Here’s what you need to know to plan a trip to the glamorous, sun-soaked Mediterranean retreat of Marbella, Spain.

Marbella, Spain, is a beloved spot for Europeans seeking sun, and it’s gaining popularity for Americans in recent years looking to escape the crowds and high prices in other Med hotspots like Italy’s Amalfi Coast and Santorini in Greece.

Nestled on Spain’s storied Costa del Sol, saturated with sun for much of the year, Marbella is the answer for a quieter yet still luxurious beach getaway with excellent food, shopping, golf, and nightlife. Plus, it’s near some of Spain’s best cultural destinations in Andalucía, including Malaga, Picasso’s birthplace; Ronda, known for bullfighting and its dramatic ravine; and the Alhambra palace complex in Granada.

“People love Marbella because it offers the great energy of a jet-setter Mediterranean beach resort town without being pretentious,” says Jack Ezon, founder and managing Partner of EMBARK Beyond. “You’ll still find all the fabulous shops, great restaurants, beach clubs, and resorts, though at a cost of about 30 to 40 percent less than you would get in France or Italy.”

Thanks to Travel + Leisure

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