La Zagaleta vs El Madroñal vs El Herrojo
A practical guide to choosing the right gated community in Benahavís — privacy, access, lifestyle and price context.
La Zagaleta, El Madroñal and El Herrojo are three of the best-known gated residential communities in Benahavís. They all offer security and a strong sense of privacy, but day-to-day life feels very different in each one.
This guide compares them in a practical way — location, setting, lifestyle, property style and the type of buyer each tends to suit — so you can narrow down which community fits your priorities.
When you’re ready, you can explore current listings here:
If La Zagaleta is your front-runner, these two guides are worth reading alongside this comparison: La Zagaleta micro-location explained and buying property in La Zagaleta. For running costs, see La Zagaleta community fees and memberships.
Location & setting
La Zagaleta is a vast private estate in the Benahavís hills where the sense of space and separation is part of the appeal. It feels self-contained, and internal driving time within the estate can be a consideration depending on where a home sits. (If you haven’t yet, this is where micro-location becomes a key factor.)
El Madroñal runs along the Ronda Road (A-397) and offers elevation, greenery and open views, while remaining very practical for San Pedro and the coast.
El Herrojo sits close to La Quinta and is typically chosen for convenience: quick access to golf, schools, Nueva Andalucía and Puerto Banús, while still benefiting from a gated, residential feel.
Privacy & security
La Zagaleta is often the benchmark for discretion. Its scale, controlled access and private-road environment appeal to buyers who want maximum separation from the outside world.
El Madroñal is accessed via multiple gated entrances and is widely regarded as one of the most private residential areas in Benahavís. In practice, the feeling of privacy comes as much from plot size and low density as it does from security infrastructure.
El Herrojo is also gated and secure, but tends to feel more connected day to day — often attractive to families who want a residential rhythm alongside easy access to schools and golf.
Lifestyle & everyday practicality
La Zagaleta suits buyers who prefer a more self-contained environment, with a private, members-style feel and facilities that reduce the need to leave the estate frequently. (If club access and running costs matter, see community fees and memberships.)
El Madroñal is quieter and more nature-led. Daily amenities are nearby (Monte Halcones, San Pedro), and the lifestyle tends to be calm and private rather than “resort-centred”.
El Herrojo is the most convenience-led. Being close to La Quinta and Nueva Andalucía makes it easy to combine gated living with restaurants, sports clubs and everyday services.
Homes & price context (high-level)
La Zagaleta is villa-only at the very top end, with large plots and a strong emphasis on discretion. Pricing spans widely depending on views, position and build standard, with the upper end among the highest on the Costa del Sol.
El Madroñal is also predominantly villa-led, typically on generous plots. It appeals to buyers who want “estate space” and a hillside setting without La Zagaleta’s full scale and internal driving distances.
El Herrojo leans towards contemporary family villas and modern builds. Plots can be more manageable, and many buyers like the “lock-up-and-leave” practicality while still enjoying open views.
Who each one tends to suit
Choose La Zagaleta if maximum discretion, scale and a self-contained estate environment are your priorities — and you’re comfortable with the practical reality of a very large private domain.
Choose El Madroñal if you want privacy, greenery and panoramic views with a calmer, more nature-led feel — while keeping access to San Pedro and the coast straightforward.
Choose El Herrojo if you want gated living with quicker access to schools, golf and Marbella’s lifestyle hubs — and you prefer a more connected, residential rhythm over a secluded hillside estate feel.
A simple way to decide
If you’re torn, start with day-to-day priorities: do you want complete separation (La Zagaleta), quiet hillside privacy with practical access (El Madroñal), or gated convenience close to golf, schools and Marbella (El Herrojo)? Once that’s clear, the right community usually becomes obvious.
If you’d like help comparing current listings, budgets or lifestyle trade-offs between these communities, we can talk you through the options and shortlist suitable homes.
Explore La Zagaleta →
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Explore El Madroñal →
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Explore El Herrojo →
For La Zagaleta-specific due diligence, you can also read Buying property in La Zagaleta: what buyers should know.