Beach Life (Part 3) - Marbella beach, Puerto Banús Beach, Laguna Beach

Marbella beach

Or more specifically, that part of it bordering the Marbella marina. Urban legend has it that followers of British TV programme TOWIE felt inspired to visit ‘Marbs’ after the recently aired episode filmed in Marbella, only to confuse Puerto Banús with Marbella Port. Well, it’s not quite the same thing. Marbella’s marina and seaside area still has a real summer tourist feel to it, and both the sailing boats in the harbour and the eateries and cafés surrounding it speak of a more easygoing holiday atmosphere.

Marbella beach

Here it’s all about good old-fashioned sunbathing followed by a bite of paella washed down with some sangria. It’s not tacky or cheap-and-cheerful, but mid-range classic ‘Recuerdos del Sol’ stuff, followed by a spot of shopping in the cool shade of Marbella’s leafy avenidas and perhaps a night out at the lively bars or chilled lounge areas overlooking the marina. If you haven’t overdone it the night before you might even be tempted to take one of those boat trips out to sea, though chances are you’ll hop on a party boat and just continue in your bad ways.

The good thing about a secluded beach is that it is secluded; the good thing about a beach like this one is that you have everything on your doorstep. A veritable smorgasbord of cuisines, socializing spots, shops and entertainment is at your fingertips, complemented by a passing backdrop of humanity that involves everything from sunbathers and playing children to joggers, rollerbladers, cyclists and promenaders.

Puerto Banús Beach

For those who simply cannot stay away from its particular brand of glamour and excitement, Puerto Banús is like a crater to a meteorite. Before you impact though, it is important to pick the right beach, as the areas extending on either side of the marina have their own character and following.

The eastside caters to a more relaxed visitor, keen to work on their suntan before being woken up by the aroma of charcoal grills lighting up for lunch at the rather stylish beach restaurants. Marbella’s to your left, La Concha Mountain a big bold beacon behond and the shortest way to North Africa Straight before you; on a clear day Morocco and the Spanish exclave of Ceuta appear tantalisingly close, but the designer outlets and boutiques in the port are nearer still.

Playa Puerto Banús

Daytime booty shakers will want to shun all this introspective and restful stuff, and head straight down to the other side of the port, where rented sunbeds form a base from which to drink, flirt and dance your way around a sunlit open-air nightclub complete with trance music, such as at Ocean Club. This hint of Ibiza with the added Banús glamour sets the tone for what follows in the evening, when revellers get glammed up and hit the trendy cafés, lounge bars and ultimately rooftop nightclubs.

Laguna Beach

If Laguna Village is the chic Polynesian-inspired complex on the New Golden Mile between Marbella and Estepona, then the adjoining stretch of sandy coast is by definition Laguna Beach. Home to stylish boutiques, al fresco eateries and Puro Beach, this is a spot that mixers a touch of trendy refinement with a sense of open spaces, fresh sea breezes and wonderful views.

Laguna Beach

Perhaps the best of all worlds in that respect, it allows you to distance yourself from large crowds yet still have a whole range of services within reach. Then there is choice between the pampered sophistication of a beach club and ‘roughing’ it on the public stretch of sand before it. The question of lying beside a turquoise pool with waiters, massage treatments and sushi bar on hand, and spreading out your towel on the water’s edge is a nice dilemma to have.

Laguna Beach

Either way this is a great spot to catch refreshing sea breezes and gaze at the closeness of Gibraltar. On Poniente days, when the wind blows dry and clear from an Atlantic direction, the water here goes a gorgeous cobalt tone of blue touched with flecks of aquamarine. Not a bad way to spend a sunny day, regardless of whether yours is a beer from a cooler box or a glass of chilled champagne.