Our Big Summer Adventure Part VI: Marbella – Is It Worth the Hype?
Hello friends!
Welcome back to the next chapter of our big summer adventure!
Our travel plan for the summer had been carefully balanced. We wanted to combine city exploration with relaxing beach escapes.
After discovering Lisbon's vibrant neighborhoods, we enjoyed resort life in Lagos. Then came magical Seville, which completely stole our hearts and set the bar incredibly high.
Now it was time for another famous destination.
Marbella.
A name that instantly brings to mind images of luxury villas, golden beaches, Mediterranean glamour, and endless sunshine.
But would it live up to the hype?
The Road to Marbella
Leaving Seville wasn't easy. But that's the beauty of a road trip: each destination tells a different story. With one last coffee in Calle Rivero and our rental car packed to the brim, we set off toward Marbella, curious to discover what awaited us on the Costa del Sol.
The drive from Seville to Marbella takes approximately three hours.
As we left the city behind us, the Andalusian countryside unfolded before our eyes. To me, the landscape felt surprisingly familiar, reminding me of both Greece and northern Morocco, where the Mediterranean leaves its unmistakable signature.
The roads were excellent and made the journey smooth and enjoyable.
The weather, however, was another story.
It was July, and the temperature seemed permanently fixed at 40°C.
Outside the car window, we passed shimmering lakes, endless olive groves, sunflower fields stretching toward the horizon, and the characteristic Mediterranean vegetation that always makes me feel at home. Hidden among the trees, cicadas performed their endless summer concert.
As we approached Marbella, the scenery gradually became more upscale. Luxury residential developments, elegant resorts, and perfectly manicured golf courses began appearing more frequently, reminding us why Marbella has earned its reputation as one of Spain's most exclusive seaside destinations.
But we weren't heading toward the golf courses.
We were heading straight for the beach.
Playa Real: Our Home for Three Nights
We had rented an apartment within the Playa Real complex, located on Marbella's eastern coastline, near Elviria and the famous Nikki Beach area.
By the time we arrived, we were hot, exhausted, and somehow carrying even more luggage than we had started the trip with!
Our first impression of the apartment was mixed.
The truth is that it was in need of modernization. Many of the furnishings looked as though they had remained untouched since the 1980s.
The scent of cleaning products was so intense that despite the brutal heat outside, our first instinct was to open every single window.
We were also surprised by the absence of some small details that often elevate a stay from average to excellent. There were no toiletries, no liquid hand soap, and none of those thoughtful little touches that can make guests feel truly welcome.
After staying in beautifully renovated accommodations in Lisbon, Lagos, and Seville, this felt like a noticeable adjustment.
But Playa Real had two enormous advantages.
The first and most important was the location.
Unbeatable.
You simply crossed the pool area, and within moments your feet were touching the sand.
The second was the size.
The apartment was enormous.
Two bedrooms.
Two bathrooms.
A large dining area.
A fully equipped kitchen.
A spacious terrace.
Everything felt generously proportioned.
The large swimming pool surrounded by bougainvillea completed the perfect Mediterranean holiday atmosphere.
So we decided to focus on the positives.
And then we did what any sensible family would do on a 40-degree day.
We ran straight to the sea!
First Impressions of Marbella's Beaches
What a relief.
The waters of the Mediterranean were crystal clear, calm, and inviting.
After the dramatic Atlantic waves we had experienced in Lagos, Marbella offered exactly what we needed.
Gentle waters.
Warm temperatures.
Easy swimming.
The entire family loved it.
The famous beaches of the Costa del Sol certainly lived up to expectations!
In many ways, they reminded me of the beaches I love back home in Greece.
For families with young children, they are particularly enjoyable because of the calm water and wide stretches of sand.
Dinner by the Sea
Another wonderful advantage of Playa Real was the beautiful beachfront restaurant located only steps away from the complex.
Elegant without being pretentious, it offered lovely views of the sea and a distinctly Mediterranean atmosphere.
Given the prices, it wasn't the type of place where a family of five would have every meal during a three-night stay, but it was perfect for a memorable dinner, a sunset drink, or an afternoon coffee.
Naturally, we decided to start our Marbella experience there.
The children enjoyed pizza.
We shared a delicious paella.
And Mama enjoyed an espresso martini.
For research purposes, obviously!
One evening, my husband also took advantage of our fully equipped kitchen and prepared dinner at home. Having a large supermarket only minutes away made that option particularly convenient.
For the rest of our meals, however, we gradually started exploring the surrounding area and discovering the places where locals and visitors gather beyond the beach resorts.
Discovering Elviria
One of the pleasant surprises of our stay was the nearby area of Elviria.
Located only a few minutes from Playa Real, Elviria quickly became our little local hub during our stay.
Although much smaller than Marbella's famous Old Town or glamorous Puerto Banús, it offered everything we needed:
cafés
bakeries
restaurants
supermarkets
pharmacies
small shops
In the mornings, we often stopped there for breakfast before beginning our daily explorations.
There was something wonderfully relaxing about sitting outdoors with a coffee and freshly baked churros while the resort town slowly woke up around us.
In the evenings, Elviria became lively without ever feeling overwhelming.
Families strolled through the commercial center, outdoor terraces filled up, and the atmosphere felt friendly and welcoming.
Getting there wasn't always as straightforward as one might expect despite being so close to Playa Real. The area can be surprisingly confusing to navigate during the first few visits, and finding the correct entrance or exit sometimes felt like a small adventure in itself. Parking could also become congested during busy hours.
Still, once we became familiar with the area, Elviria quickly became one of our favorite spots.
Many visitors associate Marbella with the glamorous marina of Puerto Banús, famous for luxury yachts, designer boutiques, and high-end nightlife.
But as a family traveling with children, we found ourselves much more drawn to Elviria.
While Puerto Banús is certainly impressive, Elviria offered something that suited our travel style better: beautiful Mediterranean beaches, a relaxed atmosphere, family-friendly restaurants, and all the conveniences we needed without the crowds and glamour.
It felt authentic.
Comfortable.
Easy.
And exactly what we were looking for.
To Be Continued...
At this point, Marbella had already met our expectations.
The beaches were beautiful.
The coastline was stunning.
And Elviria was family-friendy and comfortable.
But the real surprise was still waiting.
Because once the sun went down, Marbella revealed an entirely different side of itself.
And that's exactly what we'll discover in the next chapter.
Stay tuned for Marbella by Night, Marbella's enchanting Old Town, hidden flower-filled streets, and my final verdict on one of Spain's most famous seaside destinations.
Love, Katerina
Continue the Journey
This summer adventure took us across Portugal and Spain before arriving in Marbella. If you'd like to follow our route from the beginning, you may enjoy reading:
• Lisbon
• Lagos
• Benagil Cave & the Algarve
• Seville Part I
• Seville Part II
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