The skies are blue; the palm trees are rustling in the breeze; the sun is reflecting on the sea. It can mean only one thing: summer is on its way!

Puerto Banús is the place to be at this time of year. Whether you visit at the weekend or during the week, night or day, there’s plenty to do and see for all the family. Continue reading »

Investment Europe’s website recently published figures compiled by Fastighetsbyrån, part of Swedish banking group Swedbank, that reveal while sales of Spanish property to British purchasers have dropped by 65 per cent and German sales have also dropped by a less dramatic three per cent, purchases by Scandinavian buyers have increased significantly.

Over the four year period studied by Fastighetsbyrån, 108 per cent more Norwegians and 138 per cent more Swedes elected to invest in Spanish property. Considering the excellent health of both the Norwegian Krone and Swedish Krona, which have risen by about five per cent against the euro as the pound has fallen almost 20 per cent, it is not surprising that comparatively prosperous Scandinavian buyers have been tempted to invest their money in second homes in the sun. Adding to this scenario, Spanish property in some areas has dropped up to 30 to 40 per cent in price, although it has been noted that real estate in the more prestigious parts of the Costa del Sol has held its value rather better than this. Continue reading »

This charming villa located in a well established, leafy part of Nueva Andalucía combines elegance and comfort to great effect. Homely and stylish, it is well proportioned – at 220m2 it offers space and privacy yet is also homely and practical, set within a beautiful garden of 1012m2 at the heart of which is a private swimming pool that borders a spacious, partly covered 62m2 terrace.

Inside are three spacious bedroom suites each with its own bathroom, as well as a guest bathroom in the elegant entrance hall that leads on to an attractive, fully fitted kitchen, a sunny dining areas that overlooks the terrace and garden, and a cosy living room with fireplace and vaulted wood-beamed ceiling. Situated in Las Cascadas del Golf, near the Los Naranjos Golf Club, the property is close to the amenities of Nueva Andalucía, Puerto Banús and central Marbella. Continue reading »

One of the newer luxurious residential areas of Marbella, Sierra Blanca occupies the furthest reaches at the base of La Concha, the mountain that overlooks Marbella and itself forms part of the Sierra Blanca range. As a result, its grand villas and ultra-luxurious apartment complexes look straight down onto Marbella and its broad bay.

Where
One of the great attractions of Sierra Blanca is the fact that it is so central – right above Marbella and just minutes from its beaches, shops, restaurants, café society and professional services, and just a few minutes more to those of Puerto Banús. You might say that here you are at the heart of it all without having to forsake your own peace and privacy. Continue reading »

One of the reasons that Marbella is such a popular destination both for holidaymakers and second home purchasers is that there is plenty to do on every day of the week. Wherever you choose to live, you will not have to travel far to find an activity that suits you.

However, Nueva Andalucía is an especially central location and this is never more apparent than on Saturday mornings, when the popular Saturday rastro – or flea market – rolls into town. For more than three decades this colourful collection of stalls, located close to the Puerto Banús Plaza de Toros (bullring), has been attracting crowds of people from all parts of the Costa del Sol. Continue reading »

Situated about a kilometre west of the lively, glamorous port of Puerto Banús, and just 150 metres from the sea, Bahia de Banús reflects the best of Marbella. Close to all amenities, including elegant shops, fine dining, nightlife and beach clubs, it is also just a short drive away from a wide variety of golf clubs and other sporting and professional facilities.

A short stroll will take you to the nearby Guadalpin, a luxurious five-star hotel with swimming pool, fine dining restaurant, outdoor terraces and café that form ideal spots to enjoy breakfast, meet for a drink or conduct business meetings. A little further along, overlooking the sandy beach, is Mistral Beach, an elegant seaside beach club complete with restaurants, bars, sundeck areas and a water sports centre. Continue reading »

If you want to be in the midst of the glamour and excitement of Puerto Banús but also seek privacy and personal space, then Playas del Duque is the place to be. In addition to an ideal setting, wonderful views and first-class facilities this is simply one of the best addresses on this side of the Mediterranean. Continue reading »

For those who like to be close to the beach and within walking distance of the excitement and bright lights of Puerto Banús, yet don’t want to be in the midst of it all the time, the beachside urbanisations of Malibu and Laguna de Banús offer a perfect alternative.

Exclusive and peaceful, they offer seaside living combined with space in what is a prime piece of real estate along the Mediterranean. Stretching out along the sandy beaches that follow the gentle curve of the Bay of Marbella, these bordering areas are among the most sought-after addresses on the Costa del Sol, combining villa suburb amenities with direct access to a peaceful beach not far from the restaurants, boutiques and nightspots of Puerto Banús. Continue reading »

As one of the leading specialist rental companies on the Costa del Sol, Nordica Rentals has built up a great deal of expertise in both short and long-term letting. That each of these fields has its own specialisations, demands and methodology is clear from our recent interview with Ana Wollin, from the short-term rentals department. Where demand for short-term properties in the Marbella area is maintained on a year-round basis by golfers and other visitors to the coast, it naturally reaches a feverish peak during the summer months, when Ana and her colleagues are rushed off their feet. For Minerva and Margaretha, in long-term rentals, the year is more even yet really gets going in September. Continue reading »

The coastal road that follows the shores of the Costa del Sol offers plenty of glimpses of pretty beaches, secluded coves and spectacular views all the way along the shore to Gibraltar and North Africa, but if you want to get a little closer and enjoy it all at your leisure there is the popular Paseo Maritimo.

Recently extended, this pretty palm-fringed seaside promenade acts as a coastal thoroughfare for pedestrians, joggers, cyclists and roller-skaters. Extending westwards from central Marbella, this pretty pedestrian boulevard has the sea and beaches on one side, and the gardens, apartments, hotels, restaurants, cafés and shops on the other. Popular with morning joggers and evening strollers, it becomes a hub of activity during the summer months, when buskers and stall holders set up shop on the little squares that occasionally extend outwards from the promenade. Continue reading »