Marbella has never stood still, but the city’s evolution today feels different from the rapid growth of previous decades. For anyone wondering what’s new in Marbella in 2026, many of this year’s most anticipated openings reflect a broader shift towards more thoughtful hospitality, stronger international brands, and experiences built around quality rather than spectacle.
From globally recognised restaurant concepts and redesigned luxury hotels to a new generation of beach clubs, this season brings a collection of openings that continue to shape Marbella’s reputation as one of Europe’s leading lifestyle destinations.
Whether you’re a resident, a regular visitor, or considering a move to the Costa del Sol, these are some of the names worth knowing in 2026.
A New Chapter for Marbella’s Hotels
One of the most significant developments of the season is the return of Don Carlos Hotel. Long regarded as one of the city’s most recognisable hotels, its reopening marks more than just a refurbishment. The repositioned property introduces a more contemporary hospitality experience while preserving the beachfront setting that made it an icon in the first place.
A similar transformation can be seen at Kimpton Los Monteros. Although Los Monteros has been part of Marbella’s hotel landscape for decades, the arrival of Kimpton has effectively created an entirely new product. The repositioning feels more international, more lifestyle-driven, and more aligned with the expectations of today’s luxury traveller.
Further east, Gran Marbella Resort represents another notable addition. Together with its beachfront concept, Amù Beach Club, the project brings a more understated style of luxury to the Elviria area. For those seeking quality and atmosphere without the intensity often associated with Marbella’s busiest hotspots, it offers an appealing alternative.
International Restaurant Brands Continue to Arrive
Marbella’s restaurant scene has become increasingly international in recent years, and 2026 continues that trend.
Among the most anticipated openings is La Petite Maison, which arrives at Puente Romano after establishing itself in destinations including London, Dubai and Miami. Known for its French Riviera-inspired cuisine and elegant yet relaxed atmosphere, its arrival further strengthens Puente Romano’s position as one of the Mediterranean’s leading dining destinations.
Another major arrival is Serafina Marbella on the Golden Mile. Following the success of its New York locations, the Italian concept brings a lively atmosphere, polished interiors and a menu built around contemporary interpretations of Italian classics. Expect it to become a popular meeting point for Marbella’s increasingly international crowd.
Nobu for lunch introduces a more relaxed daytime expression of the Nobu experience in Marbella. While the main restaurant remains focused on dinner at La Plaza, Nobu Beach is built around lunch by the sea, with signature dishes, sushi, cocktails and a setting that works well for long afternoons close to the water.
Marbella’s dining scene is also evolving beyond the major international names. At Forum, Zellij brings a Mediterranean concept shaped by flavours from Morocco and the wider region, open from breakfast through to dinner. In Marbella Old Town, Las Sacas takes a more intimate route, pairing selected wines from Jerez with Japanese-inspired cuisine in a way that feels local, specific and refreshingly different.
Meanwhile, Nonna’s is generating considerable curiosity ahead of its opening. While details remain limited, anticipation is already building as Marbella continues to attract concepts with strong identities and clear culinary direction.
Cocktails Worth Noting
Marbella’s 2026 season is not only about restaurants. At La Plaza in Puente Romano, SIPS Barcelona brings one of the world’s most awarded cocktail concepts to the coast for a limited residency. Named The World’s Best Bar in 2023 and consistently ranked among the very best globally, SIPS adds a more international cocktail dimension to Marbella’s summer scene.
Marbella’s Beach Club Scene Keeps Evolving
Beach clubs remain an essential part of Marbella life, and the newest arrivals suggest a more refined direction for the sector. Rather than focusing only on volume or visibility, many of the 2026 concepts lean into design, atmosphere, hospitality and a stronger connection to their setting.
The season welcomes Nube Beach Club, adding another contemporary destination to Marbella’s coastline. Combining beachfront dining with a relaxed social atmosphere, it is designed for the kind of long afternoons that naturally transition into sunset drinks.
Nearby, Sabine Beach brings a similarly relaxed yet elevated approach. The concept feels distinctly Mediterranean while maintaining the service standards and attention to detail expected from Marbella’s leading hospitality venues.
Set within the iconic Don Carlos Hotel, Lucia Marbella is one of the more notable beach club openings for summer 2026. Part of the Nikki Beach family, it brings a fresh, social energy to Marbella’s eastern coastline, with a strong focus on music, live events, guest DJs and a laid-back beachfront atmosphere.
Beyond Marbella itself, Starlite Beach Club at Laguna is one of the most significant openings on the New Golden Mile. As an extension of the Starlite brand, the venue introduces a daytime format built around music, entertainment and hospitality, expanding one of the Costa del Sol’s most recognised lifestyle brands beyond its summer festival roots.
Another name to note is Astoria Beach Club, which is set to open in summer 2026. Positioned on the beachfront, the concept brings Astoria’s design-led approach into a more open coastal setting, with a focus on atmosphere, dining and understated seaside living.
Notable Openings from 2025
Several venues that opened in 2025 have already become established parts of Marbella’s social and dining scene. Together, they point to the same shift: stronger design, more international influence, and places that move naturally from dinner into drinks.
Cielo by Florentine, Samna Marbella, and Frou Frou Marbella each brought something distinct to the restaurant scene, while Brasserie Astoria added a polished international dining concept to Marbella. Purosushi strengthened Marbella’s Japanese offering, and Motel Particulier introduced a more distinctive dinner-to-club format.
Marbella Continues to Raise the Bar
What stands out about the 2026 season is not just how many new places are opening, but the kind of places they are. Marbella is attracting more established hospitality names, stronger concepts and operators who seem focused on building something with staying power.
For residents, visitors and property owners, that matters. It adds depth to everyday life here and strengthens Marbella’s position as more than a holiday destination. The city continues to evolve through its restaurants, hotels, beach clubs and lifestyle spaces, and in 2026, that evolution feels a little more thoughtful.