretch to the summit involves scrambling and chains above sheer drops, and is reported to account for more mountain rescues than any other Marbella trail each year.

Puerto Banus

The Marina

Built by Jose Banus, the marina at Puerto Banus opened in 1970 and now holds more than 900 berths, with room for yachts up to around 50 metres. Its frontline is lined with luxury boutiques and restaurants.

Beach Clubs

In summer, beach clubs including Ocean Club and Nikki Beach double as day and night venues.

Good to know: Booking is required and they operate seasonally.

A shaded plaza terrace with orange umbrellas and a flowering hedge, in front of a historic white building.

Marbella Old Town

Plaza de los Naranjos

Laid out in 1485, Plaza de los Naranjos is ringed by the 16th century Ayuntamiento, the 17th century Ermita de Santiago and a Renaissance fountain.

Good to know: The orange trees themselves were planted later, in 1941.

Aerial view of a sandy beach with turquoise waves breaking, cliffs stretching along the coast in the distance.

Beaches

Playa Nueva Andalucia

Playa Nueva Andalucia, a Blue Flag beach, sits directly beside the Puerto Banus marina, with Ocean Club and Nikki Beach both here.

Good to know: Both require booking and are seasonal.

Puente Romano Beach

Between Puerto Banus and central Marbella, Puente Romano beach sits on the same stretch of the Golden Mile rather than further along the coast.

Villages and Day Trips

Benahavis

Known as the gastronomic corner of the Costa del Sol, Benahavis is a white village built around its restaurants, with a River Walk trail running through it.