LA ALQUERIA PROPERTY GUIDE
Embodiment of the comfort and modern style
La Alquería is a prestigious residential valley situated in the Marbella West corridor, renowned for its frontline golf villas and luxury gated developments. While real estate portals and estate agents frequently group it with Marbella, La Alquería belongs administratively to the municipality of Benahavís (postcode 29679). Positioned just 9 km from Puerto Banús, it offers homeowners open views towards the Mediterranean alongside Andalucía’s lowest municipal IBI property tax rate at 0.40%.
Why do buyers choose property in La Alquería?
La Alquería occupies a distinct geographical and administrative sweet spot on the western Costa del Sol. Situated in the valley rising above the A-7 coastal highway, the sector offers peace, elevated security and panoramic views stretching from La Concha mountain down to the Mediterranean Sea and Gibraltar.
Crucially for property purchasers, La Alquería sits entirely within the municipal boundary of Benahavís, governed by the Benahavís General Urban Plan (PGOU 1997 Consolidated Text and the advancing PGOM). This distinction delivers significantly lower annual local taxation compared to neighbouring Marbella, despite sitting only minutes from Marbella’s major lifestyle hubs.
Connecting La Alquería to key regional destinations is straightforward via the A-7 and AP-7 motorways. Driving times from central locations within the sector, such as the Avenida de la Alquería, include:
- Puerto Banús: 9 km (10–15 minutes)
- Estepona centre: 15 km (15–20 minutes)
- Marbella centre: 18 km (20 minutes)
- Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP): 68 km (45–55 minutes)
- Gibraltar Airport (GIB): 70 km (50–60 minutes)
For families relocating permanently, international education facilities sit on the immediate doorstep. Colegio Internacional Atalaya is located directly on the border in Urbanización El Marqués (29680 Estepona), providing bilingual Spanish and English education from early years through to Baccalaureate. A short drive away in Guadalmina Alta (San Pedro Alcántara, 29670 Marbella), Marbella Montessori School caters to early primary education.
Golf, lifestyle and dining around Atalaya and El Higueral
Golf is integral to life in La Alquería. Atalaya Golf & Country Club forms the physical and social heart of the valley, offering 36 holes spread across two distinct 18-hole championship courses:
- The Old Course: Designed by Bernhard von Limburger and opened in 1968, this par-72 course features wide fairways and mature trees set against classical mountain backdrops.
- The New Course: Designed by Paul Krings and opened in 1990, this par-71 course presents a technical challenge with rolling terrain and undulating greens.
Beyond Atalaya, residents are surrounded by the Golden Triangle’s finest fairways. El Higueral Golf winds through the lower portion of the valley, while El Paraíso Golf Club and Los Flamingos Golf at Villa Padierna sit just minutes away.
Outdoor living extends beyond the fairways. Residents enjoy immediate access to the hiking trails and traditional gastronomy of Benahavís village, widely recognised as the dining room of the Costa del Sol. For refined local dining closer to home, established venues such as Restaurante La Alcaría de Ramos in neighbouring El Paraíso (Estepona) offer classic dining open for dinner from Monday to Saturday.
Villas and gated communities in La Alquería and Capanes Sur
The real estate footprint of La Alquería divides into two principal property types: detached private luxury villas and high-end gated apartment communities.
In upper La Alquería and Altos de La Alquería, detached plots feature custom-built contemporary villas alongside established classical Andalusian residences. These properties routinely feature private infinity pools, perimeter security patrols, and multi-level floor plans designed to capture 180-degree golf, mountain and Mediterranean views.
In the lower sector and Capanes Sur, buyers find lock-up-and-leave luxury apartments and penthouses set within gated complexes with 24-hour security, landscaped subtropical gardens, and indoor spa facilities. Key residential developments include:
- Las Lomas del Conde Luque: Situated on Avenida de la Alquería, featuring spacious apartments with vast terraces.
- Capanes del Golf: A premier gated community completely surrounded by the greens of El Higueral Golf.
- Lomas del Marqués, Gazules del Sol, and Atalaya Hills: Contemporary and Mediterranean style apartment complexes providing excellent communal amenities.
Real estate professionals, private investors and prospective buyers evaluate performance across these distinct sub-sectors using the CASAFARI Area Insights platform and our property valuation and market study tool. By leveraging comprehensive market aggregation via Property Sourcing, agents can instantly cross-reference single-family villa supply against multi-family apartment inventory across the Benahavís and Marbella municipal boundaries. Software developers building bespoke analytics can also review the Area Insights API documentation (in English).
Taxes, tourist licences and residency rules for buyers in 2026
Understanding regional fiscal policy and local planning regulation is essential when acquiring property in Andalucía.
Purchase taxes and ongoing local ownership tax
When buying real estate in La Alquería, transaction taxes depend on whether the residence is a resale or a new-build property:
- Resale properties: Subject to Andalucía’s flat Transfer Tax (ITP) of 7.0%. Reduced rates of 6.0% or 3.5% apply to qualifying primary residences under specific statutory income thresholds.
- New-build properties: Direct purchases from developers incur 10.0% Value Added Tax (IVA) plus 1.2% Stamp Duty (AJD).
Once ownership is registered, Benahavís provides a substantial tax advantage over neighboring municipalities. The Benahavís urban IBI (Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles) property tax rate is fixed at 0.40% of the cadastral value — the legal minimum rate permitted in Spain and the lowest in Málaga province.
Short-term tourist rental regulations (VUT)
For investors planning to operate short-term holiday lets, Andalusian Decree 31/2024 and Decree-Law 1/2025 set strict operating conditions:
- Registration: The dwelling must be registered with the Registro de Turismo de Andalucía (RTA).
- Urban compatibility: The property must comply with municipal urban planning requirements.
- Capacity limits: A maximum capacity cap of 15 guests applies, with no more than 4 guests per bedroom.
- Community approval: Homeowners’ associations (comunidades de propietarios) hold the legal right to prohibit tourist rentals. Operating a short-term let in gated complexes like Capanes del Golf or Las Lomas del Conde Luque requires express approval from a three-fifths (60%) majority of the community owners. Non-compliance risks municipal fines reaching up to €150,000.
For a deeper look into transaction structures, consult our comprehensive guide to buying property in Spain and our analysis of Spanish purchase contracts and the escritura deed.
Residency rules for non-EU buyers
Under Spain’s Organic Law 1/2025 (published in the BOE in January 2025), the real estate route for the Spanish Golden Visa was officially abolished on 3 April 2025. Purchasing property for €500,000 or more no longer grants automatic residency rights to non-EU/EEA nationals.
Non-EU citizens purchasing property in La Alquería today primarily utilize either the Non-Lucrative Visa (for retirees and individuals with independent foreign financial means) or the Digital Nomad Visa (for remote working professionals and business owners).
Whether you are acquiring a frontline golf villa or managing property portfolios across Marbella West, staying informed on current market dynamics is crucial. Estate agents, wealth managers and investors can sign in to CASAFARI platform to explore live market data and access real-time property intelligence.
Frequently asked questions
Which municipality does La Alquería belong to?
Although La Alquería is marketed within the Marbella West corridor, it belongs administratively to the municipality of Benahavís in Málaga province (postcode 29679) and is governed by the Benahavís urban plan (PGOU 1997 and advancing PGOM). This status provides homeowners with access to Benahavís municipal services and its low property tax rates, whilst remaining just 10 to 15 minutes from Puerto Banús.
What are the property purchase taxes and annual IBI rates in La Alquería?
As of May 2026, purchasing a resale property in La Alquería incurs a flat Transfer Tax (ITP) of 7%, whereas new-build properties are subject to 10% VAT (IVA) plus 1.2% Stamp Duty (AJD). For ongoing ownership, Benahavís charges an annual urban municipal property tax (IBI) of 0.40% of the cadastral value, which represents the lowest statutory rate allowed in Spain and the lowest in Málaga province.
What are the rules for tourist rentals (VUT) in La Alquería and Benahavís?
Under Andalusian Decree 31/2024 and Decree-Law 1/2025, operating a short-term tourist rental (VUT) in Benahavís requires registration in the Registro de Turismo de Andalucía (RTA), urban planning compliance, and a maximum occupancy cap of 15 guests (no more than 4 per bedroom). Furthermore, owners in gated communities such as Las Lomas del Conde Luque or Capanes del Golf must secure prior approval from a three-fifths (60%) majority of the homeowners’ association, with fines for unauthorized rentals reaching up to €150,000.
Can non-EU buyers still get a Spanish Golden Visa by buying property in La Alquería?
No, the real estate route for the Spanish Golden Visa is no longer available. Organic Law 1/2025 officially abolished the €500,000 property investment visa scheme with effect from 3 April 2025. Non-EU nationals intending to spend extended periods in La Alquería now typically apply for alternative residency options, such as the Non-Lucrative Visa or the Digital Nomad Visa.