Ports on the Costa del Sol: much more than just mooring ports

26th June 2024 · 5 min. read · by Carmen de Arriaga

The Costa del Sol is inevitably linked to its ports and its marine life. It is pure coastline, which is why it offers wonderful beaches, coastal walks, beach bars and beach clubs, as well as many leisure activities around the sea. Sailing is one of the most important. Between Malaga and Cadiz there are about thirty ports with thousands of moorings. But the ports of the Costa del Sol are much more than just moorings.

Let’s take a look at what the main ports on the Costa del Sol have to offer, as well as their services for intrepid sailors.

When you say these two magic words, “Puerto Banus”, you think of yachts and sailboats, sports cars and endless day and nightlife. We also associate it with its beautiful marina which, in its Andalusian-style streets, is home to more than a hundred top fashion and accessory brands. Only here can you buy products from Hermès, Dior, Versace, Salvatore Ferragamo, Dolce&Gabbana, Carolina Herrera or Gucci, on the same day and next to the sea. However, Banus is so much more. Along with Marbella Club or Puente Romano, it is an icon of the chicest Marbella. It is, in its own right, one of the most famous ports in the world.

CHRISTIE’S SUGGESTION FOR A PERFECT DAY IN PUERTO BANUS

1.Have breakfast or brunch at: Rosa´s Café.

2.Swim at: Playa del Duque.

3.Have lunch at: Pizzeria Picasso.

4.Go shopping at: the Marina at the Port.

5.Enjoy a Martini at:Martini Bar & Dolce& Gabbana.

6.Dine at: Breath.

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The port of Malaga is one of the busiest in Spain in terms of goods traffic. It is also important in terms of passengers. Not many years ago, it also added a cruise profile and, finally, it built an open shopping centre. We are referring to the large and luminous Muelle UNO. The latter has given a new dimension to the city. It has become a reference point for enjoyment at all hours.

CHRISTIE’S SUGGESTION FOR A PERFECT DAY IN PUERTO DE MÁLAGA-MUELLE UNO

1.Have breakfast at: La Canasta La Malagueta, close to the marina.

2.Visit the museum at: Centre Pompidou. This is the first Pompidou centre for modern art outside France. Both its permanent collections and its temporary programme are excellent. When you arrive at the port you can’t miss the museum’s huge stained-glass cube. A cultural icon of the city.

3.Eat at: José Carlos García’s Michelin-starred restaurant.

4.Go shopping on the quayside. This port has numerous shops selling fashion, footwear, beauty and sweets, among others. It also organises a very colourful souk-market.

5.Have a cocktail in: Cobalto 15 with the added bonus of beautiful sea views.

6.Dine at: Tasty Poke.

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Although it is in Cadiz, Sotogrande is to some extent considered part of the Costa del Sol. This is because of its similar lifestyle and its high-end residential areas. We associate this mythical place with golf, polo and its beautiful port. The latter has first class facilities, including a dry dock to tune up or repair boats. But it also has other exclusive services such as tennis courts or personalised sailing courses. The harbour stands out architecturally because it is not white, imitating the typical Andalusian villages, but its buildings are pastel coloured.

CHRISTIE’S SUGGESTION FOR A PERFECT DAY IN SOTOGRANDE MARINA

1.Have breakfast at: a very refreshing harbour classic, the café-restaurant Ke.

2.Swim at: The Beach, a very exclusive artificial beach-oasis in the Sotogrande Reserve.

3.Eat at: La Reserva Club House Restaurant.

4.Rent a boat (with or without skipper): Samboat, and watch the sunset from the sea.

5.Dine at: Trocadero Sotogrande.

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This is a very welcoming nautical enclosure situated in Manilva. It is the most westerly port in the province of Malaga. As well as the berths and services of an active port, it has a wide range of restaurants that are not just Mediterranean cuisine. It offers Asian, Indian, Italian and Mexican cuisine. In summer, its activity increases considerably. Its craft, clothes and accessories markets stand out.

CHRISTIE’S SUGGESTION FOR A PERFECT DAY IN DUQUESA PORT

1.Have breakfast at: Dolphin Cafe-Bar.

2.Swim at: Playa de Las Gaviotas.

3.Eat at: Apricus.

4.Stroll around the harbour : and have your photo taken at the beautiful lighthouse-control tower.

5.Drink a Manilva wine: This town has an enormous wine culture and wine is still made in a very traditional way. The Moscatel de Alejandría grape variety for sweet wines is special, but they also have great white wines.

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This beautiful harbour full of charm was opened in the eighties and has more than a thousand moorings on its quays. It is centrally located on the coast of Benalmadena and is very popular with young people for its nightlife. It has won numerous architectural awards for its elegance and has been considered one of the best marinas in the world on several occasions. Within the port there are hotels, restaurants, discos and the Club Nautico Maritimo de Benalmadena.

CHRISTIE’S SUGGESTION FOR A PERFECT DAY IN THE MARINA OF BENALMADENA

1.Have breakfastat: Meeting Point.

2.Stroll around the port:and observe its beautiful buildings.

3.Have lunch at:Los Mellizos-El Mero.

4.Have an ice-cream at:Gelateria di Porto Marina.

5.Learn how to cook Spanish food at: Spanishcookinglessons a company that takes great care in spreading the word about how to make paella or gazpacho, among other Spanish culinary gems.

Check out our properties in Benalmadena.

We hope you like our proposals for your enjoyment in the ports of the Costa del Sol.