Self-Care Stops I Loved in Marbella
I didn’t expect Marbella to have such a big beauty scene, but honestly, the moment you start walking around, you realise people here take looking good almost as seriously as their beach days. Everywhere you turn, there’s another salon tucked between cafés, boutiques, and those palm-lined streets that make you wonder if you should maybe upgrade your own grooming routine a little.
What surprised me most is how varied the salons are. You’ve got the high-end, glass-and-marble places where everything smells like expensive candles… and then the smaller, super friendly spots where you feel like you’ve been going there for years even if you just walked in. And the quality? Let’s just say you won’t exactly be risking a bad haircut in this town.
As a solo guy travelling through the city, it became a little ritual to try out different places - not because I’m obsessed with my hair, but because it felt like a fun way to get to know the vibe of the place. And Marbella has a lot of vibe.
Marbella’s Standout Salon
The first place I tried in Marbella was Salon Maher, and it immediately set the bar pretty high. I walked in with my usual “long-hair traveller” situation - luscious, yes, but definitely in need of a trim, a proper wash, and the kind of blow-dry that reminds you your hair actually can behave.
Pedro was the one who took care of me, and honestly, he just got it. You know when a hairdresser actually listens instead of giving you that polite nod while already imagining something completely different? He didn’t do that. He asked what I normally do with my hair, how I like it to fall, how much I wanted off (which for me is usually “barely anything but somehow make it look better”).
The whole place has this warm, slightly industrial vibe - super stylish. You feel like you’ve walked into a salon that knows it’s good, but doesn’t need to show off about it. Everyone there was genuinely friendly in that effortless way, and there’s something about the atmosphere that makes you instantly comfortable, even if it’s your first time.
The wash alone was worth coming in for one of those slow, relaxing ones where you completely forget you’re sitting in a chair and not on a mini holiday inside a salon. Then the trim… clean, neat, exactly the tiny amount I wanted. And the blow-dry? Let’s just say I walked out with the kind of hair that made me consider going somewhere slightly fancy just to match the energy.
Pedro also recommended a product to help keep the shape when I’m travelling (which is honestly the secret to not waking up with hair that looks like it’s living an entirely separate life). It wasn’t a pushy sales suggestion - more like advice from someone who actually understands long hair.
By the time I left, I caught myself thinking, if every haircut on this trip goes this well, I might never have a bad hair day again. This salon really feels like one of those places that combines skill with atmosphere - luxury but in a welcoming, down-to-earth way.
If you’re in Marbella and want a place where they actually pay attention to detail and treat your hair like it matters, this one definitely deserves a spot on your list.
Neat Nails in Puerto Banús
The next stop on my little Marbella self-care tour was Glow Beauty in Puerto Banús. You can’t really miss it - right in the centre of everything, but somehow still calm once you step inside. The place is bright and open, the kind of space that instantly makes you feel like you actually have your life together just by being there.
I didn’t go for anything crazy this time - just a simple manicure without varnish. I like keeping my nails clean and tidy, nothing flashy. It took about 45 minutes and cost 50 euros, which is definitely on the higher side, but the whole experience made it feel justified. The staff were warm, attentive, and, thankfully for solo travellers like me, spoke English without any issue.
What I liked most was how unhurried everything felt. It wasn’t one of those places where you feel rushed out the door the second they’re done. They do pay attention to detail - cuticles, shape, skin, all the little things that make your hands look well-groomed even when you’re keeping them natural.
Glow Beauty is one of those spaces that seems to have everything: treatments, hair services, even a hammam tucked somewhere inside. But even just sitting in their manicure area gives you a sense of what they’re about - peaceful, organised, and surprisingly grounding considering you’re in the middle of Puerto Banús.
If you want your nails looking clean and fresh without any fuss (and you don’t mind paying a little extra for a comfortable experience), this place is an easy recommendation.
Locals, Travellers, and the Marbella Glow
After trying a couple of salons around Marbella and Puerto Banús, I couldn’t help wondering who actually keeps these places so busy. Do locals here just love taking care of themselves, or is it mostly travellers like me keeping the beauty scene alive? Honestly, it feels like a mix of both. Spaniards definitely have a natural confidence about them, but they also seem to value grooming in a relaxed, effortless way - nothing over the top, just clean, healthy, well-kept. And then you’ve got the international crowd, floating in and out of Marbella’s sunshine, always looking for a quick tune-up before another dinner, beach day, or night out.
Somehow, the balance works. Maybe that’s why the salons here feel so welcoming no matter where you’re from. Whether you’re a local, a regular visitor, or just a solo traveller with long hair trying not to let it get wild in the heat, you end up feeling like you fit right in. And honestly, that might be the best part of the whole experience.
