La Zagaleta was opened in 1991 and is considered one of the most exclusive private residential areas in Europe, accessible only to residents, their families, and guests.
This residential area offers unparalleled views of the surrounding mountainside, the Mediterranean Sea, Gibraltar, and the North African coast. The building density is low, with a volume of around 32% and a maximum of 420 homes in the development, which offers luxury single-family homes on spacious plots.
What makes La Zagaleta unique is that only one-third of the estate has been set aside as a residential area for 420 luxury villas, while the remainder is a nature reserve with lakes and forests. No apartment complexes or townhouses are planned or zoned at La Zagaleta. In addition to this exclusivity and the incredible views afforded by its elevated location, as this is a private residential area, the internal roads are private and are only accessible to residents and authorized personnel.
La Zagaleta Urbanization: Climate
The climate in La Zagaleta is Mediterranean, with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Temperatures typically range between 9°C and 29°C throughout the year, with little chance of extreme temperatures. There is plenty of sunshine and clear skies, especially in summer, and the wind is moderate.
What to do in La Zagaleta and its facilities
La Zagaleta features two championship golf courses, each offering 36 holes. The original course, known as the Old or Members’ Course, was designed in 1991 by Bradford Benz and redesigned by Marc Westenborg in 2016. The stunning views from the clubhouse along the Old Course blend seamlessly with the surrounding wildlife and vegetation.
The second golf course, designed by Steve Marnoch, opened in 2005 and was a demanding project that shaped the design of the course and landscape. There are no tee times on these exclusive courses, and members have access at their own discretion.
In addition, La Zagaleta features other sports facilities, such as tennis courts and an equestrian center with Arabian and Spanish horses, as well as ponies for hire for younger guests and boarding services for residents who own their own horses or ponies.
Members and residents can also enjoy outdoor leisure activities such as cycling and hiking along numerous trails and paths in the stunning natural surroundings.
La Zagaleta also has a private helipad for its owners and guests and operates a helicopter service for personalized private pickups or transfers, perfect for arriving on time at your destination or enjoying excursions.
The residential complex also offers a full-time property management company called La Zagaleta Services. These services include on-site laundry, garden and pool maintenance, catering and entertainment services, chauffeur and secretarial services, babysitting, insurance, and banking services.
Property type in La Zagaleta
As we mentioned earlier, the properties in La Zagaleta are some of the largest homes in southern Spain. They are magnificent villas and mansions with stunning views of the Gibraltar Sea and North Africa from their elevated position in the municipality of Benahavís.
The plots in the development range from 3,000 m² to 10,000 m², each separated from the next by 10 meters of greenery. This not only ensures a level of privacy for residents but also allows the local wildlife greater freedom of movement, thus protecting the natural environment.
When La Zagaleta began to develop in the early 1990s, the trend was to build beautiful Andalusian-style mansions in a modern rustic style. Over the past ten years, the trend has been to build modern and contemporary homes designed by some of the world’s finest architects. These mansions are equipped with all the additional features that buyers demand.
Properties in La Zagaleta have evolved to offer the most exciting innovations and the latest technology available in smart homes, energy-saving, and sustainable homes.
Current Housing Prices in La Zagaleta
Properties in La Zagaleta are among the most expensive in Spain, with prices starting around €4 million for more modest villas and exceeding €40 million for luxury architecturally designed villas in prime locations. Overall, the average price per square meter in La Zagaleta is around €5,228. This valuation is due to several factors, including location, architectural design, plot size, and exclusive amenities.
To better understand the cost of living in La Zagaleta, it can be broken down by the types of properties available:
- Classic Villas: These properties, with traditional Mediterranean or Andalusian designs, typically have starting prices between €4 and €7 million. While more affordable than modern villas, many require some updating or renovation.
- Modern and Contemporary Villas: Newly built properties, designed with contemporary lines and state-of-the-art technology, start around €10 million and can reach €40 million or more in prime locations with sea views or direct access to exclusive amenities.
In La Zagaleta, plots range from 3,000 to 10,000 square meters, with an average construction area exceeding 1,200 square meters. These villas and mansions feature extensive gardens, terraces, private pools, and outdoor recreation areas. Furthermore, the size of the properties and their customized architectural designs allow for the inclusion of spa areas, gyms, private cinemas, and, in many cases, state-of-the-art home automation systems.
Therefore, we could say that the price of living in La Zagaleta is comparable to other internationally recognized luxury areas, such as The Hamptons in the United States and Lake Como in Italy. However, what distinguishes La Zagaleta and makes it unique is its unique combination of privacy, favorable climate, and a gated community that maintains discretion and security at the highest level.
Typical residents of La Zagaleta
From the beginning, La Zagaleta targeted elite clients and attracted senior executives from multinational companies, primarily from Switzerland and Austria. This is the type of client who prefers to remain anonymous, values their privacy, and expects discretion.
La Zagaleta’s residents come from all over the world and are a diverse international group. Recently, residents have become younger, especially from the technology and startup sectors, and are either working or have already sold their companies, moving here in search of a better climate for year-round living.
The predominant nationalities in the area are from the United Kingdom (30%), Germany (30%), and Northern European countries (30%). The remaining 10% are made up of Spanish, Arab, and other owners.
La Zagaleta is undoubtedly the most secure private development in southern Spain and Marbella. Access to this 900 hectare estate is only possible through two strictly controlled and guarded entrances; entry is only permitted with an invitation and ID. The entire property is fenced and has cameras located along the road, and routine patrols monitor it 24 hours a day, every day of the week.
Privacy is guaranteed in this gated community. Each home is situated on its own grounds, with spacious green areas between each property. Owners can rely on complete discretion, as staff are expected to maintain a strict code of silence regarding the residents of the complex.
