Every city has its secret addresses that are whispered about. In Marbella, there are dozens of them. Here, villas and mansions are not just real estate, but participants in history. They have seen aristocrats, Hollywood stars, politicians and billionaires. Each house has its own biography, confirmed by archives, publications and historical sources.
Marbella Club — where it all began
Prince Alfonso von Hohenlohe's family finca was transformed into the legendary Marbella Club Hotel — a symbol of the golden age of the coast. It was here that the atmosphere of old Hollywood was born: Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, Brigitte Bardot, Sean Connery and other world stars were frequent guests at the club. On the hotel's 70th anniversary, its history was once again featured in all Spanish publications — as the story of the birth of ‘Marbella glamour’.
The White Palace on the Golden Mile
King Fahd's summer residence, known as Mar-Mar, is almost a separate city within Marbella. The complex includes villas, swimming pools, a hospital, a mosque and a helipad. The architecture is inspired by the White House, and visits by the Saudi delegation have always given a noticeable boost to the local economy — a classic example of how luxury literally affects a city's GDP.
Casa Malibu — James Bond's house
Sean Connery lived in a villa by the sea between Puerto Banús and San Pedro. After it was sold, the site was built up with apartments — the current Malibu complex. The project became the subject of a high-profile investigation into urban planning violations, known as the ‘Goldfinger case’. The actor himself was fully acquitted in 2014, and the place became part of the legend of Marbella's ‘golden age’.
Audrey Hepburn's house — an address with history
In the 1960s, Audrey Hepburn and her husband, actor Mel Ferrer, lived in Marbella. The local press described their daily life by the sea in detail. One of the houses where the actress lived is still privately owned — and was once almost sold to a SOLO Marbella client. At that time, the history of the house played a key role in the choice, but the deal did not go through.
From a hunting estate to La Zagaleta
Before La Zagaleta, one of the most exclusive and prestigious communities in Europe, appeared, this site was home to billionaire Adnan Khashoggi's La Baraka estate. It featured stables, hunting grounds and legendary parties. Today, the La Zagaleta clubhouse stands on the site of his home, and the community itself has become a symbol of elite coastal living.
Marbella on screen
Coastal villas often serve as film sets. In 2022, scenes for the series The Crown were filmed at the La Zagaleta mansion, which ‘played’ the residence of the Al-Fayed family. And in 2023, part of the episodes of Black Mirror: Mazey Day were filmed in Ojen and Marbella, as confirmed by Spanish sources.
Villa Obama — a name that went down in history
In the summer of 2010, Michelle Obama and her daughter vacationed at the Villa Padierna hotel (Benavís). Since then, the largest villa there has been officially named Villa Obama. This visit became not only an event in the city's chronicle, but also a symbol of Marbella's international status.
Marbella, where every house has its own story
The Marbella Club, the Fahd Palace, Casa Malibu, La Zagaleta — these are not just architectural masterpieces. They are a reflection of eras, people and destinies. Some of these villas are still available for sale or rent, while others remain part of history. But all of them are an integral part of the DNA of Marbella, a city where the walls remember a lot.
-frontend.webp)
