The Golden Triangle

The Golden Triangle: Estepona, Marbella and Benahavís

When you enlist the services of experienced real estate agents on the Costa del Sol, you are gaining access to their network of contacts and in-depth market knowledge. You will also benefit from their local area expertise, as they’ll know which neighbourhoods are hot and which are not, and where you’ll find the best property for sale on the Costa del Sol.  

It is an open secret amongst estate agents on the Costa de Sol, that the neighbouring towns of Estepona, Marbella and Benahavís, are three of most sought-after locations on the planet, and for this reason they are collectively referred to as the Golden Triangle.  It is here, within these resorts, that you are most likely to be competing with the world’s rich, famous and wealthy to buy the best modern luxury mansions.

Although connected by location and their ability to attract buyers looking for the most desirable luxury property on the Costa del Sol, each of these resorts has its own distinct character. We’ve summarised each area to give you an idea which could be most suited to your needs.

Benahavís real estate

Let’s start with Benahavís, just a few minutes’ drive inland from San Pedro de Alcantara and 10 minutes from Puerto Banús (both in the municipality of Marbella), yet a million miles away in character. It is not actually in Marbella, but many people consider it to be part of the municipality.

If you were to imagine a typical traditional white village in Spain, with winding cobbled streets of terraced houses adorned with colourful flowers, this would be Benahavís. Although relatively small, Benahavís has a big reputation. It is famed for its wide range of restaurants. In fact, there are so many eateries packed into such a tiny village, you will often hear it referred to as the ‘dining room of Andalucía.

Surrounded by countryside, lakes, rivers and forests, Benahavís is popular with people who enjoy outdoor pursuits, and the beautiful countryside air. The village has expanded outwards over the last few years, offering buyers who prefer a more contemporary luxury villa in Benahavís a choice of beautiful high-quality homes. On the other hand, if you are looking for modern but relatively inexpensive Benahavís property for sale, on the outskirts you’ll find contemporary apartments which would be perfect as a permanent base or holiday home.

La Zagaleta real estate

You may have heard of La Zagaleta private residential resort and country club, as it as famous for its luxury mansions and private estates as it is for attracting the world’s most influential and wealthy buyers. Located in Benahavís, the resort has always been high profile, it was formerly owned by Saudi Arabian arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi, where he and his famous friends used to hunt. The estate spans over 900 hectares of unspoilt forests and countryside and there is maximum limit of 420 residences, ensuring complete privacy and exclusivity for all residents. Today, the occupants of these uber private estates are often the subject of much speculation and the resort’s mega-mansions continue to be in high demand.

Why buyers want luxury property in Marbella, Spain

Originally coined by property magnate Harold Samuel in the 1920s, the phrase “location, location, location” is still as relevant in 2024. Once a sleepy fishing village at the heart of the Costa del Sol, Marbella’s landscaped changed forever when The Marbella Club Hotel opened its doors in the 1950s. Royalty, big showbusiness names and the international jet-set crowd, brought an air of glamour, making Marbella the place to be and be seen. 

As Marbella’s popularity as high-profile luxury destination grew, the area above Puerto Banús was developed into the upmarket neighbourhood of Nueva Andalucía to provide suitably grand villas for its wealthy visitors. Surrounded by golf courses, with excellent schools, shops, gyms, restaurants and within easy access to the beach, properties in Nueva Andalucía continue to be highly sought-after, popular with families, golfers and holiday makers alike.  

In 1970, Puerto Banús was developed as destination to rival St. Tropez. It was opened with a star-studded party and quickly became a favourite celebrity destination. Anyone hoping to buy property in Puerto Banús, will find the competition extremely fierce.

It is fair to say, owning Marbella real estate has as much cache today as it did in the 1950s, except now the demand is much higher and the land is scarcer, making it essential to act fast if you want to buy property in Marbella.

Why investors want to buy property in Estepona

Possibly the least famous of the Golden Triangle trinity, Estepona is a busy coastal town on the western flank of the Costa del Sol. Much more low-key than its more famous neighbour, Marbella, but equally vibrant, with its own marina, port and beautiful sandy beaches.  It has always been the destination of choice for Spanish holiday makers, but it seems that the secret is now out.

Estepona has recently seen extensive government investment, it has become Málaga’s first low emission zone and has been identified as having the longest beachfront promenade (1.5km) in Spain. Over the last few years, there has been unprecedented private investment in the hospitality industry and infrastructure.  The Ikos Andalucia Estepona’s New Golden Mile, part of the Ikos luxury hotel chain, has seen a 17€ million face lift over the last few years. More recently, the Santa Maria Hotel was purchased for 40€ million with a further 150€ million expected to be invested by the new owners Unicorn Royal Emirates.

If you still have doubts about why investors want to buy property in Estepona, there is further development in the pipeline: the City of Music and the Audiovisual City. The budget for these projects will be in the region of 286€ million. The development will include recording, TV and film studios, auditoriums, restaurants, lakes and much more. It is also mooted that the Marbella’s famous Starlight festival will be relocated to the City of Music upon its completion.

Whether you’re looking for a property for sale in Marbella, Estepona or exclusive Benahavís real estate,  New Home Marbella can help you find the perfect property. For more information visit our website www.newhomemarbella.com, call + 34 673 755 758 or email sales@newhomemarbella.com