EL MADROÑAL
VILLAS FOR RENT

El Madroñal is surrounded by golf courses, the closest being La Zagaleta’s 18-hole Old Course and the unconventional but spectacular New course (co-designed by renowned architects Steve Marnoch and Jonathan Gaunt). Further southwest is the challenging 18-hole course at Los Arqueros, designed by none other than Seve Ballesteros, while to the southeast there’s the 27-hole course at La Quinta (by Manuel Piñero). Then you’ve got the prestigious clubs in Marbella’s Nueva Andalucía neighbourhood, known as “Golf Valley”: Real Las Brisas and Los Naranjos (designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr.), Aloha (designed by Javier Arana and Enrique Canales) and Europe’s first 24-hour course La Dama de Noche, with floodlights for those who fancy a round of nighttime golf. There are many more, of course: a total of 70 on the “Costa del Golf”. Many have been created by world-renowned players and golf architects, who have excelled in designing immaculate and challenging terrains which blend into the stunning Andalusian landscape. Along with premier clubhouses, fine dining and other first-class facilities, it’s not surprising that this region is a mecca for amateur and professional golfers alike.

El Madroñal is in a region affectionately known as the “dining room of the Costa del Sol” due to its numerous excellent restaurants serving the very finest in traditional and international cuisine. The closest eatery is Coto Restaurante, on the Ronda road between El Madroñal and La Zagaleta, which reopened its doors in 2022 following an almost 2-year renovation. Amidst the low-key architecture of its premises and the natural beauty of its surrounding, you can savour Andalusian delights from their raw bar, sharing platters and fresh dishes from land and sea. A short drive to Benahavís village will bring you to a handful of first-rate restaurants: Los Abanicos for home-cooked Spanish food in a homely ambience; the Benahavís Hills Café & Restaurant for delicious Andalusian fare with a French twist and a stunning view; Escuela Hostelería Benahavís, where you can sample surprise tasting menus prepared by the next generation of chefs in training; and La Escalera for traditional Andalusian comfort food and sinfully scrumptious homemade desserts… With a smorgasbord of fine-dining options in nearby San Pedro de Alcántara and, of course, Marbella, you’ll be hard-pressed to choose where to indulge!

It’s not all about the golf and gastronomy here; El Madroñal is surrounded by beautiful countryside which draws nature lovers and outdoor activity enthusiasts alike. There are abundant marked trails for hikers, mountain bikers and horse riders nearby and don’t forget that you’re in the foothills of one of Andalucía’s three national parks – Parque Nacional Sierra de las Nieves. One visit is just not enough to explore the park’s 300 square kilometres of natural beauty or discover its huge diversity of flora and fauna, including 1,500 plants and 2,000 hectares of Spanish fir – the largest concentration in the world. If you’re lucky, you may catch sight of a golden eagle, eagle owl or the several species of hawk that have made the park their home. For something really special, head north of El Madroñal past the village of Istán to set eyes on the Castaño Santo (Holy Chestnut), a chestnut tree thought to be between 800 and 1000 years old; its impressive dimensions – 30 metres in height and five metres in diameter – make for a truly wonderful sight.

Over towards Benahavís, there are more trails ranging from an easy wander to a challenging hike: a 3km circular walk along the Guadalmina river on the “dragonfly route”; the slightly more demanding Guadalmina canyon trails; or the 6.3km round-trip to the ruins of the 10^th century Castillo de Montemayor. There’s something for all levels and preferences, but whichever you choose, the views are worth it! If you’re tempted to try out canyoning, head to the Torre Leonera park southeast of the village, where you’ll find Charca de las Mozas, a four metre deep natural pool in Cañón de las Angosturas, from which you can embark on the 1,100m-long river ‘walk’ through the narrow gorge walls to Charca de los Tubos.

El Madroñal may be up in the hills, but it’s just a short car ride down the A-397 Ronda road to Playa de Linda Vista and Playa de San Pedro de Alcántara, 1.4kms of golden beach which is consistently awarded Blue Flag status and has excellent facilities. For a spot of beachfront refreshment, there are two beach clubs which fit the bill: El Ancla on Linda Vista beach is a great place to chill on loungers and daybeds, take a dip in the saltwater swimming pool, or enjoy a bite or drink on their large terrace overlooking the sea; nearby Barbillón Marbella is a newly-opened classy venue spread across 4,000 square metres where you can lounge on the beach or by the pool and sample delicious local and international cuisine. For more sun, sea and sand, you’ll just have to explore the remaining 22 beaches along Marbella’s 27km coastline!

Don’t worry if lounging on the beach all day isn’t your thing… the Costa del Sol is a hotspot for water sports and other sea-based activities. Try your hand at jet skiing, parasailing, wakeboarding, kite surfing, scuba diving and lots more aquatic adventures. And if you prefer to stay on dry land, there’s a cycle path on the 12km seafront promenade that runs from San Pedro to Marbella.

Neighbouring Benahavís has a vibrant cultural scene, with a wide-ranging programme of annual events including the 5-day Benahavís Fair in mid-August, the Andalusian Show Jumping Championships in September and the pilgrimage honouring its patron saint on the 7^th of October. Head to Marbella and Málaga for many more local and international events, including concerts, theatre, art and gastronomy, and sporting and religious celebrations. Or simply lose yourself in the flower-filled cobblestone streets of Marbella’s picture-postcard Old Town, where you can admire the beautiful churches and squares and breathe in the atmosphere of a region steeped in Moorish, Christian and Renaissance history.

Fancy a spot of pampering during your hols? We can organise indulgent treatments and massages in the comfort of your luxury villa in El Madroñal. Or we can book you a spa day at nearby La Quinta Golf & Country Club’s Wellness Centre, where you can relax in the sauna or steam bath, try out hydromassage or aqua-therapy, and treat yourself to any number of beauty treatments. You’re also not far from one of the largest luxury spas in Europe: Anantara Villa Padierna Palace boasts 2,000 square metres of Roman baths, Hammams and pools to soothe your body and mind, alongside expert masseurs and beauticians to pander to your every need. And if you’re heading to Marbella for the day, there are several luxury spas and centres offering a variety of traditional and modern treatments drawing on the best of Eastern and Western techniques.

El Madroñal is an ideal choice for luxury family holidays, with its secure and child-friendly layout, countryside setting and proximity to beaches and activities that will keep the children busy and happy. See our blog post on Things to do with kids on the Costa del Sol for more ideas.

El Madroñal is the perfect location for your luxury vacation: private and secure but within easy reach of all the first-rate amenities and activities that Marbella offers. Málaga airport is just a 50-minute drive away and Gibraltar International airport is reachable in just under an hour. With its excellent transport links, El Madroñal is also a great base from which you can explore Andalucía’s diverse landscapes and thrilling activities and experiences.

You can also take a look at our location guides and luxury villas for rent in La Zagaleta, Marbella, Puerto Banús, Golden Mile, Sierra Blanca, Nueva Andalucía, Guadalmina, Benahavís, Sotogrande, and Atlanterra.

We are a luxury hospitality and real estate company offering an unbeatable combination of luxury, privacy and discrete 7-star hotel service, tailored to satisfy your every need and comfort.

How can we help you?

Get in touch with us at Marbella Mountain Resorts and we’ll help you find the perfect luxury accommodation in El Madroñal. Or check out our other luxury villas for rent across Marbella. Let us wow you with our first-class hospitality service and trust us to curate unique and immersive local experiences for a holiday to remember!

Your remarkable El Madroñal journey starts here.

Contact us at:

Email: tourism@marbellamountainresorts.com 

Phone: +34 609 18 46 46