Puerto Banús, International appeal

Puerto Banus offers a really lovely setting for a stroll along the marina to look at the spectacular yachts and the parked supercars. The marina is lined with international luxury designer boutiques as well as fine dining, and coffee shops/bars. Walk along the marina towards the west towards the lighthouse and you can enjoy the stunning view of the whole marina against the backdrop of the La Concha Mountain, one of Marbella’s most iconic postcard views. While not strictly within Puerto Banus, just up the road north of Puerto Banus is the bullring and Centro Plaza, a small commercial centre with a variety of coffee shops and restaurants and which hosts a vibrant market on Saturdays. Here you can find all sorts of products, from clothes, to rugs, fruits and vegetables, flowers, antiques, souvenirs within a busy atmosphere. A nice plan for Saturday mornings is to visit the market and then walk down to Puerto Banus for lunch and a stroll along the marina.

Located within the Antonio Banderas square is a small children’s amusement park with jumping beds, inflatable castle, ball park, merry-go-round and arcade. It is open all year and is a fun activity for children.

There is no fee to get into Puerto Banus, so the cost is limited to parking, as there are limited parking spaces in the area surrounding the marina or the large central square behind it. To access the Marina itself, through barriers, you need an access card which is given to property owners and businesses located within.

Yes, on either side of the yachting marina there are beaches, to the east there is Playa Puerto Banus which is lined by beach restaurants known as chiringuitos as well as offering water sport activities. On the other side of Puerto Banus is Playa Nueva Andalucia, home to the world-famous 9,000 square metre Ocean Club.

Puerto Banus is known for its top designer boutiques by prestigious brands such as Gucci, Dior, Carolina Herrera, Ralph Lauren, Versace, Valentino, Loewe, Dolce & Gabbana, Hermès, Jimmy Choo, Louis Vuitton, Michael Kors and Bvlgari among many others, which line the small streets around the marina. Set back from here, surrounding Antonio Banderas Square, is the excellent El Corte Inglés department store where you will find everything you need under one roof and Marina Banus with brands like Zara, Calzedonia, H&M, Massimo Dutti, Oysho, Women´secret, Princess London, Pinto Paris and Parfois.

The Casino Marbella is located under the H10 Andalucia Plaza Hotel just a 5-minute taxi ride from Puerto Banus. Aside from the slot machines you can play poker, Black Jack, or try your luck at the American Roulette.

Within a ten-minute radius from Puente Banus includes most of the services and amenities you could wish for, including shopping, restaurants, golf courses, water sports, fitness & healthcare, yacht charter, supercars and luxury vehicles rental, international schools, etc.

All the modern healthcare facilities of Marbella are very close to Puerto Banus. The Costa del Sol hospital (public hospital) is located 10-20 minutes by car depending on time of day and year. The Ochoa Clinic, Quiron Hospital and Clínica Premium in Marbella centre are also at about the same driving time, maybe a few more minutes if the traffic is heavy in the city centre. Within the area of Puerto Banus itself is the Orpea Nursing Home & Serviced Apartments as well as the headquarters of Helicopteros Sanitarios, a well known home doctor medical service. HC Marbella International Hospital is 1,5 km from Puerto Banús.

Whilst it is true that Puerto Banus itself is better known as being a popular nightlife venue, many of the building complexes and urbanisations either side of the marina are not only safe and secure, but are perfect for families due to the lush gardens and communal pools, and childrens playgrounds, exceptional location and ease of access to the many private schools and services within easy reach.

In the area around the marina as well as the large square behind it (Plaza Antonio Banderas) there is a plethora of trendy eateries, cafés and nightclubs, as well as luxury restaurants offering cuisines from all over the world. The most well known restaurants within the Marina are Pizzería Picasso, Los Bandidos, La Pappardella or Don Leone, considered Puerto Banus classics. Inimitable, La Bocana, Meksian, La Habana Lounge and Pasta Factory are the top 5 restaurants on Tripadvisor.

Just above Puerto Banus, in Nueva Andalucia is Marbella’s so-called Golf Valley comprising Real Club de Golf Las Brisas, Los Naranjos and Aloha Golf Club. Santa Clara Golf, Marbella Golf & Country Club, Santa María Golf and Río Real Golf are located east of Marbella. Real Club de Golf Guadalmina, La Quinta Golf, Flamingos Golf, Atalaya Golf & Country Club, El Paraíso and Finca Cortesín are in the west side of Marbella.

In Puerto Banus itself there is the 5-star Gran Hotel Guadalpin Banus, as well as several 4 star options like Benabola Hotel & Suites, Melia Marbella Banus, Hard Rock Hotel Marbella and BlueBay Banus among many others. A short drive away on the Golden Mile you have the prestigious Marbella Club Hotel and Puente Romano Beach resort. About 15 minutes from Puerto Banus in Los Flamingos there is the luxurious Anantara Villa Padierna Palace, where Michelle Obama stayed during her visit to Marbella.

Aside from the large El Corte Ingles department store, Marina Banus and the ample choice of designer boutiques in Puerto Banus itself, the massive La Cañada shopping centre is just a 10-15 minute drive away: fashion, accessories, sports, technological goods, cinema, leisure, decoration, etc.

Marbella City Centre is 7km away, just a 10 to 15-minute drive from Puerto Banus, depending on the time of year and day.

Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport is roughly a 40-45-minute drive from Puerto Banus without traffic depending on whether you take the AP-7 toll road or the A7 coast road.

Aloha College, one of Spain’s best English language private international schools is in Nueva Andalucia, just 5-10 minutes drive from Puerto Banus depending on time of day and year. Within a short drive, there are other private schools such as Swans International School, Laude International College, British School of Marbella, Calpe College International School, École Française Internationale Marbella and Saint George’s School.