While Marbella is seen by many as Europe’s get-away spot for the rich and famous, Puerto Banus is just as desirable a destination – not just for the famous but also for holidaymakers ranging from high-flying business men and women to families just looking for a relaxing time away, with plenty of sunshine. Puerto Banus is a relatively recent travel destination however, as it has only opened its doors to the general holidaymaker in the last 30 years or so; previous to that it was a very exclusive spot, known only to the locals and filmstars!
Puerto Banus is only a few kilometres west of Marbella, and being under the Municipality of Marbella shares many characteristics of the Costa del Sol’s most well known resort. Famous for its picturesque marina filled with multi-million dollar yachts, Puerto Banus also boasts a beach that stretches for one kilometre – the golden sands are a major attraction to this town that was once a traditional Spanish fishing village decades ago.
As with any resort associated with the rich and famous, Puerto Banus has more than its fair share of pubs, clubs, restaurants, world-class shopping and casino facilities. Designer names can be found on all the main streets, but if you prefer to browse smaller, more traditional Spanish shops and boutiques then there are plenty of these too. Notably the premier Spanish department store El Corte Ingles with its five stories, and the Marina Banus Shopping Centre are two of the most popular locations that shoppers head for. Alternatively, a visit to the weekly market held in the bullring each Saturday morning is a great way to buy both local products and holiday souvenirs!
Puerto Banus nightlife is as good as it gets and holds a world-class reputation. It can carry on until dawn if you want it to, or if you prefer something a bit more sedate then you can settle for a quiet drink and tapa in any one of the countless local bars spread throughout the town. If you do get the urge to have a taste of Tinsel Town, there are numerous cocktail and wine bars spread around the Marina and seafront areas, known as the Muelle Rivera – incidentally these are great areas for doing a bit of ‘star spotting’!
The surrounding areas of Puerto Banus are also to be explored and enjoyed. The Sierra Bermeja Mountains rise up to the north of the town, and numerous golf courses are scattered within a 10 kilometre radius of Puerto Banus. Needless to say, the golf courses are some of the best in Europe and go towards making Puerto Banus one of the world’s top golfing holiday destinations.
As with Marbella, Puerto Banus enjoys it’s own micro-climate and boasts over 300 days of sunshine each year, with a year round average temperature of 19 degrees. While the summer months may get a little hectic, May and September are probably two of the best months to visit this resort.