🎨 An Unmissable Date in the Summer Calendar of the Costa del Sol
What is the XXIII International Craft Fair of Puerto Banús
The XXIII International Craft Fair of Puerto Banús became in the summer of 2023 one of the great cultural attractions of the Costa del Sol. Installed in the emblematic Plaza Antonio Banderas, in the heart of Puerto Banús, this craft exhibition opened its doors on 4 July 2023 and ran until 31 August 2023, offering visitors and residents an authentic journey around the world through traditional crafts.
The XXIII International Craft Fair of Puerto Banús with fifty exhibitors installed in decorated tents that evoked a market from One Thousand and One Nights, the fair was consolidated as one of the most anticipated cultural events of the Marbella summer, attracting thousands of people looking for unique pieces, original products and a different experience in the luxurious setting of Puerto Banús.
Where was the XXIII International Craft Fair of Puerto Banús held
📍 A Luxury Setting: Plaza Antonio Banderas
The chosen location could not be more symbolic. Plaza Antonio Banderas, located in the very heart of Puerto Banús, is one of the busiest and most photographed spots in the marina. Surrounded by luxury boutiques, trendy restaurants and the constant ebb and flow of visitors from all over the world, the square was transformed throughout the summer into a craft market that offered a pleasant contrast to the cosmopolitan glamour of its surroundings.
The square is named after the most universal actor from Málaga, Antonio Banderas, a regular in the area who has helped project the image of Marbella and Puerto Banús internationally. In this space, crafts from around the world found their home for two months, inviting locals and tourists alike to discover distant cultures without leaving the Costa del Sol.
What is the History of the XXIII International Craft Fair of Puerto Banús
📜 History of The XXIII International Craft Fair of Puerto Banús: Two Decades of Craft Tradition.
The XXIII International Craft Fair of Puerto Banús is not a new event. Its history dates back more than two decades, when the 8th edition was held in June 2008, already established as one of the area's summer attractions. Since then, it has grown in prestige and participation, becoming an unmissable date on Marbella's cultural calendar.
Over the years, the fair has maintained its essence: bringing the cultures and traditions of different countries closer to the public through their craft products, while at the same time reinventing itself by incorporating new exhibitors and proposals that surprise each edition. In 2019, for example, the 19th edition was held, while in 2021 the 11th edition took place, demonstrating the continuity and deep roots of this event in the social life of Puerto Banús.
The organisation is run by Target Eventos Especiales, a company specialising in creating cultural and leisure experiences that each summer energises and boosts local commerce in Puerto Banús with this initiative.
🕰️ What were the Opening Times and Access for the XXIII International Craft Fair of Puerto Banús
During The XXIII International Craft Fair of Puerto Banús, visitors were able to enjoy the fair at the following times:Monday to Thursday
Friday, Saturday and eve of public holidays
Admission was free, allowing all visitors to stroll among the tents and discover the craft treasures at no cost, in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere that invited curiosity and discovery.
🌍 A Journey Around the World in 50 Tents
What made The XXIII International Craft Fair of Puerto Banús special was the extraordinary diversity of its exhibitors. With fifty stalls from various countries, visitors could travel the world without leaving Plaza Antonio Banderas.
🪙 Featured Items at the XXIII International Craft Fair of Puerto Banús
Meteorites
- One of the great novelties of the edition. The "Crater" exhibitor brought meteorites collected from around the world, a unique product that amazed the most curious visitors
Argentinian leather goods and saddlery
- Belts, bags, key rings, mate gourds, gaucho clothing and leather boots. Items in tiento leather decorated with silver and alpaca buckles
Moroccan crafts
- Leather goods, fine ceramics, handmade musical instruments, lamps in leather and coloured glass, cedar root items
Ibiza fashion
- People from Ibiza (Marcela Bonilla)
- Dresses and accessories for summer and events, with original designs and meticulous handcrafted production
Gourmet food
- Garrapiñadas Mi Tierra / Luxury Food
- Gourmet‑quality glazed nuts with organic nuts, dried fruit and sweets made following Turkish confectionery tradition
International fashion
- New summer collection with pieces in Italian linen, designs in Indian silk, cotton with broderie and original accessories
💎
Other Products Available
In addition to the featured exhibitors, visitors could find:
- Handcrafted gold and silver jewellery
- Ceramics from different cultural traditions
- Lamps and decorative objects for the home
- Linen and silk clothing with traditional embroidery
- Argentinian gaucho clothing
- Handmade musical instruments
🎡 Beyond Crafts: Complementary Experiences
The International Craft Fair was not limited to product offerings. In previous editions, the event featured complementary activities that enriched the visitor experience. For the 11th edition, for example, a fabulous Formula One simulator was installed, where both adults and children could experience the thrill of driving a racing car and be transported to a real circuit.
These kinds of initiatives reflect the organisers' commitment to offering a complete experience that combines cultural discovery with family entertainment.
🍹 A Space to Enjoy: Mexican Cantina
Within the grounds, visitors also found spaces for rest and gastronomic enjoyment. The Mexican Cantina offered a place to relax and savour typical beers or a variety of cocktails, immersing themselves in the spirit of Mexico. This corner became a very popular meeting point within the fairground.
🌟 What the XXIII International Craft Fair of Puerto Banús Represents for Puerto Banús and Marbella
The XXIII International Craft Fair of Puerto Banús was not just a commercial event. It represented:
- A cultural meeting point in the heart of luxury, where the craft tradition from around the world dialogued with the modernity of the most exclusive marina on the Costa del Sol.
- A driver of local commerce, attracting thousands of visitors who completed their shopping and leisure day with a stroll through the fair's tents.
- A window to the world for residents and tourists, allowing them to discover far‑off cultures through their most authentic products without having to travel.
- A summer tradition that, edition after edition, has earned a place in the hearts of Marbella residents and on the city's cultural calendar.
Where to Stay to Visit the XXIII International Craft Fair of Puerto Banús
🏡 THE SUN PLACES: Your Luxury Retreat to Enjoy the Fair
At THE SUN PLACES, we know that experiences like The XXIII International Craft Fair of Puerto Banús deserve accommodation of the highest standard. That is why we offer you our exclusive selection of Luxury Apartments in Puerto Banús, designed for you to combine cultural discovery with absolute comfort.
🌟 Why stay with THE SUN PLACES?
- Unbeatable Location: Our properties are located just steps from Plaza Antonio Banderas and the heart of Puerto Banús, so you can enjoy the fair and return to your retreat with total ease.
- Absolute Comfort: Enjoy spacious areas, equipped kitchens, high‑quality beds and private terraces where you can relax after a day of shopping and discovery.
- Specialized Concierge: Our local team will help you with recommendations on the most notable exhibitors, the best times to visit and complementary activities.
- The Perfect Retreat: After a stroll through the craft tents, return to a space of tranquility and elegance to share your finds and recharge.
"The XXIII International Craft Fair of Puerto Banús was a journey around the world in the heart of luxury, a space where tradition and exclusivity came together. At THE SUN PLACES, we open the doors of the Costa del Sol for you to experience these moments with the comfort and elegance you deserve."
📞 Contact THE SUN PLACES to book your Luxury Apartment in Puerto Banús and get ready to discover the craft treasures of Puerto Banús.XXIII International Craft Fair of Puerto Banús: A Craft Journey around the World in the Heart of Luxury from the end of July until 31 August in Plaza Antonio Banderas, with over 50 stalls in the form of tents featuring craft products such as gold and silver jewellery, ceramics, leather, textiles and exclusive decorative objects.