Benahavís is a small and picturesque town located in the province of Malaga, near the famous Costa del Sol coast. Here, in the hilly area covering 145 km², there is a population of 8,763 people (data from the National Institute of Statistics in Spain – INE, 2022).
Despite the abundance of natural green landscapes, Benahavís can also boast good infrastructure, which includes everything necessary for a comfortable life on a permanent basis. However, there’s also plenty to delight the town’s guests: bars, cafes, restaurants and hotels, which suit all tastes.
Let’s learn more about the place that is often chosen by the «rich and famous» for permanent or seasonal residence.
Benahavís: History and Development
The history of this town dates back several centuries and is marked by the presence of different cultures and civilizations. It can be summarized briefly as follows:
- Prehistoric and ancient times. The region where Benahavís is located has had settlements on its territory since prehistoric times. Archaeologists have found evidence of small settlements here dating back to the Bronze and Iron Ages. During the Roman Empire, from the late 3rd to the end of the 1st century BCE, the Benahavis area was under its rule and already had its own network of roads and communications.
- Islamic rule. In the Middle Ages, the Iberian Peninsula was under Islamic rule. Benahavís, like many other settlements in the region, was under the control of various Muslim dynasties. The name of the town itself – «Benahavís», comes from the Arabic term «Beni Havis», which means «Children of Havis».
- Reconquista and the Christian period. After the Christian reconquest of the Iberian Peninsula, Benahavis gradually moved into the Kingdom of Castile. As the Reconquista (Spanish and Portuguese: Reconquista is a series of campaigns by Christian states to recapture territory from the Muslims (Moors)) progressed, armed conflicts often occurred in this territory, resulting in transitions between Christian and Muslim control.
- Middle and late ages. Subsequently, Benahavís remained a small agricultural town. It’s important to note that agriculture in Benahavís was always more oriented towards local consumption than large-scale suppliers. Nonetheless, they cultivate vegetables and fruits (tomatoes, peppers, zucchinis, eggplants, citrus fruits, and grapes); olives for oil production; aromatic herbs (rosemary, thyme, oregano, and basil); nuts (almonds), and more.
- Today. Benahavís enchants with its natural beauty, peaceful atmosphere, and proximity to the beaches of the Costa del Sol. Despite modern development, the town has preserved much of its historical character and continues to attract residents and tourists who are seeking an authentic Spanish place for relaxation and leisure.
Benahavís: Tourism and Infrastructure Development
In recent decades, the Costa del Sol region, where Benahavís is located, has experienced a boom in tourism and development. The growth of tourism has led to an increase in the construction of urbanization and tourist complexes in the vicinity of Benahavís. However, traditional Andalusian architecture has also been preserved here, reflected in the narrow streets, whitewashed houses and cozy courtyards typical of this region.
The town has several shops, restaurants, cafes and local workshops. There are hypermarket «Carrefour» and the municipal school «Colegio Daidin». It is also worth noting that Benahavís is surrounded by beautiful nature and offers excellent views of the surrounding landscapes: mountains, golf courses, beautiful villas, sea views.
Benahavís: Climate and Weather
Benahavís is located on the Costa del Sol, which means the climate here is typically Mediterranean. Summers are usually hot and dry, while winters are mild and wet. The average temperature in summer can reach 30°C and above, while in winter it stays around 15°C. This climate makes this region a popular holiday destination all year round.
Benahavís: Holidays and Fiestas
Benahavís, like many Spanish towns, likes to celebrate various local and national holidays and festivals. Among them, there are both traditional religious holidays and local cultural and sporting events. The most favorite holidays of the townspeople are the following:
- The Fair of San Juan. This fair is usually held at the end of June, in honor of the patron saint of the town – San Juan Bautista. During this holiday, various events take place such as concerts, flamenco shows and attractions for children; tents and kiosks with snacks and beverages are set up, and colorful processions are organized in honor of the town’s patron saint.
- The Virgen del Carmen Fiesta. The Fiesta of the Virgen del Carmen is celebrated on July 16th in many coastal towns in Spain, including Benahavis. This fiesta is dedicated to the patron saint of fishermen and sailors. A crowded procession gathers, and the image of the Virgin del Carmen is solemnly carried from the church to the beach. There is a festive religious ceremony is held, including the blessing of water.
- The August Fair is another important festival in Benahavis. It takes place in the first days of August and has various amusement facilities, concerts, live performances, sporting events and a variety of gastronomic offerings.
- The Holy Week is a religious holiday that takes place throughout Spain, and Benahavis is no exception. During this week, religious processions are held through the streets of the town, where images of saints are carried on solemnly decorated stretchers.
- In addition to these popular celebrations, Benahavís also hosts local cultural events throughout the year, which may include sports competitions, concerts and carnivals. You can follow them on the municipality website: https://www.benahavis.es/
Benahavís: Attractions
Besides its picturesque landscapes, Benahavís also has other attractions:
Castillo de Montemayor
The ruins of this old fortress are located on a hill, offering magnificent views of the surrounding landscape.
The fortress was built back in the 10th century, and part of its walls remained in good condition. This fortification complex has the tower Torre de la Reina, which is the most remarkable part as it contains the remains of former rooms and a well.
This fortification played an important role in the battles between the various rulers of «Muslim Spain» – Al-Andalus – all because of its strategic value, since more than 100 km of the Spanish and African coast can be seen from this area.
In total, on the territory of Benahavís, there are several watchtowers, which in former times formed a reliable protective barrier from the enemy, for example, the Leonera, Alcuzcuz, Tramores or Daidin towers.
Iglesia Virgen del Rosario
This is a historic church with interesting architecture and decorative elements. It is an 18th-century building that has undergone numerous restorations throughout its history.
La Iglesia Virgen del Rosario or the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary (in English) was one of the chapel schools founded by Cardinal Herrera Oria in the province of Malaga. The building was subsequently rebuilt by the architect Antonio Herrezuelo and reopened on June 19, 2005.
Modern and simple in style, the new church is located on the same site as the old building, but the previous one was much smaller.
Currently, the church can host 300 people, also it has several parish halls and rooms for clergy.
Parque Torre Leonera
The Torre Leonera Park is another attraction of Benahavis. This is a special natural and recreational space that offers the opportunity to enjoy nature and walks in the fresh air – both for residents and guests of the town.
Torre Leonera, the structure from which the park gets its name, is an old watchtower built in Muslim times. Similar towers on the coast of Spain were often used to monitor the territory and protect against possible threats from the sea.
In addition to the old tower, the park has walking paths, recreation and picnic areas and panoramic views of surroundings. This is a pleasant place to go for a walk with the whole family, enjoy the beauty of nature and admire an ancient piece of historical architecture.
Cañon de las Angosturas
The Angosturas Canyon is another beautiful place to visit in Benahavis. This canyon is a geological formation that has been shaped by the Guadalmina River over thousands of years, featuring impressive cliffs and a deep, narrow gorge.
The canyon attracts travelers with its natural beauty and picturesque scenery. The walls of the canyon are high and vertical in many places, creating an impressive natural surrounding. Throughout the canyon, visitors can enjoy hiking trails that provide the opportunity to explore the natural realm and admire its unique views.
The area around Cañón de las Angosturas is also popular with hikers, rock climbers and nature lovers. Trails of different difficulty levels are laid here for tourists: that makes the canyon attractive for various categories of visitors – children and adults, professionals and amateurs. In addition, the Guadalmina River, which flows through the canyon, gives its own special charm to these surroundings, providing quiet and cozy places to relax on its banks.
If you are planning to visit the Angosturas Canyon in Benahavis, it is recommended first to check out local guides and maps at the visitor center. They will provide detailed information on how to get to the canyon, available hiking trails, and any rules or restrictions that may apply in this area.
Benahavís: Real Estate
In a town like Benahavís, located in the famous tourist area of the Costa del Sol, it is easy to find a variety of types of property, ranging from apartments and flats to chalets and luxurious cottages and villas. Real estate prices can vary greatly depending on the type of building, its location, year of construction, area, amenities and general condition. However, you shouldn’t count on budget options here.
In July 2023, according to the Idealista portal, the average cost of housing in Benahavís was 4,149 euros / m2. The prices for comparison are the following: 4,002 €/m2 – in Madrid, 4,135 €/m2 – in Barcelona, only 1,796 €/m2 – in Alicante.
The most luxurious and, accordingly, the most expensive area of the town is La Zagaleta-El Madroñal. Picturesque nature offers views of emerald lawns, small ponds, the sea and mountain ranges on the horizon. All this can be admired from the windows of magnificent mansions located on a hill. The average cost of housing in this area is 6,256 €/m2, with this annual increase, compared to July last year, amounting to + 28.5%.
Another prestigious area is La Quinta, which can boast excellent golf courses. The average price of housing here is slightly lower – 4,984 euros / m2, but the investment attractiveness is no worse and amounts to + 29.2% per annum.
More budgetary areas include Benahavís (€3,468/m2) and El Paraiso (€3,678/m2).
Prices for a one-bedroom apartment in Benahavís start at 95,000 €, and from 180,000 € for two-bedroom apartments. As a rule, these are spacious housing in modern urbanizations, with a communal pool and developed infrastructure for comfortable living.
Despite the high property prices, Benahavís is stable in demand among foreign buyers who are willing to pay for a high level of comfort, safety and quality of life in general.
