The town is perched rather dramatically on a flat rocky outcrop that is raised above the surroundings, the better to enjoy magnificent views over a paradisiacal landscape of lush pastures and mountainous layers that stretch all the way to where the sun dips into the horizon. This open window to a panoramic countryside brings the surroundings into the town, ensuring this burgeoning town of 50,000 people never forgets its rural roots.

For those who wish to live in the real Andalucía, surrounded by nature and the true pulse of Spanish life, Ronda offers a wonderful compromise that also brings style, culture and sophistication to the mix. What’s more, the beaches and modern diversions of the Costa del Sol are less than an hour distant, yet those who choose to live here can access them at will whilst enjoying the pleasures of a more traditional and peaceful environment.

Though Ronda itself offers charming areas and wonderful properties to buy and/or restore, most people who choose this region opt for country properties in the villages and farming areas surrounding the town. The setting can vary from the verdant farming valley around Ronda to the pastures and traditional Andalusian white villages that radiate further outwards, but the town remains a common focal point.

This means that you can enjoy living on the outskirts of a picturesque village or opt for a luxury country villa whilst still having the shops, restaurants and quaint quarters of Ronda within close range. Some of the most popular houses are little rustic properties or large country homes on spacious tracts of private land, many of which lend themselves to refurbishment projects.

Besides the natural scenery, outdoor lifestyle and peace and privacy that such a setting offers, many also set up rural bed and breakfasts or boutique hotels, or use their land to indulge in interests such as horse riding or quad biking. Quite a few of the country properties come with features such as stables, private water sources and classic rural architectural features, though most also have the mod cons you would expect in the city.

With nature reserves, vineyards and lots of history all around it is understandable that the region is so popular with those who wish to seek a life in the sun that is all about enjoying nature and a more authentic Spanish lifestyle. Living in and around Ronda you have the added advantage of being in a surprisingly sophisticated area that is also close to the coast and its facilities: in other words, a pretty enticing mix of ingredients.

When La Mairena’s developer, Gabriel Massoud, first came to Marbella over 30 years ago, it was still a little fishing village frequented by an international jet set. He was quick to realise that things would not always stay this way, and that the demand for land, property and recreational facilities in and around Marbella would gradually convert it into the bustling and growing town that it is today. Gabriel envisaged a time when people would want to live in a peaceful, natural setting, away from the crowds yet within easy reach of Marbella’s diversions and services.

With this in mind, he bought 2 million square metres of hillside covered in cork and pine trees just a few kilometres outside Marbella. Others have had similar ideas, but most such areas are either too remote or have since been absorbed into urban zones, leaving La Mairena as one of the very few places that offers the comfort and services of an exclusive residential area near Marbella, combined with the peace, tranquillity and beautiful natural surroundings of the countryside. Add the magnificent views that take in the gentle slope down to Marbella and the sea, the mountains inland, and eastward views across the New Golf Valley to the nightlights of Fuengirola, and you have a very pleasant environment indeed.

It is in this setting that La Mairena was developed as a residential area of private villas and small apartment blocks that offers residents attractively-designed Andalusian and Mediterranean style properties in a manner that makes the most of the beautiful natural surroundings. Trees are a very important part of this, keeping the area cool in summer, visually softening construction and providing a cherished environment full of the fragrance of citrus and pine. Though tucked into the foothills of the Sierra Alpujata, at 300 metres altitude, it is just a five-minute drive from the Elviria exit on the CN340 coastal highway that runs across the length of the Costa del Sol. From La Mairena, a wide road winds its way gently down through open countryside to the pine-covered residential area of Elviria, with its Spanish and international schools, shops, restaurants, cafés, banks and professional services.

The best beaches, with attending beach bars, in the Marbella area are ten minutes from La Mairena, with the centre of Marbella another five minutes further. The area is also home to trendy beach clubs such as Nikki Beach, as well as a choice of five-star hotels and top-notch golf courses, yet facilitated by its own tennis centre, private school and a small commercial centre, there is no need to leave the peace and comfort of La Mairena itself.

As you stroll through the steeply inclined cobblestone streets and look at the white-plastered houses hugging the cliff, you might wonder why people would choose this scenic but rather difficult terrain to build on over the rich green valleys sprawled below. The answer lies in the coastline, and more specifically the distant shores of North Africa, from where Barbary Corsairs set sale on voyages of rape and pillage that terrorised much of the Mediterranean and were a match even for the feared Viking raids of the North.

Many of those caught unawares would end up in the slave markets of North Africa, so the people of this region learned to seek protection from these and other marauding bands even before the conquering armies of Rome or Islam arrived in this part of Southern Spain. The result is a tapestry of white villages shining brightly against a backdrop of greenery and blue skies. With its characteristic cluster of houses straddling a little saddle between rising hills, Casares is considered one of the finest of all white villages, and has duly received UNESCO World Heritage status.

A dense maze of streets cuts through the mass of houses that back up to the hilltop castle, in olden days the last refuge for townspeople. Today, it is above all a scenic point from which Casares’ uniquely panoramic position can be truly appreciated. Look down and you see green valleys far below, succeeded by a rocky landscape that stretches towards the coastal towns of Manilva and Sabinillas, and is now a protected natural area. Long sandy beaches mark the shoreline, which is dotted with hotels and holiday homes, while across the blue expanse the heights of North Africa rise up, with Gibraltar seemingly floating like an island between two continents.

Just around the corner, in the inland direction, is the threshold to a mountainous landscape of jagged ranges, deeply cut valleys and raging streams. Within this beautiful wilderness are farming communities and the white dots of pueblos blancos that sit like sentinels atop accessible peaks visible from far away. Next stop from here is Gaucín, another popular and pretty mountain village, and like Casares a favourite of artists, tourists and foreign residents.

Leaving the bucket-and-spade brigade behind, the more inquisitively minded visitors to this part of Southern Spain happily seek out towns like Casares, drawn by the exoticism of its history, architecture and ambience. They walk the steep streets and gather at the main square, enjoying coffee and tapas in a quintessentially Andalusian setting. While many artists, Spanish and foreign, have made their home in quaintly renovated village houses, the majority of the foreign residents live in rustic villas on the outskirts of Casares – an area that offers not only a good choice of properties of different sizes, but also space, privacy, fantastic views, natural beauty and proximity to both village life and the facilities of the Costa del Sol.

To say that Miguel Tobal has helped to shape Marbella is certainly no overstatement, though the architect is quick to point out that he has always focused on quality rather than quantity. “Over the years we have had the good fortune of being involved in a wide range of projects, from small to larger scale, yet our main focus has always been designing individual homes for private owners,” says Miguel.

It is a specialisation that continues to this day, though currently they work on both new-built villas and refurbishments. “What we’re seeing at the moment is that increasingly people seek out the best locations, and since this often leads them to the more exclusive established areas it means buying an existing property. In such a case their focus is more on the quality of the plot, in terms of location and orientation, than the property itself.”

In a lot of cases the homes in question are antiquated and the value, certainly the desirability, of the land has outgrown that of the structure it houses. “The buyer will then have to decide whether he or she wants to refurbish or rebuild from scratch,” adds Diego Tobal. “Normally it is easier and cheaper to demolish and start from a blank canvas, and unless there is great character or another form of intrinsic value to the old property that is exactly what happens.”

Changing demands
Another reason why homes are rebuilt or updated is because those constructed before the mid/late 90s watershed, struggle to provide the amenities demanded by modern lifestyles. “The homes built up to the 1990s were charming but bear little resemblance to the way they are constructed today,” says Diego. “To start with they were conceived very much as summer homes, with little in the way of heat and sound insulation, technical infrastructure and modern refinement.”

“Properties, maintenance and energy were relatively cheap, and lifestyles very different from now. These days, homeowners demand much higher technical standards, a long list of facilities such as climate control, under floor heating, telecommunications, home entertainment systems and advanced automated management systems that can control anything from the sprinklers to security and remote video access.”

Along with higher levels of comfort comes an increased focus on design. “Design has become more accessible and important as people travel more and are exposed to more diverse cultural and visual references,” says Diego. “What people expect from an architect now is not the same as it was years ago, and indeed, many want us to create signature design elements that reflect their personality and lifestyle, yet within a specified budget and without making the property so idiosyncratic that it becomes unsaleable.”

A turning point in design and development
Asked if they believe the crazy years of the boom will ever return, both father and son instinctively say: ‘hopefully not’. Diego explains, “We’re at a turning point in Marbella. Years ago everything was white, homes were built on a moderate scale, albeit with the limitations described above, and Marbella had a true identity. Then came the boom and the town lost its way a little, with short-term thinking leading to increasingly mass-produced construction and often highly forgettable design. Now things are gradually getting back to normal and I see the next phase of development in Marbella coming in the form of a revitalisation of existing spaces such as its beachfront and town centre.”

“It is the mark of an increasingly mature market and we’re seeing the early signs of it in the rebuilding and refurbishment of villas on prime plots. I believe the emphasis will be more on this kind of redevelopment and less on expansion on virgin soil. Not only will it revitalise Marbella but it should also mean that new developments will become less volume-based and more focused on providing niche value.”

Asked what this newly-evolving Marbella will look like they laugh and say, “Fortunately there are as many architects as there are projects to design, so as always there will be a mix of styles and treatments, but I think modern lines, glass and lots of white will feature prominently.” We’re all agreed that white is by and large the ideal colour for Marbella. “Yes, it’s clean, fresh, modern, practical in this climate and also maintains a link with the cultural heritage of this region.” Speaking of which, should all structures yield before this new wave? “No, a community naturally selects what it wants to retain and nurture, and what needs renewing, with market forces providing the mechanics, but all the same, Marbella has a great opportunity to create a really exciting visual identity in the coming years.”

www.tobal.net

From anywhere along the coastal strip occupied by towns such as Marbella and Estepona you will see mountain ranges running roughly parallel to the shore. In some places they diminish to mere hills, but there are places where the mountainous sierras that separate the coastal region from the interior suddenly surge to produce majestic peaks. One such peak is La Concha, the towering mountain that overlooks Marbella and shields it from the soaring summer blasts and icy winter winds of the North.

La Concha, The Shell in Spanish, is so called because its shape resembles that of a huge seashell. Rising from almost sea level to 1,215 metres, it forms part of the Sierra de la Nieves (Snow Mountains) nature reserve that extends northwards from here and covers around 20,000 hectares of unspoiled and protected nature. Though parts of this reserve are hard to get to, the mountainous area immediately surrounding La Concha is a popular hiker’s destination that features one of the best-used routes in Andalucía.

Hiking near Marbella
It takes minutes to reach the beach, under an hour to make it to the surf at Tarifa, and a little over two hours to stand on the ski slopes of the Sierra Nevada, but La Concha’s hiking trails are less than half an hour removed from the town centre. Follow the signs to La Cañada, Marbella’s large modern shopping complex, then head inland in the direction of the little white town of Ojen, just five minutes away. Skirting Ojen you’ll come to a signpost on the left side of the road that reads Refugio de Juanar.

Follow a winding mountain road for another ten minutes and a good dirt road for 100 metres to a car park from which you’ll have to continue on foot. Having reached the starting point, the Refugio de Juanar, there is a choice of four different routes.

• Mirador del Corzo – a rather straightforward 500-metre stroll to a panoramic viewpoint for those who want to enjoy stunning vistas of the surroundings without walking too much
• Mirador del Macho Montès – an only slightly more adventurous 1,3 kilometre trail through a pine grove that culminates in a viewpoint with wonderful views down to Marbella and the coast
• The Juanar Mountain Peak Route – from here on things get more serious, as this route takes you to the first peak and an even more spectacular panorama of Marbella and surroundings will take moderately fit people about an hour each way
• The La Concha Route – designed for serious hikers, this is a steeper trail that takes you to the top of the Juanar and then along the ridge to the top of La Concha Mountain. Count on 2.5 hours each way – and fantastic views, including Marbella, Puerto Banus and the large Istán reservoir on the northwest side of Marbella. On a clear day you’ll be able to see the entire sweep of the coast to Gibraltar, with Africa sticking out beyond.

Tucked away amongst lush semi-tropical gardens the properties in this area enjoy an opulent form of seclusion and privacy, but one combined with stunning vistas and an easy, direct route to Puerto Banús, Marbella town and a selection of golf courses on its doorstep.

Small, discreet and very exclusive, Cascada de Camojan is an area dominated by impressive villas set on large plots with sprawling grounds. Among these are some of the most imposing mansions on the Costa del Sol – complete with some of the most impressive panoramas in the entire region. Not surprisingly build densities are low, with space and greenery abundant. Quiet cul-de-sacs enhance the sense of tranquillity and privacy, with roads that exclusively serve local residents.

Apart from a few early isolated estates the greater part of the community was developed from the 1990s onwards, as demand for Marbella property pushed luxury residential development into the foothills and the elevated plots with their panoramic qualities became highly sought after. Today the area is largely consolidated, with just a small number of plots remaining – reinforcing the status of Cascada de Camojan as one of Marbella’s most distinguished and exclusive high-end areas.

The setting is Marbella, or more specifically La Cerquilla, a very exclusive secluded area ensconced within the subtropical greenery of Nueva Andalucía. Occupying an undulating valley criss-crossed by golf courses and luxury residential areas, it looks out over the sea near Puerto Banús and the mountains that rise up behind the Costa del Sol. The largest and most emblematic of these, La Concha, rises up majestically as if to pinpoint the location of Marbella town itself.

Close by are shops, schools, sports clubs, nightlife, marinas and beaches, but here in La Cerquilla it is peace, privacy and views over fairways that predominate. Not surprisingly this is the location for a collection of some of the finest homes in Marbella, though few better than this lovely showcase home with tall, elegant walls that demarcate the private grounds of almost 3,000m2. Thus set within its own domain, the villa has the bearing of a grand mansion, with a grand driveway in hand-cobbled Portuguese ‘Pedra Calçada’ stone that befits its status.

The drive leads to the three-car garage and an impressive forecourt whose lighting shows the property off even better in the evenings. A classic portico forms a prelude to the modern solid wooden doors that open up to a spacious hall dressed with Italian marble floors. The first impression upon entering is the attractive open flow of the house, accompanied by ample natural light and stunning perspectives. Indeed, the hall flows almost effortlessly into the living room, kitchen and dining area, as well as the elegant stairs that lead to the private quarters on the first floor, all the while offering tantalising glimpses of the garden and views beyond.

Step into any room and you see the spaces beyond widen in an open perspective of living room, dining room and kitchen, yet close the beautiful wooden sliding doors and any of these spaces can become an intimate, private setting dedicated to a particular activity. Here, stylish walnut floors match the doors to provide a warm and homely ambience in what is generally a bright and breezy décor just made for the Marbella climate and lifestyle. As if to underline this point, the rooms open up to the long covered terrace that forms an outdoor extension of the home, complete with outdoor lounge and dining areas.

Fold the glass doors back and the outside comes in, connecting the living areas to the terrace and the garden and heated swimming pool beyond. This is particularly evident in the stylish Gaggenau-fitted kitchen, where a breakfast bar and outdoor dining area compete for your attention. Either way you look out over the property’s immaculate lawns as they fall away to reveal a subtropical valley covered in fairway and wooded villa suburbs, with the Mediterranean sparkling in the distance.

Aside from the elegant marble guest cloakroom, three of the villa’s six spacious bedroom suites can be found on the ground floor, with the remainder in the privacy of the upper floor. Set upon a large panoramic terrace, the bedrooms enjoy an elevated version of the lovely views, complete with wooden-beamed vaulted ceilings, beautiful wooden floors and the latest comforts and amenities, not least of which are stylish marble and stone bathrooms with walk-in hydro-showers and luxuriant baths. The grandest and most spacious of these is naturally the master suite, which is particularly attractive in its styling and layout, with his and her dressing rooms and bathrooms.

The basement level features practical spaces such as a laundry, machinery and storage rooms, a staff apartment with kitchenette and shower room, but also a private gym, wine cellar, home cinema and a stunning heated indoor pool with sauna and showers that connect to the outdoor swimming area and terrace. They highlight not only style and luxurious comfort, but also the high standard of technology that is to be found throughout the property. Indeed, the home features the most advanced automated home systems available, including lighting, climate settings and interior and outside perimeter security controllable from handsets throughout the house or even on the owner’s PC from any location in the world.

Made from classic materials, styles and qualities combined with the latest in home technology, this property is both an imposing mansion and a practical, welcoming home in one of the most desirable locations in Marbella.

Small but exclusive, El Vicario is a very private enclave of luxurious villas enveloped in the greenery of their large grounds. This is not an area of relatively small land parcels, as you see in some other residential areas, but one of grand estates with space to spare. The gradient is gentle, giving the expansive gardens and lawns a rather regal appeal, not unlike the historic chateaux and country homes of France and Britain, but then endowed with the bright sunshine and subtropical plant species of Southern Spain.

The properties are in accordance with this, which is to say; they tend to be large, luxurious and impressive, the latter not only for their opulence and size, but also for the sense of bearing and good taste that they exude. These are serious homes, or important ones, as they are sometimes described by specialists in the very top end of the property spectrum. To have an address here, therefore, is to stand out from the rest – even within El Vicario’s own surroundings, for this is an enclave of privilege within a rather glamorous congregation of villas and luxury penthouse apartments that border the margins of the Golden Mile.

El Vicario’s small size obviates the need for local services, for it has all the chic restaurants, delicatessen and boutiques of the Golden Mile on its doorstep, and the full range of amenities of Marbella and Puerto Banús nearby. The nearest golf course is La Dama de Noche, famous for its night playing facilities, but there are many more within a 15 to 20 minute range. The beach that runs parallel with the Golden Mile and is home to some of the finest beach clubs and beachside restaurants is under a kilometre distant, and three yacht marinas lay within a half hour radius, making this highly private and secluded retreat a perfectly peaceful and discreet island within an already pleasant sea of upmarket residences.

It is divided into two parts North and South, both areas with its distinct charms and characteristics.

The northern side of Nagüeles is complete with some discreet apartment and townhouse complexes, with sizeable villas on slightly small plots. The southern one is the most exclusive with large sprawling villas on the kind of land area not commonly encountered these days.

Read more about Rocío de Nagüeles here

Situated on the mountainside of the main road, roughly opposite Puerto Banús, Nueva Andalucía occupies a verdant valley that looks southwards to the sea and northwards to the coastal mountain ranges and the iconic La Concha Mountain in particular. Here, fine villas but also collections of luxury apartments and pueblo style townhouses lie ensconced within tree cover, with the park-like golf courses snaking in-between to create a particularly lush environment.

Among the finest of these courses, which together represent perhaps the densest concentration of top golf courses in Europe, is Aloha Golf Club. Founded in 1975, it is among the elder statesmen in the region, with a design by the legendary Javier Arana, the man also responsible for El Saler in Valencia and El Prat in Barcelona. Aloha was also to be the last project of Arana before his death, but many consider it to be one of his finest too.

Always a favourite among social players, celebrities and professionals, Aloha has hosted Spanish and international royalty, as well a string of international competitions including the Andalusian Open. The latter attracted the likes of Lee Westwood and Sergio Garcia, to name a few, while the club can also lay claim to having local golfing hero Miguel Ángel Jimenez amongst its 1,500 or so members.

Many of these own properties fronting and overlooking the course, which wraps large swathes of Nueva Andalucía in a green embrace as it meanders its way across it. The result is a course that is not only regarded as one of the best in Spain, but surely also one of the most beautiful, for the rolling fairways create a parkland landscape fringed by well-established trees and dotted with plants, flowers, lakes and greens.

With such scenery on your doorstep it isn’t surprising that so many people choose to live in an area dominated by these vistas. Additional draws are the peaceful suburban enclaves that mark Aloha, as well as the proximity of facilities such as shops, bars, restaurants, racket clubs and even Aloha College, one of the finest international colleges in Marbella. Set at the heart of what Marbella is all about, Aloha is a golfer’s paradise that is equally close to beaches, Puerto Banús and the town centre of Marbella, making this an area with enduring appeal that offers a good range of property types and prices to suit a good many budgets and lifestyles.