Benahavís is a traditional Andalucian whitewashed village situated just inland from the Costa del Sol and bordering Marbella in Malaga province.
Benahavís has something to suit everyone looking for luxury Costa del Sol property, from contemporary villas to modern apartments with cutting-edge technology and interiors.
Benahavís is a picturesque village which has become increasingly popular due to its traditional architecture, remarkable beauty, and luxury real estate market – making it one of the most sought-after destinations of the Costa del Sol, with some of the most expensive properties in Spain.
Benahavís is a mountain village located in the hills of Andalucía near Marbella, in the Málaga province of Spain. Just 8km inland from the Costa del Sol coastline between Estepona and Marbella, Benahavís rises into the southern foothills of the Serranía de Ronda mountain range – making it a short 15 minute drive from San Pedro de Alcántara, and around 20 minutes to Puerto Banús and Nueva Andalucía to its east. Benahavís is also easily reached at around 55 minutes drive from Málaga Airport and just over an hour to Gibraltar International Airport.
Offering the beautiful town at its centre, the municipality stretches across 145 square kilometres, making it one of the largest and most diverse in the region. From the reservoir on the Taraje River in the north, to the protected slopes of the Sierra de las Nieves in the east, Benahavís offers a remarkable range of natural scenery.
Due to its elevation — approximately 150 metres above sea level — Benahavís enjoys slightly cooler temperatures in summer than the coastal towns, but still with around 300 days of sunshine every year, with clearer panoramic views across the Mediterranean, with sights of Gibraltar and Morocco visible on clear days.
This strategic inland setting — combining privacy, nature, and accessibility — is one of the key reasons why Benahavís continues to attract international buyers seeking a refined lifestyle close to, but not in the middle of, the Costa del Sol’s busier hubs. As such, properties for sale in Benahavís offer an excellent opportunity to invest in prime real estate on the Costa del Sol.
The municipality of Benahavís stretches beyond the whitewashed village of the historical town into surrounding areas that boast some of the most expensive properties in Spain, often villas in private gated communities with spectacular sea and mountain views out to the African coast.
Benahavís is also well known for its incredible natural beauty, and Meditterranean sea views, with lush green hills and winding rivers that run through the valley. Its striking landscape is dotted with olive groves and pine trees, making it an ideal destination for those seeking a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Covering over 145 square kilometres, the terrain of Benahavís ranges from forested valleys to dramatic peaks, offering an exceptional mix of Mediterranean vegetation and mountain scenery. Much of the land remains protected or undeveloped, contributing to a sense of seclusion and tranquillity that’s rare on the Costa del Sol.
Being the most mountainous village in the western part of the Costa del Sol, three rivers run through the Benahavís area: the Guadalmina, the Guadaiza and the Guadalmansa. These rivers have historically powered local mills and oil production, and now provide idyllic natural settings for hiking, canyoning, and wild swimming. The Guadalmina River carves through a narrow gorge known as Las Angosturas — a protected natural site popular for outdoor activities. Today it is known as a centre for many leisure activities and adventure sports such as climbing, abselling, rafting or canyoneering.
Benahavís is also renowned as a culinary hotspot for its local restaurants and tapas bars, offering a variety of classic Spanish dishes and a relaxed atmosphere.
Alongside its unspoiled environment, Benahavís town centre has managed to preserve the charm of a traditional Andalusian village. Its whitewashed architecture, cobbled streets, and shaded plazas evoke a sense of timeless character — a contrast to the modern luxury found in the surrounding residential estates.
Apart from it´s spectacular mountains, Benahavís is also home to many activities and popular destinations, such as ultra-luxury golf courses, spas, tennis courts, hiking trails, horseback riding and more. From hiking in the nearby Sierra de las Nieves Natural Park to playing golf at one of the many prestigious courses within the municipality, there is something for everyone here.
Despite its proximity to coastal hotspots like Marbella and Puerto Banús, Benahavís offers a markedly slower pace of life, ideal for those who prioritise privacy, security, and natural beauty without sacrificing world-class amenities. For many, this balance is what defines the relaxed lifestyle of Benahavís.
With a mix of traditional charm and some of the most luxurious gated communities in Spain, it’s no surprise that buying property in Benahavís continues to attract high-net-worth individuals from across Europe and beyond.
Founded in the 11th century during the final period of Moorish rule in southern Spain, Benahavís takes its name from the Arabic “Bin Havis”, meaning “Son of Havis”. The name refers to the ruling Arab chieftain who governed from the mountaintop fortress of Montemayor Castle, which still stands today as a ruin and vantage point offering sweeping 100km views across the Costa del Sol and as far as the African coastline on clear days.
Strategically located, the castle played a defensive role in the power struggles between Moorish kingdoms before being captured by Christian forces during the Reconquista in 1485. It remained a military outpost for years after, and archaeological studies have revealed that the area surrounding the castle contains remnants of ancient walls, watchtowers, and subterranean passages once used to transport supplies from the coast.
The terrain surrounding the village is volcanic in composition, with veins of granite and marble, and remains largely untouched. It is densely forested with olive groves, wild pines, chestnuts, and cork oaks, all of which contribute to the area’s ecological richness. Its positioning within the Serranía de Ronda foothills, combined with Mediterranean views and river valleys below, has shaped not just its defensive history but also its cultural identity as a peaceful mountain enclave with easy access to the coast.
Today, Benahavís remains a symbol of Andalusian resilience and continuity — a village that has evolved from a medieval fortress outpost to one of the most desirable residential locations in southern Spain, without sacrificing its architectural integrity or natural surroundings. For many international residents and visitors, its layered history adds meaningful depth to the already appealing Benahavís lifestyle.
As Benahavís is a large municipality, it also encompasses La Zagaleta with its luxurious mansions and Country Club lifestyle. La Zagaleta is a gated residential community located within Benahavís—a paradise for those looking for ultra-security and absolute privacy. Its luxurious mansions surround lush greenery, overlooking incredible golf, mountain and stunning views. It offers its residents unparalleled security, complete privacy, and some of the most exclusive amenities in Southern Spain.
El Madroñal is another exclusive neighbourhood within Benahavís that offers spectacular views from its hilltop location and consists of only multi-million-euro luxury villas surrounded by protected green areas.
La Alquería is a newer urbanisation of exclusive modern villas arranged around the golf course. Those who like the convenience of apartment living may prefer Capanes del Golf, exclusive apartments and penthouses boasting onsite facilities such as a heated indoor pool, Jacuzzi, gym and sauna.
La Quinta is another extremely desirable golf area, containing private gated communities with stunning views of the mountains and the coast, while new exclusive developments in areas such as Real de la Quinta are contributing to continuing growth in the area.
El Paraíso Alto is another urbanisation offering an excellent range of luxury properties with incredible views within easy reach of the coast.
There are many other areas in Benahavís that will provide potential buyers with beautiful properties that meet their criteria and offer a range of benefits for those looking for the perfect location to call home.
Properties in the area are as varied as they are beautiful. From exclusive villas in the uber-luxe private estate of La Zagaleta and El Madroñal to golf properties, modern apartment complexes like Benatalaya and Marques de Atalaya, and all kinds of luxurious villas and apartments, there are properties to suit almost everyone’s needs.
Whether you’re looking for a villa, townhouse, penthouse or luxury apartment in Benahavís, it offers a range of properties with the perfect location and type of residence for those seeking a luxurious lifestyle. Most contain luxury amenities like spas and pools and often beautiful views of the sea and nearby mountain ranges.
In particular, Benahavís offers an excellent range of off-plan properties and developments, allowing buyers to purchase customisable new or off-plan properties in this luxury Costa del Sol location.
In addition, the region’s low-density housing policy allows for elegantly spaced-out residential areas that provide exclusivity and privacy to residents.
No matter which type of property you’re after, you will be sure to find something that meets your criteria.
Benahavís property prices varying significantly according to size and location. From the €500,000 mark for a two-bedroom apartment to well over €20 million for an ultra-luxury villa in one of Benahavís’s most prestigious private estates – and anywhere in between. Benahavis properties near golf courses are always highly sought after, driving up prices as demand for them remains consistently high.
La Zagaleta is the most exclusive residential estate in Benahavís and has been named the most expensive real estate in Spain, and prices for properties here start at around €4 million. With two championship golf courses, an equestrian centre and a private country club with restaurants and a heliport, it is easy to see why La Zagaleta enjoys such status amongst International buyers looking for total security, privacy and luxury.
Benahavís is also home to El Madroñal, an exclusive private residential estate with 24-hour security Properties here start at around €2 + million for a villa, rising to over €8 million.
With the area continuing to boom and property prices continuing to increase around 10% per year, Benahavís offers an excellent location to purchase an investment property.
The original Benahavís village consists of charming, cobbled streets lined with whitewashed walls adorned with colourful polka-dotted plant pots containing perennially blossoming flowers. It is a haven for artists and craftspeople, and there are art galleries featuring prominent local artists and artisan craft shops around every corner.
Village life is lively and participative, with the whole community coming together for festivals like the local Feria in August or the wonderfully spooky Halloween festivals. The summer season sees huge foam bubble parties for the children with water slides, and it’s a village that goes out of its way to entertain both residents and visitors.
The immense appeal of Benahavís is that it is immersed in nature. Every vista provides breathtaking views of the Serranía de Ronda mountain range in which it nestles. It’s often hard to believe that the glitz and glamour of life in the nearby coastal towns of Puerto Banús and Marbella are less than a 20-minute car ride away when faced with such majestic, awe-inspiring natural landscapes.
Numerous hiking trails take to the mountains, with many dog walkers making the circuit around the lake next to the village on the east side or, for the more adventurous, ‘canyoning’ is a pastime that is growing in popularity. Guided groups are taken along the rivers carved through these mountains, leaving boulders that have created profound, crystal-clear pools – heavenly to traverse in the heat of the summer. Not for the faint-hearted, the riverbed can get slippery with some climbing to be done, but for many, the jeopardy is the appeal!
The Costa del Sol is not nicknamed the Costa del Golf for nothing. Golf lovers are spoilt in Benahavís, which we cover in the golf section below.
The village has padel courts and a sports centre offering basketball courts, tennis courts and football pitches. There’s even a bowling alley at just a five-minute drive down from the village at Bowling Los Arqueros.
Well worth a visit is the art gallery of the famous sculptor David Marshall, tucked away in one of the prettiest corners in the centre of the village, in the urbanization La Aldea, which he himself designed. The gallery offers us a sample of the works of this Scottish artist who has been living in the municipality for more than 50 years.
But of course, if you are staying in Benahavís, you can also explore all the range of Marbella lifestyle options including beach clubs, sporting facilities, fine-dining restaurants and boutique shopping.
Benahavís is known as the ‘dining room of the Costa del Sol’ – this gives an insight into the range and quality of dining options in this small village! It is the gastronomic heart (or should that be stomach?!) of the region, with a vast selection of restaurants and cuisines to select from.
For those who enjoy good food, Benahavís is a “MUST STOP”. Known for its gastronomic traditions since the 1970’s, it is now called “The Dining Room of the Costa del Sol” due to the large number of restaurants and bars within the municipality, as well as for its delicious and varied cuisine. Currently there are 20 restaurants in the Benahavís village centre among which Las Cañas is worthy of a special mention for its famous and excellent cuisine. Located very close to the main plaza in the centre, it offers its visitors a delightful atmosphere full of charm.
Over the years, there has been a conscious effort to reinforce this tradition through the culinary arts school Escuela Hosteleria Benhavis (previously the Hispanic-Arab School of Mediterranean Cuisine). This school has been training professionals for over 30 years, with its students are receiving many prizes in recognition of their work. The gourmets among us can enjoy the dishes made by the students of the school at very reasonable prices, with their bar and restaurant being open to the public 9 months a year.
Los Abanicos is a firm favourite, now in the second generation of ownership, serving dishes created from quality local ingredients renowned for their minute attention to detail, excellent quality produce and their fantastic wine cellar. We recommend you try their lamb shoulder, and you won’t regret it! There are restaurants to suit all palates, including Thai and Indian, as well as tapas bars aplenty.
In short, choosing a restaurant to enjoy the culinary delights on offer within the municipality could turn out to be a difficult task, since many offer great quality at very good prices.
Another attraction that pulls people to Benahavís is, without a doubt, the world-class golf courses. Boasting 10 golf courses within the municipal boundaries, with twelve top-class clubs within easy reach, Benahavís is the true centre of the Golf Coast and a real paradise for golf enthusiasts from around the world. One of the most prestigious courses in the region, Los Arqueros Golf designed by golfing legend Seve Ballesteros, is a short drive down from the village. There are also a range of famous luxury urbanizations that offer their own golf courses such as La Zagaleta Golf and Country Club (with two courses only for use by residents and their guests), Los Flamingos (offering three courses), and the Marbella Club Golf Resort and Riding Resort (with one course).
Finally, Villa Padierna Golf Club is also considered one of the most prestigious golfing destinations in southern Europe, including three championship courses within a five-star resort environment, including exceptional facilities and fantastic views of the Mediterranean and Benahavís hills.
Read our Marbella Benahavís golf course blog for a full list of courses the area.
There are few areas better than Benahavís for families with children regarding safety and security.
The wealth of international schools, sports lessons, and sporting facilities provided by the town hall is impressive in its breadth, then additionally there is always the beautiful Andalusian countryside to explore.
Children living in Benahavís can enjoy the natural beauty of the mountains and river at their doorstep, with a small historical village well-serviced town hall offerings at it´s centre, with a full variety of amenities of Marbella and the coast just a short drive away.
There is a State Primary School in the centre of Benahavís, with a variety of high-quality bilingual Spanish/ English private schools within a few minutes drive away, and as well as French, British, American, Swedish, and German schools within practicable travelling distance. Read our blog for a detailed guide of nearby schools.
With a range of established and upcoming areas, an excellent selection of restaurants, golf courses, schools and properties, Benahavís offers an excellent lifestyle in a quiet location just a few minutes drive from Marbella and the coast.
Contact MPDunne today if you would like advice on Benahavís real estate investment, or assistance in finding or selling a property – with over 25 years experience in the area, our team will professionally guide you with your property needs.
Mary Dunne Partner & Private Office Advisor
Mary Dunne is an experienced Real Estate Broker in Marbella with over two decades of expertise in the luxury property sector. She offers profound insights into Marbella’s luxury market, backed by her extensive experience with property transactions’ financial and legal facets. Her deep market knowledge positions her as a trusted expert, providing tailored experiences for high-end clients and showcasing Marbella’s lifestyle.
El Paraiso, located in the lowest part of Benahavís municipality, is a sought-after residential area offering a luxurious yet relaxed lifestyle on the Costa del Sol. With its idyllic, peaceful setting, panoramic views, exceptional golf courses, and proximity to the vibrant amenities of Marbella and Estepona, it’s an ideal location for those seeking a refined living experience in Southern Spain.
La Alquería in Benahavís offers a perfect blend of luxury living and tranquil surroundings, just a short drive from the centres of Marbella and Estepona. This exclusive residential community is ideal for those seeking privacy, stunning views, and easy access to top-tier amenities, including golf courses and international schools.
La Quinta in Benahavís offers an exceptional blend of luxury, tranquillity, and natural beauty, making it a prime choice for golf lovers wanting a peaceful, picturesque location near Marbella. Situated on the Costa del Sol, La Quinta is renowned for its stunning golf courses, expansive villas, and panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea and mountains.
La Zagaleta Golf and Country Club is considered by many to be one of the most exclusive private residential estates in Europe. Located only a short drive from the centre of Marbella on the Costa del Sol of Spain, and offering the ultimate in security, privacy and views, “La Zagaleta is the gold standard of country club living!”
It´s not La Zagaleta, but it´s a gated community that offers on-site golf, lake, beach, watersports, lakeside commercial and wellness centre, equestrian, padel and tennis and it´s only 10 minutes from Nueva Andalucía. The first community to recieve the BREEAM sustainability certification in Spain, Real de la Quinta promises to offer exceptional community and outdoor lifestyle paving the way for the future of luxury living in the Costa del Sol.
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