Costa del Sol/Marbella and Puerto Banus

Marbella is a stylish, cosmopolitan resort that has long attracted the rich and famous as well as thousands of holidaymakers and new residents, all seduced by the beautiful landscaping and un-spoilt hidden corners.

Along with the long sandy beach - its main focus - is the Old Town (the Casco Antiguo) where the bougainvillaea floods the whitewashed buildings in dazzling colour. Check out the Plaza de Los Naranjos for some Old Marbella atmosphere- home to the 16th century town hall and a handy tourist information office, not to mention bars, bistros, small shops, art galleries and much, much more. Depending on the time of year the colours here are truly dramatic and vibrant with the trees and exotic plants set against a backdrop of dazzling white buildings and a deep blue sky.

If shopping is more your thing, try Avda Ricardo de Soviano, with its designer boutiques and big name stores, the current epicentre of modern Marbella.

For sunbathing, you can take your pick from more than 26km of clean, well maintained beaches as well as water sports such as Jet-skiing in Marbella and sailing at Puerto Banus. For an action-packed time, visit Funny Beach - there's as much going on out of the water as on it here, including jet-skis, water-slides, go-karting, paintball shooting and giant Scalextric. Just off Marbella's promenade is a large family beach with lots of activities whilst Playa del Duque near Puerto Banus offers a quieter beachside experience.

Puerto Banus is the ultimate playground for the international jet set where the gleaming yachts are some of the largest and most luxurious you'll see anywhere.

Literally teeming with nightlife, eating and designer shopping opportunities, Puerto Banus is located just west of Marbella, before you reach the small town of San Pedro de Alcantara.

Built by Don Jose Banus in 1970, it was the Costa del Sol's first pleasure harbour, and its impact has been so great that it is no longer simply a marina, having become a residential area for high-class tourism.

The harbour is not only a berthing place for some of the world's most spectacular yachts and sailing ships, it is also home to some of Marbella's premier tourist establishments, including the Casino. The Nightlife in Puerto Banus is excellent, with your choice of cafe's, piano bars, restaurants and disco's, while during the day this is a window shopper's dream with several of the worlds renowned fashion houses featured here, in addition to small, interesting shops and boutiques.

The beach is at the north of the town and is called Playa Lavante. It is long and wide and very clean. There are over 100 restaurants, beautiful shops, designer boutiques as well as a casino, night-clubs and a 7 screen cinema complex all in Puerto Banus.

There´s no denying that Marbella has become the home of the jet set, but there are quieter family areas too, and the ever increasing tourism and world famous reputation of the area certainly means that.......

.....any new business could do very well in Marbella.

 Fancy buying a bar in Marbella or Puerto Banus? Take a look at our selection of bars, businesses and homes for sale on the Costa del Sol....