Puerto Banús Beach: glamour, sun, and superyachts

Puerto Banús beach is the stretch of white sand, blue water, and a row of beach clubs where sunbeds cost more than a decent lunch anywhere else on the Costa del Sol.

It's not the most beautiful beach in Andalusia.

But it is a spectacle, and if you want to understand the Costa del Sol's more aspirational side, an afternoon here tells you more than any guide could.

Where it is

Puerto Banús is 6 kilometres west of Marbella centre on the N-340.

The beach runs along the front of the marina, and you can walk directly from the port promenade to the sand.

How to get there

By car: The most practical option. Paid parking near the marina. Can be congested in summer, particularly at weekends.

By bus: Regular buses run between Marbella centre and Puerto Banús. The journey takes around 20 minutes. Bus stop is a short walk from the beach.

From Málaga: Around 50 minutes by car on the AP-7. Or bus from Málaga city to Marbella, then connect to Puerto Banús.

What the beach is like

The sand is soft and pale, the water calm.

As a beach, it's excellent quality, and it holds Blue Flag accreditation.

The sea is clean and shallow near the shore, and on a clear morning the colour of the water is genuinely impressive. The beach runs for about 1.5 kilometres from the marina out to the western breakwater.

The beach clubs, including Nikki Beach and Ocean Club, line the back of the beach with daybeds, cabanas, cocktail service, and a clientele that dresses accordingly. The marina behind them has superyachts moored year-round.

It's also expensive. While the sand is free, a sunbed at the main beach clubs runs from around €20 upwards and that's before food and drinks. Cocktails are priced to match the setting.

Near the breakwater, several operators rent jet skis, paddleboards, and kayaks, with prices from around €25 for half an hour. Guided boat trips along the coast to Cabopino and Estepona also depart from here, including sunset trips.

Where to eat

The beach clubs serve food, but the prices reflect their postcode. For a better lunch at a more reasonable cost, walk into the marina and explore the side streets. There are decent restaurants away from the main promenade.

For high-end dining with a view, the beach club restaurants deliver exactly what they promise.

Facilities

• Sunbeds: available at beach clubs (paid) and free public sections
• Showers: yes
• Toilets: yes, at the beach clubs and public facilities
• Lifeguards: yes, in season
• Beach clubs: multiple, with full food and drink service
• Parking: paid, near marina
• Water sports: jet skis, paddleboards, kayaks near the breakwater; guided boat trips along the coast

What it's best for

Puerto Banús beach is worth visiting if you're curious about the more glamorous end of the Costa del Sol, want to spend a splashy day at a beach club, or simply want good soft sand with a show in the background.

It's not the right choice if you want a quiet, local beach or are working to a tight budget. For that, almost anywhere else on the coast will serve you better.

Is there a free beach at Puerto Banús?

All of the beaches are free in Marbella, but if you're looking for a stretch away from the overpriced bars, then the western end of the beach, near the breakwater, is public and "free".

You get the same sand, the same sea, and the same view of the marina without paying beach club prices.

What's nearby

Marbella old town is 20 minutes east by bus or car. Playa de la Bajadilla in Marbella centre is quieter and free.

For the full guide to beaches across the region, see beaches in Málaga.