Benahavis

© Michelle Chaplow And Gonzalo Alvarez
Benahavis has so much to offer, with its history, beautiful countryside and fabulous food

Benahavís

To many Andalucíans, native and expatriate alike, Benahavís is synonymous with food. It has the highest concentration of high class restaurants in the region and draws visitors by the thousand who come simply to savour the cuisine.

Benahavis is an attracts and convenient location for property owners due to its beauty and close proximity to Marbella, Puerto Banus and Málaga.The village has a deep history dating back to the… More →

Benahavis attracts a vast number of tourists during the summer season due to its beauty and close proximity to Marbella, Puerto Banus and Málaga.The town has a deep history dating back to the… More →

Benahavis attracts a vast number of tourists during the summer season due to its beauty and close proximity to Marbella, Puerto Banus and Málaga.The town has a deep history dating back to the… More →

Known for its excellent gastronomy and wide range of high-quality restaurants, as well as its grand selection of quality golf courses, unsurprisingly Benahavis attracts a vast number of tourists… More →

Montemayor is the name of a castle ruins and the hill it sits on overlooking the village of Benahavís and the Mediterranean coast

The Guadalmina River begins near Igualeja, in the Sierra Bermeja of the Serrania de Ronda and flows into the sea 28km later at Guadalmina Beach in San Pedro de Alcántara, Marbella, Malaga. The… More →

In Benahavis there are plenty of fun, challenging and prestigious golf courses that both novices and professionals can enjoy: La Zagaleta Club de Campo, Los Barrancos, Los Arqueros, Los Flamingos… More →

Benahavis is renowned for its gastronomy. Known as ´La Sartén de Andalucía´ (the frying pan of Andalucía), Benahavis is home to a wide variety of restaurants serving the very best of traditional,… More →

It also has an high percentage of resident expatriates who have found its situation and ambience irresistible.

The village has remained remarkably unspoiled, with winding narrow streets ill-suited to the motor car, and a picturesqueness which almost makes it seem like a specially-created film set.

The village stands 500 metres above sea level, 7 kilometres inland from A-7 coast road and the Guadalmina Golf Course, and is reached by driving alongside the River Guadalmina through the gorge up into the hills. It is a no through road so you will return the same way.  The municipal district extends behind the higher parts of east Estepona (Los Flamingos and Atalaya) and Marbella including the upmarket 'Ronda road' districts and La Quinta on the mountain side of the AP-7 motorway. 

Its Moorish heritage is emphasised by the existence of the ruined 11th Century castle of Montemayor.  This ruined Arab stronghold sits on top of the distinctive mountain of the same name. Anyone wishing to make the climb to visit the ruins and experience the truly sensational views of the coastline should be prepared for a strenuous but rewarding effort.

 

 

Today, Benahavís is seldom quiet during the tourist season, but the greatest problems are finding a place to park, and choosing a restaurant.

Even the old stone Arab walls around the town hall have been converted into one.

A notable feature of the village is La Aldea. Almost a village within a village, La Aldea was the brainchild of the British sculptor, David Marshall, whose gallery is one of its main features however there are other art galleries in Benahavís.

Though largely a recent creation, determined efforts have been made to make this enclave even more Andalucían than Benahavís itself, with marble fountains, antiques and old-fashioned doors and grilles.

At the entrance to the village is a park known as Leonera Park featuring lawns, gardens and a small open air auditorium.

Golf in Benahavís. © Michelle Chaplow
Golf in Benahavís Torre Estoril photo taken in 1997. © Michelle Chaplow

There are 7 fabulous golf courses and clubs in the municipal district of Benahavís for all abilities and they are all featured on our Benahavís Golf page.

Inevitably, Benahavís is growing quickly. On its outskirts new urbanisations are springing up like mould forming rapidly on an over-ripe peach.

But this is not being allowed to attack the old village, and the visitor who remains steadfastly at its centre, as most do, might almost be unaware of their existence.

If possible, a parking space should be found at the entrance to the village and the tour of its streets undertaken on foot.

All too often this is easier said than done, and the best alternative is to drive carefully to the Restaurante Los Faroles on calle Málaga, beside which an enterprising villager has turned a rare spot of unused land into a welcome and cheap car park.

It should not be assumed that restaurants are the only eating places in Benahavís. For those not ready for a heavy lunch there are numerous bars serving excellent tapas and even a small pizzeria.

But its restaurants are its glory, and it celebrates the fact by describing itself on the road signs that guide you there as the gastronomic corner of Andalucía. If you plan to go there, breakfast lightly.

Canyoning, guided activity from Benahavis

Book Canyoning, guided activity from Benahavis

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