On the stretch of coast known as the Golden Mile, between Marbella and Puerto Banús, Nagüeles is the public beach that sits alongside the most luxurious hotels in Spain. A kilometre of fine Blue Flag sand in front of the Marbella Club and the Puente Romano, where beach access is free even though the beach clubs’ services are not. Luxury, without paying luxury prices.
Getting there
By bus: the Marbella–Puerto Banús route, stopping on the Golden Mile. By taxi: around €8-12 from central Marbella. By car: street parking in the Nagüeles development, usually available outside August.
The Golden Mile: a history of Mediterranean luxury
The Marbella Club, founded in 1954 by Prince Alfonso von Hohenlohe, was the first luxury hotel on the Costa del Sol and the starting point of Marbella’s golden legend. The Puente Romano, a few metres away, remains one of the most exclusive hotels in Spain, with its open-air concert amphitheatre in summer. Both have private beach service, but the stretch of public beach between them offers the same Mediterranean at no cost at all.
What to do nearby
Puerto Banús is 3 km away for the yachts and the international Marbella scene. Marbella’s historic centre is 5 km away. The Puente Romano sculpture garden can be visited during hotel hours.
Places to stay nearby
The Golden Mile hotels are among the most expensive in Spain. For more affordable options in the same privileged location, apartments in the Nagüeles development are the logical alternative.
See places to stay in Marbella →
Frequently asked questions
- Is Nagüeles beach open to everyone?
- Yes. Spanish beaches are always public. The private beach clubs charge for their services, but the sand and the water belong to everybody.
- What is the Golden Mile?
- The stretch of coast between Marbella and Puerto Banús where the most luxurious hotels on the Costa del Sol are concentrated, including the Marbella Club and the Puente Romano.
- Does it have a Blue Flag?
- Yes, across the whole of Nagüeles beach.
The verdict
Nagüeles is the most elegant way to enjoy Marbella without remortgaging. The same sand as the Marbella Club’s guests, the same water, the same sun. Free.
