Plot with views in El Paraíso Alto, Benahavís.

The famous ‘county village’ on the edge of Marbella, Benahavis covers a large area of hills, mountain ranges and valleys with the centuries-old settlement at its heart. It is a favourite of local and foreign diners known as the ‘gastronomic corner of the Costa del Sol’, and more than a few people have lost their hearts to this pretty village and bought second or even primary residences in this rustic area. The majority of foreign homeowners within the Benahavis municipality, however, can be found in the luxurious urbanisations that surround it, including the country clubs of Los Arqueros, La Reserva de Alcuzcuz, La Quinta, El Madroñal and the highly select La Zagaleta to the east, with the likes of La Alqueria, El Paraíso, Villa Padierna, Montemayor and the Marbella Club Golf Resort on the west side. In these are located luxury resorts such as the Anantara Villa Padierna Palace Hotel & Spa, the horse riding centre at the Marbella Club Golf Resort, small shopping areas, restaurants, tennis clubs and private schools – not to mention excellent golf courses in Villa Padierna, Marbella Club Golf, Los Capanes, Los Arqueros, La Quinta and La Zagaleta. Add to this the shops, galleries and restaurants of Benahavis village, its own hotel and driving range, and the Benahavis Hills Country Club, and it becomes clear that Benahavis is a world unto itself – at ten minutes distance from Marbella and the beach.