Topography Dunes of Artola, the Sierra Blanca in the background Marbella is bordered on the north by the municipalities of Istán and Ojén, on the northwest by Benahavís, on the west by Estepona and on the northeast by Mijas. The coastline is heavily urbanised most of the land not built up with golf courses has been developed with small residential areas. Due to the proximity of the mountains to the coast, the city has a large gap between its north and south sides, thus providing views of the sea and mountain vistas from almost every part of the city. The Marbella municipality occupies a strip of land that extends along forty-four kilometres (27 miles) of coastline of the Penibético region, sheltered by the slopes of the coastal mountain range, which includes the Bermeja, Palmitera, Royal, White and Alpujata sub-ranges. The city also has a significant archaeological heritage, several museums and performance spaces, and a cultural calendar with events ranging from reggae concerts to opera performances. It is one of the most important tourist cities of the Costa del Sol and throughout most of the year is an international tourist attraction, due mainly to its climate and tourist infrastructure. In 2018, the population of the city was 141,463 inhabitants, making it the second most populous municipality in the province of Málaga and the seventh in Andalusia.

The municipality covers an area of 117 square kilometres (45 sq mi) crossed by highways on the coast, which are its main entrances. Marbella is situated on the Mediterranean Sea, between Málaga and the Strait of Gibraltar, in the foothills of the Sierra Blanca.

It is part of the Costa del Sol and is the headquarters of the Association of Municipalities of the region it is also the head of the judicial district that bears its name. Marbella ( UK: / m ɑːr ˈ b eɪ j ə/ mar- BAY-yə, US: / m ɑːr ˈ b ɛ l ə/ mar- BEL-ə, Spanish: ) is a city and municipality in southern Spain, belonging to the province of Málaga in the autonomous community of Andalusia.

State farm golden mile highway