9 Things To Do in Puerto Banus and Marbella in 2023
Don’t be like Henry… Find the best things to do in Puerto Banus and Marbella
Marbella and Puerto Banus are best known for their party scene, fast cars and money everywhere - they’re commonly referred to as “Ibiza for adults”.
As with most cities and towns across the globe, there is usually something for everyone, as Henry experienced when he went to Marbella for a month to work remotely (below).
If you’re looking for things to do in Puerto Banus and Marbella and want a mix of partying, great food and culture, then this blog is for you.
Now, you may already be thinking, “who the hell goes to Marbella to work” - that’s a different story, but it’s worth bearing in mind that we both work remotely alongside running this travel blog. As a result, we can work whenever and wherever we want, as you will see in our getting paid as a travel influencer blog.
Additionally, Spain is one of the most popular destinations for digital nomads in Europe. What more could you want? Amazing food, great weather and affordable living.
What is the difference between Marbella and Puerto Banus?
Marbella and Peurto Banua often get confused with one another, as they’re both popular places for tourists, the rich and famous and party goers looking to soak up the sun in Spain.
Puerto Banus is an old finishing port about 5 miles south of Marbella (a 10-20 minute taxi drive - the traffic can get bad!) that consists primarily of a long strip of exclusive shops and restaurants along the marina. If you’re into supercars and yachts, then Puerto Banus is the place to go (as you can see below!).
Marbella, on the other hand, is a larger city that sits above Peurto Banus on the coast. It’s a resort area on Spain’s southern coast and the Costa del Sol region. The city has 27km of beaches and sits in front of the Sierra Blanca Mountains, which makes it the perfect spot for some of the most exclusive and impressive private communities, villas, hotels and golf courses.
For those looking to party, Marbella is the place to go, which has a “Golden Mile” of clubs and places to drink. However, for those looking for something calmer and for a place to get your head down, Puerto Banus offers the ideal lifestyle.
One of the cool things about these two places is the scenery - surrounded by rolling hills and a view over the sea out to Gibraltar and the North of Africa, you will be blown away by the food and views you will experience on your trip.
5 BEST Things to do in Puerto Banus
Henry spent 1 month in Puerto Banus, and experienced everything from the stunning golf courses to a daily private chef and the luxury shops of the port. Below, we have listed the 7 best things to do in Puerto Banus, whether you’re there to party, taste amazing food or get your head down and work.
Villa Tiberio - The Best Restaurant in Puerto Banus
When you drive into the entrance of Villa Tiberio, you can tell straight away that it is something special. Henry went as a group of 8 to this place for dinner, and they were all blown away.
When you walk into the restaurant, you will see the walls covered in hundreds of photos of all the celebrities that have been there, including every footballer you can imagine. Harland, Gerrard, Hazard and even the whole Man United team 20 years ago, which was a really cool photo to see (even as a Liverpool fan) have all been there.
What makes this place incredible though, is the opposite of what you would expect from a restaurant that many celebrities go to - they treat everyone with exceptional customer service, no matter who you are.
You get the same food, attention to detail and family-orientated service despite being surrounded by multi-millionaires (who usually walk around with security).
This place is a must if you’re looking for things to do or places to eat in Puerto Banus.
Visit Puerto Banus Marina
A couple of streets back from the marina, we thought that it would not be very good and a bit tacky. However, when you walk onto the main street, you can see why Puerto Banus Marina has a reputation for being flashy and high class.
Maybe at a different time of the year, it wouldn’t have been so nice. But as Henry went in November, it was quiet and wasn’t too warm. This meant he could enjoy the views, yachts and nice restaurants without having to walk through crowds of people.
One stop you should probably visit is a secret rooftop bar above the Dolce & Gabbana shop which you can find at the far right-hand side of the marina (as you look towards the sea). This place not only had an incredible view of the sunset, but you can also see right the way out to North Africa and Gibraltar.
Go to Real Club Padel Marbella - the Best Gym in Marbella
As you have probably seen in our things to do in Milan blog and best spin class in London guide, you will know that we love to go to the gym wherever we go. Marbella is no different.
You will have probably seen Padel Gym on TikTok or Instagram over the past few months. Many influencers have been going there and sharing content, which tempted us to go visit.
Real Club Padel has excellent facilities, including
Outdoor MMA cage
Tennis courts
Indoor and outdoor gym
Dojo
Sauna
Hot tub
Car wash
Spin classroom
Yoga room
Paddleball court
While it is pretty expensive, you will not be let down by going to this gym. Not only is it excellent for content, but it also has all the equipment you need, meaning you can get an amazing session in and then can enjoy post-workout food at the restaurant
Go Shopping in Puerto Banus
The shopping in Puerto Banus is world-renowned, whether you just want to look at the gorgeous designer shops or go on a shopping spree.
The best place to go shopping is a mall called El Corte Inglés. When you walk inside, you will be taken aback by the size of the ground floor! It has all the designer and normal shops you could ever wish for.
One thing we love about this area as a whole is that it’s perfect for people-watching. As you will already know if you read our “what to do at Lake Como for a day” blog, you will already know that we love parking up at a spot with a view and people-watch - you just can’t go wrong in the sun while doing this.
If shopping isn’t your thing, maybe you need a haircut and can head down to Uppercuts barbershop, which offers the best male haircut in Puerto Banus.
Play Golf
Yes, we know this is a couples travel blog, and you may not have been expecting to see golf on here. However, Henry went to Puerto Banus without the other half of Couples Things To Do, so golf had to be on the list.
One of the things you will love about the golf here is not only can you play without the typical snobbery that you find at many golf courses, but you will also be able to spot some of the most impressive villas in the whole of Europe.
As we have already mentioned, many rich and famous people go to Marbella and Puerto Banus, and going golfing is one of the best ways to network with them.
Things to do in Puerto Banus and Marbella get not much better than playing some of the best golf courses in Europe in amazing weather. In November, you can expect temperatures of around 24 degrees - much better than going to Blackpool at that time of year!
Now we have covered all of the best things to do in Puerto Banus, it’s time to go through the things you need to do when spending time in Marbella.
4 BEST Things to do in Marbella
A month in Marbella is plenty of time to find the best things to do in the city. Several things were quite surprising about the place, which we thought would be worth noting before getting into the 4 best things to do:
Affordability is easy to find: Compared to Ibiza and other places known for partying and for attracting the rich and famous, Marbella actually has plenty of affordable places that are easy to find. Outside of the main strip, you will find a meal for 2 for £40 easily.
The roads aren’t too safe: The roads in Marbella keep you on your toes at all times. With fast cars whizzing around the place and confusing road crossings, ensure you’re constantly on the lookout. The same goes for if you’re driving.
It’s not all about “city life”: With many amazing golf courses and rural areas that surround Marbella, you don’t have to restrict yourself to just the centre. Take a 20-minute taxi drive, and you can find incredible things to do in Puerto Banus and Marbella.
Now you’re aware of some important things about the city, let’s get into the 6 best things to do in Marbella.
Visit Marbella Old Town
Marbella is known for being a party place, with lots of bars, restaurants, clubs and fast cars. But when visiting this city, you can also take in some culture and visit Marbella old town.
With narrow streets, the Old Town of Marbella has plenty of character, historic churches and squares surrounded by colourful flowers.
Did you really go to Spain if you didn’t have tapas? You won’t be short of food options when you go to this area of the city, which has plenty of traditional options to counter the fast-paced nature of the strip.
Alameda Park
Again, moving away from what you would traditionally associate with Marbella, here we have somewhere you can escape the noise, heat and busy streets.
These gardens were a fantastic place to visit when we just wanted to chill out. Similar to some of the parks in Amsterdam, you can just forget you’re in a busy city.
With features like a fountain and tropical trees, you can also take a few drinks and enjoy the environment while having conversations spurred on by being surrounded by nature.
You can also enjoy patterned and coloured benches all around the park, which have been covered in hand-painted tiles which tell the story of the city’s history.
You wouldn’t believe it, but the city of Marbella has transformed in just 50 years from a farming village that was known for fishing. Into now, an international destination for the rich and famous looking for some time in the sun. With over 11 golf courses in the city and fancy hotels, it’s easy to forget the city’s history. Which is why Alameda park is one of the best things to do in Marbella.
Visit Playa de La Fontanilla
We’re not massive people for spending lots of time at the beach, but as beaches go, Playa de La Fontanilla is as good as they get.
The 1000 metres long beat has plenty of room, so you’re not packed up next to people. It has lots of water sports such as jet skiing, water skiing, paddle boarding, boat hire and space to swim.
You’re also only a short walk from the many bars and restaurants that Marbella has to offer. So once you’ve soaked up some rays, you can walk to places where you can stay for the rest of the day and evening.
If you’re coming from the old town, the beach is a 20-minute walk, which can be a lot in the heat. But trust us, it’s worth it if you want a chilled day.
Visit the Best Best Restaurants In Marbella
As with Puerto Banus, you just can’t go wrong with the food on offer in the city of Marbella. As you will have seen in our best holiday destinations in Europe and Florence things to do blog, one of the first things we will look for in a destination is the best places to eat.
Fortunately, you’re not going to have to do all the research by yourself. We have you covered with the list below of the 3 best restaurants in Marbella that you can enjoy for a variety of different occasions.
The type of food you can find in Marbella includes the classics such as seafood Paella and BBQ food But you can also find some Michelin star restaurants - these are much different to the Michelin star restaurant we visited in Ludlow, UK!
El Cordobes: We love seafood, and this best gives you the perfect variety between shellfish and locally caught fresh fish. While Henry wasn’t drinking when he was spending time with Marbella, not everyone has to put themselves through that… you should enjoy a fresh cerveza while taking in the sun and enjoying one of the best things to do in Marbella, enjoying the food!
Restaurante El Estrcho: It is very, very hard to go wrong with a family-run restaurant. This place was established in 1954 and hasn’t dropped in quality since. While it can get jam-packed here (as it’s enjoyed by both the locals and tourists), you can always take a seat at the bar and take in the atmosphere as time goes by. We recommend ordering the tapas, which just cannot be missed at a classical Spanish restaurant like this.
Skina: We love a Michelin-star restaurant, as you may have read in our things to do in Milan blog. While they are often very expensive, if you’re visiting a new place, you want to see and taste all it has to offer, and the tasting menus at these restaurants give you exactly that. Skina is no different. The innovative tapas with homemade ingredients gives you the old-town vibes, with a modern twist that Marbella is famous for. Make sure you book early here, as it’s a busy spot!
So there you have it, the best things to do in Puerto Banus and Marbella based upon Henry’s month-long experience in the South of Spain. To make sure we fulfil all of your needs and questions about this place, we have added a FAQ section about Puerto Banus and Marbella below.
Be sure to get in touch if you have any questions, and we’ll be happy to help.
Things To Do in Puerto Banus and Marbella FAQs
What is Puerto Banus known for?
Puerto Banus is known for attracting some of the world’s richest and most famous people to its marina and surrounding area. You can find everything you need while enjoying your holiday with gorgeous beaches, bustling shops, restaurants, and some of the most exclusive shops out there.
There is also a digital nomad scene in Puerto Banus and Marbella that many people don’t know about. Be sure to consider this spot when looking for some time away in Europe.
What is Marbella's famous food?
As with most of Spain, Marbella is famous for its tapas. However, because it is also a coastal town, it is known as well for its Iberian ham patatas bravas and cerveza. You can also get lots of fresh fish and seafood pasta dishes that will make you feel satisfied to your heart’s content. You can also find other cuisines in the city, which will give you a bit of variety as you’re enjoying the city.
What is the nicest part of Marbella?
We found that the nicest part of Marbella is just north of Puerto Banus - not only are you slightly out of the hustle and bustle of the city centre, but you can also enjoy stunning scenery, luscious golf courses and space to enjoy the weather. On top of this, you can also explore La Zagelta, Sierra Blanca and San Pedro de Alcantara, which are all fantastic places to live in and visit.
How much is a taxi from Puerto Banus to Marbella?
You can easily get a taxi from Puerto Banus to Marbella for as low as £12. If you want to get a fancier ride, you can get an Uber Black, which will set you back around £35. Or you can even go full bouje and get an Uber Exec, which will take you to Marbella for £70 in the fanciest car on offer.
Can you wear jeans in Marbella?
Outside of summer, you can probably get away with wearing jeans in Marbella. However, because locals dress according to the season, you will see them wearing smart clothes such as jeans and a nice shirt, even in spring.
When Henry went to Marbella in November, he wore shorts and a t-shirt most of the time and didn’t have any problems.
Do you tip in Marbella?
You do not have to tip in Marbella. While Spaniards are fairly chipped about tipping, you may need to check to see if a service charge is included or not. If a service charge isn’t included, then we recommend adding some spare change, as this helps fund the waiters’ wages.
What shops are at Puerto Banus?
You can find every luxury shop that you can imagine in Puerto Banus. When you head down to the marina and see the yachts on offer, it’s no surprise that you can also find G&G, Dior, Bang & Olufsen, Louis Vuitton, shoe shops with Yeezys, Jordans, Michael Kors, Armani, Missoni and many more.
On top of this, you can find more designer and normal shops at the malls around and inside Puerto Banus. So don’t worry, you’re not going to miss out on a shop while looking for things to do in Puerto Banus!
How far is Puerto Banus from the beach?
Puerto Banus marina has its own beach, so you don’t have to worry about travelling anywhere to get space to yourself. If you want to go to Marbella beach, then you only need to get a 15-minute cab or bus.
