Excellence Luxury Villas · Benahavís
Luxury Villa Rentals in Benahavís
Villas in the hills behind Marbella, between gated estates, golf valleys and a white village famous for its tables
As featured in
Marbella's quieter, greener and rather wealthier neighbour
Climb a few kilometres inland from San Pedro de Alcántara and the coast falls away behind you. Benahavís is a small white village under the foothills of the Serranía de Ronda, with a Moorish castle on the hill above it and three rivers, the Guadalmina, Guadaiza and Guadalmansa, cutting through the land around it. Andalusians know it best for lunch: for its size, it has an astonishing number of restaurants.
Around the village lies one of the most exclusive stretches of country in Spain. Our collection here runs to 50+ properties, mostly large villas with private pools on the gated estates of La Zagaleta and El Madroñal and in the golf valleys of La Quinta and La Alquería, along with a few suites at the Anantara Villa Padierna Palace.
Below is a guide to the estates, the village and the best months to come.
Benahavís at a glance
- Villas
- 50+ villas and suites, with up to 14 bedrooms
- Guide prices
- Typically £6,600 to £19,500 a week, from around £2,400
- Best areas
- La Zagaleta and El Madroñal for privacy; La Quinta, La Alquería and El Paraíso for golf
- Best time
- April to June and September to October; July and August for the pool and the August feria
- Getting there
- Málaga airport is around 45 minutes to an hour away; Gibraltar is around an hour
Browse all 50+ villas in Benahavís
Villa numbers and guide prices are updated daily from our live collection.
Villa Benahavis Spain7 bedrooms
Villa Puerco Spain6 bedrooms
The Haven | 14-Bedroom Villa with Private Pool in Benahavis Benahavis14 bedrooms
The White Residence Spain8 bedroomsWhere to stay in Benahavís
La Zagaleta and El Madroñal for seclusion and sea views, La Quinta, La Alquería and El Paraíso for golf and an easy run to the coast, and the village itself for restaurants within walking distance.
La Zagaleta, El Madroñal and a great deal of hush
La Zagaleta is a gated estate in the hills off the Ronda road, with two private golf courses, an equestrian centre and some of the most valuable houses in Europe. Its neighbour El Madroñal is a little smaller and closer to the coast, with mature gardens and long views down to the sea and, on clear days, Gibraltar.
What both offer is space and privacy. Villas here sit on large plots behind security gates, and the trade-off is that everything, from the beach to a bottle of milk, involves the car.
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Fairways between the hills and the sea
Lower down, the land between the village and the coast is given over largely to golf. La Quinta, Los Arqueros, Atalaya, El Higueral and the courses around Villa Padierna are all within the municipality, and villas in La Alquería and El Paraíso look out over the greens.
This is the practical choice for many families: Puerto Banús is around 15 to 20 minutes away, the beaches of San Pedro are close, and Nueva Andalucía's restaurants and golf lie just over the boundary.
Explore Nueva Andalucía
A castle, a canyon and the Plaza del Castillo
The village itself is small and whitewashed, with flower pots on every wall and tables spilling into its squares. Above it stand the ruins of the Montemayor castle, a Moorish fortress on a steep hill, and the climb up is rewarded with views along the coast towards Africa on a clear day.
Just outside the village, the Guadalmina river runs through Las Angosturas, a narrow limestone gorge with a walking path and pools for a cold swim. It is also the local spot for canyoning, which our concierge can arrange with a guide.
Discover the Costa del Sol
A long lunch and a mid-August feria
Benahavís is often called the dining room of the Costa del Sol, and with around thirty restaurants in a village of a couple of thousand people, the name is earned. Expect slow-roasted meats, mountain dishes and fish brought up from the coast, eaten outdoors under the castle hill.
Spring and early autumn are the best months for walking and golf, and the high summer suits days by the pool. The village feria runs for about five days from mid-August. Our concierge can book restaurant tables, tee times, a private chef and transfers from Málaga.
Ask our conciergeFeatured villas in Benahavís
Casa Tobogan Spain12 bedrooms · sleeps 24From £20,813 a week
Hacienda Amores Spain7 bedrooms · sleeps 14From £19,407 a week
Villa Vista Calma Spain6 bedrooms · sleeps 12From £19,407 a week
Villa Hightop Marbella5 bedrooms · sleeps 10From £19,250 a week
Villa Bisbala | 6-Bedroom Villa with Private Pool in Benahavis6 bedrooms · sleeps 12From £17,407 a week
Villa Cotoleta Spain5 bedrooms · sleeps 10From £16,395 a week
Villa Bucolico Spain4 bedrooms · sleeps 8From £15,446 a week
Casa Siempre Spain4 bedrooms · sleeps 8From £15,446 a weekWhy book your Benahavís villa with Excellence Luxury Villas
The right house, not the nearest one
Benahavís covers a large, hilly municipality where one estate can feel a world away from the next, and we know which villas are a short drive from the beach and which are best for real seclusion. With 50+ properties in Benahavís, we can usually find the house that suits you rather than the one that happens to be free. Search by size, pool, location and price, or tell us what you have in mind and we will put together a shortlist.
Book direct
You book with us directly, with no booking fees. Questions about access, parking, pool heating or how far it really is to the nearest beach go to people who can find out the answer.
A concierge who knows the territory
Restaurant tables in the village, tee times at La Quinta and Los Arqueros, a private chef, canyoning in the Guadalmina gorge, car hire and transfers from Málaga or Gibraltar. Our concierge team arranges all of it, leaving you free to decide which terrace to sit on.
A house for every kind of party
Couples, families with small children, three generations together or a crowd of friends celebrating a birthday: we match the house to the group, down to the number of bathrooms and whether the pool is fenced.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best place to stay in Benahavís?
La Zagaleta and El Madroñal suit those who want privacy, space and sea views from a gated estate. La Quinta, La Alquería and El Paraíso are closer to the coast and to golf, which makes them easier for families who want the beach and Puerto Banús nearby.
How far is Benahavís from Málaga airport?
Most villas are around 45 minutes to an hour from Málaga airport by road, depending on the estate. Gibraltar airport is around an hour away. Our concierge can arrange private transfers from either.
Do I need a car in Benahavís?
In most cases, yes. The estates are spread across the hills and villas sit on large plots, so a car or arranged transfers make life far easier. Our concierge can organise car hire or drivers for evenings out.
Can you arrange a private chef at a villa in Benahavís?
Yes. Our concierge can arrange a private chef for a single dinner or your whole stay, along with cookery lessons, guided visits, transfers and restaurant reservations.
How much does a luxury villa in Benahavís cost?
Across our 50+ villas in Benahavís, weekly rates typically range from £6,600 to £19,500, with the most affordable from around £2,400 a week and the largest estates well above. Prices depend on the size of the property, its location and the season, with July and August the most expensive. These are guide prices based on current listings; each property page shows its own rates for your dates.
When is the best time to visit Benahavís?
April to June and September to October bring warm days that are ideal for golf, walking and long lunches outdoors. July and August are hot and best for pool days, and the village feria takes place in mid-August.
Are there villas in Benahavís for large groups?
Yes. Our Benahavís collection includes properties with up to 14 bedrooms. Tell us the size of your party and the occasion, and we will send a shortlist that suits it.
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Find your villa in Benahavís
50+ villas in the hills above Marbella, from gated estates to the golf valleys, with our concierge on hand