La Zagaleta | Benahavis
In Summary
Set in the hills of Benahavís, just 10 minutes from Marbella, La Zagaleta is synonymous with absolute privacy. With two private golf courses, a first-class equestrian centre and access restricted to residents, it is the most exclusive and secure community on the Costa del Sol.
La Zagaleta is a private residential estate of more than 900 hectares of Mediterranean woodland in Benahavís, with restricted access and 24-hour security. From its highest points, it offers views of the sea, Gibraltar and the African coastline on clear days.
La Zagaleta at a Glance
- What to expect: privacy, security, exclusivity and nature.
- The lifestyle: live in complete tranquillity, surrounded by nature and with access to exclusive first-class services, including two golf courses, an equestrian centre and maximum security, all just 10 minutes from Marbella.
- What not to expect: do not expect busy streets, shops around the corner or the possibility of walking everywhere; in La Zagaleta, life is all about absolute privacy and tranquillity.
- The market: exclusive and highly sought-after. Villa prices in La Zagaleta reflect its privileged status, with consistent appreciation over time.
- You will fall in love with: mountain walks, spotting deer in their natural habitat and Mediterranean views that make every sunset feel unique.
→ Discover the defining features that make La Zagaleta truly unique.
Location
Boundaries and accessibility
La Zagaleta belongs to the municipality of Benahavís, around 12 km northwest of Marbella. It has two access points: the North Entrance and the South Entrance, the latter reserved exclusively for residents. It is easily reached via the A-7 towards San Pedro de Alcántara, or via the A-397 towards Ronda from San Pedro. The estate also has a private heliport within the community, used by residents who prefer to fly directly to Málaga Airport or to other international destinations.
| Destination | Approximate time |
|---|---|
| Benahavís village | 10 min |
| Puerto Banús | 15 min |
| Marbella centre | 20 min |
| Estepona | 25 min |
| Sotogrande | 40 min |
| Málaga Airport (AGP) | 55 min |
Lifestyle
Despite being a private residential estate, La Zagaleta has everything: sport, nature and social life, without the need to leave the community. Its two golf courses, the Old Course and the New Course, are impeccably designed, each with its own clubhouse, perfect for relaxing after a round. Although set in the mountains, it enjoys the same exceptional Mediterranean climate as the rest of Marbella.
Golf
La Zagaleta offers 36 holes of parkland golf, divided between two private courses, the Old Course and the New Course, set in a privileged Mediterranean woodland enclave with views towards the Alboran Sea, Africa and Gibraltar. Access is exclusive to residents and their guests: no outside visitors, no waiting times.
The Old Course was designed in 1991 by Bradford Benz and redesigned in 2016 by Marc Westenborg, blending naturally with the surrounding flora and fauna. The New Course, co-designed by Jonathan Gaunt and Steve Marnoch, opened in 2005 and offers an equally demanding par-70 layout. Both courses have a technical design with doglegs where strategy is essential: they are not long courses, but they are highly challenging. The tranquillity of the setting is only interrupted by sightings of partridges, fallow deer, deer or mouflon. Each course has its own clubhouse with a restaurant, perfect for unwinding after a round.
More information is available on the official website of the La Zagaleta Country Club.
Equestrian
The equestrian club at La Zagaleta has 23 stables and four riding arenas: two for training, one for dressage and one for leisure riding. The horses available include purebred Arabian and Spanish horses, Welsh ponies and Falabella horses for younger children. Residents can use the club’s horses or bring their own. For those starting out in horse riding, a private instructor is available.
More information is available on the official website of the La Zagaleta Country Club.
Hiking and Nature
Beyond golf and horse riding, La Zagaleta offers trails that wind through woodland, streams and waterfalls, ideal for switching off. It is not unusual to come across deer along the way or see eagles flying over the mountains: here, wildlife is part of everyday life.
And despite the tranquillity and privacy, Marbella, San Pedro de Alcántara and Puerto Banús are only a few minutes away by car. When you feel like a change of scenery, access to the best restaurants, boutiques and services is close at hand.
La Zagaleta for Families
Living in La Zagaleta means enjoying an exclusive setting without giving up access to a first-class education. A short distance away, there are several international schools offering bilingual programmes and a high academic standard.
Aloha College (Marbella) – Located in Nueva Andalucía, it follows the British curriculum and welcomes students aged 3 to 18 from more than 50 nationalities.
Laude San Pedro International College (San Pedro de Alcántara) – Offers education from early years through to sixth form, combining the British curriculum with the Spanish system. Approximately 65% of classes are taught in English.
Colegio Atalaya (Estepona) – A bilingual school that combines the best of the Spanish and English education systems.
Swans International School (Marbella) – Founded in 1971, it offers education in English based on the British curriculum, while integrating subjects from the Spanish system.
The British International School of Marbella – An option for those seeking a British education from the early years, with a personalised approach.
Find all the information about schools in this link.
Despite its mountain setting, La Zagaleta benefits from Marbella’s excellent Mediterranean climate, ideal for enjoying nature and outdoor activities.
The Real Estate Market
Buying in La Zagaleta means entering one of Europe’s most exclusive property markets. Villas here are designed for buyers seeking absolute privacy, luxury and a privileged location, and the figures confirm it.
Property profile
La Zagaleta is dominated by designer villas on large plots ranging between 3,000 and 10,000 m², many with views of the sea, mountains or golf courses. Architecture ranges from classic Andalusian style to contemporary signature designs. Unlike other communities in the area, there are no apartments or townhouses here: only detached villas, reinforcing the low-density, highly private character that defines the estate.
Prices and trends
Market Statistics (Updated 2026)
- Average sale price: €7,868,987
- Price per square metre: between €6,885 and €12,600/m² (actual sales in 2025)
- Average plot size: 6,051 m²
- Average built size: 1,262 m²
Prices start at around €3–4 million, although it is not unusual to find properties exceeding €15 million or even €30 million; the most expensive sale to date reached €32 million. On premium plots with panoramic sea views, land prices can exceed €10,000/m². In 2024, a record was set with the sale of a plot for €18 million, confirming the value of land in the area. The offering is varied: designer villas with sea or mountain views, and large plots for those who prefer to build a bespoke residence. A good example is Villa Kaizen, currently available, with spectacular views and top-quality finishes.
The luxury market on the Costa del Sol continues to grow, with more than €3.2 billion invested in the Golden Triangle of Marbella, Estepona and Benahavís. La Zagaleta continues to lead this segment without question, with demand growing by more than 19% in 2024.
New developments
Between 2025 and 2027, 29 new villas are planned within La Zagaleta, a clear sign of long-term confidence in the area. The most ambitious project is the construction of a 60-room hotel and 66 associated villas under a branded residences model, on a 110,000 m² plot with its own access and an investment of more than €170 million. Brands such as Mandarin, Six Senses and Four Seasons are being considered as possible partners for the project. All of this confirms that La Zagaleta has not reached its peak: it is still evolving.
Buyer profile
The La Zagaleta buyer is almost always international: mainly British, German, Scandinavian, French and Israeli, with profiles ranging from entrepreneurs and senior executives to investors and sports figures. Many transactions are handled privately or off-market, through specialised agents with direct access to this circle. The combination of extremely limited supply and constant demand keeps the risk of devaluation very low, making La Zagaleta one of the most stable real estate investments in Spain.
Ultimately, the La Zagaleta market is one of the strongest and most exclusive in Europe. Prices have remained stable even during periods of uncertainty, supply remains limited by design and international demand shows no signs of cooling.
La Zagaleta — The Origins
The story of La Zagaleta begins in an unconventional way. Covering around 900 hectares in the mountains of Benahavís, was originally called La Baraka and served during the 1980s as the private hunting estate of Saudi billionaire Adnan Khashoggi. The current clubhouse of one of the golf courses stands on the site where his residence once stood.
In 1990, Spanish entrepreneur Enrique Pérez Flores led a group of investors who acquired the estate with a very different vision: instead of the 3,000 homes that had initially been considered, they chose a low-density model with only 420 villas, preserving much of the Mediterranean woodland.
Construction began in 1992, and in 1994 La Zagaleta Country Club opened together with the first golf course, designed by Bradford Benz. Today, more than three decades later, around 230 of the 420 planned villas have been built, keeping the original philosophy intact: privacy, nature and low density.
Discover the full story of La Zagaleta and its connection with Adnan Khashoggi.
Fun Facts
Exclusivity in numbers
Although the estate covers more than 900 hectares, only around 230 villas have been built. The original plan included more than 3,000 homes, but exclusivity and the preservation of the natural surroundings were prioritised instead.
High-level services
In addition to two private golf courses and a first-class equestrian centre, La Zagaleta has its own heliport. Residents can fly directly from the estate to Málaga Airport or to any international destination.
Discreet neighbours
La Zagaleta is known for its strict privacy policy. Although it is known that entrepreneurs, sports figures and international personalities own homes here, the identity of residents is kept in absolute confidence.
A very unique neighbourhood
Instead of typical pets, here it is common to see deer wandering through the gardens. Local wildlife — deer, mouflon, wild boar and eagles — lives alongside residents, creating scenes worthy of a nature documentary.
Looking for new-build properties in La Zagaleta? Explore the available opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is La Zagaleta located?
La Zagaleta is located in an elevated area of Benahavís, around 10–12 km from Marbella, combining privacy and a privileged natural setting with close proximity to the coast.
What type of properties can be found in La Zagaleta?
It is an ultra-exclusive community with uniquely designed, low-density villas, many of them enjoying sea, mountain or golf views, created to offer maximum privacy.
Does La Zagaleta offer sea views?
Yes, many properties located in elevated positions enjoy panoramic views stretching across the coastline, Gibraltar and even the Rif Mountains in Morocco.
What is the setting and landscape like within the community?
The community combines exclusivity, nature and tranquillity. It is ideal for those seeking privacy without compromising on first-class services.
Is La Zagaleta safe?
Absolutely. It is a gated community with access restricted to residents, 24-hour security and an infrastructure designed to guarantee maximum peace of mind.
What services are available to residents?
It offers first-class services, including two golf courses, an equestrian centre, a private heliport, a social club, sports facilities and personalised concierge services.
What is the approximate cost of building or maintaining a residence in La Zagaleta?
Plots range between 3,000 and 10,000 m², with construction focused on quality. Annual maintenance can exceed €70,000, while community fees can reach €1,000 per month.
