shutterstock 473238115 - Marbella

Välkommen till Puerto Banus

Puerto Banus is Marbella’s famous port, nicknamed the St Tropez of Andalucia, it's a Mecca for the rich and famous and is home to one of the largest luxury shopping centres in Spain.

José Banús  was a property developer who built Puerto Banus to look like a traditional Andalusian village and marina. The grand opening party in 1970 had a guest list like the whos-who of international influence, with attendees such as film director  Roman Polanski, Playboy’s  Hugh Hefner, and   Prince Rainier  and  Princess Grace of Monaco.

Today, the modern 915 berth marina is home to the super yachts of the uber-wealthy. Rife with celebrities, the streets swell with luxury cars, expensive fashion boutiques and exclusive restaurants. Visitors flock to the Puerto Banús beach clubs. All day bars serve cocktails and champagne to bronzing bathers lolling on the sun loungers along the sand.

To the west of the marina is  Mistral Beach, with a club and   chiringuitos  serving traditional seafood. On the  Nueva Andalucia  side is the Blue Flag beach of  Playa de Levante  (or Puerto Banus beach) which is home to  Water Sports Banus  and the  Levante Beach Club. A short drive away is Nagueles Beach, home to the  Marbella Club Hotel, the  Puente Romano Tennis Club  and chef Dani García’s Michelin star restaurant.

Puerto Banus is in the centre of the   Costa del Golf   and enthusiasts can enjoy the   Monte Paraiso,  Golf La Dama de Noche,  Aloha Golf Club,  Las Brisas Golf  and the   Las Naranjas Golf Clubs  nearby.


Plats


Community

Spaniards make up about 30% of the non-transient population. The other 70% is made up of British, Scandinavian, American and Arab residents.

Property

The south side of the marina is flat and conveniently located within walking distance from the bustling shopping district. However, property on this side is scarce, and expensive, especially when offering unobstructed views over the water. You’ll find apartments in the main and occasionally luxury villas. To the north are mountainside residential areas with homes better suited to families. These are often better value for money, with prices related to security, shared facilities like tennis courts, heated pools, shops and restaurants, but also interior design features and terrace space.

Amenities

Luxury boutiques selling everything from  Christian Dior to  Bang and Olufsen  line the streets and in Antonio Banderas Square    you’ll find an enormous  El Corte Ingles  department store, which incorporates the luxury hypermarket,  Hipercor. There are lots of amenities catering to the international residents of this area, from Waitrose    groceries to English speaking cosmetic dentists.

Transport

Malaga Airport is 60 kilometres away and you can get to Puerto Banus by taxi or (via Malaga city centre) bus. Driving is easy, as there’s a good road system. You can approach via the A-7 toll road or the   N-340 coastal road — a longer but more scenic route. There’s an extensive bus network joining Puerto Banus to neighbouring towns and rural areas.

Health

The  Health Center San Pedro De Alcántara  on  Calle Príncipe de Asturias is an excellent place to seek out state healthcare. There are plentiful private medical facilities too, including  Helicopter Hospital Health, a small hospital utilising helicopter emergency vehicles.

Cost of Living

The cost of living is high in Marbella, but wages can reflect this. House prices are similar to those in northern Europe, but utilities and transport costs remain low.