Ultimate Guide to Living in Marbella: Pros and Cons in 2026

Have you ever considered living in Marbella but haven’t made the step yet?

I’ve asked my expat friends what their new life in Marbella is like, and if I had to summarise how they feel about it, they love it.

As a local, I wanted to get a non-biased opinion, and that’s what I’m sharing with you: the good and the bad.

But, overall, Marbella is a fantastic place to live – not only for retirees but also for young people who want a new experience in a new country and families looking for a good home base to raise their children. 

Living in Marbella has many pros: the sunny weather, the variety of activities, the beautiful beaches, and the excellent international schools, among other reasons. 

In this blog, you’ll discover the pros and cons of living in this city, the cost, and tips for starting your expat journey here. 

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Pros of living in Marbella

Marbella has plenty of sunny days

If you live in Northern Europe, I understand how much you miss the sunshine, especially in winter.

Having lived a good few years in the United Kingdom, I admit that I was incredibly missing the sunny weather. 

Marbella and the rest of the Costa del Sol have plenty of beautiful sunny days with clear skies. 

Although the weather is very hot in the summer, it is mild in other seasons. For example, you can enjoy an average temperature of 16 degrees Celsius (60.8°F) in Marbella in winter! 

There’s a fantastic expat community 

Marbella attracts many expats and digital nomads, and it isn’t a surprise because of the sunny weather all year round, its lively atmosphere and its beaches, among other reasons.

If you plan to move to Marbella, you can join Facebook groups to connect with other expats who organise regular events. They can introduce you to the city and give you tips. Also, you can make friends too.

The expat population in Marbella is big. It’s almost a third of the population, according to El Sur newspaper, so you can expect to meet people from all around the world, but especially from Russia, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.

What’s great about the Marbella expat community is that you can find people of all ages, which doesn’t happen in other coastal towns where the expat population tends to be older.

It’s safe 

Safety is one of the main aspects to consider when moving to a new place. 

Marbella is safe for travellers and expats. Although there are a few concerns about personal incidents in the town, especially in Nueva Andalucía, including Puerto Banus, my friends and I have never felt unsafe in Marbella.

Having said so, there’s a good chance that you’ve heard about drug dealers and mafia in Marbella. 

The reality is that you can find these types of people in Marbella, and the police are very on top of these problems. However, if you avoid clubbing and the most problematic areas, it’s likely you won’t have any issues.

During the summer months, the police presence is higher since there are more people visiting Marbella.

It’s home to very good International schools

Expat families will be happy to know that Marbella has many good international schools.

If you’re considering moving to Marbella with children, you’ll check out the education offer for your kids.

There are two main types of schools in Marbella: public schools that offer the Spanish curriculum and private schools that provide a more personalised education. 

Many private schools are international and teach the British curriculum, including:

• Aloha College Marbella
• The British International School of Marbella
• Swans International School

It isn’t far from Malaga and other lovely towns

One of the advantages of living in Marbella is that it’s next to other beautiful coastal towns and picturesque villages.

If you get a car, you can easily explore all the Costa del Sol towns, go to the mountainside villages like Ojen (photo above), Mijas Pueblo and Frigiliana, or even go to other Andalusian cities like Granada and Cadiz.

Also, you can visit another country from Marbella: Gibraltar, which is a great day trip for families.

Even if you don’t drive, you can take a few day trips from Marbella coach station.

Marbella has beautiful natural spots

Another reason to move to Marbella is its natural beauty. Not only does Marbella have fantastic beaches, but it also has beautiful hiking trails and green landscapes.

You don’t need to travel far from Marbella centre to visit many of these places. 

For example, the Cabopino dunes, where you can do a short hike. However, you can head to La Concha if you prefer more challenging hikes.

There are also relatively close national parks, such as Sierra de las Nieves and Sierra Nevada. 

It’s perfect for shopping

If you love shopping, Marbella is the shopaholic paradise. 

It’s home to a big shopping centre and numerous local independent and luxury shops.

La Cañada is the biggest shopping centre in Marbella. It’s located just outside the centre and has high-street shops like Zara, a food area and a cinema.

If you prefer to support local businesses, the historic centre of Marbella is your best option. I absolutely love the clothing shops there (see the photo above!)

Last but not least, head to Puerto Banús to treat yourself to exclusive clothes and the most luxurious jewellery. 

Cons of living in Marbella

It’s more expensive than other coastal towns 

Marbella is well-known for being expensive and is indeed more expensive than other towns in Costa del Sol. However, there isn’t a massive difference in food shopping or transportation.

Housing and leisure are where you’ll find the most significant price difference. Buying and renting in Marbella isn’t cheap, but the price will vary significantly in the area. In terms of eating out, Marbella is also more expensive than other towns in Malaga, including the capital.

However, if you come from cities like Paris, Oslo or New York City, you might find that some things are cheaper in Marbella.

Bureaucracy and paperwork are slow 

One of the things that I dislike the most about my home country is how slow paperwork is compared to other countries.

Whether you want to buy a house, register at the local town hall or book an appointment, be ready to wait. 

Not only are things slow, but document processing and paperwork are complicated, and if you don’t understand Spanish well, it can be tricky.

I don’t understand certain legal papers, so don’t think you don’t understand only because of your language skills. Some things are pretty confusing. 

Whatever you need to apply for, please don’t leave it until the last minute.

It gets very busy in the summer months

Marbella and the rest of Costa del Sol receive the most visitors during the summer, especially in July and August. 

Whilst the historic centre of Marbella is lovely to walk in, it gets very crowded in the summer, and your experience might be totally different from other times of the year.

The same happens with beaches. It’s more challenging to find a spot on the beach, and even more on Sundays.

If you use public transport, be prepared to queue a bit longer, and the same applies if you order in restaurants.

It’s very warm in the summer 

Another disadvantage of living in Marbella is the heat. It isn’t for everyone!

Although I love summers in Marbella, let me tell you that as a local, I can’t stay out during the sun’s peak hours. The same happens to my family and other people I know.

Most locals won’t be outside between 2 pm and 5 pm; they’ll either have a siesta or chill at home with the aircon (unless they’re working, of course!)

People come out in the late afternoon for the beach and evening to leisurely walk on the beach promenade and dine at a restaurant.

That said, we’re lucky in Marbella since it’s cooler than other Costa del Sol towns. The reason behind it is its microclimate.

The transportation isn’t the best

Transportation within Marbella isn’t the best. The buses only reach the main spots in Marbella: the centre and Puerto Banus. In addition to this, the buses aren’t very punctual.

Let’s say you’ll live on the upper side of Marbella; you’ll definitely need a car. Otherwise, you’ll struggle with public transport and will need a lift.

However, if you plan to visit other towns, transportation is better. Several bus routes leave from Marbella coach station.

Unfortunately, the RENFE Cercanías train (C-1) doesn’t reach Marbella. This is a downside compared to other Costa del Sol towns, which are better connected to Malaga and other locations.

Houses don’t have heating

Marbella has mild winters, but the temperatures drop in the evening, and you’ll probably feel cold. 

Houses in Marbella and the rest of southern Spain aren’t prepared for cold weather. Therefore, they get cold as the evening approaches.

You’ll probably have to get more wrapped in clothes or buy a small portable heater, which obviously will only keep one part of the house warm. 

There are even times that I feel colder at home than outside. 

Cost of living in Marbella

Are you wondering, “What is the cost of living in Marbella?” Here are some examples of prices in Marbella:

• Food shopping: about 300.00 € per month
• Bus monthly pass: 36.37 €
• One-bedroom apartment in the city centre: from 950 € but usually 1000 € or more per month (price varies depending on the location)
• Utilities (heating, electricity, gas …) for two people: 100.00 € per month
• Internet: 28.75 € per month

One person estimated monthly costs: €1,700

The best places to live in Marbella

Healthcare in Marbella

The healthcare system in Spain is free for Spaniards and expats who are registered and living in Spain. 

When you move to Marbella, you can access public healthcare. 

Nevertheless, you might want to opt for private clinics as these have shorter waiting lists and often offer better service (although not always!)

Education in Marbella

One of the advantages of living in Marbella with children is that the education offered is very good. You can opt for public or private schools. 

Let’s say you want to move from the UK to Marbella with your family, and you aren’t sure if you’ll live here forever or relocate to the UK.

You can enrol your kids in an international school. Most of them teach the British curriculum, so your kids will obtain British qualifications. This is much better than having to convert the Spanish to English qualifications, which are different.

By joining a British school, you’ll avoid your kids falling behind if you decide to go back to the UK or if they want to continue their higher education there. 

Job opportunities in Marbella

Ideally, you want to learn Spanish to immerse yourself in the culture. However, fortunately, if you don’t speak Spanish, you can find very good job roles. 

Marbella has a good percentage of English-speaking people, and many Spaniards in this area understand English well, especially those working in the tourism sector (one of the biggest in Costa del Sol).

Safety in Marbella

Is Marbella safe? The short answer is yes. It’s a safe place to live in Spain. 

The crime rate is low, so you don’t generally need to worry about safety in Marbella. 

Many residential areas include 24/7 security, and police regularly patrol the popular areas in the town.

Despite being safe, you always want to watch out for your belongings. This is especially important when you go to major events and visit touristy spots, like Plaza de los Naranjos and Puerto Banús, during the peak season.

Frequently asked questions about living in Marbella

Last thoughts on living in Marbella

Marbella is one of the best places to live in southern Spain. It has a laid-back atmosphere, fantastic weather, beautiful beaches and friendly locals. 

If you have any questions about moving to Marbella, leave a comment or join my Facebook group, the perfect place to connect with others, too.

Cristina x

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