What is El Madroñal?
El Madroñal sits on the hillside above Benahavís, at around 400 metres elevation with views down to the coast. It's part of the historic estate that once belonged to the Parladé family and was later owned by French businessman Roussel and Saudi billionaire Adnan Kashoggi before being split into three urbanizations: La Zagaleta, El Madroñal and La Reserva de Alcuzcuz. Today it holds roughly 150 villas spread across about 223 hectares, and it's generally positioned as a quieter, more accessible alternative to its immediate neighbour La Zagaleta, with Puerto Banús around 10 minutes away by car.
Plots run from about 2,600 m2 up to 15,000 m2, with an average close to 3,000 m2 (a handful of the smaller plots sit near the original entrance, where sizes were set lower than the rest of the development). Because the land was subdivided and built out over a long period rather than in a single phase, the architecture is mixed: some of the earliest villas are classic Andalusian-style builds, while more recent plots have been developed with contemporary designs. There's no single build era that defines the community.
Access is controlled through six separate gated entrances around the perimeter, each covered by 24-hour security patrols and camera monitoring, rather than one central gatehouse. The buyer base is largely international, drawn by the combination of large plots, privacy and proximity to Marbella and Puerto Banús without the price level of La Zagaleta itself.
Where is El Madroñal?
Who lives in El Madroñal?
Buyers who want a large private plot and real security without La Zagaleta's price tag or scale — international families and second-home owners who value quick access to Puerto Banús and Marbella over being directly on the coast.
What can you do in El Madroñal?
Eat & Drink
Sport & Fitness
Wellness
Kids & Family
We currently have 11 properties for sale in El Madroñal. Browse listings →
Looking for a new build instead of resale? See new developments in El Madroñal →
Frequently Asked Questions
How big are the plots in El Madroñal?
Plots range from around 2,600 m2 up to 15,000 m2, with an average close to 3,000 m2. A few of the smaller plots sit near the original entrance, where sizes were set lower than in the rest of the development.
Is El Madroñal a gated community?
Yes. The urbanization is accessed through six separate gated entrances, each covered by 24-hour security patrols and camera monitoring.
How far is El Madroñal from Puerto Banús?
About 10 minutes by car.
What are the community fees in El Madroñal?
Fees vary by plot size and villa, and we don't have a reliable published figure — ask Santina's team for the current fee on any specific property before you buy.
When were the villas in El Madroñal built?
The land was originally part of a large private estate later split into La Zagaleta, El Madroñal and La Reserva de Alcuzcuz, and villas have gone up over several decades since — the mix ranges from classic Andalusian-style builds to recent contemporary homes, rather than one single construction era.
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