24 hours in the iconic nautical and tourist enclave of Marbella go a long way
Living here is only available to a few. Yachts, high-end cars, luxury shops open until midnight and multi-million euro mansions are the hallmarks of Puerto Banus, located 6 kilometers from Marbella and one of the most exclusive areas in Spain.
Named after the one who was its ideologue and promoter, Jose Banus , this port, declared Center of National Tourist Interest and who owns the gold medal for Tourist Merit, It has been attracting millionaires, celebrities, tourists and curious people from all over the world for almost 50 years.
Puerto Banus, created in 1970, is part of the call 'Golden Triangle', which includes the towns of Malaga Marbella, Estepona and Benahavis and also, in real estate terms, of Marbella's Golden Mile. Here everything shines.
A day on Marbella's Golden Mile
For many it is nothing more than a display of abundance and ostentation, where snobbery plays its tricks on bottles of expensive champagne, pleasure boats dozens of meters long and lively nightclubs.
But for us it is one of those places to see at least once in life. There's got to be some reason why more than four million people do it every year.
We suggest you pass a day in one of the most privileged ports of the Mediterranean and the fifth most expensive in Europe, which has something of a small Andalusian white town and a lot of a crowded place passing through where nightlife, excesses and glamor intermingle with different luck.
Night falls on the Costa del Sol
9 a.m. Start the day with a hearty breakfast at ** Rosas Café, which is lately the most photographed place** in Puerto Banús (and maybe Marbella).
His instagrammable mural of 35,000 roses, its decoration in pastel tones, its exuberant terrace and its photogenic dishes are the claim for this cafeteria in which even your dog has his own letter has become, in just a few months, pilgrimage temple of hundreds of influencers.
But it's not just a matter of aesthetics: its artisan bread toasts and its organic coffee, for the more traditional or their activated black carbon waffles and its bowls with fruits, granola and edible flowers for the most adventurous, are the reason why everyone returns.
The best: you can "breakfast" at any time of the day.
10 a.m. Traveler, it is time to weigh anchor. You are in Puerto Banús and the options are endless: you can rent a boat to be a fisherman for a day with Lovit Charter a Boat, a sailboat to let you pamper –with beauty treatments and massages on the high seas with Rnova Thermal – or do a excursion to watch dolphins.
1 p.m. Once on solid ground, walk around and be amazed by its peculiarities. Here's one: its main artery is the Julio Iglesias Avenue but other artists like Antonio Banderas or Lola Flores they have their space in Puerto Banús, with a square and an avenue, respectively.
writers like Jose Saramago and Mario Vargas Llosa or entrepreneurs like Ramon Areces They also have their own street (which, by the way, is one of the most expensive on the Costa del Sol) in this corner of Marbella where everything has a place.
Puerto Banús, synonymous with luxury
2 p.m. Puerto Banús is like giving a tour of the world in a gastronomic key: deciding is difficult.
There are restaurants lebanese – Baalbak or Marrush – , italians like the mythical and crowded Picasso pizzeria or the always recommended La Pappardella, Belgians like Grill del puerto, from Mexican and Japanese fusion cuisine like Mesiko or American people like Jack's Smokehouse.
But we also find homeland proposals such as La Taberna del Pintxo or La Bocana, where to feel again, with a Malaga fry, Yes, you are in Andalusia.
And beware, there is a lot of Andalusian haute cuisine: Marbella, which is a stone's throw away, is the home of ** Dani García ** (2 Michelin stars). But if we stick to Puerto Banús, we have to talk about DOM Restaurante: an uncompromising defense of local raw materials and the Designation of Origin Malaga.
4:00 p.m. In Puerto Banús, beauty is also interpreted as luxury: you are in the paradise of personal care and aesthetic centers.
Choose one of the **Glow Club** treatments and let yourself go. Their Arab Hammam, for example, is an artisan ritual, purifying and detoxifying perfect for the traveler.
apply black soap (Beldi) and, after a steam session, a deep exfoliation is performed with a glove (Kessa) of Moroccan tradition that frees the skin of impurities and dead cells.
The last step is a rasoul massage, whose properties are absorbent, degreasing and moisturizing. Ends with a relaxing Moorish tea with natural fruits.
If instead of relaxing you prefer not to stop, you can do a personal training to measure or enjoy your indoor pool with salt water treatment and finish off with a session in the jacuzzi and sauna in its sports center.
Has your appetite been whetted? **Snack at La Crêperie,** which has been doing the same thing since 1977.
If you are more salty, let yourself be advised and ask for their specialty: the provencal crepe (ham, cheese, pepper, tomato and mushrooms) . If you prefer something sweet, go for ice cream, fruit and Nutella.
There are no words to describe these crêpes.
6:00 p.m. To soak up the authentic atmosphere of Puerto Banús, settle into a Balinese bed from NAÔ Pool Club, one of the business of the French businesswoman Olivia Valere, also owner of the most famous nightclub in the area, which bears her name.
She is the one who rules the frenetic ** Marbella night ** and the one that attracts international names every year who have ended up becoming regulars at Banús.
8:00 p.m. They say that Puerto Banus is the city in the world with more luxury stores per square meter. your street Ribera Pier, which acts as promenade, It is very reminiscent of Calle Serrano in Madrid or Paseo de Gracia in Barcelona, but next to the sea and with pleasure boats moored a few meters from the shop windows.
Their hours are a bit special, yes: most open at 11am and don't close until midnight.
If what you want is to take something as a souvenir, what better than a muscatel from La Axarquia, Malaga region that is giving a lot to talk about.
Buy it at Vinopolis, a gourmet store specializing in Spanish, French and Italian wines. They also organize tastings.
9:00 p.m. End the day with dinner at **Los Bandidos,** one of the best restaurants in the port. your j hanging garden, your dishes with scandinavian influence and its local atmosphere will make you extend the desktop.
11 p.m. Start the night on the roof of the ** Hotel Benabo la , with views of the entire port ** and continue it at ** Pangea , one of the most exclusive nightclubs in the area.** Sleeping is another story.
Since your hectic day will end at dawn, it may pay off to book ** accommodation by the hour, ** since you'll be walking very little at the hotel.
You may have already noticed: Nobody gets up early here.