What is Río Real?
Río Real straddles the Río Real golf course east of Marbella centre, offering a combination of golf-front villas and beach proximity that few areas on the coast can match. The Río Real river valley creates a green corridor connecting the mountains to the sea.
The area has seen significant new development in recent years, with modern villa projects joining established residential streets. Its position near Hospital Costa del Sol and the A-7 coast road makes it practical as well as scenic.
Río Real in 2026
The eastern entrance to Marbella is the busiest building site on the coast right now, and Río Real is in the middle of it. Oakmond, a longevity resort with a 140 room hotel, 28 residences and a preventive medicine clinic, is going up on the old Incosol site next door, financed by a 145 million euro loan signed in September; the story is in our Oakmond post. The Four Seasons project, with new owners since 2026, sits on the same stretch, in our Four Seasons post, and the acoustic screens and exit closures on the A-7 that come with it are in our post on the road works. Our own stock here is new build on the golf: The List, villas and semi detached houses from about 1.89 to 4.95 million euros, and Royal River, apartments and penthouses from about 1.2 to 4.5 million with the developer giving 2028 for completion, both on our Marbella new developments page. Resales in the area appear on our Marbella property page. Río Real Golf itself, the Javier Arana course, is one of the championship courses you can book as a visitor, about 100 euros a round and rated 4.5 on Google, with the full list in our golf courses guide. The neighbours are Los Monteros on the beach side, El Rosario and Las Chapas further east, and the whole district is in our Marbella East guide.
Where is Río Real?
Who lives in Río Real?
A mix of golfers, families and professionals attracted by the combination of a golf course, beach access and proximity to the hospital. The new-build market has attracted younger international buyers seeking modern design.
What can you do in Río Real?
Eat & Drink
Sport & Fitness
Wellness
Kids & Family
Looking for a new build instead of resale? See new developments in Río Real →
Want to live on the course? See golf properties for sale →
New developments near Río Real

Royal River
Marbella Este

The List, Río Real
Marbella Este

Quintessence
Marbella Este

Soleil
Marbella

Origin
Marbella Este

Santa Clara Homes
Marbella
See all new developments in Marbella →
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Río Real special?
The combination of a quality golf course, beach proximity and views to the mountains in a single neighbourhood.
What are property prices?
Villas from €1.5 million. Modern new-build villas from €2 million to €5 million. Some apartments from €400,000.
Is it close to the hospital?
Yes, Hospital Costa del Sol is about 3 minutes by car.
Is the golf course good?
Yes, it is an established 18-hole course designed by Javier Arana with excellent sea views.
Is there beach access?
Yes, the lower part of the area has direct access to the beach near the river mouth.
Are there new developments?
Yes, several modern villa projects have been completed recently with contemporary designs.
How far is Marbella centre?
About 5 to 8 minutes by car.
Is the area noisy?
Some traffic noise from the A-7 near the lower sections, but golf-front properties are quiet.
Where is Río Real?
On the east side of Marbella, about 5 to 8 minutes from the centre, around the Río Real golf course and the valley of the river of the same name, between the A-7 and the hills. Hospital Costa del Sol is about 3 minutes away and Málaga airport about 37.
What is being built around Río Real?
The Oakmond longevity resort on the old Incosol site, the Four Seasons Marbella hotel and residences on the coast below, acoustic screens along the A-7, and on the golf course itself the new villa and apartment projects we list, The List and Royal River among them.
Is Río Real a good place to buy new build?
It is one of the few places in Marbella where new build sits on a golf course and still reaches the beach in minutes. The trade off is a few years of building work on the coast road. Our post on buying off plan explains what to check in the contract and the bank guarantee before you sign.
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