Living in Puerto Banús

• Table of contents
• Lifestyle & Amenities
• A brief history
• A celeb haven
• A diverse culture
• Frequently Asked Questions
• What’s On in Puerto Banús
• Ready to make Puerto Banús home?

Quick facts

Why Choose Puerto Banús?

• 320 sunny days a year – perfect for al-fresco living even in winter.
• Average sea temperature 19 °C – swim comfortably from April to October.
• International schools nearby – Aloha College (10 min), Swans International (15 min).
• Championship golf on the doorstep – Las Brisas, Aloha and Los Naranjos within 5 km.

Premier destination.

More than a holiday hotspot, Puerto Banús is a fully serviced residential area with 1 Gbps fibre optics, 24-hour security patrols and a restaurant scene that stays open long after the summer crowds have gone. Whether you’re relocating, investing or seeking a secure second home, the marina’s vibrant atmosphere and Marbella’s first-class infrastructure make everyday life as effortless as a stroll along the palm-lined promenade.

Sheltered by the dramatic peak of La Concha, Puerto Banús enjoys its own sunny micro-climate: low humidity, balmy winters and cooling sea breezes in midsummer. Morning temperatures rarely dip below 13 °C, so you can jog the seafront or play a dawn round of golf while much of Europe shivers.

Health & wellbeing – Boutique gyms, beach yoga, padel clubs and two state-of-the-art hospitals within a fifteen-minute drive complement a wide choice of English-speaking clinics and dentists.

Everyday convenience – A full-size Carrefour Hypermarket sits five minutes inland, alongside organic supermarkets, delicatessens and late-night pharmacies. International schools keep commute times short for families, while professionals benefit from fast-growing co-working hubs and lightning-fast broadband.

Gastronomy & nightlife – From beachfront chiringuitos to Michelin-recommended dining rooms, Puerto Banus caters to every taste. Begin with sunset cocktails on Ocean Club’s teak decking and finish at one of Nueva Andalucía’s elegant jazz lounges – all within walking distance or a short taxi hop.

Connectivity – The AP-7 motorway delivers you to Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport in under 45 minutes; Gibraltar Airport is just over an hour away. Planned upgrades to Fuengirola’s AVE rail hub promise high-speed links to Madrid and Barcelona later this decade.

With world-class shopping, year-round entertainment and a truly international community, Puerto Banús is one of the few Mediterranean addresses where a resort ambience meets metropolitan convenience.

The iconic yacht harbour.

The greatest jewel in Marbella’s crown is Puerto Banús – the famous yacht harbour that cradles the Bahia de Marbella. Here you will find the greatest concentration of wealth, power, glamour, since the area is known for its lazy sun-kissed days and sultry nights of Spanish summer.

Where celebrities and luxury converge.

This small area is a kaleidoscope world with a landscape dominated by big boats, fast cars and beautiful women. It’s a cosmopolitan melting pot of big business, royalty and showbiz; a place where the paparazzi have rich pickings and ordinary visitors hope some of the glamour will rub off on them. Indeed, Puerto Banús is one of those rare places where you could literally bump into a celebrity on every corner.

Why this area remains a hotspot.

But what exactly is it that makes this little marina resort so trendy and popular? Sure enough, there are larger marinas with more facilities – there are even those that are prettier – so what is it that makes this area remain such a hotspot? The answer, as always, lies in the coming together of several factors.

When was first developed in the late 1960s, it consisted of nothing more than the brand-new yacht harbour, framed by the now famous apartments in traditional Andalusian style. Marbella itself was not much more than a small fishing village that had only recently been discovered by wealthy tourists, ranging from eccentric travellers and yachtsmen to well-to-do American students.

The evolution of a luxury destination.

Like many before them, these tourists fell in love with the unbridled fire and fullness of Andalucía, and even after parts of the coast became centres of mass tourism, these early visitors held on to Marbella as a place where only well-monied tourists could afford to come.

Wealth, celebrity and royalty.

As this level of tourism steadily developed over time, Marbella remained an island of opulence and glamour, where the wealthy would choose to vacate and purchase property. Wealth attracted celebrity, which in turn attracted beauty, and so on, until the area became the setting for tycoons, models, artists, aristocrats and even royalty.

Even sheikhs are not an unusual sight in Marbella and, in Puerto Banús itself, the Saudi Arabian Royal Family own a magnificent palace here.

A favourite spot for the elite.

The regular presence of the Saudi royal family and their huge entourage, as well as international celebrities like Sean Connery and Kate Moss, confirms Puerto Banús’ status as a jet-set paradise. However, despite this association with wealth and extravagance, the area is often regarded with some suspicion.

Open to all: glamour for everyone.

To those more critical of star-gazing, Puerto Banús is synonymous with conspicuous consumption. Sure, the rich and famous let themselves go here, but the beauty of this port is exactly the fact that it is not exclusive to them. No one is barred from entering. In fact, regular mortals such as ourselves, young and old, rich and poor, are heartily welcomed to mingle in and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of the place.

The simple pleasures.

While your eyes may water at the sight of the largest and most luxurious yachts you are likely to see anywhere, one of the biggest pleasures comes from sitting in one of the many lively quay-side bars and restaurants, watching humanity pass by in front of you. Nationalities of all ages and economic segments of society are represented here, often walking side by side.

The unique blend of luxury and simplicity.

The diversity present is what makes Puerto Banús what it is – not any list of luxury facilities and amenities. Of course, you would be disappointed if the place was not packed to the full with brand shops, choice restaurants and trendy night spots, but it is also a place where you can buy a cheap T-shirt and have an inexpensive meal. The choice is yours.

A peaceful side to Puerto Banús.

If bustling nightlife and large crowds are not your thing, you might choose to come here in the morning, when it is peaceful, and watch the seagulls sweep over the ships’ masts while sipping a coffee. Grab a newspaper and a baguette, and you’re in a peaceful paradise, refreshed by the cool onshore breeze.

Romantic evenings in Puerto Banús.

Alternatively, if you book a table at one of the fine restaurants on the quieter end, near the old Moorish watchtower, you will find that Puerto Banús is also a very romantic place. Time it correctly and you can enjoy dinner as the sun dips into the sea, colouring the whole world in shades of pastel orange and pink. Then, as always, you will be able to enjoy expansive views of the Mediterranean, the mountain-ringed greenery of Marbella, and, of course, the vibe of Puerto Banús itself.

Puerto Banús, Glamour Capital of Spain by and copyright of Michel Cruz, for more information visit his web site at www.freelancewriter4u.com.

• Marbella Luxury Weekend (June) – designer trunk shows and super-yacht parties along the waterfront.
• SuperYacht Charter Show (October) – book a private viewing or charter directly from the marina.
• Nueva Andalucía Artisan Market (Saturdays, year-round) – local olive oil, ceramics and live flamenco.
• Copa del Sol Padel Tournament (April) – watch world-ranked players compete just ten minutes inland.

Speak with our team today. Call us or WhatsApp us to arrange a private viewing.