New Golden Mile
New Golden Mile is a serene residential destination that offers a luxurious and relaxed lifestyle amidst beautiful surroundings. It provides residents with proximity to stunning beaches, excellent amenities, and vibrant attractions, while maintaining an air of exclusivity and tranquillity.
Contents
Location
History and iconic sites
Type of properties
Family living
Schools
Amenities
Unique about the area
Neighbourhoods
Location
New Golden Mile stretches approximately 12.5 miles along the coastline between San Pedro Alcántara and Estepona, and it extends into the hills, where some of the most exclusive golf courses and residential areas can be found. The area boasts easy access to Estepona, Marbella, and Puerto Banús, with all their luxury shopping, dining, and entertainment options.
History and iconic sites
The term “New Golden Mile” was first coined by Costa del Sol enthusiasts who noticed its similarities to the neighbouring Marbella Golden Mile. Since the early 2000s, it has become a widely used name to describe this area, known for its high-end residential developments, luxury amenities, and premium lifestyle offerings.
Beyond its modern luxury, the New Golden Mile is also rich in history and tradition, home to several significant landmarks. One notable example is the archaeological site “Villa Romana de las Torres” in Guadalmansa - a Roman villa and salting factory built between the late 2nd and early 3rd centuries A.D. Also, along the coastline, you'll find a series of historic watchtowers, originally constructed during the 14th and 15th centuries as part of a coastal defence system against Berber pirate attacks. Five of these towers are located within the New Golden Mile: the Padrón Tower, Velerín Tower, Guadalmansa Tower, Saladillo Tower, and the Casasola (or Baños) Tower.
Although the area has seen extensive development over the past two decades, Estepona’s thoughtful urban planning and building regulations have preserved its charm. High-rise buildings have been avoided, allowing the natural beauty and landscape of the region to remain largely untouched.
Type of properties
One of the standout features of the New Golden Mile is its diverse and luxurious real estate. The area offers a blend of Mediterranean-style villas, modern beachfront apartments, and secure gated communities. Properties range from timeless homes with terracotta roofs to sleek new builds with white façades and floor-to-ceiling windows designed to maximize views. On the beachside, one can find exclusive developments like Cabo Bermejo and Velaya, while the golf side boasts everything from elegant apartments to grand villas in areas such as Los Flamingos. With ongoing development and premium amenities, this area appeals to buyers seeking privacy, style, and a true Mediterranean lifestyle.
Family living
The New Golden Mile is an excellent choice for families, offering a safe and peaceful setting with easy access to international schools, parks, and family-friendly beaches. Many gated communities feature pools, playgrounds, and sports areas, while essential amenities - supermarkets, restaurants, and healthcare facilities - are all just a short drive away. The area also offers unique attractions such as Selwo Aventura, Costa del Sol’s own wildlife safari park, where over 1,000 animals roam in semi-freedom; and the School of Equestrian Art, providing a distinctive cultural and sporting experience for all ages.
Schools
The International School Estepona
Established in 2004, this British primary school and nursery (for children 2 to 12 years old) is situated in El Paraiso. In the early years, the school follows the Montessori approach, which then follows on to the British National Curriculum.
Atalaya International School
Private and Spanish-English bilingual school for children 3 to 18 years old. It offers GCSEs and IB, as well as the Spanish Baccalaureate. The school, set on 16.000 sqm, provides excellent sports facilities and an in-house kitchen.
Mayfair International Academy
Private and international school for children 3-18 years old, which follows the Cambridge Pathway and the British National Curriculum. Founded in 1997, the school is in Atalaya Park and provides modern facilities.
Atlas American School
Located in the Selwo Hills, this private and international school follows the American curriculum with studies from kindergarten to grade 12 (K1-G12).
Public Spanish Schools
Colegio Isdabe del Mar and Colegio Ramón Lago. Education is exclusively in Spanish but international families are welcome.
Amenities
The development of luxury residential complexes, beachfront promenades, and high-end leisure facilities has transformed this area into one of the most sought-after locations for home owners and investors.
Beaches
The New Golden Mile boasts golden sands and crystal-clear waters to suit all tastes. Highlights include Playa del Saladillo, surrounded by dunes and pines, ideal for families with full facilities and beach bars; Playa de Playabella-Guadalmansa, a quiet stretch perfect for long walks and relaxation; El Velerín / Playa del Castor, a secluded spot with stunning sea, river, and mountain views amid lush pine forests; Playa del Padrón, a lively, family-friendly favourite near Laguna Village and Kempinski Resort; and Playa Punta de la Plata, a tranquil beach near Estepona with a scenic boardwalk, restaurants, and cycle paths.
Sports
The New Golden Mile offers a wealth of sports and wellness options for all tastes. Racquet sports enthusiasts can enjoy excellent facilities at Bel Air Tennis & Padel Club, RozaRossa Tennis Club, and Villa Padierna Racquet Club. Golfers will find some of the finest courses nearby, including Atalaya, El Paraíso, La Resina, and Los Flamingos (part of the Villa Padierna Golf Club). The area’s wide beaches and steady winds are perfect for kitesurfing, sailing, diving, and windsurfing, while horse riding at two dedicated centres, cycling along the scenic coastal pathway, and hiking around the nearby Sierra Bermeja mountains are also at hand. Numerous luxury fitness and wellness centres complete the area’s active, healthy lifestyle.
Hotels & Resorts
The area offers a mix of luxurious five-star resorts with world-class spas and wellness centres, and four-star hotels with a wide range of entertainment, dining, and services. Highlights include the renowned Kempinski Hotel Bahia, all-inclusive Ikos Andalusia, elegant Anantara Villa Padierna Palace, adults-only Senator Banus, wellness-focused Las Dunas Hotel Health & Spa, and sophisticated METT Marbella-Estepona. Four-star options include beachfront hotels like The Flag Costa del Sol, combining luxury with holistic wellness; Sol Marbella Atalaya Park, ideal for families; resort-style Globales Paraíso Beach and Globales Playa Estepona; and adults-only Exe Estepona Thalasso & Spa and all-inclusive Bakour Oh Nice Costa del Sol, located slightly inland but just minutes from the beach.
Restaurants
The New Golden Mile is a food lover’s paradise, offering everything from local to international cuisine, laid-back beachfront chiringuitos, fine dining, and popular summer beach clubs. Exclusive spots include Nido, Trocadero Estepona, Beso Beach, Spiler at Kempinski, and Anantara by The Sea. Notable restaurants feature the discreet Salduna Beach; Barbillon with its Mediterranean cuisine; Isola, blending Mediterranean and Southern Italian flavours; Kalma & Kaos, offering Japanese and Mediterranean dishes; the premium steakhouse Vovem; and Tikitano, with Mediterranean flavours and a touch of Nouvelle Cuisine. Additionally, Laguna Costa del Sol by the Pachá Group combines panoramic views, world-class dining, and a vibrant beachfront community.
Nature
The New Golden Mile stands out not only for luxury and exclusivity but also for its rich natural environment, where residents and visitors can enjoy both land and sea. Aside from the quiet beaches and relaxing spots, the area boasts the Senda Litoral, a coastal walkway connecting Estepona’s beaches and offering panoramic sea views; the beautiful Dunas de El Saladillo–Matas Verdes, a dune system hosting rich biodiversity, including cork and holm oak trees, myrtle, and various seabirds and waders; and Los Reales de Sierra Bermeja, a natural park with mountainous landscapes, diverse flora and fauna and a network of trails ideal for hiking leading to the highest peak and offering breathtaking views over the Mediterranean and the strait of Gibraltar.
Essentials
The area provides all necessary conveniences, including supermarkets, pharmacies, health clinics, and boutique shops. Regarding health, the area has its public health centre located in Cancelada, while also offering private healthcare at Hospiten Estepona, with all sorts of medical specialities. There are also the so-called “mercadillos” which offer everything from fruit, vegetables, flowers, new and/or second-hand clothes and shoes, and which are usually held in the different urbanisations, like the one in Atalaya.
Unique about the area
What sets the New Golden Mile apart is its perfect balance between tranquillity and luxury. The New Golden Mile has established itself as the perfect blend between Marbella’s cosmopolitan hustle and bustle and Estepona’s Andalusian town lifestyle. It offers a quiet lifestyle with access to stunning beaches, world-class golf courses, and beautiful promenades, all within a short distance of the vibrant hubs of Estepona, Puerto Banús, and Marbella. Moreover, its approach to property development and urban planning puts the emphasis on individual properties and detached houses rather than cluttering the seafront with unsightly apartment blocks, like other resorts on the Costa del Sol.
Neighbourhoods
The main neighbourhoods within the New Golden Mile include the beachfront areas (such as Cabo Bermejo, Torre Bermeja, Casasola and Benamara) and the golf and hillside areas (such as Los Flamingos, El Paraiso, Atalaya, Bel-Air and Cancelada).
If you think the New Golden Mile can be the place for you, contact me and I will help you find your dream property and your perfect slice of this incredible lifestyle
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