Puerto Banús

When local property developer José Banús gave his name to the now-famous port, it was unlikely he envisaged it becoming one of the most famous marinas in Europe. Its fame was undoubtedly kick-started by the initial flurry of national attention around its inauguration in 1970, as Banús was a close personal friend to Franco. Puerto Banús is now synonymous with wealth, fashion, glamorous parties and the 'highlife & nightlife'. Its reputation is high-class and high-price-tag. The "place to be and to be seen", this is where the elite classes and would-be-famous are to be found.

The area is lined with designer boutiques and restaurants, including well-known venues such as Trader Vic's and Salduba while other illustrious venues such as the Marbella Club Hotel and Oliviá Valère's nightclub are just down the road. The marina is home to large, expensive yachts and smaller pleasure craft alike — King Fahd's boat Shaf is moored near the old tower and is a popular point of reference.

The marina – located just to the west of Marbella – is home to a plethora of restaurants and cafés, catering for all tastes from fine dining to burgers and fries. The marina's increased popularity has led to international chains such as TGI Friday's opening up, making it within the reach of most people to eat in Puerto Banús. In terms of leisure activities Puerto Banús is home to an Aquarium and a multi-screen cinema showing films in English.

Apart from drinking a coffee while watching the coming and going of Ferrari's and Bentley's, the most popular pastime in Puerto Banús is probably shopping. Shopping in Puerto Banús is definitely the "in" place to shop for designer labels with stores from Gianni Versace, Hermes, Ralph Lauren and DKNY. Many of the boutiques also stock several designers under one roof such as Mic Mac - Armani, Cerruti, Kenzo; Royal House - Valentino, Christian Dior, Pierre Cardin; and Exseption - Prada, Gucci, and Dolce & Gabbana.

If your budget doesn't stretch to haute couture, there are plenty of other interesting shops including Neck & Neck and Jacardi (great kids' clothes). The large 4-floor El Corte Inglés department store sells just about everything – a variety of designer names, its own clothing lines, sports gear, shoes, home decor, you name it. The new Marina Banús shopping centre is home to high-street names such as Zara and Mango (both Spanish companies), which make a good bargain for tourists, their ranges being decidedly cheaper than in most other European countries.

More information:

Ayuntamiento de Marbella
Plaza de los Naranjos s/n, Marbella 29601
Tel: (+34) 952.761.100
www.marbella.es