Technically a suburb of Marbella, Nueva Andalucía has a character entirely its own. Quieter and greener than neighbouring Puerto Banús, it has become one of the most sought-after residential addresses on the entire Costa del Sol, and for very good reason.
Where Is Nueva Andalucía?
Nueva Andalucía runs north from the border of Puerto Banús, bounded by the Guadaiza River to the west and the Río Verde to the east. The Sierra Blanca mountain range forms a dramatic natural backdrop to the north, with the iconic peak of La Concha dominating the skyline.
It is a residential area built on wide, tree-lined boulevards. The prevailing building style is traditional Andalusian villas and low-rise gated urbanisations rather than the high-rise apartment blocks that define much of the Costa del Sol coastline. Walking through Nueva Andalucía you are struck immediately by how much space there is, how green everything feels and how quiet the streets are given how close you are to one of the busiest marina towns on the Mediterranean.
The neighbourhood was conceived and developed by José Banús in the 1960s, the same developer behind Puerto Banús itself, and was designed from the outset as a residential complement to the marina rather than a tourist resort. That original DNA still defines it today, which is why the community here feels so genuine and established.
~15 min
to Marbella centre
5 min
to Puerto Banús
320
days of sun per year
6
golf courses nearby
Why Do People Choose Nueva Andalucía?
The appeal comes down to a combination that is genuinely hard to find anywhere else on the Costa del Sol: easy access to world-class amenities combined with a calm, secure, residential environment where daily life actually feels sustainable rather than transient.
Residents here are minutes from the beaches, restaurants, designer boutiques and nightlife of Puerto Banús and Marbella, but they come home to wide streets, mature Mediterranean gardens, mountain views and neighbours who actually live there year-round. That distinction matters more than it sounds. A lot of the Costa del Sol empties in October. Nueva Andalucía does not.
The international dimension is equally important. The neighbourhood has one of the most diverse expat communities anywhere on the coast, with significant British, Scandinavian, German and Dutch populations all long established here. The result is a service ecosystem that is exceptionally well configured for international residents. Multilingual schools, English-speaking medical services, international supermarkets, and a property market that is experienced in cross-border transactions have all developed organically around this community over decades.
The Sierra Blanca mountains protect the area from cold northerly winds in winter and from the hot levante in summer, giving Nueva Andalucía a notably pleasant microclimate compared to more exposed parts of the coast.
Why is it so popular?
It is the proximity to the best the Costa del Sol has to offer in a tranquil, secure setting that attracts locals as well as a large community of expats. Brits love this area, as does a substantial Scandinavian contingent. The area is a veritable Babel, however, with a wide variety of languages and accents heard on its streets.
With 320 days of sun a year, the glorious mountain backdrop of La Concha and great amenities and infrastructure really seal its popularity.
What to Do in Nueva Andalucía
Nueva Andalucía is an exceptionally active place to live. The combination of a superb climate, well-maintained sports infrastructure and easy access to both the mountains and the sea means that residents are rarely short of something to do outdoors, whatever their interests or fitness level.
Play golf
The neighbourhood's unofficial name is Golf Valley and it is entirely deserved. There are six courses within or immediately adjacent to Nueva Andalucía, ranging from championship layouts that have hosted European Tour events to more relaxed nine-hole options that are ideal for an evening round after work. The concentration of quality golf here is unmatched anywhere in southern Spain.
Real Club de Golf Las Brisas is the prestige address, a championship course with tree-lined fairways that has hosted Ryder Cup qualification events. Aloha Golf Club offers a classic, mature parkland layout popular with residents who prefer a more relaxed atmosphere. Los Naranjos is flat, well-maintained and particularly convenient for the surrounding urbanisations. La Quinta Golf and Country Club, on the northern edge of the area, offers 27 holes with spectacular mountain and sea views and a resort-style feel. For something shorter and more accessible, Magna Marbella is a nine-hole layout that works well for families and beginners, while Dama de Noche is floodlit for evening play, which makes it genuinely unique in the area.
Golf academies for all levels are well established here, with professional tuition available for juniors through to competitive amateurs. The depth of the golfing infrastructure means that whether you play off scratch or have never picked up a club, Nueva Andalucía can accommodate you.
Padel and tennis
Padel is enormous across southern Spain and Nueva Andalucía is no exception. The Real Club de Pádel Marbella, one of the finest facilities in the country, sits within the neighbourhood and runs both social and competitive play across multiple courts. Beyond that, most gated urbanisations have their own padel and tennis courts, and several independent clubs run coaching programmes for adults and children throughout the week. Tennis Brothers Marbella is a popular option for coaching and social play at a high level. There is also one of the oldest established clubs located in Aloha, which is the Manolo Santana Racquets Club, offering grass, clay and hard courts for tennis aficionados as well as padel courts and an outdoor swimming pool, along with a gym.
Fitness and gyms
CrossFit, boxing, functional fitness and traditional gym facilities are all well represented throughout the neighbourhood. The local fitness scene is active and international, which makes it easy to find training partners and build a social life around shared exercise interests. Several boutique studios have established themselves in recent years offering yoga, pilates and reformer classes, primarily serving the resident expat community.
Hiking and nature
The pine forest trails around Lago de las Tortugas are the most popular local walking spot, enjoyed by families, dog walkers and runners alike, particularly at weekends. For more serious hikers, the Sierra Blanca and the trails toward La Concha are accessible from the northern edges of the neighbourhood and offer stunning views back over the coast and out toward Africa on a clear day. The natural park system around Marbella provides extensive trail networks within a very short drive.
Beaches and water sports
The beaches of Puerto Banús are a five-minute drive from most of Nueva Andalucía, and some of the most celebrated beach clubs on the Costa del Sol are effectively on the doorstep. For water sports, the marina at Puerto Banús is the hub for sailing, jet skiing, paddleboarding and deep-sea fishing, all easily arranged through the operators based there. Residents of Nueva Andalucía get all of this without any of the noise or congestion of actually living in the marina area itself.
Restaurants and Nightlife
The dining scene in Nueva Andalucía directly reflects its international population. Within the neighbourhood and the immediately surrounding area you will find everything from traditional Spanish tapas bars to Indian, Japanese, Italian, steakhouse and modern European cooking, often at a standard that would genuinely surprise visitors who assume that coastal resort food is inevitably a compromise.
Local tapas and casual dining
Centro Plaza is the social hub of Nueva Andalucía for everyday eating and drinking. A natural gathering point for the expat community, the plaza has a cluster of bars and restaurants that stay busy throughout the year. Traditional tapas bars serving honest Andalusian food and good local wine sit alongside more international options. Vovem is a longstanding local favourite for hearty, well-cooked food in an informal setting and has been feeding the neighbourhood for years.
Contemporary and fine dining
Breathe Marbella has become one of the most consistently well-regarded restaurants in the area, known for fresh and innovative cooking with a health-conscious philosophy that resonates with the active lifestyle of the resident community. For Japanese food there are several options of genuine quality in and around the neighbourhood, such as Tomodachi in La Campana. The overall standard of cooking has risen markedly over the past decade as the resident population has grown more year-round and more demanding.
Beach clubs and nightlife
The beach clubs of Puerto Banús are five minutes away and include some of the most famous names on the entire Costa del Sol. For residents of Nueva Andalucía this is the ideal arrangement: the energy, the music and the entertainment are entirely accessible, but the noise does not follow you home. The area around the bullring between Nueva Andalucía and Puerto Banús hosts a popular Saturday artisan market that draws a lively crowd and has become a sociable Saturday morning ritual for many local families, with cafés surrounding the market for lingering over coffee.
Shopping in Nueva Andalucía
Day-to-day shopping is well catered for entirely within the neighbourhood. There are several supermarkets serving the local population, including stores that carry a wide selection of British and northern European products, which matters considerably to UK and Scandinavian expat families who are still adjusting to life in Spain. Bakeries, butchers, pharmacies, banks and medical centres are all present within easy reach of the main residential areas.
Centro Plaza acts as the local commercial hub with a mix of everyday shops and services. For anything beyond the everyday, El Corte Inglés in Puerto Banús is five minutes away and carries an exceptional range including virtually every major designer label you could want. Puerto Banús itself has one of the densest concentrations of luxury boutiques in southern Europe, making a larger shopping trip feel effortless rather than something that requires planning.
Getting Around
A car is the practical reality of daily life in Nueva Andalucía, as it is across most of the Costa del Sol. That said, the road infrastructure is excellent and the AP-7 motorway is easily accessible from the southern part of the neighbourhood, providing fast connections in both directions along the coast.
Puerto Banús marina is three to five minutes by car from most of Nueva Andalucía, and actually walkable from the southern urbanisations if you are prepared for a twenty-minute stroll. Marbella old town is twelve to fifteen minutes via the Golden Mile. Málaga airport is approximately forty-five to fifty-five minutes in normal traffic, though summer congestion can add to this. Gibraltar airport, a useful alternative for UK flights, is around an hour away. The village of Benahavís, worth knowing for its concentration of excellent restaurants and mountain scenery, is twenty minutes north.
Within the neighbourhood itself, the wide, flat boulevards are genuinely pleasant to cycle and many residents use bikes for short trips to local shops, restaurants and nearby sports facilities. Bus connections to Marbella and Puerto Banús run regularly and are used by some residents, though most expat families rely primarily on their own vehicles for the school run and daily logistics.
Is Nueva Andalucía Good for Families?
It is consistently considered one of the best areas on the entire Costa del Sol for families, and the reasons are practical as well as lifestyle-based. Safe, wide streets with genuinely low traffic density mean children can be independent at an earlier age than in most European urban environments. The gated urbanisation model means younger children have access to communal gardens and pools within a supervised, secure setting. Walking your child to a neighbour's house or letting teenagers cycle to the sports club is normal here in a way it simply is not in many comparable places.
The expat family network in Nueva Andalucía is active and well-organised. There are established groups for parents across nationalities, regular community events and a social calendar built around the school year. New arrivals typically find it straightforward to meet people and build a social life, which matters enormously for families making a significant relocation and arriving without an existing network.
Outdoor life is central to daily family living here too. The Lago de las Tortugas, known locally as Turtle Lake, is a much-loved landmark surrounded by pine forest trails that are perfect for younger children and weekend family walks. The abundance of sports facilities across the neighbourhood means children of all ages and interests are well catered for without needing to travel far.
Schools in Nueva Andalucía
The education offer in and around Nueva Andalucía is exceptional by any European standard, let alone by the standard of a coastal town. It is one of the primary reasons families choose this specific area over other parts of Marbella, and it is worth understanding in detail.
International schools
Aloha College is the anchor of the international school scene here. One of the most respected international schools in all of Andalucía, it offers the International Baccalaureate and takes pupils from nursery through to school-leaving age. The school has a strong academic reputation, excellent sporting facilities and an alumni network that stretches across Europe. For many families, the proximity to Aloha College is itself a deciding factor in choosing Nueva Andalucía over other areas.
Laude San Pedro International College, a short drive to the west, offers the British curriculum from Early Years through to A-levels and is particularly popular with UK families who want their children to maintain continuity with the English education system. For German-speaking and Swedish-speaking families, dedicated schools serving those curricula are also within comfortable driving distance.
Spanish and bilingual schools
For families who want their children to integrate into Spanish life and develop genuine bilingualism, there are several well-regarded Spanish state schools in the area as well as private concertado schools that combine the Spanish national curriculum with strong English language provision. Many expat parents find that a few years in the local Spanish system produces remarkable linguistic results in children, particularly those who arrive young.
Higher education
Nueva Andalucía is also home to two higher education institutions: Marbella University and the internationally renowned Les Roches Global Hospitality Education, one of the world's leading hotel and hospitality management schools. This gives the area an unusually complete educational ecosystem, from nursery all the way through to postgraduate level.
Extracurricular activities
After-school and weekend activities are extensive. Golf academies, padel and tennis coaching for juniors, martial arts, dance, boxing, swimming, theatre and music are all well established. Language schools offering Spanish lessons for non-native children are also well represented, which matters for families wanting their children to connect meaningfully with local peers and Spanish culture more broadly.
The Urbanisations of Nueva Andalucía
Nueva Andalucía is not a single neighbourhood but a collection of distinct urbanisations, each with its own character, architecture and community feel. Understanding the differences between them is essential when thinking seriously about where to focus a property search. What suits a retired couple looking for a lock-up-and-leave apartment is very different from what suits a family with three children who want to walk to the golf course.
Below is a guide to the most established and sought-after communities in the area. Each has a dedicated page on the Solvilla website where you can browse current listings and recent sales.
La Cerquilla
Villas · Elevated · Highly sought-after
One of the most prestigious addresses in all of Nueva Andalucía, La Cerquilla sits on elevated ground with exceptional views over the golf courses and toward the Mediterranean. Large plots, mature gardens and a genuinely quiet, private atmosphere define the urbanisation. It is popular with families who want space, privacy and a strong sense of community without sacrificing proximity to amenities.
See properties for sale in La Cerquilla →
Las Lomas de Nueva Andalucía
Villas and apartments · Central · Well connected
A well-established and centrally located urbanisation covering a wide stretch of the neighbourhood. The mix of villas and apartments makes it accessible across a broad price range, and the good access to Centro Plaza and the surrounding golf courses makes it a practical and popular choice for full-time residents and families alike.
See properties for sale in Las Lomas de Nueva Andalucía →
Aloha Hill Club
Apartments and townhouses · Gated · Sports-focused
A gated community with excellent on-site sports and social facilities including tennis courts and a clubhouse. Popular with active residents and families, the proximity to Aloha Golf and Aloha College makes Aloha Hill Club particularly attractive for golf-loving families with school-age children who want everything within easy reach.
See properties for sale in Aloha Hill Club →
Los Naranjos
Villas · Frontline golf · Green surroundings
Sitting directly alongside Los Naranjos Golf Club, this is the natural choice for serious golfers who want to step from their garden directly onto the course. The urbanisation has a relaxed, residential feel and benefits from some of the greenest, most mature surroundings anywhere in Nueva Andalucía.
See properties for sale in Los Naranjos →
Marbella Country Club
Villas and townhouses · Sports facilities · Established community
Built around excellent on-site sports facilities including tennis courts and social areas, Marbella Country Club has a well-established community of long-term residents. The mix of villas and townhouses at varying price points makes it one of the more diverse and accessible communities in the neighbourhood.
See properties for sale in Marbella Country Club →
Haza del Conde
Townhouses · Gated · Great value
A popular townhouse complex offering well-proportioned homes with private gardens, communal pools and good security. Haza del Conde is consistently in demand from families who want significantly more space than a standard apartment provides but at a considerably more accessible price point than a standalone villa in the same area.
See properties for sale in Haza del Conde →
Albatross Hill
Villas · Elevated · Panoramic views
An elevated villa urbanisation offering some of the best panoramic views in the entire area, taking in both the golf courses below and the Mediterranean on the horizon. Quiet residential streets and generous plot sizes attract buyers who are looking for a private, long-term family home in one of the most beautiful settings Nueva Andalucía has to offer.
La Alzambra
Townhouses and apartments · Gated · Family-friendly
A well-maintained gated community with a strong, established family atmosphere. La Alzambra is known for its communal gardens, security and good value relative to neighbouring urbanisations. It is a practical and liveable choice for families across a range of budgets who want the safety and community of a gated complex without the premium price tag of the area's most exclusive addresses.
Vista Real
Villas · Frontline golf · Exclusive and private
A smaller, more exclusive urbanisation with direct frontline golf positions and a very private, discreet feel. Vista Real appeals to buyers who prioritise quiet and privacy alongside excellent golf access. The manageable scale of the urbanisation gives it a particularly strong community atmosphere where neighbours genuinely know each other.
Señorío de Aloha
Apartments and penthouses · Gated · Central location
A large, well-known gated apartment complex in the heart of Nueva Andalucía with 24-hour security, communal pools and good access to all local amenities. Popular with buyers looking for a manageable, low-maintenance property in a central location, whether as a permanent residence or a well-placed second home.
Nueva Andalucía is a large residential district within the municipality of Marbella, situated immediately north of Puerto Banús and covering approximately ten square kilometres of valley and hillside terrain. The Golf Valley nickname is entirely accurate: four championship courses sit within or directly adjacent to the area's boundaries, Aloha Golf Club, Real Club de Golf Las Brisas, Los Naranjos Golf Club, and La Quinta Golf and Country Club, giving it one of the highest concentrations of quality golf per square kilometre of any residential area in Europe.
Nueva Andalucía sits directly inland from Puerto Banús, approximately three minutes by car from the marina entrance. Marbella Old Town is eleven minutes east on the A-7 coastal road. San Pedro de Alcántara is ten minutes west. The area is accessed primarily from the N-340/A-7 coastal road via the Puerto Banús junction, or from the AP-7 motorway at exit 172. Its valley setting, surrounded by the La Concha mountain to the north and the coastal strip to the south, gives it a geographic completeness that makes it feel like a self-contained neighbourhood rather than a corridor between other destinations.
Nueva Andalucía is divided into several distinct zones, each with its own character. La Campana, on the eastern side, is the most commercially active, centred on Centro Plaza shopping centre and the Saturday market near the Marbella Arena, and has the highest concentration of restaurants, cafés, and day-to-day services. Aloha is the most established residential zone, built around the Aloha Golf Club and characterised by large villas and mature gardens. Las Brisas, in the southwest, is quieter and more traditionally residential, popular with families. La Cerquilla offers some of the most sought-after golf frontline positions in the entire Golf Valley. Los Naranjos is a well-established mixed area of villas and apartment complexes with direct access to Los Naranjos Golf Club.
The four main courses within or immediately adjacent to Nueva Andalucía are Aloha Golf Club (designed by Javier Arana, 18 holes, par-72, host of the annual Aloha Classic), Real Club de Golf Las Brisas (designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., 18 holes, par-72, host of two World Cups of Golf), Los Naranjos Golf Club (also designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., 18 holes, par-72, known for its water features and orange grove setting), and La Quinta Golf and Country Club (27 holes across three nine-hole loops, designed by Manuel Piñero, just north of the area in Benahavís). For residents who play regularly, having four courses of this calibre within a ten-minute drive from any address in the area is one of the defining practical advantages of living here.
It is consistently one of the strongest family residential areas on the Costa del Sol. Aloha College, one of the most respected British curriculum schools in Spain, is located in the heart of the neighbourhood. The Svenska Skolan (Swedish curriculum, ages three to twelve) is in the La Alzambra urbanisation. The American College of Marbella, providing a US curriculum from middle school through to the first two years of university, is within the area. Lago de las Tortugas (Turtle Lake), a reservoir surrounded by woodland, provides a popular and genuinely pleasant outdoor space for families, with walking paths, picnic areas, and wildlife including turtles and waterfowl. The lower building density of Nueva Andalucía compared to central Marbella, wider streets, and a predominantly residential character all contribute to a calm environment well suited to family life.
Aloha College, following the British National Curriculum for ages four to eighteen, is the primary international school within the area and has a well-established reputation for academic results and extracurricular provision. The Svenska Skolan provides Swedish curriculum education for pre-school and primary-age children. The American College of Marbella, offering the US curriculum from Grade Seven through to the first two years of college-level study, is a well-regarded option for American families and those seeking an American-framework education. For families wanting British education at primary level specifically, the British International School of Marbella in nearby Nagüeles and Swans International School are within fifteen minutes. Laude San Pedro International College, offering both British and Spanish curricula, is in San Pedro de Alcántara, approximately ten minutes west.
Yes. Most of the established residential urbanisations within Nueva Andalucía operate with gated perimeters, community security teams, and CCTV coverage. The area has a large and stable permanent population year-round, which contributes to a community character and natural surveillance that purely tourist-facing areas lack. Local police patrol the main roads and commercial areas regularly. The combination of private community security and the active presence of a resident population makes Nueva Andalucía one of the more reassuringly secure areas in the wider Marbella region.
