While
Marbella
is seen by many as Europe's get-away spot for the rich and famous,
Puerto Banus is just as desirable a destination
- not just for the famous, but also for holidaymakers ranging from
high-flying business men and women to families
just looking for a relaxing time away, with plenty of sunshine.
Puerto
Banus is a relatively recent travel destination however,
as it has only opened it's doors to the general public in the last
10 years or so; previous to that it was a very exclusive spot,
known only to the locals and film stars!
Puerto
Banus is famous for its picturesque marina (915 moorings) filled
with multi-million dollar yachts, Puerto Banus also boasts a beach
that stretches for one kilometre. The golden sands are
a major attraction, which was once a traditional Spanish fishing
village decades ago.
As
with any resort associated with the rich and famous, Puerto Banus
has more than it's fair share of pubs, clubs, restaurants, world-class
shopping and casino facilities. Designer names can be found on all
the main streets, but if you prefer to browse smaller, more traditional
Spanish shops and boutiques then there are plenty of these too.
Notably the premier Spanish department store El Corte Ingles
with it's five stories, and the Marina Banús Shopping Centre
are two of the most popular locations that shoppers head for.
Puerto
Banus nightlife is as good as it gets and holds a world-class
reputation. It can carry on until dawn if you want it to, or if
you prefer something a bit more sedate then you can settle for a
quiet drink and tapa in any one of the countless local bars. If
you do get the urge to have a taste of Tinsel Town, there are numerous
cocktail and wine bars spread around the Marina and seafront areas,
known as the Muelle Rivera - incidentally these are great areas
for doing a bit of 'star spotting!
The
surrounding areas of Puerto Banus are also to be explored and enjoyed.
The Sierra Bermeja Mountains rise up to the north of the
town, and numerous golf courses are scattered within a
10 kilometre radius of Puerto Banus. Needless to say, the golf courses
are some of the best in Europe and go towards making Puerto Banus
one of the world's top golfing holiday destinations.
As
with Marbella,
Puerto Banus enjoys its own micro-climate and boasts over 300 days
of sunshine each year, with a year round average temperature of
19 degrees. While the summer months may get a little hectic, May
and September are probably two of the best months to visit this
resort.
