Life in Marbella: Frank de Boer on Family, Sport and the Mediterranean Lifestyle

Marbella has long attracted people who are looking for more than a place in the sun. For many, it is the climate that first draws them in. But what often makes them return is something more personal: the rhythm of daily life, the sense of ease and the possibility of spending time well with family and friends.

For Frank de Boer, former Dutch international footballer and coach, Marbella began as a short stay after a football tournament. Over time, it became a place where he and his family could slow down, enjoy the outdoors and feel at home.

In conversation with Mariano Beristain Managing Partner of DM Properties, Frank reflects on his first memories of Marbella, why he chose to buy a home here and what keeps bringing him back.

From a short stay to a lasting connection

Frank first came to the area more than 20 years ago. After playing in a football tournament in Cádiz with other Dutch players, he had a few free days before the start of the next season. A former teammate suggested the Marbella Club, and that first visit left a strong impression.

He remembers arriving at the hotel, enjoying the setting and spending time in the pool with his daughter, who learned to swim there. It was not, at that stage, a decision to buy a home. It was simply an introduction to a place that felt easy, warm and welcoming.

At the time, Marbella was not yet part of his family’s regular holiday plans. They often travelled to Ibiza, where they rented houses and invited family and friends to join them. But the idea of owning a home in Spain gradually became more appealing.

Why Marbella became the right choice

When Frank and his wife began looking more seriously for a home outside the Netherlands, Marbella started to make sense.

Friends already had homes in the area, and the Costa del Sol offered something that Ibiza did not: a milder winter climate, a strong year-round atmosphere and a setting that felt lively without losing its sense of calm.

His wife visited many properties before they narrowed the search to three homes in Los Monteros, Elviria and El Paraíso. In the end, they chose El Paraíso.

For Frank, the decision was never driven by financial investment. It was about enjoyment. A place for family, holidays and longer stays. A place where his daughters and grandchildren could come together.

A home for family life

Family is central to the way Frank speaks about Marbella.

He now has three grandchildren, and one of the greatest pleasures of owning a home here is being able to bring everyone together. His daughters, grandchildren and wider family can visit, stay and enjoy time in the same place.

For many international buyers, this is one of Marbella’s strongest appeals. A home here is rarely just about the property itself. It becomes a meeting point. A place where different generations can spend time together in a more relaxed setting.

Frank’s own experience reflects that. Marbella gives him space, light and privacy, but also connection.

What makes Marbella different?

As a player and coach, Frank has travelled widely. He has seen many cities, resorts and residential destinations. Yet Marbella offers a balance that he finds difficult to match.

The weather is the first thing he mentions. Waking up to sunshine and blue skies changes the day from the moment it begins. But the appeal goes beyond climate.

For Frank, Marbella has variety. It offers luxury when you want it, but also simple pleasures when you do not. You can enjoy good restaurants, sport, the Old Town, the mountains, the beach, local life and international comfort, all within easy reach.

That combination is what makes the area work. It feels complete, but not forced.

A typical day in Marbella

Frank’s idea of a perfect Marbella morning is simple.

He wakes early, makes an espresso, opens the windows and looks towards the mountain. There is no noise, just birdsong, fresh air and the calm of the morning. For him, that is one of the greatest luxuries of being here.

It is a small detail, but it says a lot about the way people live in Marbella. The value of the home is not only in its size, design or location. It is also in the moments it creates.

After that, sport often follows. Frank enjoys padel, which has become one of his favourite activities in Marbella. It is social, active and easy to fit into the day. He also enjoys barbecues with friends, relaxed meals and time spent outdoors.

This is the Marbella lifestyle at its best: active, informal and centred around people.

Sport, wellbeing and outdoor living

Sport plays a strong role in Frank’s life in Marbella.

Although he has enjoyed golf in the past, padel has become his main sport here. It is easier to organise, takes less time and offers a strong social element. He plays regularly when he is in Marbella and enjoys the atmosphere of the local clubs.

This reflects a wider trend in the area. Marbella’s appeal is closely linked to outdoor living and wellbeing. Padel, golf, cycling, walking in the mountains, beach clubs and open-air dining all form part of daily life.

For buyers looking for a home on the Costa del Sol, this matters. The property is important, but so is the lifestyle around it.

Marbella’s authenticity

Marbella has changed significantly in recent years. Since the pandemic, demand has grown, new developments have appeared and the market has become more international.

Frank recognises that the area is more popular than before, but he does not feel that Marbella has lost its essence. For him, the authenticity remains.

He still values the Old Town, with its narrow streets, cultural character and traditional atmosphere. He also appreciates the service in local restaurants, where hospitality feels like a profession rather than a temporary job.

That human quality is part of what makes Marbella stand out. It is not only a luxury destination. It is a place where people, service and local character still matter.

Favourite places and simple pleasures

When asked to choose between Puerto Banús and the Old Town, Frank chooses the Old Town without hesitation. He values its charm, culture and atmosphere.

He also mentions some of his favourite restaurants for traditional Spanish food, and beach restaurants he enjoys, especially outside the peak summer months.

His preferences say something about the way many long-term visitors and residents experience Marbella. The most meaningful places are often not the most obvious ones. They are the places that become part of a routine, a memory or a way of living.

Marbella in summer and winter

Although Marbella is known for summer, Frank sees strong appeal in the quieter months.

Summer brings energy, family visits and long days, but it also brings heat, traffic and the need to plan ahead for restaurants and social plans. Winter offers a different rhythm: softer light, quieter streets and more space to enjoy the area.

For many international homeowners, this is one of Marbella’s greatest strengths. It is not only a summer destination. It is a place that can be enjoyed throughout the year.

Could Marbella become home full time?

Frank can easily imagine spending more time in Marbella in the future.

For now, his life remains closely connected to the Netherlands. His family, grandchildren and roots are there, and that balance still matters. Yet he sees a time when the percentage may shift, with longer periods in Marbella and less time in the Netherlands.

The reason is simple. Marbella offers light, space, sport, family time and a way of life that feels easy to return to.

For Frank, opening the windows to blue sky and mountain views is reason enough.

Marbella as a place to live well

Frank de Boer’s connection with Marbella reflects what many international buyers discover over time. The area may begin as a holiday destination, but it often becomes something more personal.

It is a place where family can gather, where sport and outdoor life shape the day, and where luxury sits alongside simple, everyday pleasures.

In Marbella, the most valued homes are not only those with strong architecture or beautiful views. They are the ones that allow people to live well, feel relaxed and create lasting memories.

Pia Arrieta, 06 Aug 2026 - Lifestyle