Puerto Banús (full name Puerto José Banús, after its builder José Banús) is the most famous marina in Spain and one of the country’s main attractions. Building the port took three years and was finished in 1970. Today it has just over 900 berths, many of them designed for superyachts more than 30 m long, and occupancy stands at 100% all year round.
The nearest international airport to Puerto Banús is in Málaga (58 km by road). Most towns and resorts of the Costa del Sol are connected to it by bus or rail.
In half a century Puerto Banús has collected plenty of titles: the most glamorous, the most visited, the most expensive and so on. It all began with the official opening, performed by Prince Rainier of Monaco and his wife, the actress Grace Kelly. Members of the Spanish royal family, well-known performers, film directors, businesspeople and world-famous doctors also attended. A young Julio Iglesias sang for the guests, and today the main avenue of Puerto Banús bears his name.
In recent years the port’s fame has faded a little: the fashion for showy luxury has passed, and many owners no longer advertise how much they earn. Still, we go on calling Puerto Banús the marina of millionaires and celebrities. What is more, Puerto Banús remains the best on Spain’s Mediterranean coast for service and amenities, and it is far from the most expensive.
Located 8 km north-west of Marbella, Puerto Banús is not just a yacht harbour but a hub of upmarket leisure and entertainment. Superb yachts sit next to equally superb cars, as if competing with each other in number and price. Visitors can choose from numerous bars, restaurants and nightclubs, interspersed with fashion boutiques of Christian Dior, Loewe, Emporio Armani, Versace, Gucci, Valentino, Dolce & Gabbana, Brunello Cucinelli and other houses. There are car showrooms too: in Puerto Banús, dreams of a Lamborghini, Bentley, Ferrari or another luxury car come true almost instantly, with no red tape, pre-orders or waiting.
Life in the port centres on Calle Ribera, a street open both to pedestrians and to traffic. This is the heart of Puerto Banús, its commercial centre. One side of the street sparkles with shop windows, while parking spaces and moorings run along the other.
A little further from the port you will find plenty of small shops, stores, boutiques, restaurants, pizzerias and cafés: they make no claim to exclusivity, but are no less charming and cosy for it. Two large shopping centres also deserve a mention: the Marina Banús shopping centre and El Corte Inglés, the best-known Spanish department store.
Marbella is considered the most glamorous resort in Spain, but Puerto Banús is tourism with a plus sign: even more chic, even more exclusivity, even more status. The same goes for property: the most expensive estates and developments on the Costa del Sol are located around Puerto Banús, for example La Zagaleta, the most prestigious and expensive estate in Europe. Many properties are never offered on the open market: agents present them directly to the most discerning clients. This part of the Andalusian coast is also home to some of the best golf clubs in Spain.
From Puerto Banús you can head out to sea on a motor or sailing yacht. There is also a thriving charter market for yachts: you can hire a boat with or without a skipper. For beach lovers, there are three beaches close to the marina: Playa Puerto Banús, Playa Río Verde and Playa Nueva Andalucía.
