The present invention is directed towards magnetically responsive vesicular compositions comprising (a) a vesicular structure having a membrane enclosing a cavity and (b) at least one stabilized magnetic nanoparticle embedded in said membrane, and in particular towards lipid and/or polymeric vesicular compositions comprising stabilized superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles. The vesicular compositions may further be functionalized with reactive groups for attachment of active agents or tethers for attachment to surfaces. Methods of preparation and their use in (targeted) delivery of an active agent, as a nanoreactor, for imaging purposes and combinations thereof are also disclosed.