Villa for sale in Puerto Los Almendros, Benahavís

Fantastic weather? Check: that's a given – Benahavís is at the heart of the Costa del Sol and receives more than 300 days of sunshine per year. A classic slice of Spain that's accessible and welcoming? Check: Benahavís is just seven kilometres from Puerto Banús and less than an hour's drive from Málaga airport, and has a small population of expats who have integrated well.

Dramatic Scenery

A destination that is both beautiful and peaceful? Check: the approach road to Benahavís sees you leave the coastal highway behind and weave past rolling plains that turn steadily into rocky cliff faces and then a plunging ravine.

The road winds between sheer cliff face and clear drop down to the crisp and cool waters of the Guadalmina River, before the white-washed, sugar-cube beauty of Benahavís appears before you, tucked into the valley and magnificently presented in the bright Mediterranean sunlight.

Home to a thriving community of artisans

The surroundings are evidently inspirational, as Benahavís is home to a thriving community of artisans, primarily painters, potters and chefs. In addition to the art galleries and craft shops, Benahavís offers a brilliant portfolio of restaurants – from authentic pizzerias to classy haute cuisine establishments, robust grill-houses and the ubiquitous tapas taverns. Dining out in Benahavís is a gastronomic pleasure, matched only by the visceral thrill of enjoying an al fresco meal under a star-studded sky in one of Europe's most alluring natural patios.

Day-Time Pursuits and Evening Pleasures

When there is so much to see, so much can be missed. Driving – such a joy along the twisting mountain roads that typify 95 per cent of inland Costa del Sol – should be shunned when in and around Benahavís. While going by foot through the steep, tight streets of the town centre is just good common sense, there is a more spectacular reason to forego the wheels as you leave Benahavís and head towards the coast.

White-washed, sugar-cube beauty of Benahavís

Classic scene of continental living

A mere 200 metres along the main road is an opening. Barely marked and steeply descending, one of the village’s hidden treasures lies some 30 metres below. Huge boulders, remnants from some ancient landslide or earthquake, lie strewn along the river bed at the foot of the Guadalmina River valley. Some boulders act as a dam, creating deep and crystal-clear plunge pools, while others take the form of organic diving boards. So, don your swimsuit, leave those with a fear of heights guarding the towels on the grassy verge, and dive into the refreshing waters below.

Having banished the sedate image of Benahavís with that one giant leap into the abyss, the surprises just keep on coming. Hikers will enjoy the 360-degree opportunities to traipse up or down, and golfers will love the surrounding clubs (Benahavís has the highest number of courses per capita of any municipality in Spain).

Dining out in Benahavís is a gastronomic pleasure

Competing with the crickets is the intermittent clinking of cutlery and glass, as hundreds of al fresco diners polish off their meals bathed in candle glow and suffused with a sense of relaxed wellbeing. The laughter of children – energised by their parents' relaxed mood and lax bedtime curfews – adds to the atmosphere, as professional waiters serve, weave, chat and joke with their clientele. It's a classic scene of continental living, and it's one that happens on cue, every balmy evening of the year, in Benahavís. Who wouldn't want to be part of it?