To many Andalucíans, native and expatriate alike, Benahavís is synonymous with food.  It has the highest concentration of first class restaurants in the region and draws visitors by the thousands who come simply to savor the cuisine.

                                                                                                                   
In spite of this, it has remained remarkably unspoiled, with winding narrow streets ill-suited for cars, and a charm which almost makes it seem like a specially-created film set. 

It stands 500 m above sea level, 7 km. inland from the coastal road N - 340, and is reached by driving through the Rio Guadalmina gorge up into the hills.

Its Moorish heritage is emphasized by the existence of the ruined 11th Century castle of Montemayor nearby. As its name implies, this Arab stronghold squats on top of the highest mountain in the locality, and anyone wishing to make the climb to visit the ruins and experience the truly sensational views of the coastline should be prepared for a strenuous but rewarding effort.  The strife and tension of the Moorish age, in which Montemayor played a prominent part, is long gone.
 
Today, Benahavís is seldom quiet during the tourist season, but the greatest challenges will be to find a parking place and then choose a restaurant.  Even the old stone Arab walls around the town hall have been converted into one.

A notable feature of the village is La Aldea.  Almost a village within a village, La Aldea was the brainchild of the British sculptor, David Marshall, whose gallery is one of its main features.  Though largely a recent creation, determined efforts have been made to make this enclave even more Andalucían than Benahavís itself, with marble fountains, antiques and old-fashioned doors and grilles.  Of course, within this special ambience you will find a few restaurants!

Within close proximity of Benahavís are the internationally renowned holiday & millionaires’ playgrounds of Puerto Banús & Marbella.  For the kids there are plenty of attractions in the area like the adventure park of Tivoli World, the Fuengirola Zoo, Sea Life and Selwo Safari, of course the beaches and Aquaparks.