Marbella News · Yachting · 13 October 2026
Puerto Banús Ranked Spain’s Second-Best Marina in 2026
Fifty-six years after Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier danced at its opening party, Puerto Banús is still one of the most famous marinas in the Mediterranean. In its 2026 ranking, the nautical platform Velvua placed Marbella’s port second in Spain, behind only the Real Club Náutico de Palma.
Key facts
- Ranking: 2nd best marina in Spain in 2026 (Velvua).
- No. 1: Real Club Náutico de Palma, Mallorca.
- Berths: around 915.
- Maximum length: 50 metres.
- Opened: 1970, by developer José Banús.
- Also: 3rd most sustainable marina in Spain in 2026 (Observatorio de Marinas y Puertos).
For most visitors, Puerto Banús needs no introduction: the yachts, the supercars along the quay, the boutiques and the terraces facing the water. Now it also has a ranking to back up its reputation. The nautical platform Velvua has named Puerto Banús the second-best marina in Spain in its 2026 list, which covers the leading ports on the Spanish mainland and the Balearic Islands. Only the Real Club Náutico de Palma, in Mallorca, came out ahead.
⚓ How the Ranking Was Decided
Velvua evaluated Spain’s marinas on four criteria:
- Capacity and maximum vessel length: how many berths a marina offers and how large the yachts it can host.
- Quality of services: from technical support to what is available on the quayside.
- Connectivity and prestige: how easy it is to reach and its reputation over time.
- Pricing transparency: how clear the berthing rates are for owners and charter guests.
Puerto Banús scores strongly on all four. It has around 915 berths, takes yachts of up to 50 metres, is around 45 minutes by car from Málaga airport and has more than half a century of history as one of the Mediterranean’s most recognisable marina brands. The ranking also highlights it as one of Spain’s leading options for superyacht travel, with growing demand for berths over 30 metres.
It is worth noting that the result has been shared by the marina itself, and Velvua has not published its full list in English. Even so, it matches a broader picture: in a separate study published in August, the Observatorio de Marinas y Puertos placed Puerto Banús third among Spain’s most sustainable marinas, behind Sotogrande and Benalmádena.
🌟 From Grace Kelly to Today
Puerto Banús was the dream of José Banús, a developer from Catalonia who built the first marina on the Costa del Sol and the first in Spain funded entirely with private capital. Inspired by Cannes and Porto Cervo, the marina village was designed to stay low, with buildings no taller than the trees, after Prince Alfonso de Hohenlohe, founder of the Marbella Club, objected to the original high-rise plans.
The port was inaugurated in 1970, with an official ceremony on 18 May and a legendary party on 2 August. Around 1,700 guests attended, including Prince Rainier and Grace Kelly of Monaco, the Aga Khan, Hugh Hefner and heart surgeon Christiaan Barnard, with Julio Iglesias performing. Puerto Banús has been one of the symbols of Marbella ever since.
🛍️ More Than a Marina
Today, Puerto Banús is as much a shopping and lifestyle destination as a port. More than 100 shops surround the marina, including Hermès, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Dolce & Gabbana and Valentino. According to its managing entity, the commercial area generated a record €308 million in sales in 2024, up 8.9% on the previous year, and PwC has estimated its contribution to the Costa del Sol’s tourism economy at more than €950 million a year.
| Puerto Banús in figures | Data |
|---|---|
| Berths | Around 915 |
| Maximum yacht length | 50 metres |
| Shops | More than 100 |
| Commercial sales (2024) | €308 million, a record |
| Estimated tourism contribution | Over €950 million a year (PwC) |
| Opened | 1970 |
🛥️ The Next Step: Bigger Yachts
Puerto Banús’s 50-metre limit is also its main constraint. Many of the yachts that attend events like the Monaco Yacht Show 2026 are simply too large to berth there. That is why the planned expansion of the Port of La Bajadilla, with berths for yachts of up to 70 metres close to Marbella’s Old Town, is so significant. Read our story on La Bajadilla Marbella’s superyacht marina.
🏡 Living Near Puerto Banús
For buyers, Puerto Banús is one of the most sought-after addresses in Marbella. Frontline apartments overlooking the marina, penthouses on the beach, and villas in nearby Nueva Andalucía and the Golden Mile all benefit from being minutes away from the port’s restaurants, shops and nightlife. For yacht owners, it means being able to walk from home to the boat.
A ranking like this one is a reminder of why demand for homes around Puerto Banús stays so consistent: few places in Europe combine a world-class marina, luxury shopping and year-round sunshine in a single, walkable neighbourhood.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is Puerto Banús the best marina in Spain?
In the 2026 ranking by the nautical platform Velvua, Puerto Banús came second in Spain, behind only the Real Club Náutico de Palma in Mallorca.
How many berths does Puerto Banús have?
Puerto Banús has around 915 berths and can take yachts of up to 50 metres in length.
When did Puerto Banús open?
It was developed by José Banús and inaugurated in 1970, with an official ceremony on 18 May and a famous opening party on 2 August attended by Prince Rainier and Grace Kelly.
Is Puerto Banús a sustainable marina?
In a separate 2026 ranking by the Observatorio de Marinas y Puertos, Puerto Banús placed third among Spain’s most sustainable marinas, behind Sotogrande and Benalmádena.
Can superyachts over 50 metres berth in Marbella?
Not in Puerto Banús, whose limit is 50 metres. The planned expansion of the Port of La Bajadilla aims to add berths for yachts of up to 70 metres.
Sources: Puerto Banús, Europa Press / Bolsamania, Modaes, Andalucia.com.
LUXO Estates
From your terrace to your berth.
Apartments, penthouses and villas around Puerto Banús.
