Family Fun
Puerto Banus Marbella may be renowned for it's flamboyant cars, luxurious yachts and the people who travel in them, for its indulgent beach clubs and nightlife, its fine dining and fabulous designer shopping but there's also great family fun to enjoy. Here's a few suggestions and contact details;
| Mini Fair, Plaza Antonio Banderas, Puerto Banus centre: Mini rides plus bungee ropes and the odd street entertainer. |
Fly Blu, on the port: Catamaran boat trips to see the dolphins plus a ferry service to Marbella.
Tel: (00 34) 696 501 159 |
Ticket 2 Ride, Cristamar Cntr Banus: Adventures at Istan reservoir including Quads, Canoes, Sailing and High Ropes.
Tel: (00 34) 952 905 082 |
| Jet Skis & Paragliding, Mistral Beach Banus. A short walk up the beach towards San Pedro. |
Funny Beach, Marbella: Go-Karts, Bumper Boats, Electric Cars, Mini Rides, Jet Skis, Paragliding and Speedboat rides.
Tel: (00 34) 952 823 359 |
Selwo Safari Park, near Estepona: Seen the roaming wildlife in the port? Now see the African animal variety.
Tel: (00 34) 902 190 482 |
Selwo Marina, Benalmadena: Seen the local water life performing in the shallows? Now see Dolphins and Sea Lions.
Tel: (00 34) 902 190 482 |
Tivoli World, Benalmadena: A compact theme park with many rides open late in to the night during the summer.
Tel: (00 34) 952 577 016 |
| Teleferico, next to Tivoli: A cable car that takes you over the motorway and to the top of the mountain to see birds of prey and a horse show. |
Fuengirola Zoo: More wildlife but this time the caged variety,....oh yes! Located right in the middle of town.
Tel: (00 34) 952 666 301 |
Aqua Park Mijas, Fuengirola: An array of water slides to suit all ages. Not far from the zoo.
Tel: (00 34) 952 460 404 |
Sphere Mania, Marbella: Experience the thrill of hill rolling in a plastic bubble, dry or like a washing machine!
Tel: (00 34) 611 611 606 or 675 125 927 |
Tennis, Manolo Santana Racquets Club: Located between Puerto Banus and Marbella just off the Golden Mile on the road to 'Istan'
Tel: (00 34) 952 778 580 |
| Bicycle Hire: Delivered and collected from your holiday accomodation. Daily and weekly rates for adults and children, even with stabilizers.
Take a ride all the way to Marbella and back using the new bridge and the golden mile paseo. Call 'Marbella Rent a Bike' (00 34) 952 811 062 |
Most of the attractions above can be found on the internet if you would like to see photographs and more information on opening times and directions. Almost all of these operators speak good English as well as Spanish if you want to call any of the numbers above to book or gain more details. If your Spanish isn't good its always polite to ask local people if they speak English initially using a little Spanish. Simply 'Hola' or 'Buenas Dias' followed by 'Habla Inglais Por Favor' is a good start to any following conversation in English! Don't forget to say 'Gracias' when they do confirm they speak English. You'll be amazed how much improved the service is when one attempts a little of the language in the first instance.
Marbella Old Town Guided Tours
Call Kenny to arrange an English speaking guided walk around Casco Antigo de Marbella. He'll educate you to the history of this very important town on Spain's Andalucia Costa. Prices from only €8 per person depending on how long you want to spend discovering the fabulous atmospheric cobbled streets and its buildings. Talk of a ghost walk at Halloween and Christmas walks to see the decorative lights and festive processions to!
Tel: (00 34) 664 23 15 14
Playa del Duque Health & Sports Spa
Located within Playas del Duque but open to all clients and accessed from the avenue, you will find this fabulous facility. Here you can be pampered with health and beauty treatments, take a plunge in the large heated free formed swimming pool or jacuzzi and even enjoy a sauna. For the more adventurous there's a large fully equipped gymnasium. End your stay by relaxing at the juice bar and bistro. Email or call for prices please.
Ocean Club
Located just outside of the security beach gates to Playas del Duque and open to all, Ocean Club is a fabulous new beach plaza and swimming pool complex where luxury and indulgence is guaranteed. Beach front restaurant and bars, designer shopping, massage and treatment rooms with beautiful people relaxing in the sun. Solo Banus! Email or call for daily entry rate.
Playas del Duque Gardens
For those who are staying with us in PdD only, these private and tranquil gardens cover an area of over five acres leading down to the beach. Accommodating three large swimming pools each with a shallow children's section as well as lily ponds and boardwalk bridges with cascading fountains and beautiful flower beds the gardens of Playas del Duque are simply the best in town. Beach front and only 3-4 minutes walk to the famous port but relaxing and tranquil even in high season. Many guests don't bother to venture further during the day! A summer garden restaurant and bistro bar complete the setting.
Puerto Banus Town & Port
Puerto Banus is renowned for its designer shopping, its fabulous restaurants and vibrant nightlife. If you haven't been, believe me what you hear is true. During the day you can relax in one of the many cafe's looking at the big boats bobbing in the marina and top sports cars driving slowly past to impress. Like others around you participate in the famous Banus activity of people watching. Alternatively stroll the indulgent shopping areas including the giant department store 'El Corte Inglais'. Beaches at both sides of the port are fantastic sunbathing locations and serviced by a variety of Chiringuitos where lunch can be enjoyed with a table right on the sand. At night and on the port the world is your oyster especially if you have the funds available but it's not all a millionaires playground. 'Sinatra Bar', a great meeting place and probably one of the most famous bars in the world charges €2 to €5 for a beer depending on your tipple, however by visiting the live entertainment and piano venues such as 'Marvellous' you can pay €10 to €20 for a drink. Restaurants are similar. Food, service and prices to suit all. Top quality fish restaurants looking on to the largest of the yachts to the cheap and cheery Chinese on the second line. Picasso Italiano is one of the most popular front line restaurants and offers great family priced food......prepare to queue. For child entertainment there's a mini fairground in the town along with occasional street entertainers. Puerto Banus is for everyone!
Wining, Dining and Clubbing Puerto Banus & Marbella
Click here for an extensive list of facilities available
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
Shopping for provisions in Puerto Banus
From June 2009 you will find a new supermarket located next to the Casa Armani furniture and decoration store on the corner of Playas del Duque. 'Open Corr' operates all 365 days of the year and most hours of each day and night. A welcome addition for all guests we are assured.
The largest supermarket in town, 'Hipercor', is located within the huge department store of 'El Cortes Ingles'. Situated across the roundabout from Avenida Playas del Duque heading beyond the PYR Hotel and to the centre of town. About 5-10 minutes walk depending on where you are staying. Car parking is available under ground and there are taxis immediately outside for those who require a return trip to their apartment.
Throughout the town you'll find a selection of sandwich shops, snack bars and fast food outlets including the usual burger operators and a noodle bar as well as tapas bars and restaurants. All generally within 5-15 minutes walk of your accommodation. Most of you will find Puerto Banus quite compact, everything on hand and little need for taxis or a car. An array of designer clothes, jewellery and decoration outlets complete the shopping experience in town and on the port you can find even more.
Your nearest pharmacy is located on Avenida Playas del Duque. There are others in town. Your concierge or reception should be able to advise on opening hours and directions.
Marbella Town and surrounding area
Travelling from Puerto Banus along Marbella's Golden Mile you will discover some of the areas finest restaurants. Onward to Casco Antigo (the old town) and beyond there's so much to see and do. Marbella's wonderful paseo (promenade) is home to more restaurants including the famous strip of fish Chiringuitos on the lower paseo with tables right on the sand. The old town is where you find even more restaurants, cafe's and designer shopping. Behind the town and located to the side of the main motorway you will find 'La Canada', a large fabulous indoor shopping mall with many restaurants, ten pin bowling and cinema. Other cinemas are located on Marbella paseo and in Puerto Banus centre. With great beaches, a marina' and even a fishing port there's something for everyone here and the prices are generally more realistic than Puerto Banus. Travelling away from the town and under the white Marbella Arch you will find 'Funny Beach'. Great for kids of all ages with an array of activities including go karts, electric cars, trampolines, mini rides, jet skis, paragliding and the good old speed boat banana ride. Further again the Indulgent Niki Beach at the Don Carlos Hotel near Elviria. Cabopino is a lovely small port encompassed with fine restaurants and opens on to a fine golden beach. This part of the coast is well worth a visit if you have time. Many of the Costa golf courses lie along this route including Rio Real, Santa Clara and Santa Maria. Going back to Puerto Banus most of the other courses can be found in and around Nueva Andalucia leading to Estepona. More golf advice is available, simply email or call with your questions.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
Shopping for provisions in Marbella
You will find a 'Mercadona' supermarket on the main dual carriageway street running through to the centre of town, 'Avenida de Ricardo Soriano'. Its very close to the tall copper spire which marks a large roundabout style road junction near to the Guadalpin and Don Melia Sol Hotels. You'll also find an 'Open Corr' supermarket on this junction, open all 365 days of the year and most hours of the day and night. Again just off this junction 'El Corte Ingles' department store with an excellent delicatessen and supermarket.
In the back streets behind the paseo and closer to the town centre there's 'Euromarket' as well as many typical Spanish corner shops and tapas bars. The larger resort and commercial centre of
Marbella has many stores and shops scattered throughout its streets and avenues, far to many to mention. Here you'll also find some of the best priced restaurants!
In the very centre of town and just behind 'Avenida de Ricardo Soriano' is 'Casco Antigo'. The cobbled streets of the Old Town including 'Orange Square'. A nice place to amble, shop and dine.
Most pharmacies are located on very near to the main dual carriageway street. Your concierge or reception should be able to advise on opening hours and directions.
Local Markets
Puerto Banus and Nueva Andalucia on a Saturday
Marbella on a Monday
Estepona on a Wednesday
Estepona Port on a Sunday
Puerto Banus Summer Market, Plaza Antonio Banderas every day
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Check with concierge for times and directions
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