Marbella is setting sail toward an historic waterfront revamp. Following a milestone agreement between the Regional Government of Andalusia (Junta de Andalucía) and the Marbella Town Hall, authorities have officially unblocked the long-stalled expansion and modernization of the Puerto de La Bajadilla, Marbella.
Representing a massive investment of over €200 million, this long awaited project is set to reshape the region’s infrastructure and maritime landscape. By expanding the marina, and modernizing its facilities, this project will transform Marbella from a luxury holiday hotspot into one of the Mediterranean’s top maritime destinations.
Supercharging La Bajadilla’s Potential: From 268 to 750 Berths
The core of the La Bajadilla project lies in the expansion of its water basin. Limited by space and an outdated infrastructure, the marina and traditional fishing port currently offers 268 moorings for vessels of up to 18 meters in length. Once the redevelopment is complete, that capacity will nearly triple to approximately 750 berths.
This dynamic expansion addresses a severe shortage of mooring space along the Costa del Sol, where demand from domestic and international vessels consistently outpaces supply. Crucially, the transformation is not just about quantity—it fundamentally alters the type of vessels Marbella can accommodate.
Key Improvements:
- Superyacht Readiness: Unlike the existing facility, the redeveloped harbour will feature deep-water quays capable of docking luxury mega-yachts of up to 70 meters in length.
- Cruise Vessel Integration: The expansion includes dedicated infrastructure to welcome boutique cruise ships, opening up direct access to Marbella’s city centre for all maritime tourism.
- Expanded Surface Area: The overall water surface of the port will be expanded by nearly 3.5 times its current size, enhancing navigational safety and facilitating the movement of larger vessels.
Built for Protection and Performance
Welcoming larger vessels and extending the port into open waters requires major engineering expertise. The project combines robust protective structures with specialist environmental measures to create a safer, more resilient and sustainable port:
Key features:
- A 1.13 km outer breakwater will form the port’s first line of defence, shielding the harbour from waves coming from the south and east and keeping waters calmer, even during winter storms.
- A 450 m secondary breakwater will strengthen protection along the western side, creating a fully sheltered harbour basin.
- A new jetty for the Arroyo Primero will direct the stream’s outflow away from the port area and the nearby Playa del Cable. This will help reduce sediment build-up and protect water quality along the public beach.
Beyond the Port: A New Waterfront Destination
La Bajadilla’s plans go far beyond upgrading the docks and seawalls. The vision is to create a modern, well-connected waterfront district that brings together luxury tourism, local life and Marbella’s long-standing fishing community.
The development is also expected to create new opportunities for businesses, support local employment and give the area a fresh economic boost — ensuring La Bajadilla becomes an important part of Marbella’s future.
Waterfront Amenities & Facilities
- Commercial & Leisure Zone: A brand-new commercial area is planned with restaurants, shops, and maritime services, creating a vibrant destination for tourists and locals alike.
- Modern Dry Dock (Varadero): Technical services will be significantly upgraded, giving boat owners access to modern repair, maintenance and storage facilities all in one place.
- Dedicated Fishing Precinct: Recognizing the cultural and historic importance of supporting La Bajadilla’s traditional fishing fleet, the project incorporates modernized dockage, storage, and handling areas specifically designed for local fishermen.
- 1,000 Parking Spaces: To handle the increased traffic, the site plan features extensive parking.
Protecting Marbella’s Beaches
Any major coastal development needs to consider how it could affect natural sand movement and beach erosion. That’s why environmental protection is built into the La Bajadilla project from the outset. As part of the agreement, the developer will carry out ongoing sand replenishment and transfer programmes across four nearby beaches: Venus, La Bajadilla, El Cable and El Faro.
The aim is to help maintain healthy beach profiles, offset changes in sand movement caused by the new breakwaters and protect Marbella’s coastline from seasonal erosion — while creating better conditions for residents and visitors to enjoy the beaches.
From 16 Years of Delays to a New Beginning
The vision for transforming La Bajadilla is far from new. First put out to tender 16 years ago, the original project was held up by a combination of financial, legal and administrative challenges, leaving it in limbo for more than a decade.
Things finally started to move in 2019, when regional and local authorities joined forces to clear the way forward. Since then, the project has gone through extensive environmental assessments, legal approvals, permits from Spain’s coastal authority (Costas), and a completely new competitive tender process.
After years of delays and red tape, La Bajadilla is now moving towards a new chapter.
“This is extraordinary news for our city. It culminates a process marked for years by complex administrative and judicial obstacles, allowing Marbella to grow within the maritime realm, fulfill pressing demand, and create new economic opportunities.”
— Ángeles Muñoz, Mayor of Marbella
Mario Muñoz-Atanet, Regional Minister for Development and Mobility, highlighted the close cooperation between the Andalusian Government and Marbella’s local council. He said the project will serve as an important source of new jobs and help drive sustainable economic growth across the Costa del Sol.
A Bigger Vision for Marbella’s Coastline
The plans for La Bajadilla are part of something much bigger: a wider effort to modernise and improve Marbella’s entire coastline.
La Bajadilla’s expansion will be complemented by planned improvements at Puerto Banús, Cabopino and the Puerto Deportivo Virgen del Carmen. Together, these projects aim to create a stronger, more connected network of modern nautical facilities across Marbella.
With construction set to move forward under the new management team, the town is looking to strengthen its position as a leading international destination for boating and maritime tourism for years to come.