If retail therapy is a key component of your ideal vacation, then I highly recommend that you check out the glamorous marina of Puerto Banús in Marbella, Spain on the Costa del Sol. The rich and the famous flock to this luxury region throughout the year to splash their cash at the many high-end boutiques, restaurants and bars. This is all against a beautiful backdrop of dramatic mountains and a yacht-filled marina (this looks spectacular lit up at night!).
Only 48 hours to work with? Check out this two-day itinerary.
Here is everything that you need to know about shopping in Puerto Banús:
Luxury & Designer Shopping
Those looking to splurge and pick up plenty of luxury goods will adore Puerto Banús. It may be a small area, but it is packed with designer shops (this means that you never have to travel too far with all your shopping bags!).
There are a few shopping centres to check out, but if you are after the big brands then I suggest that you head to Marina & Calle Ribera. This is the promenade next to the yachts that has dozens of luxury boutiques and designer stores, including:
- D&G
- Louis Vuitton
- Burberry
- Gucci
- Dior
- Emporio Armani
- Gucci
- Michael Kors
And many, many more to choose from. You will also find several tourist and high-street stores, so you should be able to find everything you need here. Leisurely strolling from store to store in such a glamorous setting is a fantastic experience for any serious shop-a-holic.
High Street Shopping
Your credit card will be happy to hear that it is not only high-end shopping available in Puerto Banús. There are also many department stores and high street names for the more modest or money-conscious shopper, including the excellent Marina Banus Shopping Center. This is located opposite El Corte Ingles (Spain’s largest upmarket department store chain) and has 17 stores spread over 2 floors, including:
- H&M
- Zara
- Massimo Dutti
- Oysho
- Bershka
- Claires Accessories
Marina Banus Shopping Centre is open 10:00 to 22:00 Monday to Saturday, and Sundays during July, August and December (same times).
Market Shopping
There is nothing quite like market shopping in a foreign country and it is often here that you get an authentic and memorable experience. This is certainly the case in Puerto Banús, where there are two lovely markets that I highly recommend.
Nueva Andalucia Artisan Market – Taking place every Saturday between 09:00 and 14:00, this is one of Costa del Sol’s largest flea markets and an incredibly lively, colourful and vibrant one. Located next to the bullring on Nueva Andalucia – Avenida Manolete, the market boasts over 120 stalls where you will be able to shop for antiques, clothes, crafts, paintings, furniture, textiles, spices and plenty more. Remember to haggle and you will get some great deals! There are also many cafe bars around the area – these are perfect for relaxing and checking out the sights, sounds and smells of the market.
Zoco del Sol Market – Zoco del Sol takes place every Saturday between 10:00 and 16:00, and every single day during summer when it runs from 11:00 right through to midnight. The open air market is found on Plaza Antonio Banderas and features 25 stalls to check out. Here you will find colourful handmade jewellery, vintage clothing, art, glass, perfume, ceramics and other gems.
How to Get There
To reach this shopping paradise, you will want to fly into Malaga airport (AGP). 9 airlines make this direct flight from London, including BA, easyJet, Monarch Airlines and Ryanair. The flight takes around 2 hours and 40 minutes and return tickets cost as little as £41.
A Shuttle Direct transfer can pick you up from the airport and deliver you straight to your hotel in Puerto Banús; this will be the quickest and easiest way to reach your destination. The drive along the coast takes around 40 minutes, so you can enjoy the views and start planning your shopping route along the way.
Where to Stay:
Bluebay Banús –You will want to stay in luxurious surroundings to put you in the right mood and have somewhere to unwind after a big day of shopping, which makes this hotel perfect for you. It is surrounded by tropical gardens and features three inviting outdoor pools, as well as two restaurants and a bar. It is also just a 7-minute stroll from the beach.
Benabola Hotel & Suites –You will enjoy the glorious views of the harbour and ocean from these fantastic suites, which each come with a balcony, kitchenette and satellite TV. The property also features a bar and restaurant where you can chill out after a long day exploring the shops. Located in the heart of Puerto Banús with its lively atmosphere, you will never have to travel too far with your shopping.
Melia Marbella Banús – This luxurious hotel has a beautiful outdoor pool that has its own waterfall and is surrounded by lush gardens, plus there are a further 2 outdoor pools and 1 indoor pool. The spa area is ideal after a day of relaxation therapy after your retail therapy, plus the spacious rooms have private balconies, air-conditioning and satellite TV. You are also just a 3-minute walk from the inviting sandy beach.
About Shuttle Direct:
Shuttle Direct is Europe’s number one choice for safe, reliable and affordable passage between airports, hotels, train stations and cruise ports.
Book your shared or private transfer with their easy to use online system and their expert team will handle the logistics of your journey. A friendly local driver will be waiting for you at the airport and take all the stress out of onwards travel.
