El Madronal and La Zagaleta Dream Villas are Marbella’s secret Treasure

Compared to other luxury beach resorts in Europe, Marbella is still surprisingly affordable, making it the perfect location to start looking for a dream villa at the Costa del Sol. Widely regarded as Marbella’s most beautiful neighbourhoods, El Madronal and La Zagaleta offer plenty of choice for discerning buyers looking for something truly special.

Spacious Rooms with a View

At just under 6,000 sqm, average plot sizes in La Zagaleta and El Madronal are considerably larger than in “downtown” Marbella. A 3-bedroom villa with landscaped gardens and swimming pool, set in a plot of ca. 5,800 sqm, starts at EUR 3 million in this neighbourhood. It will typically boast both mountain and sea views. If you’re thinking of buying a plot of land to build your own dream villa here, you’ll have to allow at least EUR 1 million for the land.

Prices for ready built 2-bed apartments start at around EUR 300,000 and are also designed along the same luxurious and spacious lines as villas. La Zagaleta and El Madronal are considered retreats for the wealthy, and offer not just luxurious accommodation but considerable privacy, security and exclusivity.

Natural Reserve

Perched in the hills above Marbella and just a 10 minute drive from Benehavis, La Zagaleta and El Madronal offer a lifestyle second to none. From horse-riding to golf, from tennis to hiking, there’s just so much to choose from right on one’s doorstep. For buyers wishing to escape the glare of the limelight – be it the world of high finance, sport or entertainment, this is the place to be.
 
The hillsides above Marbella are still very much a natural habitat for indigenous creatures. When going for a walk in La Zagaleta one has as much chance encountering members of the Hispanic goat family as meeting Hollywood A-Listers or international sports stars. Breathe in the fresh mountain air, stride through pine woodland and see pheasants rise from the undergrowth right in front of you just like they would on a country estate in the Scottish Highlands – only here residents don’t have to wear warm waterproof clothing – thankfully the Costa del Sol’s climate provides 300 sunny days a year.
 
Both neighbourhoods offer walkers a rich local flora. The fragrance of rock rose bushes, wild thyme and conifers permeates the air; on a hot day one can escape into shady groves of majestic cork oaks or gnarled olive trees.

Never mind the Scenery, what about Investment Potential?

If you’re looking for a dream home that also comes with capital gains and/or excellent rental potential, El Madronal and La Zagaleta are the place for you. Both areas are among Europe’s most desirable addresses and with the new Golden Visa enabling non-EU buyers to establish Spanish residency right away, there’s even more potential to invest and make a satisfactory profit.

The area is already home to high-earners such as successful entrepreneurs, doctors and solicitors, politicians and sports or entertainment celebrities; upwardly mobile and always on the look-out for the next best bespoke villa or country mansion, they are neighbours with taste, sophistication and a bank balance to match. Moving on and selling to a neighbour is quite common among such demographics.

Any other Attractions?

La Zagaleta, which stretches for 900 hectares across the hilly landscape above Marbella, and El Madronal are close to Serranía de Ronda National Park, a wonderful family attraction and great place to see local flora and fauna in its natural habitat.

Golfers will find plenty of partners ready to engage in friendly combat on the green. There are some truly spectacular facilities right on their doorstep: La Zagaleta Country Club provides a high degree of privacy and safety in an exclusive environment with state-of-the-art facilities, not to mention two amazing 18-hole golf courses with breath-taking views over the Mediterranean Sea and the Rock of Gibraltar on the horizon. The club also boasts tennis courts and a great club house with restaurant where one can make new friends or meet established neighbours.

If you are looking to buy luxury property in Marbella, as an investment, permanent or holiday home, you can’t go wrong with La Zagaleta and El Madronal.