Puerto Banus holidays

Puerto Banus holidays come with millionaire’s playground status, having been purpose-built as a boujee resort in the 1970s. The marina’s home to luxury yachts, while designer boutique shops and high-end nightlife spots are scattered along the Calle Ribera promenade. It’s pretty different from nearby Marbella Old Town, known for the traditional Andalusian architecture of Plaza de los Naranjos.

Why is Puerto Banus so popular?

You don’t tend to overhear people talking about Puerto Banus on the streets of the UK, but it’s a big deal. It’s Marbella’s world-famous port, which sits pretty at the heart of Spain’s Costa del Sol. The term ‘millionaire’s playground’ rings true for this place, thanks to the classy clientele that come here to live the beach club lifestyle (and pick one of the 915 marina berths to park up their superyachts, some of which are worth up to £100 million). The designer boutiques, which tick off the likes of Gucci, Versace and Dior, help, too. Fancy stuff aside, there are lots of authentic Spanish tapas places and quiet inland bars around here – just stray from the seafront and you’ll find them.

Beaches in Puerto Banus

All-day beach clubs like Ocean Club and Nikki Beach keep the party going from morn ‘til night in Puerto Banus. Head to one of those to lay out on luxurious sunloungers while waiters bring you cocktails, or head to Mistral Beach for something a little more rough around the edges. This tanning spot has a beach shack, traditionally called a chiringuito. Elsewhere, there’s Nagueles Beach, which neighbours the popular Rio Verde Beach. This one really makes the most of its spot on the Costa del Sol’s sandy coastline, with watersports options including windsurfing and jet-skiing.

Daytrips to Gibraltar

It’s just a 45-minute drive to Gibraltar, if you fancy casting a wider net. Tourists often flock there to take the Rock of Gibraltar cable car, which offers views of northern Morocco from the top. Halfway up, Apes’ Den’s Barbary Apes roam around their natural habitat (in case you didn’t know, they’re Europe’s only native monkey). Not far from here, you’ll find the Greg Siege Tunnels – history-laden British gun emplacements, which have earned their place as 18th-century British landmarks. Duty-free shopping opportunities await, too, if you’re looking for somewhere to spend your coins up…