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Benahavís
A small white village in the hills behind Marbella, surrounded by gated golf estates and some of the most expensive homes in Spain.
Suited to: Golfers · Second-home owners · Retirees
- Costa
- Costa del Sol
- Province
- Málaga
- Population
- 9,472
- registered residents
- British Community
- Large and long-established, spread across the estates rather than in the village
- Airport
- Málaga–Costa del Sol
- ~70 km
- Train
- None
- no railway in Benahavís
Updated 12 Oct 2026 · Facts checked against INE and the padrón · How we check
Decide
Is Benahavís right for you?
Who it suits
- FamiliesModerate
Safe, green and close to several international schools on the coast. But the municipality has one primary school and no secondary school (IECA, 2023-24), so every school run means driving.
- RetireesGood
Peaceful estates with golf on the doorstep and a large international community. Suits active retirees who drive. Hard work without a car, and the hospital is ~25 km away.
- Remote workersModerate
Comfortable homes with space for an office, but high costs and little social life outside the estates and the village restaurants.
- Second-home ownersExcellent
Gated, managed estates suit lock-up-and-leave ownership. Málaga airport is ~70 km away by motorway.
- Holiday-rental investorsModerate
Strong demand for high-end villas and golf apartments, but entry prices are very high and many estates restrict short lets. Registration with the Andalusian tourism register is required.
The trade-offs
What works
- Quiet, green hillside living minutes from the coast.
- Excellent golf, with several courses inside or next to the municipality.
- Gated, managed estates that suit part-time owners.
- A large international community, with English widely used.
- The village is small but attractive, with a strong restaurant scene.
What to weigh up
- Among the highest property prices in Spain. Community fees on estates add up.
- Car-dependent. The bus service is very limited.
- No health centre or secondary school in the municipality.
- Little Spanish daily life on the estates.
- Málaga airport is ~70 km away.
Costs
What it costs in Benahavís
Typical figures, each with its source and date. Prices move, so check before you commit.
- Asking price by zone
- ~€4,650–8,160/m²
- Municipal average €5,602/m²; La Zagaleta and El Madroñal highest
- Source: idealista, Sept 2026
- Rent
- ~€21.2/m² a month
- Municipal average asking rent
- Source: idealista, Sept 2026
- Typical rent
- ~€1,320 a month
- 70 m² flat, Málaga province average (€18.8/m²)
- Source: idealista, September 2026
Guides
The Benahavís guides
The place
About Benahavís
Benahavís is a municipality of 9,472 registered residents (INE padrón, 1 Jan 2025) in the hills between Marbella and Estepona. The old village sits in a river gorge about 7 km inland and is known for its many restaurants. Most residents do not live in the village but in the gated estates and golf urbanisations that cover the lower slopes, such as La Quinta, Los Arqueros, El Paraíso, Los Flamingos, El Madroñal and La Zagaleta.
It is one of the most international municipalities in Spain. UK nationals are the largest foreign group, at 25.5% of registered foreign residents (IECA, 2025), and residents come from dozens of other countries. Life here is quiet, private and car-based, with the coast a short drive down the hill.
This is the top of the Costa del Sol market. Asking prices average €5,602/m² (idealista, Sept 2026), and La Zagaleta and El Madroñal pass €8,000/m². If you want walkable streets, a Spanish town around you or a modest budget, look at San Pedro Alcántara, Estepona or Manilva instead.
Practicalities
Practicalities
Getting there
- Inland municipality between Marbella (~20 km east) and Estepona (~20 km west), rising from the A-7 coastal corridor into the Sierra Bermeja foothills. San Pedro Alcántara is ~10 km away.
- The A-7 and AP-7 run just below the municipality. Málaga–Costa del Sol airport is ~70 km away; Gibraltar airport is also ~70 km away, across the border.
- No railway. Avanza runs a limited bus service to the coast, with only a few departures a day. In practice a car is essential.
Renting and buying
Asking prices average €5,602/m², up 6.5% in a year (idealista, Sept 2026). Zones range from ~€4,650/m² in Los Flamingos to ~€8,160/m² in La Zagaleta. Rents average €21.2/m² a month (idealista, Sept 2026). Mostly villas and frontline-golf apartments in gated developments, with community fees to budget for.
Looking for an estate agent, lawyer or gestor? Browse local businesses in Benahavís
First admin steps
- Padrón: Register at Benahavís town hall in the village. You will need your passport, NIE or TIE and proof of address.
- NIE/TIE: Through the National Police. Book appointments online (cita previa); offices are on the coast.
- Healthcare: After the padrón, register with the public health centre that covers your address. Hospital referrals go to Hospital Universitario Costa del Sol.
- Tourist rental: A vivienda con fines turísticos (VFT) must be registered with the Registro de Turismo de Andalucía (Decree 28/2016 as amended by Decree 31/2024). Platform listings also need the national rental register number. Many gated communities restrict short lets, so check the statutes first.
- Language: Spanish at the town hall. English dominates on the estates and in many local businesses.
Not sure which visa or residency route fits? Compare the routes for British movers
Map
Benahavís on the map
Pins show the town, its nearest airport and the towns nearby. Positions are approximate.
Stay
Where to stay in Benahavís
Hotels, apartments and holiday lets for a scouting trip, with live prices. Zoom out to see the towns nearby.
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Get help
Get help in Benahavís
English-speaking businesses and the offices you will deal with.
Local businesses
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Town finder
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Questions
Benahavís: common questions
Is Benahavís a good place to retire from the UK?
Good. Peaceful estates with golf on the doorstep and a large international community. Suits active retirees who drive. Hard work without a car, and the hospital is ~25 km away.
Is Benahavís good for families?
Moderate. Safe, green and close to several international schools on the coast. But the municipality has one primary school and no secondary school (IECA, 2023-24), so every school run means driving.
How much does property cost in Benahavís?
Asking prices average €5,602/m², up 6.5% in a year (idealista, Sept 2026). Zones range from ~€4,650/m² in Los Flamingos to ~€8,160/m² in La Zagaleta. Rents average €21.2/m² a month (idealista, Sept 2026). Mostly villas and frontline-golf apartments in gated developments, with community fees to budget for.
Which airport is closest to Benahavís?
Málaga–Costa del Sol (~70 km); Gibraltar (~70 km)
Can you get to Benahavís by train?
None — no railway in Benahavís. The nearest station is Fuengirola, end of the Málaga Cercanías C1 (~50 km). Avanza runs a limited bus to the coast, only a few a day.
How big is the British community in Benahavís?
Large and long-established, spread across the estates rather than in the village. UK nationals are the largest foreign nationality, at 25.5% of registered foreign residents (IECA, 2025). No recent dated head count of British residents was found. English is the everyday language on most estates, and many owners are only here part of the year.
How do I register on the padrón in Benahavís?
Register at Benahavís town hall in the village. You will need your passport, NIE or TIE and proof of address.
Compare
Compare Benahavís
Compare Benahavís with another town
Nearby towns
Marbella
~20 km east · Full city services, the public hospital, international schools and Puerto Banús.
Estepona
~20 km west · A real Spanish town with an attractive old centre and lower prices.
Manilva / Duquesa
~40 km west · Marina and beach town at the western end of the coast, at about half the price per square metre.
Last updated: 12 Oct 2026