In August, Marbella recorded 5,688 workers in its hotel establishments—a 28.3 percent increase over the same month in 2025, when the figure stood at 4,432—according to the latest data from the National Statistics Institute (INE). This represents an increase of 1,256 employees over the year and also surpasses the 5,112 recorded during the same period in 2019. Laura de Arce, the sector’s director general, emphasized that “trends in this area reflect the direct impact of tourism activity on the local economy and its capacity to generate opportunities and wealth for the city.” August indicators also show an improvement in hotel occupancy, which reached 84.60 percent—up from 82.57 percent in the same month of the previous year—representing an increase of 2.03 percentage points. During August, these establishments hosted 83,817 travelers and recorded a total of 346,352 overnight stays.

From October 2 to 4, the city will host the fifth edition of the Marbella Championship, an international CrossFit event that will bring together around 1,500 athletes from more than 40 countries at the Parque del Mediterráneo. Lisandro Vieytes, the responsible councilor, presented the event’s key highlights today alongside organizer Sara Echaniz and representatives of local athletes, emphasizing “the consolidation of a competition that continues to grow and helps put the city on the international sports map.”

The councilor noted that one of this year’s main new features is the municipal department’s support for seven local athletes, whose registration fees will be covered. “When we are fortunate enough to have athletes from Marbella capable of competing and representing our city in an event of this caliber, what better way to acknowledge their effort than by facilitating their participation?” said Vieytes, stressing that “we want their only concern to be enjoying themselves, giving their best, and raising the municipality’s profile to the highest level.”

Over the course of the three days, Mediterráneo Park will host multiple competition venues—featuring three zones where the various events will take place—alongside areas for recovery, dining, and activities, as well as a commercial zone showcasing fitness-related brands. Additionally, the organizers have secured agreements and special offers with various local hotels. Another measure announced today is free admission for holders of the Marbella Athlete Card. Vieytes has encouraged both fans and those unfamiliar with the sport to visit the venue and experience an event of this magnitude firsthand, while also extending the invitation to the municipality’s gyms and sports centers.

Creators International School has launched as a specialist STEM school, with an emphasis on science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

The incredible space in the heart of Benahavis village guarantees to cap class sizes to just 12 pupils. With a mission to develop ‘innovators, leaders, scientists, entrepreneurs and global citizens of the future’ it has high ambitions.

The school will be for students aged seven to 18, but its first intake this month begins with Year seven (11-year-olds) and above. Following the British curriculum with international elements, boarding for up to 100 students is scheduled from September 2027.

Maths will be particularly prominent. Key Stage 3 pupils are timetabled for ten maths lessons a week, alongside four each in biology, chemistry, physics, computer science and ICT. Other subjects such as English, Spanish, humanities, art and music are also included.

Perched in Marbella’s exclusive Sierra Blanca urbanisation on the Golden Mile, Villa Bellagio is more akin to a private palace than a house – complete with 13 suites, a 22-metre infinity pool, professional bowling alley, cinema and enough garage space for a whopping 42 cars.

The extraordinary mansion sprawls across 5,600 square metres of built space on a vast 14,000-square-metre private plot, reportedly the largest in the area.

At the heart of the property is a grand living room opening onto a covered terrace, with panoramic views across the Mediterranean and an enormous pool stretching towards the horizon.

There is also an opulent dining room with enough room for 14 guests, a 60-square-metre show kitchen, a separate service kitchen and an outdoor barbecue area.

The 13 suites are each between 140 and 150 square metres in area, meaning the bedrooms are larger than many people’s homes.

Villa Bellagio was designed by leading architect Jesus del Valle, whose work earned the prestigious Macael Award for Best Design in 2022 – a prize presented by the Spanish royal family.

The home was previously owned by the British tycoon Joe Ricotta, and it’s now on the market, with a sky-high price tag of €70 million.

The ProDunas Marbella Association is launching the 2026–2027 school year with a renewed environmental education and coastal dune conservation program aimed at primary, compulsory secondary, and upper secondary (Bachillerato) students. Activities tailored to each educational stage will be organized within the municipality’s dune areas.

The programs combine educational instruction, direct nature observation, and active participation in the conservation of dune ecosystems.

Activities will take place primarily at the Marbella Dunes Ecological Reserve and the “Artola Dunes” Natural Monument, and will be adapted to the various age groups and educational levels.

The program also offers the option of holding an initial awareness-raising session at the school itself, featuring presentations, videos, and participatory activities.

Málaga’s Feria is officially underway. From Friday, August 14th, with the Historical Parade, and continues into the evening with a pyrotechnic and drone show. Saturday the 15th will be in full swing with the Pilgrimage to the Basilica Sanctuary of Our Lady of Victory, followed in the afternoon by the lighting of the fairground lights and the opening address, delivered by Juanfran Funes, manager of Málaga CF.

The program of activities also includes various traditional shows, children’s entertainment, and concerts, among other events, spread across the two main areas of the Málaga Fair: the city center and the Cortijo de Torres Fairgrounds. The festivities will last for a week, concluding on Saturday, August 22nd. Below you can find the daily schedule of events, including times and locations:

https://www.malagahoy.es/feria_de_malaga/programa-completo-feria-malaga-2026_0_2007660395.html#goog_rewarded

Malaga Airport is set for a €1.5 billion expansion as Spain’s airport operator warns the Costa del Sol hub is fast approaching its passenger capacity.

AENA president Maurici Lucena said the project would increase the airport’s annual capacity from 30 million to 36 million passengers between 2027 and 2031.

The announcement comes after Malaga Airport recorded a sharp 6.7% rise in passenger numbers and a 4.5% increase in flights in June alone.

Speaking to El Conciso, Lucena said Spain was on course to become ‘the fifth or sixth country [in the world] for air traffic’ by 2055, adding that major airport expansions would be needed nationwide to keep pace with demand.

The growing number of passengers will also require the terminal to be enlarged, including the construction of a new wing dedicated to non-Schengen travellers.

Outside the terminal, plans include improving road access to the airport and expanding parking facilities to cope with rising demand.

Airports such as Sevilla have also recently undergone expansion as Andalucia continues to attract record numbers of visitors.

The beaches of the municipality of Marbella are now proudly displaying all the distinctions they have received for this season. Eight Blue Flags make it the eighth Spanish municipality with the most of these awards. In addition, there are 19 Q for Quality flags and the same number of S for Sustainability flags. In total, 46 awards are distributed along the entire coastline.

Marbella’s beaches are adorned with flags this year, a total of 46, corresponding to the various distinctions they have received from different organizations.

There are eight Blue Flags, placing the municipality eighth in all of Spain with the most awards of this type.

These are located on the beaches of Cabopino, El Cable, El Faro, La Fontanilla, Nagüeles-Casablanca, Los Monteros (Adelfas), San Pedro de Alcántara (Guadalmina), and Venus-Bajadilla.

Legend of the Seas is to make its European debut with an unforgettable departure from Malaga on June 29. This vast Icon-class vessel promises extraordinary adventures for families and thrill-seekers during its first Mediterranean sailing. Departure occurs at 10pm bound for Rome via Civitavecchia, complete with a fireworks display over the Malaga coastline around 10.20pm.

Passengers will enjoy a four-night journey until July 3. Stops include a brief technical call in Tarragona, a visit to La Spezia, and a full sea day. This 365-metre ship weighs over 248,000 gross tonnes and accommodates an amazing more than 5,600 guests at full capacity across nearly 2,800 cabins. Around 2,350 crew members will make sure of excellent service throughout 20 decks filled with a vast array of entertainment options.

Royal Caribbean has equipped Legend of the Seas with liquefied natural gas propulsion as the fourth such vessel in its fleet. Advanced waste heat recovery systems and shore power connections support operations. These features advance the company’s goal of net zero emissions by 2035.

Marbella’s port has welcomed a duo of luxury yachts owned by American superstore beneficiary during her Mediterranean voyage.

The heir to US megastore chain Walmart just dropped anchor in Marbella’s Puerto Banus.

Nancy Walton Laurie, American businesswoman and philanthropist, brought her €300 million superyacht and its accompanying support vessel worth €30 million into Costa del Sol waters this week.

Dubbed as Kaos and Kalm, the two ships were filmed coasting outside of Puerto Banus’ harbour on Wednesday afternoon.