The Puerto Banus area saw the birth of tourism on the Costa del Sol and has been one of the epicentres of exclusivity since the 1970s. Built by José Banus with the aim of recreating the architectural style of the white villages, this marina integrates a leisure area, the golden mile of luxury shops and a selection of the best restaurants, resorts and premium services.

How to enjoy Puerto Banus? If you have arrived at this complete guide it is because you are thinking of visiting this incredible location on the Costa del Sol and if everything we have told you is not enough, this paradise with an ideal climate all year round and surrounded by Sierra Bermeja, right in front of the Mediterranean, offers you a wide variety of activities whether you are travelling with your family, your partner or with a group of friends. We tell you more.

Practical advice: a getaway to Puerto Banus

The starting point of any trip is knowing who you are going to escape with to enjoy Puerto Banus. If you have young children or are travelling with teenagers, you may want to make some different plans, rather than just a few days of relaxation with older people or a fun adventure with friends. However, whatever your company you should know some practical tips to make the most of this destination.

 

Packing tips: good weather

Packing can be a pleasure or a stressful time. As a starting point, we recommend choosing cool clothes for the summer and a jacket for the evenings, which are cooler thanks to the proximity of the sea and the level of humidity. With more than 320 days of sunshine a year, covering your head is not a bad idea. Don’t forget sunscreen and sunglasses to create the perfect outfit for every occasion. As it is an exclusive area, it is ideal to have a dress or an evening gown, but don’t forget to leave room for shopping in the exclusive shops. Sportswear to enjoy hiking trails or activities such as golf or tennis can be the perfect complement. What are you going to do in Puerto Banus? There are so many possibilities that we have created this guide.

 

Where to stay: Puerto Banus, Marbella or Estepona?

Marbella and Puerto Banus have a wide range of luxury resorts, boutique hotels and private villas. Although in the port there are few accommodations available, as is the case of the Hotel Occidental Banus. The budget of your trip will determine the type of accommodation that is ideal for your holiday. You can also opt for nearby locations such as the town of Estepona (39 kilometres away) with a historic old town full of whitewashed houses and flowers. As both locations are close by, you can choose to stay in either Marbella or Estepona (link to post 08). You have options such as the luxurious Marbella Club or the charm of a boutique hotel like El Pilar de Andalucía, to name a few.

• Staying in Estepona or Marbella? Comparison

 

How to get around the Costa del Sol?

The distances on the Costa del Sol are short when compared to larger cities. Marbella has a bus line, taxi services, but also high-end car rental companies, with or without driver, or helicopter transport. Choose the best way to get around according to your budget and the plans you want to enjoy. As a reference, Malaga airport is 59 kilometres from Puerto Banus, Estepona is 39 kilometres away and the centre of Malaga is just over 64 kilometres away.

 

What is Puerto Banus?

Puerto Banus is one of the most exclusive areas of the Costa del Sol, located in the municipality of Marbella and built in 1970 by the builder José Banus with the aim of developing a marina to meet the needs of the incipient luxury tourism that visited Marbella. Over time, Puerto Banus has become more than just a marina where we can also find exclusive beaches, luxury shops and all kinds of activities.

 

A white village by the sea: Puerto Banus

With 915 berths for boats of 50 metres in length, Puerto Banus was designed as a white village in the Marbella inlet. Both the area closest to the pier and the surrounding streets and squares have become an icon of exclusivity. The charm of the white villages, whose route runs through several Andalusian provinces, and the fishing tradition of the area, gave shape to a location in which to stroll, do sporting activities or enjoy shopping.

 

The golden mile for luxury shopping

The concentration of luxury brands in this area of Marbella is so extensive that the area is known as the golden mile. Not only the port itself, with its shops integrated into the architecture of ground floors and white walls, but also the surrounding avenues such as José Banus or Julio Iglesias, have establishments dedicated to exclusivity. Jewellery, shoes, accessories and haute couture collections to enjoy shopping in a unique location.

The best gastronomic offer

If this corner of the Mediterranean stands out for anything, it is for its exquisite gastronomy, which not only includes local products and traditional cuisine, but also experiments with culinary traditions from all over the world. Proposals such as Palo Cortao or Luis Salinero’s Txoco, but also the gastronomic offer of Beach clubs such as the Ocean Club have elaborate menus and the best products. For advanced gourmets, Marbella is home to the Skina restaurant, with two Michelin stars. In addition, most businesses have an efficient take away service, so the options for enjoying a good meal are endless.

 

Plans for everyone in Puerto Banus

The desire for adventure and the style of your trip to Puerto Banus will mark the agenda of plans during your stay. Marbella’s location on the Western Costa del Sol offers a host of sporting activities, cultural activities, nightlife and ways to enjoy your free time with your family, teenagers, partner or friends.

 

What to do if you are travelling with children?

Marbella tends to be a destination for all ages. Its three beaches offer an ideal place to enjoy the sea. In addition, the luxurious hotels and resorts, but also the charming boutique hotels have facilities in which to play and have fun. Depending on their age, you can organise different excursions in nature, urban routes or visits to interesting places for them, such as Selwo Aventura (https://www.selwo.es/).

 

The best plans for teenagers in Puerto Banus

Teenagers are usually the hardest to please, especially when it comes to family trips. If you want to see them enjoy themselves you can take them to play paintball, race go-karts or practice the different water sports available such as SUP, kitesurfing or jet ski hire.

 Enjoy a wonderful day at sea

For all ages you can organise a whale watching boat trip or rent a boat with or without a skipper. The tranquillity of the Mediterranean Sea and the premium services integrated in some of these trips will help you to enjoy the family, swim or sunbathe.

 

Rhinoceros on a lace: art in Puerto Banus

The Salvador Dalí sculpture welcomes you at the entrance to the marina. An opportunity to visit other points of interest in the area, such as the lighthouse or the marina wall. If you are interested in art, you can let yourself be carried away by the urban routes offered by Estepona, a fun way to stroll around enjoying the breeze and getting to know some of the works of art (murals and sculptures) that are distributed throughout the centre of the town. Beyond the streets, the Western Costa del Sol offers good references in the field of art galleries, as is the case of the Fornara Gallery founded in 1964.

 

Hiking routes to discover Sierra Bermeja

The Costa del Sol has a privileged climate thanks to Sierra Bermeja. The proximity of the Sierra generates a special microclimate that creates pleasant temperatures all year round. The different hiking routes, which can be done on foot or by bicycle, are mostly circular, providing routes of a minimum of 4 kilometres and a maximum of 11 kilometres. The native vegetation and the proximity of the sea, generate relaxing and attractive experiences to immerse yourself in nature and spend quality time with the family.

 

Outdoor sports in Puerto Banus and the surrounding area

For sports lovers, Puerto Banus and the surrounding area do not stop here, as golf and tennis offer a wide range of clubs where you can spend the day. The tradition of both sports in this area of Andalusia has generated over time ideal facilities for their development, as well as a large number of associated premium services.