Benahavís is one of the most charming mountain villages on the Costa del Sol. It is seven kilometres from the coast, a journey by car that can be made in a matter of minutes. Although the village itself is relatively small, the municipality covered by Benahavís is considerably larger and includes one of the most exclusive residential developments in southern Spain – La Zagaleta – a gated community comprising magnificent mansions and villas, plus a country club and sports amenities that include unrivalled sea and mountain views.
The village, or ‘pueblo’ as it’s called in Spanish, is situated between Marbella and Estepona along the coast, and Ronda in the mountains. It dates back to the 11th century, when Muslims founded the settlement next to Montemayor Castle, a modern-day tourist attraction that is a century older than the village itself.
The streets of this ‘pueblo’ from a gastronomic hub and its numerous restaurants attract visitors from near and far. There can be few villages of its size—the population is 5,980—that can boast quite so many restaurants—Trip Advisor lists 55—plus a college teaching culinary skills. One of many people’s favourites is Los Albanicos: on a busy night this traditional Spanish restaurant regularly seats 350 happy diners. The menu features such delights as rabo de toro (oxtail) and roasted chestnuts. Rufino is another favoured spot for traditional Spanish cuisine and its lively terrace is always buzzing with customers.
Benahavís is conveniently located near a number of golf courses including Los Arqueros, La Quinta, and Los Flamingos Golf. But golf is not the only option, as this is also a popular spot for canyoning, cycling and rambling, plus there are a number of buggy tours that allow you to explore the hilly terrain and wildlife outside the village. The new river walkway and its beautiful wooden bridge unite the two sides of the Guadalmina river and as you drive up the Benahvís road you’ll see the new starting point for what is a gentle one-hour walk across the level countryside and into Las Angosturas Natural Park.
A large Mercadona supermarket on the outskirts of the village means that residents in the developments along the road to Benahavís, as well as those in the village, don’t have to drive to San Pedro Alcántara or down to the New Golden Mile for food shopping. However, both these larger towns are close enough to provide a wide range of convenient additional services. Benahavís is also very family-oriented and the local primary school and Colegio Atalaya, a private bilingual school for all ages, cater to locals and expats alike. There are also schools in nearby Guadalmina, Estepona and San Pedro.
This is an area with a rich diversity of property styles. Whether you want a two-bedroom apartment, a contemporary or modern Andalusian villa, or a stylish townhouse, the selection available is enviable. Benahavís offers the perfect combination of a tranquil mountain retreat with a thriving community and yet is only minutes away from the coast’s beaches and major towns. Please contact us if you’d like to know more about the properties we can show you in and around Benahavís and discover the magic of mountain village life.
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