In Spain, the tradition of pairing wine and cheese is deeply rooted in regional culture. One classic pairing is Manchego cheese with Tempranillo wine—the rich, nutty flavour of Manchego (made from sheep’s milk in La Mancha) complements the bold, fruity notes of a well-aged Tempranillo from Rioja or Ribera del Duero.
Some places build reputations through history, through art, through grand landmarks that stand the test of time. Benahavís does it with food.
A small Andalusian village tucked into the hills behind Marbella, it shouldn’t be what it is. It should be quiet, overlooked, a place people pass through on their way to somewhere bigger, busier, louder. But it isn’t. It refuses to be.
Benahavís is where people come to eat. And not just to eat, but to remember eating.
If you’re considering buying a home in Benahavís, know this: food isn’t just part of the experience—it is the experience.
A Town That Serves Its Reputation on a Plate
Benahavís is known as the gastronomic capital of the Costa del Sol, and it takes the title seriously. It’s not enough to have good restaurants. It has to be a destination. So the chefs come, the menus expand, and the people—locals, visitors, those who swore they were only passing through—stay a little longer.
And then there are the events.
1. Chefs for Children: Michelin Meets Purpose
📍 Anantara Villa Padierna, Benahavís
🗓 April 2025
Most high-end food festivals are about exclusivity. This one isn’t.
"Chefs for Children" brings together over 60 Michelin-starred chefs, not just to cook for the elite, but to teach children about the importance of food, nutrition, and cooking with fresh ingredients. They run workshops, host demonstrations, and, at the end of the day, put on a dinner that reminds you why some meals are meant to be remembered.
A charity event with purpose, sure. But also, a gathering of Spain’s culinary elite in one of the most exclusive settings in Benahavís.
2. Private Dining and Charity Galas
📍 Various luxury venues
🗓 Year-round
Benahavís understands that some meals are more than just meals.
Throughout the year, the village hosts exclusive charity dinners where renowned chefs create menus that won’t be repeated. The kind of events where the courses are announced like invitations to another world, where the wine pairings are as carefully selected as the guests, where the conversation drifts between gastronomy, philanthropy, and real estate in the hills of the Costa del Sol.
Attending isn’t just about the food—it’s about knowing you were there.
The Costa del Sol is home to several Michelin-starred restaurants, making it a premier destination for fine dining in Spain.
3. La Senda del Vino: The Wine Route
📍 Benahavís & surrounding wineries
🗓 Spring & Autumn
Benahavís doesn’t just feed you—it makes sure you have the right glass of wine to go with it.
The La Senda del Vino (Wine Route) brings together local wineries, sommeliers, and chefs to pair the region’s finest wines with dishes crafted specifically to match them.
This isn’t a wine tasting. It’s a conversation. One where the winemakers explain why this particular vintage has the aroma of stone fruit, where the chefs tell you exactly why that wine needed that dish, where you sip and nod and pretend, for a moment, that you always understood these things.
At the end of the night, you walk away knowing that a good wine isn’t just about the bottle—it’s about the people who poured it for you.
Living in Benahavís: A Life Worth Savouring
Some people move to Marbella for the nightlife, to Puerto Banús for the yachts, to Estepona for the beach. And then there are those who come to Benahavís because they know that life is measured in meals, in moments, in the way a town can feel like a private dining room built just for you.
✔️ Hillside Villas – Spacious, secluded, with panoramic views of the valley.
✔️ Golfside Residences – Step out of your front door and onto the fairway.
✔️ Gated Communities – Privacy, security, and homes designed for those who expect more.
Find Your Home in Benahavís
At Ultimate-Lifestyles.com, we specialise in high-end properties for those who want more than just a house—they want a lifestyle.
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Some people buy homes for the views. Some for the golf. Some because it seemed like a good investment.
And then there are those who know that a town is only as good as the meals it serves.
They’re the ones buying in Benahavís.