The stylish Puerto Banus Marina is one of the most popular attractions along the Costa del Sol. Located just to the west of Marbella, it was the brainchild of property developer, Jose Banus, who wished to create a marina that would attract the international rich list. The design was by architects Marcos Sainz & Noldi Schreck, who took their main inspiration from traditional local fishing towns, resulting in an impressive marina lined with popular bars, cafes, chic restaurants and designer boutiques.

After the official opening about 40 years ago, Puerto Banus soon attracted the world elite as was originally intended. Large private yachts, were soon moored in the vast marina. In fact it is a local pastime spotting the rich or famous, even stars of Hollywood dining in the local restaurants.

Puerto Banus is most well known for its bars, restaurants and dance clubs, such as (near the entrance) Sinatras, Salduba, or a popular daytime bar is the Portside next to the marina, which is a great place to visit to sit on the patio, with a glass of red and watch the world saunter by.

There are many of late bars to select from in Puerto Banus, one of the most popular, especially with the slightly older locals, is the Old Joys Pub, which often has a pianist or other entertainment. Another local institution is the small but more casual bar, the News Cafe, or other popular locations in Puerto Banus such as the thatched roof El Cubanito, or the inevitable Irish pub O Gradys plus the cocktail bar Astral.

One of the best dance clubs in Puerto Banus has to be Dreamers, which often has a top UK DJ and has a much younger clientele. If you want something a bit more nostalgic, then try the Disco Inferno which plays oldies.

Puerto Banus dining is excellent with plenty of pavement cafes and restaurants to select from, plus there are the usual international fast food chains like McDonalds and several popular Spanish pizzerias, in particular the reasonable Picassos which has a wide choice. Other child friendly restaurants include the TGI Fridays, Jacks, or the relatively new Lonestar Brasserie, which has an unsual Caribbean menu. There are loads more quite excellent restaurants in the nearby Nueva Andalucia, such as Khans, Rudys East, and the upmarket Italian restaurant / bar, Reginas.

Puerto Banus is well situated to visit Marbella, which is found about five miles further to the east. There are also plenty of top notch Puerto Banus Golf Clubs within an easy drive, such as Las Brisas, Aloha Golf and Los Naranjos. A few miles further inland from Puerto Banus is the small town of Benahavis, which is most renowned for the large concentration of classy dining establishments and has often been called the dining table of the Sol.

For plenty more travel advice and tourism information about Puerto Banus please visit Puerto Banus