La Zagaleta

Inside Marbella’s most exclusive estate

By Live Love Marbella · Updated 18 October 2026

La Zagaleta is the name people whisper when they talk about the most private addresses on the Costa del Sol: a former hunting estate in the hills, with two golf courses that only residents and members can play.

Strictly speaking, it is not in Marbella but in the neighbouring municipality of Benahavís, about ten minutes from Marbella. This guide explains what La Zagaleta is, how it began and what life on the estate looks like.

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In this guide

In brief
History
The homes
Golf and the club
Membership
Location
Good to know
FAQ

At a glance

La Zagaleta in brief

Where: Benahavís, in the hills about ten minutes from Marbella
Size: Almost 900 hectares of former hunting land
Homes: About 230 today, around 420 planned
Golf: Two private courses, each with a clubhouse
Access: Residents, with a small number of non-resident memberships

The story

From hunting estate to private club

Before the villas, this was La Baraka, a hunting estate in the Benahavís hills. In 1990 a group of investors led by Enrique Pérez Flores bought almost 900 hectares of it with the idea of building a private residential club.

The first golf course, the roads and the first homes followed in 1992, and the country club opened in 1994. A helipad was part of the plan from the start.

The La Zagaleta timeline

1990 Investors led by Enrique Pérez Flores buy almost 900 hectares of hunting land in Benahavís, known as La Baraka
1992 Work begins on the first golf course, the roads and the first homes
1994 The Club de Campo La Zagaleta is created and the first course, designed by Bradford Benz, opens
Later A second private course is added, each with its own clubhouse
Today About 230 homes built, of around 420 planned at completion

Living there

The homes

La Zagaleta is about space. The estate quotes homes of roughly 3,000 to 10,000 square metres, set far apart on the hillsides with views of the sea and the mountains.

With about 230 homes built and around 420 planned, it will always feel more like a landscape with houses in it than a development. Prices are not published and depend entirely on the home. Our guide to buying property in Marbella explains the taxes and steps that apply here too.

The club

Golf, riding and the club

Golf

Two private courses

The first course, designed by Bradford Benz, opened in 1994. Today there are two, the Old and the New, each with its own clubhouse, both reserved for residents and members.

Equestrian

The Riding Club

Twenty stables, six paddocks and a covered arena, with trails through the estate for hiking and riding.

Sport

Tennis and padel

Courts for residents only, alongside the golf.

Services

Home and concierge

The estate offers home and concierge services to residents.

Membership

Who can play and visit?

Membership is reserved for residents, with a few places for non-residents. This is a private club, not a resort, so the courses are not open to visiting green-fee golfers.

If you want to experience the area, the next best thing is to stay nearby and play one of the open courses of Marbella’s Golf Valley.

Location

Where La Zagaleta is

The estate sits in the hills of Benahavís, inland from Puerto Banús and Nueva Andalucía. Marbella’s beaches, restaurants and Puerto Banús are a short drive down the hill. See how it compares with Marbella’s most exclusive neighbourhoods.

See our La Zagaleta villa

Insider tips

Good to know

It is not in Marbella. La Zagaleta is in Benahavís, although it is usually described as part of the Marbella area.
Access is private. There are no public visits; you need to be a guest of a resident or staying in a rental there.
Bring a car. Everything on the estate, and the coast, is a drive away.
Compare with Sierra Blanca. If you want privacy but closer to town, look at Sierra Blanca on Marbella’s Golden Mile.

FAQ