Benahavís

This charming village is the closest to Marbella itself, and finds itself at the heart of one of the largest municipalities in the region; an expanse of hills and valleys set between the sea and the rising peaks of the Serranía de Ronda mountain range.

The village itself is very pretty and the setting of many fine country restaurants and art galleries. Its idyllic location notwithstanding, the main focus of foreign property buying is elsewhere, though some have found their way to this green valley, with its boutique hotels and golf clubs.

Just uphill from Benahavis itself is Benahavis Hills Country Club, a stylish gated community with concierge services, spa/gym and panoramic restaurant. Benahavis also includes residential areas such as the golfinspired Los Flamingos and El Paraíso, newly upcoming La Alquería and Capanes, and well-established zones such as Los Arqueros, La Heredia, Monte Halcones and La Quinta, which is now expanding into a new country area called Real de La Quinta.

This large area also has restaurants, cafés, shops, schools and golf courses, as well as country residences in Montemayor and the Marbella Club Golf Resort, with at the very top country clubs such as La Reserva de Alcuzcuz and El Madroñal, not to mention the singular La Zagaleta – one of the most luxurious country clubs of its kind in Europe.

Distance to Málaga Airport: 69km