Luxury Villas in La Zagaleta and Benahavis

Situated in a stunning mountain terrain with views of North Africa and most of the Costa del Sol, Benahavis and its luxury golf resort development of La Zagaleta are among the most sought after address in Europe. Located between Marbella, Estepona and Ronda, the 5,500-strong community of Benahavis lies ca. 7 kilometres from the coast and has long been a favourite with house buyers who are looking for luxury and the Real Spain.

Famous for its wonderful cuisine and excellent restaurants, Benahavis and La Zagaleta attract a very different type of expat buyer than other parts of the Costa del Sol. The La Zagaleta urbanisation is an exclusive gated community and country club overlooking Benahavis’s white-washed houses and medieval Arabic maze of streets. An average home with garden and swimming pool comes with a starting price tag of more than EUR 4 million.

Things to do and see

With nine of the Costa del Sol’s famous golf courses being on the doorstep of Benahavis, this is a preferred spot for golfers to buy a holiday or second home. Six more golf courses are planned over the next few years, raising the number of golf courses and exclusive golf resorts to 15 in the immediate neighbourhood.

Founded by Arabs at the close of the 11th century, the village clings to the southern face of La Serrania de Ronda mountain range. The panoramic views from the hilltop position of the once strategically important Montemayor Castle stretch as far as Northern Africa and the castle ruins make for a fantastic destination for a walking tour.

The village itself is bustling with tourists and shoppers, and is still very much Spanish spoken. It feels like the real Spain, not like some of the expat ghettos that have steadily grown at other Spanish Costas. Day trippers come here to sample the wonderful cuisine and soak up the atmosphere of a proud and ancient hill town that knows its worth.

It’s a fantastic location for people who love an outdoor life. Hill walking and climbing, horseback riding and mountain biking, paragliding and a plethora of water sports are all available within less than half an hour’s drive.

Property Prices

La Zagaleta is among Europe’s most luxurious destinations. Buying a plot of land in the La Zagaleta community, just a short drive from Benahavis and Marbella, doesn’t come cheap.  Buyers looking to buy in this part of Marbella are looking above all for exclusivity and privacy.

A fairly ordinary plot size will start at around EUR 1.2 million, that’s before the house has even been built. On average, a new villa with 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, a swimming pool and plot size of around 3,300 sqm will start at EUR 4.5 million.

Second hand properties with 4 to 5 bedrooms have become more affordable of late with offers in the region of EUR 1.1 million being accepted by vendors hoping to move on quickly. What is generally different in La Zagaleta, compared to say Guadalmina or San Pedro Alcántara for example, is that properties located in La Zagaleta tend to come with 24 hour security, helipads and stables and a golf course with 5-star clubhouse adjacent. The prestigious urbanization La Zagaleta Golf and Country Club attract some of the world’s richest people, so this neighbourhood is security conscious and secluded.
 
Exclusivity and Privacy comes at a Price

It takes 20 minutes to drive to beaches, Puerto Banus and Marbella’s town centre amenities. Benahavis has the reputation of being the richest municipality per capita in Andalusia and it’s easy to see why. The setting within the Ronda Mountains is simply stunning and Benahavis is surrounded by beautiful natural park land.
 
Three major rivers are also traversing the area: the Guadalmina, Guadalmansa and the Guadaiza Rivers. With historic and natural attractions like El Cerro del Duque, Montemayor Castle and Daidin on the doorstep, not to mention the water sports one can enjoy on the rivers and at the beach, Benahavis really has it all.