Marbella unveils a new riverside walk linking Nueva Andalucía and Banús

• Table of contents
• Enjoy a New Year’s stroll on Marbella’s new riverside walkway, a six million euro project
• A new way to walk between Nueva Andalucía and Puerto Banús
• Designed with purpose, built for the future
• Where infrastructure meets landscape
• A small change that makes a big difference

The walkway follows the natural course of the Benabolá stream, creating a continuous pedestrian link between Nueva Andalucía and Puerto Banús. This offers pedestrians an alternative to busy roads, providing a calmer, greener way to move between two of Marbella’s most recognisable areas.

Walking the route, the space immediately feels open and well thought through. Wide paths invite an easy pace, while seating areas encourage you to stop for a moment. Subtle lighting extends its use beyond daylight hours, and benches, drinking fountains, lawns and planted zones soften the route, making it feel more like a linear park than a piece of infrastructure.

This new riverside walkway is a real benefit for the neighbourhoods of Aloha, Las Brisas del Golf and all of Nueva Andalucía, creating a beautiful route through nature all the way to Puerto Banús,” says Christopher Clover, Managing Director of Panorama. “It adds genuine value to everyday life for residents, while offering a more enjoyable way to move through the area.

While the finished walkway feels relaxed and leisurely, it also serves a vital role. The Benabolá stream had long struggled with drainage issues that increased the risk of flooding during periods of heavy rainfall. Addressing this was essential.

The refurbishment represents an investment of almost six million euros and includes extensive engineering works to modernise the drainage network. Hydraulic safety has now been improved to withstand flood events with a return period of up to 500 years, bringing long-term reassurance for nearby homes, businesses and road users.

A storm tank with a capacity of more than 60,000 litres has also been installed, helping to manage heavy rainfall and protect both pedestrians and traffic.

One of the most impressive aspects of the project is how seamlessly technical requirements have been integrated into the surrounding environment. Rather than feeling industrial, the walkway blends naturally into its setting, with open lawns and gentle transitions between path and water.

It reflects a wider shift taking place across Marbella, where public infrastructure is increasingly designed to enhance quality of life.

This initiative by Mayor Ángeles Muñoz and her team reflects the kind of forward-thinking local governance Marbella needs,” Christopher Clover adds. “Especially as public investment continues to evolve alongside the extraordinary level of private development taking place across the town.

The project also connects with the area surrounding the Puerto Banús tunnel, which historically suffered from flooding. Following recent weather events, Marbella Town Hall stepped in to ensure a comprehensive and lasting solution.

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Walking the full route, it becomes clear that this is more than a flood prevention project or an exercise in urban engineering. It is a new public space that encourages movement, outdoor living and stronger connections between neighbourhoods.

As the year begins, this riverside walkway feels like an invitation. To explore Marbella at a slower pace, to notice the details, and to enjoy how the town continues to evolve in thoughtful, well-designed ways.