Benahavis

Benahavis is a picturesque village south of Malaga with just over 3000 inhabitants, situated 500 meters above sea level in the Serrania de Ronda mountain range, so it’s often referred to as a mountain village. It’s located between Ronda further up the mountain and Marbella and Estepona 7 kilometers down the coast.

Benahavis originated in the 11th century when it was founded by Arabs, hence it’s name Ben Havis, meaning son (Ben) of Havis in Arabic, one of the rulers of the area at the time. Its Moorish heritage is emphasized by the existence nearby of the ruined castle of Montemayor. The once strategically chosen settlement still offers unparalleled views of the Mediterranean, Gibraltar and the African coastline.

Driving up to the town, the once flowing river Rio Guadalmina to the right is dried up most of the year, due to the placement of dam by local authorities after closing down the nearby marble quarry. Since then, the pathway alongside the river has been opened up for the general public free of charge and offers spectacular views of the mountains and surrounding nature on a well maintained hiking path.

The tranquil village Benahavis is located at the heart of the municipality that covers a large area of approximately 150 km². It is one of the richest municipalities in Spain thanks a large number of high-end golf resorts such as La Quinta, La Zagaleta and Los Arqueros, home to some of the most expensive properties in Spain.