Benahavís Area Guide

28th October 2024 · 11 min. read · by Manuel Dávila

Benahavís is a beautiful village close to Marbella that extends into the mountains of the Costa del Sol. In addition to its Andalusian-style urban nucleus, the municipality is an extensive natural area full of mountains and beautiful valleys. It is a green paradise with high views towards the Mediterranean. It is a peaceful place, far from aggressive tourism. In addition, the most spectacular villas of the Costa del Sol are located in this area. It is a place to live in luxury in the middle of nature. 

• Table of contents
• Where is Benahavís?
• Why choose Benahavís as a place to live or invest?
• What types of properties can I find in Benahavís?
• Does Benahavís have sea views?
• What is the environment and landscape like in Benahavís?
• What is the connectivity and accessibility like in Benahavís?
• What services and amenities are in Benahavís?
• Best restaurants in Benahavís
• What international schools are in or near Benahavís?
• What else can I do in Benahavís and its surroundings?
• Is Benahavís safe to live in?
• Is La Zagaleta part of Benahavís?
• Our top Reason to choose Benahavís:

Benahavís is a mountain village in the province of Málaga with a privileged location. It belongs to the so-called Western Costa del Sol and is located 7 kilometres away from the beaches of San Pedro de Alcántara. It is nested in the foothills of the Sierra de las Nieves and neighbours Marbella, Estepona, Istán and some small villages in the Serranía de Ronda.
It is a location of great natural beauty. Particularly noteworthy is the area known as Cañón de Las Angosturas, which has formed over the years as the river Guadalmina flows through the mountains. It is a village that is full of vegetation and greenery thanks to these waters.

1. It has the most luxurious villas, of the largest dimensions and with the most stunning dream finishes on the entire Costa del Sol.
2. The natural surroundings are enviable, filled with mountains, valleys, rivers, and trails for hiking, biking, or simply walking.
3. It features some of the highest class golf courses on the Costa del Sol, with select member clubs.
4. It is an area of very exclusive property owners. In fact, in some developments, the suitability of a potential neighbour is questioned as a prerequisite for buying a property.
5. Benahavís is a safe, quiet village, very suitable for families, and charming for residential living.
6. The properties offer spectacular views—some of the Mediterranean Sea, others of the golf courses, and some of the beautiful natural surroundings. Some properties feature all these elements at once.
7. Benahavís Pueblo (Village) is just 20 minutes from Puerto Banús and 25 minutes from Marbella.
8. The local gastronomy is highly valued on the Costa del Sol, with mountain and maritime dishes in the Spanish restaurants, and a varied offer of international restaurants. 
9. Foreign residents make up the majority of the population, interestingly, compared to nationals, accounting for over 60%.
10. This municipality has one of the highest per capita incomes in Spain, due to the high purchasing power of its residents.

The urban development of Benahavís has been carefully planned, always respecting its spectacular natural surroundings. The developers have managed to preserve the charm of this privileged location, prioritising the views of the Mediterranean and maintaining the essence of Andalusian architecture.

The new properties in the area perfectly combine tradition with modernity. Many of them are inspired by traditional architecture, with a contemporary approach featuring large windows, avant-garde interiors and high-quality finishes. However, it is also possible to find buildings with more modern designs, in line with the latest architectural trends.

In addition to the exclusive La Zagaleta, Benahavís offers other high-end developments, such as El Madroñal, Los Flamingos, El Herrojo, Reserva de Alcuzcuz, Los Arqueros, Puerto de Los Almendros and La Quinta, all of which are surrounded by nature and have a unique appeal.

Benahavís does not have direct access to the sea, as it is an inland village, located in the hills of the Sierra de las Nieves. Nevertheless, many of the developments and villas in Benahavís offer stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea due to their elevation and location. In addition, the distance to the coast is relatively short, allowing to enjoy the proximity to the beaches of the Costa del Sol, such as those of Estepona and Marbella.

Benahavís achieves a harmonious combination of the traditional and the modern. On the one hand, its urban nucleus retains the charm of a typical Andalusian whitewashed village, with Moorish-influenced streets that evoke times gone by. On the other hand, its urban evolution has given rise to first-class facilities, such as five-star hotels and world-class golf courses. Proof of this is that it is home to the most exclusive development in Europe: La Zagaleta.

Benahavís achieves a harmonious combination of the traditional and the modern. On the one hand, its urban nucleus retains the charm of a typical Andalusian whitewashed village, with Moorish-influenced streets that evoke times gone by. On the other hand, its urban evolution has given rise to first-class facilities, such as five-star hotels and world-class golf courses. Proof of this is that it is home to the most exclusive development in Europe: La Zagaleta.

It is twenty minutes away from the coast and one hour from Malaga International Airport. It enjoys proximity to the AP7 motorway and the Mediterranean motorway which connects it easily to any point on the Costa del Sol.

Benahavís has a small urban nucleus with family-run shops. If you want to buy vegetables, meat, bread or sweets, you will find some shops for day to day shopping. There are also a couple of large supermarkets in the area. However, if you are looking for a wider variety of products, we recommend that you go to the neighbouring town of Marbella. 

Supermarkets:

• Shops in the town centre
• Carrefour Express

Fashion and decoration shops: 

The two shopping centres nearest to Benahavís are in Puerto Banús: El Corte Inglés and Marina Banús. They are only about 15 minutes away by car and offer on-site parking. You can also drive from Benahavís to Centro Plaza in Nueva Andalucía or La Colonia in San Pedro de Alcántara. Both are at a safe distance from the village. Well connected, but 25 minutes away, is the popular shopping centre La Cañada in Marbella. It has the advantage of being the largest multi-brand shopping centre in the area.

Health centres and pharmacies: 

• Benahavís CB Pharmacy

Benahavís stands out as a true gastronomic enclave on the Costa del Sol, officially recognised as a village of special interest for its culinary offer. It combines the rich traditions of a mountain village with the freshness of seafood dishes, thanks to its proximity to the coast.

Most of the restaurants are concentrated in the village centre, where the atmosphere becomes vibrant, especially at night.

A short drive from the centre, we found our favourite restaurant: El Arbonauta, located in La Zagaleta. This gourmet restaurant, with a ‘travelling cuisine’ philosophy, offers a carefully selected wine list and pays special attention to every detail of service.

For a more local experience, but without sacrificing quality, we recommend the restaurants in the village centre, such as Los Abanicos, El Guarda 1926, Restaurante Amigos and La Terraza de Benahavís.

The rest of the schools in the area are located in Estepona, San Pedro and Marbella. Estepona, for example, has such institutions as Mayfair Academy, Colegio Concertado (public-private school) San José and the Swedish school Svenka Skolan.

In San Pedro, Laude International College and Saint George's School, among others, stand out. Marbella offers a wide variety of international schooling options. For more information about the best schools on the Costa del Sol, we invite you to visit our blog.

We cannot overlook the fact that Benahavís is a true paradise for golf lovers, home to some of the most prestigious courses in Spain, such as Villapadierna, La Zagaleta and La Quinta. In our golf section, you will find a detailed description of this varied offer.

Although Benahavís is known for its tranquility as a typical Andalusian village, it also enjoys a vibrant life. The locals organize an annual calendar of events, many of them aimed at children. Traditional celebrations such as the Andalusian Fair, Easter and Christmas activities adorn the calendar. A popular street market is held every Saturday at the entrance to the village, attracting residents and visitors alike.

Benahavís is nature at its purest, offering a wide range of outdoor activities. Hiking, canyoning, fishing and mountain biking are some of the options available, with routes for all levels. Do not miss the ‘Charco (pond) de las Mozas’, the ‘Cañón (canyon) de las Angosturas’, the ‘Embalse (dam) de La Leche’, the ‘Ruta de las Libélulas’ and the ‘Acequia (ditch) de Guadalmina’.

In addition, classic sports, such as football, paddle tennis, swimming and handball, can be played, thanks to the facilities of the sports centre and of the municipal swimming pool. Residents of La Zagaleta can also enjoy its Equestrian Centre, and those living in luxury residential communities are likely to have access to gym, spa and/or fitness facilities.

Benahavís is home to numerous gated communities with 24-hour security, but the safest, without a doubt, is La Zagaleta. It has security at all entrances and, to visit any of the residents, you need to notify the central control and be on the guest list to be able to access. In addition to La Zagaleta, there are many other areas in Benahavís with high levels of security. This makes it one of the safest areas to live in on the Costa del Sol.

Within the beautiful municipality of Benahavís lies Europe's jewel of luxury developments. Buying a villa in this area means accessing residential excellence. We are referring to the well-known La Zagaleta. 

It is an amazing residential area in terms of its concept, with dazzling villas. It can boast exclusivity, security, privacy and ultra-prime services. It also benefits from its proximity to Puerto Banús and Marbella, with their glamour and cosmopolitan flair, but from a safe distance, allowing it to remain a haven of serenity.

Its origins date back to the 1990s. The founders of the project bought a single property that was gigantic, 900 hectares in size. The idea was to build a complex of villas in absolute harmony with the beautiful nature of Benahavís. Today in La Zagaleta there are just over 230 villas that are unrivalled. They stand out for their views, comfort, beauty, architectural specifications, community services, sporting options... and the category of their residents. 

To find out more about La Zagaleta you can continue reading our Area Guide of La Zagaleta.

• Peaceful, yet close to everything: Enjoy a tranquil, natural setting, without giving up the convenience of having services and attractions nearby.
• Easy access to motorways. Located just 10-15 minutes away from Marbella and Estepona, with quick access to major motorways.
• Close to the best beaches : Only a short drive to some of the most beautiful beaches on the Costa del Sol, perfect to enjoy the sun and the sea.
• Surrounded by golf courses: The area is home to several nearby golf courses, ideal for golf lovers.
• Walking trails and outdoor activities: Plenty of trails for exploring nature and enjoying outdoor activities.
• Unbeatable value for money: Larger and more affordable villas compared to other areas on the Costa del Sol.
• Strong future potential: The area is developing rapidly, with projects like Real de la Quinta that add value to the investment.