If you love to shop, make sure you explore Marbella. This is a resort where high-end and designer stores are surrounded by sunsets and palm trees. It makes a day out shopping feel even more glamorous.
In the spirit of keeping our readers informed, The Swish team have pounded the pavements bravely to do as much research on Marbella’s shops as possible. It ended up being an expensive blog to produce, but it was truly worth it! Now we can proudly deliver our ultimate guide to Marbella for every type of shopper imaginable.
1. The Designer Diva
You love designer goods and girl, you deserve it! Puerto Banus itself is home to Gucci, D&G and Michael Kors amongst others. But for those who don’t even want to leave The Golden Mile, head to the Chanel Pop Up store inside The Marbella Club beachfront hotel, open from April to October. This seasonal delight is sure to please and as Coco Chanel herself once said, “A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous”
2. The Magpie
Are you attracted by newness and bright, shiny objects? Do you have a need to shop just because you have a fear of missing out? We hear you! You can get your hit in many ways, but one amazing store we love is Druni Perfumeria inside the Marina Banus centre. Here you will find nail polishes of all colours, enough eyeliner brands to impress a top Hollywood make-up artist, plenty of inexpensive perfumes and Korean beauty brands. Inside Marina Banus centre you will also find Zara, accessories store Parfois and H&M, perfect for a new outfit or two combined with a coffee afterwards in Manuka, a relaxed healthy café on the lower floor.
3. The Non-Conformist
You don’t like labels and don’t like to just follow the crowd. You love ethnic pieces and artisan crafts. Puerto Banus is still for you, with the market that opens in Plaza de Julio Iglesias every summer season, you can find charming but original jewellery and accessories as well as boho-chic summer clothing.
4. The Original
You don’t buy things that anyone else has. Exclusivity is your thing, and what better way to achieve it than in an independent boutique? Marbella Old town is for you, head to the cobbled streets and browse the enchanting and unusual boutiques you will find there. Our tip is to arrive after 6p.m., once the siesta is over and the balmy evening kicks in, you can always break up your shopping with a cool drink in the square.
5. The Online Shopper
Wherever you are in the world, you are near a shop if you have a laptop or a phone. This still works in Marbella, and there are plenty of online stores that operate with fast delivery within the Spanish peninsula so you can order goods to be delivered to your villa. Amazon and El Corte Ingles are two classics, and for clothing you can also try Zalando.
6. The Bargain Hunter
You can find a bargain at the MacArthur Glen Designer outlet in Malaga, which is just next to Plaza Mayor, another shopping complex. With Prada, Ralph Lauren and Armani you won’t be sorry you went. The area is just next to Malaga airport so you could even stop in before flying home, (just don’t miss your flight!)
7. The Duracell Bunny
You can literally shop for hours. Your happy place? The mall. Try La Canada, a lovely, covered shopping centre surrounded by palm trees. You can also drive further afield to Malaga, to its Andalusian style shopping complex Plaza Mayor. This is a fantastic place to spend the day with free parking and long opening hours, surrounded by all sorts of stores, a food hall and even a nail bar.
8. The Shopping Ninja
You know what you want, and when you see it, you pounce like a sleek black panther. You have no time for browsing or trying things on. Your best choice is to download the El Corte Ingles app, which offers a “click and car” service. Choose online, then simply drive in with your car to collect it. This leaves more time for the beach.
9. The “Bring the Whole Family” Shopper
Wherever you go, they go. You’re a family unit after all. So, you need family-friendly places to shop like the La Canada mall which offers a great balance of shopping mixed with recreational areas for a refreshment or two. You can also try the El Corte Ingles in Puerto Banus which has a rather wonderful toy department too, perfect for when little ones get bored.
10. The Negotiator
You love to do a deal. Luckily for you, Marbella is a good place to practice your bargaining skills at a street market. Each year the artisan market opens up in Puerto Banus and you will also find a weekly Saturday morning market near the bull ring. Go for it!
