Costa del Sol Day Trip: Benahavis
A Picturesque White Village to Visit in Anadalusia, Spain
© Rod Quin
Benahavis, the prettiest pueblo blanco in Andalusia, offers great dining, art, history and nature within easy travelling distance of Marbella and the Costa del Sol.
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.
Dining in Benahavis
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.
Art in Benahavis
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.
Things to See and Do in and around Benahavis
- Walk up the hill to Montemayor, an 11th century Moorish castle ruin.
- Visit the 18th century church of Nuestra Señora del Rosario.
- Walk through Las Angosturas, a narrow canyon carved out by the Guadalmina River and home to deer, foxes and mountain goats.
- Drive through the La Zagaleta nature reserve to see cork and olive trees, oaks, conifers, rock roses, thyme, partridge and pheasant.
- Watch the birds of prey. The rocky and mountainous terrain is home to thirteen different raptor species.
Getting to Benahavis by Car
- From the Gibralatar/Estepona direction exit the A-7/N-340 at the signpost to A-7175 Benahavis between Paraiso-Barronal and San Pedro de Alcantara.
- From the Marbella direction take the A-7/N-340 to San Pedro de Alcantara and follow the exit sign just west of San Pedro to A-7175 Benahavis.
- Benahavis can get crowded on weekends and in high seasons and parking can be a problem. It is usually best to park outside the village and proceed on foot.
Buses and Taxis to Benahavis
- Buses for Benahavis leave Marbella Bus station (tel. 952 76 44 01) from Mon-Fri only, at 6.50 and 17.45; journey time is 45 m; approx. price one way is 2.05EUR.
- Buses for Benahavis leave San Pedro Bus Station (tel. 952 781 396) from Mon-Fri only, at 7.15 am and 18.15; journey time is 20 m; price one way is approx. 0.90EUR.
- Buses leave Benahavis for San Pedro and Marbella at 7.40 and 18.35.
- Bus timetables are correct as of April 2008. Always call to check bus times beforehand.
- Taxis can be taken to Benahavis from San Pedro.
