A tour of Malaga’s top paella and rice restaurants
Things to see and do in Benahavis
Just a short distance from Marbella and Estepona lies Benahavís, a charming village of whitewashed houses and narrow streets that still reflects its Moorish past through its architecture and street layout.
Although Benahavís was once part of Marbella, it gained independence in 1572 and became a municipality with a rich historical and natural heritage. Its location between the coast and the mountains offers the best of both worlds. On the one hand, visitors can enjoy beautiful natural landscapes, hiking trails and charming hidden corners. On the other, the area is home to exclusive residential developments and golf courses that attract visitors from around the world.
This combination of nature, history and luxury tourism makes Benahavís one of the most treasured gems in the Málaga countryside.
How to get to Benahavis
There are several ways to get to Benahavís, and it’s very well connected.
By road, by car or taxi, you can get there from Marbella, Puerto Banús and Estepona via the AP-7.
Another way to get to Benahavís if you’re travelling from further afield is via Malaga’s airport, the closest one, about 70 kilometres away, where you’ll then need to hire a car or take a taxi. Airports in Seville or Jerez de la Frontera are other alternatives, although they are farther away.
The high-speed train to Malaga is another recommended option.
Another way to get to Benahavís from Malaga is by coach; the journey takes approximately two and a half hours.
Things to see in Benahavís
Montemayor Castle
The castle is one of Benahavís’ most emblematic landmarks. Although it is true that, in its ruined state, it retains only a few parts of its wall, this structure was a 10th-century fortress from the Caliphal era, an era that affected Benahavís and left its mark on the town. In addition to a few stretches of wall, another part we can see is the Queen’s Tower. It is, without doubt, an iconic spot that forms part of Benahavís’ historical heritage.
Defensive towers
Between the 10th and 13th centuries, during the Nasrid period, a series of watchtowers were built to defend Montemayor Castle and protect it from possible attacks. They held a strategic position that enabled the defence not only of the castle, but also of the surrounding area. The most notable defensive towers or watchtowers are the Torre de Leonera, the Torre Daidín, Campanillas, Tramores and Estéril.
Guadalmina River Gorges
For water-sports enthusiasts, the Guadalmina River gorges are one of the most spectacular experiences to enjoy in Benahavís. This aquatic route, around 4 kilometres long, is perfect for enjoying Benahavís’ nature like never before, where you can pass pools, waterfalls and some deeper sections. Along the way, you’ll also see local fauna and flora typical of the area, such as otters, and holm oaks and cork oaks. The gorges of this river are the best-known in this town in Malaga, with a wealth of natural beauty waiting to be discovered.
La Zagaleta Gated Community
This is one of the most exclusive areas of Benahavís. This development in Malaga is defined not only by its natural heritage, but also by being one of the most luxurious in Spain and Europe. The La Zagaleta gated community is a residential development where you can admire the area’s most exclusive villas and luxury homes, and take a stroll through this Mediterranean woodland, where you’ll find more than 200 properties whose owners are mostly British and German.
Benahavís Palace
In the heart of Benahavís stands Benahavís Palace, a charming 16th-century building that reflects the town’s Andalusian heritage. In Nasrid style and with an elegant inner courtyard, this small palace boasts a sober exterior and is full of historical character. It now houses the Town Hall, making it a place buzzing with local life. For those staying in the area, it’s an interesting place to visit that allows you to discover the most authentic and cultural side of this picturesque Costa del Sol destination.
Beaches
Although Benahavís doesn’t have its own beach, its unique location between the mountains and the coast makes it a perfect destination for those looking to combine nature and the sea. Just a few minutes’ drive away, a whole array of spectacular beaches awaits, where you can soak up the sun and the Mediterranean sea.
Very close by is San Pedro de Alcántara, with wide, family-friendly beaches, a seafront promenade and numerous beach bars where you can savour the local cuisine. If you’re looking for something more exclusive, Puerto Banús offers lively beaches, beach clubs and a sophisticated atmosphere, perfect for spending the day and letting the afternoon roll on.
For nature lovers, Cabopino Beach is special because of its protected dunes and its more peaceful setting, perfect for unwinding.
Worth a visit: discovering the best beaches in Marbella
Church of Our Lady of the Rosary
The Church of Our Lady of the Rosary is one of Benahavís’s most distinctive buildings. Specifically, it dates back to the 18th century and has undergone various refurbishments, among other reasons, because it was damaged in the Spanish Civil War. For a time, it served as a school-chapel. At present, thanks to the latest refurbishment by the architect Don Antonio Herrezuel, it can hold 300 people, has function rooms for various purposes, and provides a home for the priest.
Wandering in the streets of Benahavís
Benahavís’s streets are narrow and winding, a labyrinth of little corners that conjure up its Arabic past. Walking along them is to follow a beautiful trail of white houses, their whitewashed façades bursting with pots and flowers that lend colour and cheer to this gem in the heart of inland Malaga. On this stroll through the town’s narrow lanes, you’ll come across fountains and gardens that reveal its very soul, where locals and visitors meet and bring Benahavís to life.
Things to do in Benahavís
Visit Charco de las Mozas
This freshwater pool was recently declared a a natural monument by the Regional Government of Andalusia, where you can enjoy an aquatic tour in one of the most visited areas in the province of Malaga. This spot marks the start of the Guadalmina River gorges, where you’ll have to slide down a natural waterslide to begin this amazing route.
Dragonfly Route
Benahavís is brimming with nature, forests and lush green landscapes, perfect for countless hikes and outdoor strolls. Many people, including locals, visit Benahavís to go hiking, and one of the most beautiful routes is the Dragonfly Trail. More than 30 species of dragonflies can be found along the banks of the Guadalmina River, so if you love nature and discovering new species, this is undoubtedly one of the most magical places in Benahavís.
Canyoning
One of the best places in the province of Malaga for canyoning is undoubtedly the Guadalmina River. This river offers countless possibilities, routes and ways to enjoy nature, including canyoning. Canyoning, swimming, hikes and abseiling are just some of the activities offered by numerous companies, so you can enjoy your aquatic adventure to the max.
Golf
If you’re a golf enthusiast, the best place to spend a few days playing is, without doubt, Benahavís. This is the unbeatable iconic location for golf, thanks to its location between the sea and the mountains, which gives it climatic conditions that mean you can play virtually all year round. Benahavís is synonymous with golf, and there are many courses where you can enjoy a round with friends or family, such as the Higueral Golf Club and the El Higuelar Golf , among others.
Golf: The best Costa del Sol golf courses
Try the local cuisine
Benahavís’ cuisine is wonderfully varied, with a wide range of dishes and flavours offering the very best of both the mountains and the coast, representing its enchanting setting.
If we focus on the food the mountains have to offer, Benahavís’s typical dishes are hearty, rustic fare such as marinated pork tenderloin, rabbit, suckling pig, venison, or its famous chorizos cooked in water.
The coastal side offers us the finest fresh seafood, such as shellfish, fish stew and sole.
On the other hand, we mustn’t forget that Benahavís is one of the towns with the highest influx of foreign visitors, especially from northern Europe; hence international cuisine has carved out a place in its kitchens, and you can find a multitude of dishes and delicacies that make Benahavís one of the best places to eat in the whole of Andalucia.
Restaurants
Benahavís is an iconic place where gastronomy takes centre stage, which is why it is one of the towns where you can enjoy the best Andalusian culinary experience. If there’s one place in the world with a great variety and number of restaurants, it’s undoubtedly here. That’s why it’s hard to pick just a few; however, here are some you shouldn’t miss. La Escalera de Balthazar, Restaurante Amanhavis, Restaurante Amigos, Restaurante Sabor and Los Abanicos are just some restaurants where flavours, tradition and innovation come together in an experience that will immerse you in the origins and history of Benahavís’s soul.
Interesting facts
- One of the curious facts about Benahavís that you probably didn’t know is that this Malaga town is known as “the dining room”. The sheer number and variety of restaurants to choose from in Spain’s most exclusive town is what has earned it this strange nickname.
- Another thing you maybe didn’t know about this gem in Malaga is that there is an equestrian club that ranks among the very best in Spain and Europe. The Marbella Club Hípica is the perfect place to go horse riding or to take some of the finest riding lessons in Spain and Europe.
- If Benahavís is known worldwide for anything, it is precisely for its luxury and exclusivity. It boasts the most expensive residential development in the heart of a forest, where you’ll find a host of villas that have made it the most expensive in Spain and Europe.
- Another curiosity about this gem of Malaga is the origin of its name. Benahavís comes from “Binā’ Ḥabīsh” (Ḥabīsh’s building), referring to an Arab chief who reigned at Montemayor Castle in the 10th century.
WHERE TO STAY
El Fuerte Marbella
Half an hour’s drive away is El Fuerte Marbella, a hotel where rest and tranquillity blend together perfectly. Its welcoming atmosphere and prime location make it the ideal hideaway to switch off after a day exploring the inland areas of Malaga, offering you an experience where you’ll feel right at home by the sea.
