Marbella and Puerto Banús: orange trees, old lanes and the glamour of the marina
From the apartment: 35 km, about 30 minutes by car on the A-7 (AP-7 toll is faster in summer).
Marbella has two faces and both are half an hour from the apartment. The old town is a maze of whitewashed lanes around Plaza de los Naranjos, where orange trees, a Renaissance town hall and café terraces have been the centre of life since 1485. Puerto Banús, six kilometres west, is the marina of superyachts, designer boutiques and Ferraris parked outside the cafés. Do the old town in the morning and the marina at sunset.
Why go
- The prettiest old town on the Costa del Sol after Estepona, with far more restaurants and shops.
- Avenida del Mar: a pedestrian avenue of bronze Dalí sculptures leading from the old town to the sea.
- Puerto Banús for the yachts, luxury boutiques and seafront cafés.
- A long seafront promenade for a walk or a bike ride between the two.
What to see and do
Plaza de los Naranjos and the old town
The Orange Square dates from 1485, when the Christian conquerors cleared a space for a new centre. Around it stand the 16th-century Casa Consistorial (still the town hall), the old governor's house and the chapel of Santiago; in the middle a fountain and the orange trees that scent the whole square in spring. From here the lanes climb north past the church of La Encarnación (16th century) and remains of the Moorish walls, and every corner has a bar with tables outside.
Alameda park and Avenida del Mar
Just south of the old town, the Parque de la Alameda is a shady garden of tiled benches and old trees. It opens onto Avenida del Mar, a wide pedestrian avenue lined with ten bronze sculptures by Salvador Dalí that leads straight down to the beach and the promenade.
The promenade and the beaches
Marbella's Paseo Marítimo runs for kilometres in both directions with playgrounds, beach bars and bike hire. Playa de la Fontanilla, in front of the centre, is the classic town beach; the "Golden Mile" of hotels and villas leads west towards Puerto Banús.
Puerto Banús
Built in 1970, the marina is still the Costa del Sol's showcase: yachts in the moorings, boutiques of every luxury brand, cafés where you sit for the view and the company. It is at its best in the early evening. There are also ordinary pleasures: an ice cream on the quay, the beach right next to the port and boat trips to Marbella and back.
Practical information
| Distance from the apartment | 35 km · about 30 min |
|---|---|
| Parking, old town | Parking La Alameda (Avenida del Mar), 3 minutes' walk from Plaza de los Naranjos; Parking Plaza de la Victoria; free white-line street parking north of the old town (about 8 min walk) |
| Parking, Puerto Banús | Large underground garage under the plaza at the eastern entrance to the port; expect queues on summer evenings |
| Old town | Pedestrian and flat; best in the morning or evening |
| Duration | Half a day for the old town, a full day with the marina |
| With children | Promenade playgrounds and the beach; the old town lanes are pushchair-friendly except for a few steps |
FAQ
- How far is Marbella from Casares Costa?
- About 35 km; 30 minutes by car on the A-7, a little less on the AP-7 toll road.
- Where should I park in Marbella old town?
- Parking La Alameda under the Alameda park is the most convenient, a three-minute walk from the Orange Square.
- Is Puerto Banús worth visiting?
- For an evening walk, the yachts and the shops, yes. For beaches and restaurants at normal prices, the centre of Marbella or Estepona are better value.