A key-ready detached villa of 1,729 m² on an almost flat plot of 9,544 m² in La Zagaleta, the gated residential estate near Benahavís in the province of Málaga. Completed in 2004, the residence offers six bedrooms, each with its own en-suite bathroom, together with staff quarters, a private pool, a gym, a sauna and a games room. The property is south-facing and enjoys panoramic views over the Mediterranean and the surrounding mountain ranges. The asking price is fixed at €12,000,000.
Within the Costa del Sol market, this villa occupies a segment defined by plot size, security and estate amenities rather than by proximity to the beach. The obvious comparison points are the other large estates of the Benahavís, Marbella hinterland, where comparable villas on gated plots compete on view quality, flatness of land and internal facilities; this property's near-level hectare of grounds is a distinguishing asset in terrain where most plots slope steeply. Against Marbella's Golden Mile, the classic address for seafront mansions and penthouses, La Zagaleta trades direct coastal access for space, privacy and the security apparatus of a country club. Against newer hillside developments in Estepona and Benahavís, it offers maturity: a 2004 build with established gardens and full-grown landscaping, rather than a young plot awaiting planting. The wider regional market, reflected in projects such as Aquamar in Torre del Mar (from €269,950), Lantana Residencial in Mijas (from €205,000) and Etherna Homes 2 in Estepona (from €321,000), operates in an entirely different price bracket and product class; those developments address apartment and townhouse buyers, whereas this residence targets the top of the villa segment. The area's roughly 711 annual housing transactions indicate a market active enough to establish pricing references, yet selective enough that properties of this scale change hands infrequently. For buyers comparing internationally, the combination of two airports within about 50 km, Málaga and Gibraltar, and Mediterranean climate is a regional strength, while the dependence on private transport and the estate's running costs are the trade-offs specific to this setting.
Key characteristics of location, homes, project phase and points of attention.
The villa stands within La Zagaleta, a private, guarded urbanisation in the hills above Benahavís, at roughly 400 metres elevation. Marbella lies 12 km away as the crow flies, and the beaches of the coast are a short drive downhill. The estate's two golf courses, equestrian centre and clubhouse facilities are accessible from within the gated perimeter, while the wider Costa del Sol remains reachable by car.
The layout serves large households and frequent guests: six en-suite bedrooms with dressing facilities, a guest apartment, staff quarters and a games room. Daily living is organised around a central living room with fireplace, a formal dining room with direct outdoor access, and a fitted kitchen with a central island and breakfast area. Covered terraces, a solarium, a gym and a sauna extend the usable space across the seasons.
This is not a new-build project. The villa was completed in 2004 and is offered key-ready, described as being in excellent condition. Its construction phase is therefore finished; the relevant time factors for a buyer are the transfer process, any personal refurbishment preferences and the prevailing condition report rather than construction milestones or delivery dates.
The property is not within walking distance of shops, schools or the coast; daily life depends on a car. Public transport in the immediate area is limited to a single line and stop. There is no beach on the doorstep, and the villa does not offer a coastal or village setting. Buyers seeking turn-key apartments, communal facilities of a resort complex, or walkable urban amenities should note these constraints.
This residence fits a buyer profile that requires space and privacy at scale: multi-generational families needing six en-suite bedrooms plus staff quarters, or owners who host guests and events regularly and need a guest apartment, games room and covered outdoor dining areas. It also matches buyers who place security first, the estate's 24-hour gatehouses and patrols are among the most extensive on the coast. The property suits permanent relocation as much as seasonal use, given the lift, gym, sauna and climate-control systems that support year-round comfort. It is less suitable for buyers who want to walk to beaches, restaurants or shops, who rely on public transport, or who prefer low-maintenance living: a hectare of gardens and a villa of this size carry corresponding management requirements. The 2004 construction means the buyer acquires a mature property with established gardens rather than a new build; those wanting contemporary developer specifications should factor in possible refurbishment. Finally, the fixed price point of €12,000,000 places this residence in the top segment of the regional market, where purchase decisions typically involve wealth structuring and legal due diligence beyond the ordinary residential process.
The villa combines traditional Andalusian architectural elements with high-specification interiors: a classic fireplace in the central living room, French doors, covered terraces and fitted wardrobes throughout the bedrooms. Each of the six bedrooms has a private bathroom and dressing facilities, a level of fit-out that reduces competition over shared space in a large household. Climate control is covered on two fronts: air conditioning with both hot and cold functions, and thermal solar collector systems that contribute to hot water production and reduce running costs, visible in aerial photographs of the roof. Technical amenities include a lift between floors, satellite television provision and automated security features. Dedicated utility and leisure spaces, a games room with pool table, a gym, a sauna and a solarium, are integrated into the main building rather than added as extensions. The private garage accommodates multiple vehicles. The condition is described as excellent, and the 2004 vintage means the construction methods and materials are established rather than experimental; as with any property of this age, an independent structural and systems survey remains a standard part of due diligence. Staff quarters and private storage complete the service layout, allowing household operations to run separately from the family areas.
The villa is offered as an existing home with a fixed asking price of €12,000,000. This is not a price-list arrangement with tiered options; the price applies to the specific property as described, including its plot of 9,544 m² and 1,729 m² of built area. At this level of the market, transaction terms are typically negotiated individually, and the final figure may depend on survey findings, furnishing arrangements and completion timing. Buyers should also budget separately for acquisition costs (transfer tax, notary and registry fees) and running costs such as estate community fees, which are significant in La Zagaleta given the level of security and shared facilities. Availability is immediate, as the property is key-ready and completed.
This is a large-scale family villa designed for year-round living within a private estate. The daily rhythm is shaped by the estate's controlled environment: guarded gatehouses and mobile patrols mean the setting remains quiet and low-traffic throughout the year, including the summer months when the coast is at its busiest. The house itself is oriented towards outdoor living on a south-facing axis, with broad covered terraces and French doors connecting the main rooms to the gardens and pool area. Mornings and evenings can be spent across multiple outdoor zones: shaded lounges, dining pavilions and the solarium. Indoors, the plan separates formal living, casual family space and service areas, with a lift connecting levels. The scale of the plot, nearly a hectare of nearly flat terrain, which is uncommon in this hilly district, allows gardens, pool decks and parking for several vehicles without the gradient complications typical of hillside villas. Practical life still requires driving: Benahavís village, known for its concentration of restaurants, and the commercial strip between San Pedro de Alcántara and Puerto Banús are reached by car. Within the estate, two championship golf courses, an equestrian centre and clubhouse facilities provide recreation without leaving the gates. The climate supports outdoor use for most of the year, with average monthly temperatures ranging between 12°C and 26°C.
Daily life in and around La Zagaleta is car-based. Benahavís village, with its reputation as a culinary centre, and the coast's main commercial areas at San Pedro de Alcántara, Puerto Banús and the Marbella Golden Mile are all short drives away. Within roughly two kilometres of the estate's wider area there is an unusually dense amenity base: several hundred restaurants, around a hundred pharmacies and over sixty bank branches, though in practice these cluster in the coastal towns rather than at the gates. The nearest beach, Playa de San Andrés, lies 3.3 km away as the crow flies, with the beaches of Pedregalejo and Baños del Carmen slightly further. Golf is available both inside the estate and outside it, with Club de Golf Málaga Parador at 9.7 km straight-line. The setting itself is hilly and green, with viewpoints such as Mirador de San Miguel within a kilometre. The area records around 711 housing transactions per year, indicating an active though selective market. One primary school is listed within the immediate area, meaning families with older children typically look towards international schools along the coast.
The map shows the villa's position within La Zagaleta's gated perimeter, in the hills behind Benahavís. Note the elevation of around 400 metres and the distances: Marbella 12 km and the nearest beaches just over 3 km in a straight line, with actual road routes longer due to the terrain.
Approximate area · exact address shared on request
La Zagaleta occupies a distinct position on the Costa del Sol: an inland, elevated, fully gated country-club estate between Benahavís and the mountain interior, rather than a coastal resort. Marbella at 12 km is the nearest major centre, with Málaga city 57 km and Algeciras 59 km away in a straight line. The estate competes in a segment of its own on the coast, large plots, private golf and equestrian facilities, and security infrastructure, which separates it from the apartment and townhouse markets of Marbella, Estepona and Mijas. For international buyers it functions as a rural retreat with metropolitan access, combining mountain scenery with the services of one of Europe's most developed coastal regions.
The villa sits in the hills above Benahavís, and virtually all destinations are reached by car. Marbella is 12 km away as the crow flies, with Malaga city at 57 km and Algeciras at 59 km straight-line. Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP) is approximately 49 km away in a straight line; Gibraltar Airport (GIB) is a comparable 53 km, giving the unusual advantage of two international airports within similar range, the road journey to either is longer than the direct distance suggests. Public transport is minimal: one line and one stop serve the wider area, so the residence is not a practical base without private vehicles. The multi-vehicle garage accommodates this. Within the estate, internal roads connect the golf courses, equestrian centre and clubhouse. For marine access, IGY Málaga Marina lies 1.6 km straight-line from the wider district, though the marinas of Puerto Banús and Marbella are the ones residents realistically use.
| Malaga-Costa del Sol (AGP) | 49 km |
| Gibraltar (GIB) | 53 km |
Source: OpenStreetMap, Google Maps
The estate lies at about 403 metres above sea level, on the lower slopes of the coastal mountain range behind Benahavís. This elevation moderates summer heat compared with the shoreline while keeping winters mild: the average annual temperature is 17.2°C, with monthly averages ranging from 12°C in the coolest months to 26°C at the height of summer. The swimming season in sea water above 20°C lasts about four months, though the villa's private pool extends this considerably, since pool water warms earlier and holds heat longer than the sea. The surrounding landscape is defined by protected nature reserves and mountain ranges visible from the terraces, the source of the panoramic views. The south-facing orientation maximises sun exposure across the day, which supports both the solar thermal collectors and outdoor living. The near-flat plot is a notable feature in this topography, where most hillside grounds slope; it makes the gardens and pool decks fully usable without steps or retaining works.
Source: Open-Meteo (2020–2025 average)
The nearest beaches, Playa de San Andrés and Playa de los Baños del Carmen, lie 3.3 km away in a direct line, with Playa de Pedregalejo at 4.1 km; the coast also offers Blue Flag beaches around Marbella and Puerto Banús within a short drive. Recreation closer to home is the estate's defining feature: two private championship golf courses, an equestrian centre, clubhouse facilities and concierge services are available to residents inside the gates, and the estate operates private helipads. Beyond the estate, Club de Golf Málaga Parador (9.7 km straight-line), Club de Golf de Guadalhorce (10.4 km) and the Miguel Ángel Jiménez course (12.5 km) provide additional options. The villa's own leisure infrastructure, pool, sun decks, shaded lounges, outdoor dining pavilions, games room, gym and sauna, means much of the recreational day can take place without leaving the property. Viewpoints such as Mirador de San Miguel and Torre Blanca offer walking destinations within a kilometre of the wider area.
Source: OpenStreetMap
| Month | Avg. Temperature | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|
| January | 10.5°C | 90 mm |
| February | 11.4°C | 57 mm |
| March | 12.5°C | 182 mm |
| April | 14.6°C | 81 mm |
| May | 17.9°C | 36 mm |
| June | 22.1°C | 8 mm |
| July | 25.3°C | 1 mm |
| August | 25.4°C | 7 mm |
| September | 22.0°C | 28 mm |
| October | 18.5°C | 74 mm |
| November | 13.9°C | 97 mm |
| December | 11.7°C | 83 mm |
Ref: VL283541
Source: Wikipedia, Wikidata, INE, Junta de Andalucía
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