Puerto Banus

Puerto Banus is located west of Marbella, just after the small town of San Pedro de Alcantara. Today it is one of the most famous Marinas in Europe synonymous with wealth, fashion, glamorous parties and the 'highlife & nightlife'.

Tagged as a playground for the rich and famous, a port for the most luxurious yachts and designer shops for those who don't check price tags, Puerto Banus is one of the world's most famous holiday destinations.

British pop stars and Hollywood movie stars are often spotted during the summer months at Puerto Banus' numerous shops and restaurants. Few other small towns in the world can boast such notoriety.

However, you don't have to be wealthy to enjoy Puerto Banus, as it offers an eclectic mix of diversions and delicacies, Puerto Banus style. Since its inception in the 1970’s, the port has steadily grown and now features a casino, commercial shopping centre, marine observatory and a multi cinema with films shown with their original soundtrack. The area is lined with designer boutiques and restaurants, including well-known venues such as Trader Vic's and Salduba while other well known spots such as the Marbella Club Hotel and Oliviá Valère's nightclub are just down the road. The Marina is also home to large expensive yachts and smaller pleasure crafts alike. Shaf - King Fahd's boat is moored near the old tower and is a well known point of reference.

In fact, the Marina is a perfect place to spot expensive vessels from all over the world as it is a favourite stop for boat owners, including royalty of all nationalities. It is quite easy on a pleasant evening to spend several hours wandering up and down the marina pontoons, admiring the luxurious boats, in particular at the south end of the port where the biggest yachts are located. You can then sit in one of the many bars, watching the world of high-life strolling past you.

Apart from drinking a coffee while watching the coming and going of beautiful people and expensive cars, the most popular pastime in Puerto Banús is probably shopping. It is definitely the "in" place to shop for designer labels with stores that range from Gianni Versace and Hermes to Ralph Lauren and DKNY. Many of the boutiques also stock several designers under one roof such as Mic Mac - Armani, Cerruti, Kenzo, Royal House - Valentino, Christian Dior, Pierre Cardin, Prada, Gucci and Dolce & Gabanna among others.

If your budget doesn't stretch to haute couture there are plenty of other mainstream shops as well as smaller unusual and exclusive boutiques. The large four storey El Corte Ingles department store sells just about everything - a variety of designer names, it's own clothing lines, toys, books, shoes, kitchenware - you name it, they sell it.

Directly next to the Corte Ingles, the new Marina Banus shopping centre is home to high street names such as Zara and Mango (both Spanish companies), a popular stop off point for tourists with their ranges being decidedly cheaper than in most other European countries.

Every Saturday morning in the old part of town by the bullring in Puerto Banus you will also find a very large and popular street market where you can pick up all sorts of bargains including plenty of clothing, jewellery and antiques. Apart from drinking a coffee while watching the coming and going of beautiful people and expensive cars, the most popular pastime in Puerto Banús is probably shopping. It is definitely the "in" place to shop for designer labels with stores that range from Gianni Versace and Hermes to Ralph Lauren and DKNY. Many of the boutiques also stock several designers under one roof such as Mic Mac - Armani, Cerruti, Kenzo, Royal House - Valentino, Christian Dior, Pierre Cardin, Prada, Gucci and Dolce & Gabanna among others.

If your budget doesn't stretch to haute couture there are plenty of other mainstream shops as well as smaller unusual and exclusive boutiques. The large four storey El Corte Ingles department store sells just about everything - a variety of designer names, it's own clothing lines, toys, books, shoes, kitchenware - you name it, they sell it.

Directly next to the Corte Ingles, the new Marina Banus shopping centre is home to high street names such as Zara and Mango (both Spanish companies), a popular stop off point for tourists with their ranges being decidedly cheaper than in most other European countries. Every Saturday morning in the old part of town by the bullring in Puerto Banus you will also find a very large and popular street market where you can pick up all sorts of bargains including plenty of clothing, jewellery and antiques.

"The Marina is a perfect place to spot expensive vessels from all over the world as it is a favourite stop for boat owners, including royalty of all nationalities."

Puerto Banus at night is a town with two faces, at the front near the boats, people sit and sip their drinks in style and enjoy first class meals from one of the many restaurants on the sea front or you browse through many of the high class shops which stay open until well into the evening.

Second line Puerto Banus a mere 10 meters from the waters edge. Here you will find a street full of late night bars and clubs the likes of Linekers and O´Gradys there to entertain the younger and more energetic holiday makers until sunrise throughout the summer months. Even in the winter when most other resorts are quiet, second line manages to keep busy until three or four in the morning

Apart from bars you will also find plenty of clubs in Banus. Pangea, right on the harbour overlooking the yachts is one of the better known and most luxurious clubs. This is a stylish Moroccan themed club with a sultry alfresco terrace and a large souk styled lounge area. If Euro-celebs, hefty cover charges and expensive drinks are not your style, there are plenty of other clubs to choose from such as Scream, on the ‘second line’ and Glam, which is host to a number of well known dj’s and has its own beach at the back for daytime summer parties. As an alternative you can also spend the night at Disco Inferno, an unpretentious 80’s themed ‘disco’ near the bars on the second line. The proximity of the venues is one of the best things about Puerto Banus since you do not have to spend the night in one place and can instead sample a little bit of each throughout the night.

It is evident that Puerto Banus has a lot to offer a wide range of people, locals and tourists alike. While other venues on the coast quieten down drastically during the quiet winter months, Puerto Banus keeps going, making it a great place to visit, day or night, all year round.