Marbella is not only synonymous with the sun, yachts, and beaches with calm waters. It is also an international hub for shopping lovers seeking something exclusive, something authentic, or simply a quality item as a treat. Since it established itself in the 1960s as a haven for European aristocrats, Hollywood artists and Arab sheikhs, Marbella has acquired a gilded reputation, where luxury is not just a pose: it is a way of life. Audrey Hepburn strolled along its streets, Sean Connery lived in the Los Monteros area and, more recently, figures such as Antonio Banderas and Eva Longoria have invested, or spent the summer here. And with them, boutiques, international brands and designer companies have also put down roots. Today, Marbella offers a shopping experience that combines haute couture, local design, bohemian fashion, gourmet products and street markets where you can still smell the artisan leather. Away from the luxury shop displays, curious travellers will find a whole world of styles and options in the city’s neighbourhoods and along its avenues.
- Shopping areas in Marbella: from quaint streets to avenues with dazzling window displays
- Luxury shops in Marbella: the gilded shop window of the jet set
- Shopping centres in Marbella: modern comfort and everything in one place
- Shopping in Puerto Banús: street markets, art and jewellery by the sea
Shopping areas in Marbella: from quaint streets to avenues with dazzling window displays
Marbella offers a diverse shopping map, ranging from the charms of the pedestrianised Old Town to the great modern avenues. In the city’s historic heart, the Old Town, you will find a maze of narrow, whitewashed streets adorned with bougainvillea, lined with art shops, alternative fashion boutiques, artisan jewellers and family businesses selling everything from locally made ceramics to gourmet olives and olive oil soap. In streets such as Calle Nueva, Calle Peral, and the well-known Plaza de los Naranjos, you can buy a hand-painted fan or a linen dress designed on the Costa del Sol.
As you approach the city centre, Avenida Ricardo Soriano takes over as the main shopping area. Here you will find the big Spanish and international brands —Zara, Massimo Dutti, Mango — along with upmarket opticians, select perfume shops and multibrand shops. There are also lots of shops selling accessories, footwear, and interior décor items that cater for more cosmopolitan tastes. This area is ideal for an evening stroll around the shops, stopping off for a coffee.
Luxury shops in Marbella: the gilded shop window of the jet set
If there is one corner that reveals the most glamorous side of Marbella, it is, without a doubt, Puerto Banús. This leisure marina, opened in 1970 by the entrepreneur José Banús, was designed as an elitist enclave, and since then it has witnessed a long line of stars, royals and magnates who come here to be seen… and to shop. Among the yacht moorings and the parked-up Ferraris, boutiques offering exclusive collections and personalised attention include Louis Vuitton, Dior, Bvlgari, Jimmy Choo, Gucci, Saint Laurent and Tom Ford.
Puerto Banús also has concept stores for luxury watches such as Hublot and Rolex, and jewellers selling unique pieces. Frequently here, a transaction is rounded off with champagne, and customers can be served in several languages. Some establishments, such as the Versace and Dolce & Gabbana boutiques, are regarded as veritable temples of design, where even the interior décor is part of the experience.
Shopping centres in Marbella: modern comfort and everything in one place
As well as bespoke luxury, Marbella also offers spacious and accessible shopping centres for those who prefer to do a lot of shopping in one trip. The outstanding example is the Centro Comercial La Cañada Shopping, located off the A7 motorway. It is the biggest shopping centre on the Costa del Sol, with over 150 shops including Apple, Fnac, Guess, Calvin Klein, Hugo Boss, Adidas, Rituals and H&M. There are also supermarkets, pharmacies, a cinema, a children’s playground and a terrace with views of the mountains. The centre’s modern décor and its services (including everything from personal shoppers to charging points for electric vehicles) make this a dynamic and functional place.
In addition to its independent shops, Puerto Banús also has the outstanding Centro Comercial Marina Banús, a shopping centre to complete the picture, with shops such as Zara, Bershka, Oysho and Sephora, ideal for anyone looking for affordable fashion in the city’s most exclusive setting. There is also El Corte Inglés de Banús, a smaller branch of the classic Spanish department store, with sections including fashion, home, cosmetics and electronics, as well as specialist image consultants.
Shopping in Puerto Banús: street markets, art and jewellery by the sea
Puerto Banús also offers less predictable options. The weekly street markets, such as the Saturday market in Nueva Andalucía, are a mass of colour, aromas and lucky finds: Andalusian leather bags, Italian silk scarves, Moroccan lamps and Ibiza-inspired summer dresses. There is no shortage of stalls selling hand-made costume jewellery, old vinyl records and organic products.
Near the marina, galleries such as Galería Arte by Leyton and Sammer Gallery exhibit modern art, sculpture and paintings by Spanish and international artists, transforming a shopping trip into an aesthetic experience. There are also lots of designer jewellery shops, including Ideal Joyeros and Gómez y Molina, who design bespoke pieces and work with precious stones that are hard to find outside the high-end circuit.
