Next day we had a little talk during breakfast and decided to stay in Marbella for one more day only and then pack and leave. Besides going to the beach and walking around Puerto Banus and the Old Town, there is very little to do in Marbella unless your aim is just beach and food. So this was our last day in Marbella and agreed to make the most of it.
DO’S
- During the summer, until September 15, there is a multi-ethnic zoco on the “Antonio Banderas” Square of Puerto Banus. This wonderful zoco consists of 35 jaimas spread all over the square offering a wide variety of objects, arts and crafts, clothes and bijou from different countries, mostly from Morocco. Opening hours: 11a.m. to 2p.m. and 5p.m. till midnight.
- SUITE – SUITE DEL MAR. An Arabic-Oriental style restaurant and nightclub at Hotel Puente Romano. During July and August it relocates to its beachfront location. As dinner comes to an end, a glamorous and sophisticated crowd begins to arrive. Also open for lunch in summer, with wonderful sea views on a tropical setting. Next to the entrance, on the beachfront, there is a charming sui generis “jaima”, (a kind of tent used by nomads in the desert) in which a Moroccan guy sells all kinds of clothes and decorating objects, and will probably share a delicious cup of mint tea with you and your friends. http://www.suiteclubs.com/main.html
- EL CORTE INGLES – PUERTO BANUS Probably the best Corte Ingles of all Spain.
- OLIVIA VALERE Built and decorated in a Moorish style, this huge and pricy nightclub also has several bars, a restaurant and outdoor terrace. Open from June to September. http://www.oliviavalere.com/index_eng.html
- Try the best fish and seafood at Casa Antonio, Muelle Ribera, 9, Puerto Banus.
- Have dinner at Trader Vic’s Marbella, a midsummer exotic night’s dream. You must taste the Polynesian style cuisine and the original Mai Tai, simply wonderful. Ask for a table in the courtyard area. Located at the beginning of Puerto Banus, Urbanización La Alcazaba, tel. 952 816 100.
DON’TS
· Avoid the Saturday morning street market of Nueva Andalucia, around the bullring opposite Puerto Banus. I found it quite messy and very crowded though I was told it was the best art and antique market in all Southern Spain.
· Don’t go for a walk around the Old Town on early afternoon. You will probably find a ghost town. Everybody is taking a nap or at the beach, and stores are closed.
· Instead of the large Shopping Center “La Cañada”, choose Marina Banus, http://www.marinabanus.com/inicio_eng.htm , smaller but essentially the same.
