Moving to Marbella with children: where to start

Marbella has the highest concentration of international schools on the Costa del Sol, more than 8 within a 20-minute drive, so you are genuinely spoilt for choice.

The catch is that the best schools run waiting lists and sit in defined pockets of the town, so where you buy your home matters as much as what you buy. This guide covers the leading international schools, the neighbourhood that pairs with each, and the family homes that put the school run within minutes of the gates.

Key takeaways

• Marbella has 8+ international schools, the most on the Costa del Sol

• Choose the school first, then buy a home in its catchment

• Fees run roughly €7,000 to €20,000 per child per year

• Marbella schools have very long waiting lists so applying early is advised

The best international schools in Marbella

What are the best international schools in Marbella?

Marbella's international schools cover almost every major curriculum, but for most relocating families the British-curriculum schools are the anchor, offering continuity from the UK and a clear path to universities worldwide.

Aloha College (Nueva Andalucía): a not-for-profit British school through IGCSE, with IB Diploma or A-Levels at sixth form, known for strong results and a polished campus.

Swans International (Sierra Blanca and El Capricho): a British school with IB Diploma at sixth form, an IB World School since 2008, with around 700 students across two campuses.

English International College, EIC (East Marbella): British to IGCSE and A-Levels, praised for smaller classes, personal attention and a community of more than 30 nationalities.

Laude San Pedro (San Pedro de Alcántara): a British pathway with the option to follow the Spanish ESO and Bachillerato, ideal for genuinely bilingual families.

The British International School of Marbella in Nagüeles adds another British-curriculum option near the Golden Mile, and American, Swedish, German and French schools serve families heading in those directions.

Which Marbella neighbourhood should you buy in for each school?

The simplest approach is to start with the school and work outwards to the catchment. Here is how the main schools pair with Marbella's family neighbourhoods.

Nueva Andalucía, for Aloha College

The Golf Valley behind Puerto Banús is Marbella's family heartland, and Aloha College sits right in it. Homes in Nueva Andalucía put the school within a five-minute drive, with golf, tennis and a walkable hub of cafés and restaurants on the doorstep.

• Aloha College and golf courses within minutes

• Green, calm and safe, yet close to Puerto Banús

• A deep mix of family villas and gated communities

A spacious 5-bedroom villa with a large garden in Aloha is a natural fit for a young family, with more space again at La Cerquilla.

Golden Mile and Sierra Blanca, for Swans International

Swans has campuses in Sierra Blanca and El Capricho, making the Golden Mile and the gated hillside above it the natural place to base a family. It is central, walkable and moments from the beach, with the British International School also close by in Nagüeles.

• Short school runs to Swans and BISM

• Central Golden Mile living, walkable to beach and amenities

• Gated Sierra Blanca privacy for families who want space

Options range from a 6-bedroom villa with a private tennis court in Rocío de Nagüeles to a lower-key 3-bedroom penthouse in gated Mansion Club, Sierra Blanca.

East Marbella and Elviria, for the English International College

EIC sits in East Marbella, a leafy, residential stretch that many families prefer for its calmer pace, green space and easy beach access, all at friendlier prices than the Golden Mile.

• EIC and sandy beaches within easy reach

• Relaxed, family-focused residential neighbourhoods

• More home and garden for your budget

Consider a single-level 3-bedroom villa in Elviria with a detached casita, or a larger sea-view villa in Altos de Los Monteros.

San Pedro de Alcántara, for Laude San Pedro

Laude sits close to the beach in San Pedro, which keeps a genuine Spanish town feel with a walkable centre and a strong local community. It is also the most affordable way into the Marbella municipality.

• Laude San Pedro and the beach within minutes

• Authentic town living with a family community

• The most accessible entry point near Marbella

A charming Andalusian family townhouse near the centre suits families wanting character and value, with a beachside villa for those after more space.

How much do Marbella international schools cost, and when should you apply?

Fees are one of the larger ongoing costs of a Marbella move, so it pays to plan early.

• Tuition runs roughly €7,000 to €20,000 per child per year

• Expect a one-off registration fee and, at some schools, a non-refundable deposit

• Budget €2,000 to €4,000 more per child for uniform, lunch, transport and exams

• Apply by January for September entry, as popular year groups fill months ahead

Finding the right family home near your school

Once the school is chosen, the home becomes about catchment, space and the right community. Helios Homes has helped international families relocate to Marbella for over 12 years, with an in-house legal team that handles residency and paperwork alongside the purchase, so the move runs in step. We can match you to homes in the right catchment, handle the legals, and manage any renovation to make a house family-ready before you arrive. Contact the team to start planning your move around the school you choose.