The Best Hostels and Cheap Hotels to Book in Marbella, Spain

Bluebelle is a great option if you’re driving, as it offers free parking outside the building, on a restaurant-lined stretch of Marbella known as the Golden Mile. The best rooms are the superior doubles, which come with a furnished, sea-view terrace. There are two great breakfast and brunch spots nearby – Pan y Mermelada and Organic Market & Food. Playa Casablanca and the Paseo Maritimo are both less than 10 minutes away on foot.

Couples should book the Lucero 12. It’s situated on a tranquil cobbled lane in the 18th-century Barrio Nuevo (New Neighbourhood), a five-minute walk from the beach. Five individually decorated double rooms overlook either the street or the internal patio, and one has a balcony. Champagne, flowers and candied treats are available on request – plus private transfers to and from Malaga airport can also be arranged.

This homey pensión is situated just back from Playa del Cable and the seafront promenade. Stay in unpretentious twin or double rooms, all with private terraces and views of the sea and mountains. Boisterous summer barbecues with kids’ entertainers are held on the shaded internal courtyard, and the in-house restaurant specialises in paella and couscous dishes. A 25-minute walk along the promenade will take you to the Old Town. Free, guests-only parking is available outside.

Pensión Aduar offers well-maintained single, double, triple and quadruple rooms, most of which have shared bathrooms. The focal point in the building is a traditional Andalucian patio, decorated with plants, blue-and-white tiles, wall-mounted ceramics and a fountain – the perfect space to meet fellow guests over an early evening vino. It’s situated in the heart of the Old Town, just up the road from the Town Hall and Plaza de los Naranjos.

Run by English couple Craig and Frankie, Hostal Tak offers 15 vintage-themed rooms on the edge of the Old Town, a five-minute walk from the beach. Choose from singles, twins, doubles or a four-person suite, split between two restored townhouses on a quiet, pedestrianised street – all have private bathrooms. Take a beer up to the roof terrace and enjoy the view from the white leather sofas. You’ll also have use of a fridge, utensils and a microwave in the top-floor kitchen.

Hostal Berlin provides a conveniently located base from which to explore central Marbella. It’s just a seven-minute walk from Plaza de los Naranjos, the Old Town’s main square. Rooms range from singles to quadruples – all feature contemporary decor and ensuite bathrooms, whilst some also have Juliet balconies. Communal spaces comprise a plant-filled patio that attracts local butterflies, a bar area with comfy armchairs and free snacks and coffee, plus a sea-facing roof terrace.

Immerse yourself in the Old Town of Marbella during a stay at Hostal Enriqueta, a family-run establishment situated just around the corner from Plaza de los Naranjos. Rooms sleep up to four people – many have balconies and/or large windows overlooking the rooftops of the oldest quarter. Shared spaces include a reception area with a small library and TV, plus a patio filled with plants and flowers. There’s no bar or breakfast, but the plentiful Old Town tapas joints and cafes make up for that.

Pet-friendly Hostal Paco is found at the Old Town centre, a five-minute walk from Alameda Park and Plaza de los Naranjos. Simple, whitewashed rooms accommodate couples or parties of three, and some have small balconies. Make sure you pop into the adjoining bar – it takes inspiration from the northern region of Asturias and serves cloudy cider, a hearty Asturian stew called fabada and sea-urchin caviar.

Luxury touches abound at the Town House, a chic hotel in the Old Town that feels more like a five-star than a two-star. There are 10 opulent double rooms, featuring dark-wood furniture, marble floors and Molton Brown toiletries – upgrade for a four-poster bed and private terrace. Other perks include a roof garden, complimentary daily breakfast, on-the-house wines and a tapas bar with seating on the square outside.