: Gourmet treats for Club La Costa gastronomes

Gourmet treats for Club La Costa gastronomes

The charming village of Benahavis - Picture Credit: Pablo Monteagudo

If you are looking for a charming, traditional white village with a Bohemian twist, which makes a perfect retreat from the hustle and bustle of the coast in Spain’s Costa del Sol, then Benahavis is a “must-visit”.

For Club La Costa members and guests it’s an easy drive. It’s just 20 minutes from chic Marbella and a step away from the glitz of Puerto Banus, and has been a culturally rich home to talented, creative artists for many years. It’s quietly sophisticated and despite the inevitable development of recent years it has retained its country village feel.

But whatever you do, do not have a large meal before arriving in the town. Not for nothing do the signs to Benahavis proclaim it as the gastronomic corner of Andalucia. It is home to a staggering number of restaurants – it has the highest concentration of top quality restaurants in the region, and visitors flock to savour the cuisine.

It doesn’t matter what time of year you visit. You can work up an appetite with a country walk or an exploration of the picturesque village before picking a place to eat at. The town stands 500 metres above sea level, and seven kilometres inland from the N340 coast road. As you head into the hills the buzz of coastal traffic is left far behind, to be replaced by tranquillity and lovely scenery.

Benahavis has a high concentration of restaurants - Picture Credit: Pablo Monteagudo

The streets are narrow so park up as soon as you arrive, and potter around the shops and galleries. The town has a rich Moorish heritage and its name means “Sons of the Abyss”. It was established by the Moors in the 10th century and originally built as a fortification and the castle walls offer views of Spain’s coastline as far as the eye can see, as well as the African coast.

Go at lunchtime and there are plenty of tapas options and some of the restaurants are open for business. All are open from 7pm until late and many menus are based on lamb, pork, rabbit, partridge and spectacular sausages.

For Club La Costa gastronomes it’s well worth a visit from the Costa del Sol resorts.