Above all it's a very picturesque place, with its charming Moorish town centre, full of cobbled streets, quaint white-washed houses and lined with bars, restaurants, craft and antique shops and art galleries.
Situated on the Southern face of the Serrania de Ronda mountain range, Benahavis is the most mountainous village on the western Costa del Sol, yet just a short drive from the main coast road and even nowadays remains unspoilt by passing traffic. There's just one road in and out, which follows the path of the Guadalmina River as it meanders to the coast through a spectacular gorge which is a popular spot for rock climbers. Benahavís is an original Moorish stronghold and the village is overlooked by its very own ancient Moorish castle perched high on the mountain of the same name, ‘(Castillo) Monte Mayor.
For nature watchers, the bird life in the mountains is exotic and plentiful, with eagles, hawks, kingfishers, bee-catchers and a vast variety of African birds which need only cover a short distance from the African coast. There are several Natural Interest Monuments and historic locations that are worth taking the time to see too.
But Benahavís has made its name not just for its rich historic value, but also for the village restaurants which have made it famous. This is Andalucian cooking at its best, using local ingredients such as tomatoes, peppers, onions, garlic, baby lamb and suckling pig to name just a few, together with the wild herbs which grow in the mountains. Benahavis has a first-class reputation as a gastronomic centre, with 20 restaurants and tapas bars offering an excellent standard of dining. Visitors staying there in June can experience 'Gastronomic Day', where restaurants set up stalls in the village and offer samples.
So no matter what your idea of a good holiday is, Benahavis is a place not to missed.
