Puerto Banus is located on the western side of Costa del Sol in the municipality of Marbella, about a 5 minute drive from the centre of Marbella, as you head west in the direction of Estepona.

It is possible to walk to Puerto Banus from Marbella along the sea front as a promenade stretches pretty much all the way, although it is a long(ish) walk and not really recommended in the height of summer beyond midday.

Puerto Banus was named after the founder Jose Banus who developed it into a luxury marina. It quickly became a challenge to the likes of St Tropez and attracted the main designer outlets like Louis Vuitton, Jimmy Choo, Dolce & Gabbana, Bvlgari and many more.

There is also a great choice of top restaurants offering everything from Italian, French, Spanish, Lebanese and Asian. It is also where you will find what has become an institution, Picasso Pizza Restaurant. You will easily spot it as it will always have a large queue of people waiting to be seated.

The main marina is made up of the front line, which overlooks the yachts, and the second line, where you will find more of the nighttime only venues like Linekers Bar.

Another row back is along the through road that goes from the Benabola roundabout the the far end of Puerto Banus. On the opposite side of this road is the Antonio Banderas square with a range of shops, bars, clubs and restaurants. Then beyond this is the department store El Corte Ingles.

There are many establishments that have been in Puerto Banus for many years. The pizza restaurant we mentioned earlier called Picasso is very popular all through the year. There are other well established venues too such as Sinatra’s Bar, Linekers, Pange Night Club, TIBU Night Club and Astral Cocktail Bar.

During the peak months there are really two faces to Puerto Banus. During the day it is a lively but serene atmosphere filled with shoppers and people having lunch, enjoying the views across the marina, and of course people watching.

But when the sun goes down it takes on a different vibe with many younger party goers heading the bars like News Cafe and Portside to drink, dance and party to the early hours of the morning.