A 50,000 m² south-facing plot in La Mairena, in the hills above Elviria on the eastern side of Marbella. The asking price of €3,000,000 includes an approved building licence and an architectural project for a contemporary villa of approximately 1,000 m². The estate sits at around 400 metres above sea level, with panoramic views over the Mediterranean, the surrounding hills and, on clear days, the Moroccan coast. Elviria's beaches lie roughly 4.6 km away as the crow flies. For buyers wanting the completed villa, a separate price of €5,000,000 applies.
Key characteristics of location, homes, project phase and points of attention.
La Mairena is a hilltop residential area on the eastern outskirts of Marbella, about 5 km inland from Elviria. The plot sits at roughly 418 metres elevation, which explains the far-reaching views and the steep 8.7% gradient towards the coast. Marbella centre lies 12 km away in a straight line; Málaga and its airport are approximately 37 km and 28 km distant respectively.
The property is sold as land with a licence and design for a villa of about 1,000 m² featuring an infinity pool, generous terraces, open-plan living areas and floor-to-ceiling glazing oriented south towards the sea. Private parking, a private garden and a pool are part of the proposed plan. Buyers effectively purchase both the site and a ready-made architectural concept for a single large residence.
Nothing has yet been built on the plot. The licence and architectural project are included in the asking price, with construction of the proposed villa still to follow; the alternative option is acquisition of the completed villa at €5,000,000, which implies a build period to be agreed. The 1970 date in the records refers to the estate's registration, not to any existing construction. All timelines remain indicative until contracts are signed.
The plot itself contains no finished accommodation: no bedrooms, bathrooms or habitable living space exist today. Amenities within 2 km are limited to a single restaurant, so daily life depends on Elviria and Marbella by car. The slope to the beach is steep and the swimming season lasts about four months. Public transport is minimal, with only two lines serving the wider area.
This estate suits a specific buyer profile. The first is the self-builder with ambition: someone who wants a large plot with an approved licence and a designed villa, avoiding the uncertainty of a lengthy planning process while retaining influence over the final execution. The second is the turnkey buyer who opts for the €5,000,000 completed-villa route, accepting an indicative build timeline in exchange for a finished result. The location itself narrows the audience further. Daily life here requires a car, there is no meaningful walkability, public transport is limited to two lines in the wider area, and the nearest restaurant within 2 km is the only immediate amenity. Buyers wanting cafes, beach bars and shops at the doorstep will find Elviria or Marbella centre a better fit. Conversely, buyers prioritising privacy, elevation and unbroken views will recognise the value of a 50,000 m² hillside holding. Families should note the English International College 4.9 km away as the crow flies, alongside 41 primary and 28 secondary schools in the broader region, and five health centres within practical reach. The property also fits an estate-style purchase: a legacy holding with land, water views and mountain backdrop, kept for generations or as a substantial single residence. What the property does not offer is rental-density potential in a tourist hotspot, a front-line beach position, or a low-maintenance lock-and-leave apartment. The four-month swimming season and the steep 8.7% gradient to the coast are practical considerations buyers should weigh before committing.
Since the plot is undeveloped, the quality discussion concerns the included architectural project rather than a finished product. The design foresees a contemporary villa of approximately 1,000 m² with open-plan living spaces, expansive glazing on the south face and a deliberate indoor-outdoor layout that connects the main rooms with terraces and the infinity pool. South-facing orientation is documented in the property features, which on this stretch of coastline generally means maximum exposure to sun throughout the day and direct sightlines over the Mediterranean. The proposed specification includes a private pool, private garden and private parking, consistent with a detached single-plot estate rather than a communal development. Buyers choosing the completed-villa option at €5,000,000 should treat final material selections, brands and technical installations as matters for contract negotiation; the marketing description gives no binding schedule of finishes. Construction quality on hillside plots of this size typically depends on geotechnical conditions, retaining structures and water management, all points a technical survey should cover before purchase. Given the 418-metre elevation and exposed position, wind loading, insulation and glazing performance deserve specific attention in the final build specification. The existing description makes no claims about energy performance, heating systems or smart-home installations, so these elements remain open until the buyer defines them. In short: the project offers a sound architectural concept with a licence, while the actual build standard will be determined by the contract signed for the construction phase.
The asking price is fixed at €3,000,000 for the 50,000 m² plot, inclusive of the building licence and the architectural project for the roughly 1,000 m² villa. Buyers preferring a turnkey result can acquire the completed villa for €5,000,000, meaning the construction itself is effectively priced at €2,000,000 on top of the land. This is not a price-list development; it is a single estate transaction with two defined purchase options. Comparable new-build apartment projects elsewhere on the coast, such as Aquamar in Torre del Mar from €269,950 or Etherna Homes 2 in Estepona from €321,000, operate in an entirely different segment and price structure. Availability is immediate for the land purchase; completion dates for the villa option remain indicative and subject to contract.
La Mairena is one of the quieter residential enclaves east of Marbella, defined by cork oak hills, low-density housing and long sightlines towards the sea. Life here follows a car-based rhythm: mornings may start on a south-facing terrace with views over the coastline, while shopping, dining and schools require a drive down to Elviria, roughly five kilometres away by road. The immediate surroundings hold little more than a single restaurant within two kilometres, which is precisely the point for many residents: privacy and nature come first, with urban convenience reachable in fifteen to twenty minutes. Daily life would revolve around the estate itself. A 50,000 m² plot offers room for extensive gardens, a private pool and outdoor space oriented south for maximum sun exposure. The proposed villa design places living areas and terraces on the view side, with an infinity pool as the visual anchor. The elevation of around 418 metres means cooler evenings than on the coast and clear air, but also a real climb whenever the sea is the destination. The gradient towards the beach measures 8.7%, which in practice translates into winding access roads and a drive rather than a walk to the sand. Golf plays a notable role in the surrounding area. El Soto Golf lies 1.5 km away as the crow flies, Santa María Golf & Country Club 2.5 km, and Campo América 2.8 km, giving residents three courses within a short radius. The English International College, one of the coast's established international schools, sits 4.9 km away, which matters for families considering year-round residence. Out of season, the area stays residential and calm; the 32 annual local public holidays and the wider region's tourism of 52 hotels barely register at this altitude. For buyers seeking a self-contained estate where the views, the pool and the privacy form the daily routine, with Marbella's offer 12 km away for evenings out, this location sets a clear rhythm.
The surrounding area combines rural tranquillity with reasonable access to the Costa del Sol's infrastructure. Within a five-kilometre radius as the crow flies, residents find El Soto Golf at 1.5 km, Santa María Golf & Country Club at 2.5 km and Campo América at 2.8 km, alongside sports facilities such as Finca Naundrup, La Siesta Golf Club and Club del Sol at around 4 km. The mirador at Las Águilas, 4.8 km away, offers one of the region's established viewpoints. For coastal outings, Playa de Artola, a natural dune-backed beach near Cabopino, lies 4.6 km away in a straight line, and the marina at Puerto Cabopino sits 5.2 km distant. These are straight-line figures; actual driving distances on winding hillside roads will be longer. The elevation shapes daily life. At 418 metres, temperatures run slightly cooler than on the coast, and the average annual temperature for the area is 17.2°C. The swimming season, defined by sea temperatures of 20°C or more, lasts about four months, meaning pool use on the estate will typically exceed sea swimming in comfort. Amenities within 2 km of the plot are limited to a single restaurant; groceries, pharmacies and services cluster in Elviria. The wider region records 4,743 housing transactions per year and a provincial median income of €16,450, indicating an active but not overheated property market. Public transport consists of two lines with 34 stops in the area, enough for occasional use, insufficient as a primary means of mobility.
The map shows the plot's position in the La Mairena hills, roughly five kilometres inland from Elviria's coastline. Marbella lies 12 km to the west and Málaga 37 km to the north-east, with Málaga airport about 28 km away. The contours illustrate the steep 8.7% gradient between the estate and the sea.
Approximate area · exact address shared on request
Within the Costa del Sol hierarchy, La Mairena occupies the upper residential tier of Marbella East, quieter, higher and greener than the beachfront zones of Elviria and Cabopino below it. Marbella centre, 12 km away in a straight line, supplies the urban and cultural offer; Málaga, at 37 km, connects the region to the airport and the provincial capital. The position between countryside and coast is the defining trait: five kilometres from the beach as the crow flies, yet surrounded by protected hills with three golf courses within a three-kilometre radius. Compared with heavier tourist concentrations along the coast, the region counts 52 hotels and 12,781 beds, this hillside enclave remains residential year-round.
Access is primarily by car via the roads connecting La Mairena with Elviria and the A-7 coastal motorway. Marbella lies 12 km away in a straight line, Málaga 37 km, and Málaga-Costa del Sol airport approximately 28 km, typically a drive of around 30 to 40 minutes depending on traffic, though the gradient of 8.7% towards the coast means every trip involves a descent and a climb back. Gibraltar airport sits roughly 68 km to the south-west. Beach visits are practical rather than spontaneous: Playa de Artola, 4.6 km as the crow flies, and the marina at Puerto Cabopino, 5.2 km, are the nearest coastal destinations, both reachable by car in a matter of minutes once down the hill. Golf requires the shortest journeys of all, El Soto Golf lies just 1.5 km away in a straight line. Healthcare is covered by five health centres in the region, and education options include 41 primary schools and 28 secondary schools, with the English International College 4.9 km from the plot. Public transport, two lines, 34 stops, serves the wider area but does not substitute for a private vehicle at this elevation. Buyers should therefore plan for at least one car per adult in the household.
| Beach Distance | 4.6 km |
| Malaga-Costa del Sol (AGP) | 28 km |
| Gibraltar (GIB) | 68 km |
Source: OpenStreetMap, Google Maps
La Mairena's position at 418 metres above sea level defines its climate and character. The elevation brings cooler nights than the coast, cleaner air and expansive visibility, on clear days the view reaches towards Gibraltar and the African coastline, roughly 68 km and beyond in straight-line terms. The average annual temperature in the area measures 17.2°C, moderate for southern Spain, and the hillside setting softens the summer heat that residents of the seafront experience. Rainfall concentrates in the cooler months, leaving long dry summers, a pattern reflected in the roughly four-month swimming season, when sea temperatures hold at 20°C or above. A private pool on the estate therefore extends usable outdoor months well beyond the sea-swimming window. The terrain slopes: the gradient towards the beach measures 8.7%, classed as steep, which affects both the drive down to the coast and the design of terraces and gardens on the plot itself. The surrounding landscape consists of protected green hills typical of the La Mairena zone, with low building density and a mixture of cork oak woodland and established villa estates, a setting that favours walkers and nature lovers over those seeking flat coastal strolls.
Source: Open-Meteo (2020–2025 average)
The nearest beach, Playa de Artola, lies 4.6 km away in a straight line and is one of the less developed stretches of the Marbella coastline, backed by dunes within the Artola dunes protected area. Puerto Cabopino, 5.2 km distant, adds a marina with moorings, beach restaurants and a family-friendly cove. For sports and recreation beyond the sand, the immediate area is well served: El Soto Golf at 1.5 km, Santa María Golf & Country Club at 2.5 km and Campo América at 2.8 km give three courses within a short drive, while Finca Naundrup, La Siesta Golf Club and Club del Sol cluster around the 4-kilometre mark. The Mirador de las Águilas viewpoint, 4.8 km away, is a known spot for taking in the coastline from above. On the estate itself, the proposed infinity pool and terraces provide the primary daily recreation, the practical consequence of a hillside plot where the sea remains a destination rather than a doorstep. The swimming season in open water lasts about four months; pool season, with the proposed south orientation, runs considerably longer.
Source: OpenStreetMap
La Mairena is a hill top residential resort on the Costa del Sol, just 5 km (3 mi) from the coastal ruralisation of Elviria, on the eastern outskirts of Marbella, Spain. At 400 m (1300 ft) above sea level, the village has views towards the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the Mediterranean Sea, the Rock of Gibraltar and the African coast.
| Month | Avg. Temperature | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|
| January | 10.2°C | 69 mm |
| February | 11.1°C | 47 mm |
| March | 12.4°C | 140 mm |
| April | 14.5°C | 74 mm |
| May | 18.3°C | 29 mm |
| June | 22.7°C | 7 mm |
| July | 26.0°C | 1 mm |
| August | 26.0°C | 10 mm |
| September | 22.1°C | 32 mm |
| October | 18.5°C | 79 mm |
| November | 13.7°C | 87 mm |
| December | 11.4°C | 70 mm |
Steep
Ref: VL329237
Source: Wikipedia, Wikidata, INE, Junta de Andalucía
Set against the wider Costa del Sol market, this estate belongs to a small category: substantial hillside land with an approved licence, rather than an off-plan apartment or a finished villa. The most obvious comparables are not the new-build apartment projects of Torre del Mar, Mijas or Estepona, Aquamar from €269,950, Lantana Residencial from €205,000 and Etherna Homes 2 from €321,000, but rather other large plots in Marbella East's elevated zones, where land with licences near Elviria and Santa María Golf trades at premium levels per square metre of buildable volume. Location-wise, La Mairena competes with three neighbouring typologies. Beachfront Elviria offers walkable amenities, beach clubs and front-line apartment living, but without the privacy, land area or views of this elevation. Central Marbella, 12 km to the west, provides urban convenience and the Golden Mile's established prestige, at a price per built square metre generally above hillside values but with far smaller plots. Further inland towards Ojén, plots can be larger and cheaper, yet lose the five-kilometre proximity to the coast that La Mairena retains. The regional market context matters too. With 4,743 housing transactions per year in the wider area, steady demand from northern European buyers, and a limited supply of licensed hillside estates, large plots of this kind are thinly traded assets, less liquid than apartments, but also less exposed to oversupply. The area's tourism infrastructure (52 hotels, 12,781 beds) supports the rental and resale market along the coast, while La Mairena itself remains residential. For a buyer weighing this estate against a completed villa purchase, the €2,000,000 difference between the land-plus-project price and the turnkey price is effectively the construction budget, a figure that should be tested against independent build quotes for a 1,000 m² villa at current Andalusian construction costs.
With years of experience, Emma Whitfield expertly guides English-speaking clients through the intricacies of the Spanish property market. Her dedication ensures a smooth journey.
AI-assisted multilingual representative. Your inquiry is handled by the team behind this site.
Interested?
Leave your details and we will contact you shortly with more information about this project.
