The Glamorous Marinas of Puerto Banus and MarbellaDo you know how Puerto Banus got its name? It's an old story. José Banus began his life as a simple shepherd and his peasant family owned a little farm on the waters edge just west of Marbella. One year a group of French developers came and offered him a decent sum of money for the land. He accepted But, being a rather smart shepherd, he used this money to buy the rest of the farm land bordering the sea-shore. The following year the French came back again and bought the remaining land but this time for a much higher price! From shepherd to capitalist all in the space of twelve months. This land is now called Puerto Banus. There is not a sheep in sight and José´s name is forever linked with one of the Mediterranean’s most glamorous Marinas. Puerto Banus… where the rich and famous (and wannabees) hang out and where apartments with sea views can go for a million Euros plus. Elegant yachts, bumper to bumper Ferraris, designer-label shopping and some very expensive restaurants abound here. Thankfully, there’s also the odd Pizza Bar or Ice Cream Parlour so eating out in Puerto Banus can still be within reach of the rest of us. Check out the video below which just about sums up this weird and wonderful place !
Puerto Banus and Marbella go hand in hand and are - as you might have guessed - serious money areas. Luxurious beach developments such as Los Monteros (where Antonio Banderas lives) and exclusive homes in private golf clubs such as the super-snob La Zagaleta (which was Adnan Kashoggi´s erstwhile country estate) have some really scary price tags.
But, you’ll be happy to know that there are apartments to be had in and around the Marbella area for much more down to earth prices. Whew! Marbella town is stylish, a mix of old and new, with a distinctly cosmopolitan atmosphere and with a plethora of beautiful boutiques comparable to any large European city. The old quarter is charming with pretty, narrow, cobbled streets, Orange Square, aptly named and filled with dozens of orange trees, and lots of great tapa bars and even more designer shops. Marbella promenade is the best... and pedestrian only. It goes on and on past kilometres of beach and affording one the opportunity to view the luxurious beach clubs of the 5* Puente Romano and Marbella Club Hotels.
Puente Romano Hotel Beach
Plus, you'll see some of Europe’s most expensive real estate along what is now known as the Golden Mile. But, whether you shop with a platinum credit card or like the rest of us, are on a much smaller budget, you’ll find there is still a great choice of homes to be had in Marbella. Just don’t leave it too long!
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