© Rod Quin
Between Marbella and Estepona and seven kilometres inland is the photo-perfect white village of Benahavis. Perched on the southern face of the Serrania de Ronda and 500 metres above sea level, Benahavis offers stunning views of the Guadalmina River and countryside below. Originally a Moorish fortification, the village is now a typical pueblo blanco with whitewashed houses, flowering pots of geraniums and narrow streets. People come to Benahavis to enjoy the food and the art.
The village is renowned in Andalusia for the gastronomic delights it offers. At least twenty restaurants offer typical Spanish and seafood dishes but the specialities of the region are game, pork and lamb. There is an eating place to suit every budget and the menus are usually displayed outside the restaurants. Less formal dining is available at a wide range of bars and bodegas.
In June the village celebrates Día Gastronómico (Gastronomic Day). On this day the village restaurants offer samples of the best from their menus from stalls set up at the entrance to the village.
Benahavis is home to many artists and craftspeople. The streets are lined with little galleries, antique stores and jewellery shops. At the end of the main street is the sculptor David’s Marshall’s gallery and behind this is the courtyard of La Aldea. La Aldea is an artwork in itself - a perfect re-creation of the best of Andalusian design with fountains, carved doors, antiques and iron grilles. It also has its own bodega.