El Higuerón has become one of the busiest new-build areas on the Costa del Sol. It sits on a hillside on the border between Fuengirola and Benalmádena, faces the Mediterranean, and is anchored by a resort with a hotel, a sports club and a spa. This guide covers what you need to know before buying here: where it is, what daily life looks like, how you get around, and what to check in each property.
Where it is
The area spreads across a hillside above Carvajal beach, between Fuengirola and Benalmádena. The area is split between the municipalities of Fuengirola and Benalmádena, so check which one each property belongs to. It determines your local property tax (IBI) and municipal services.
The slope shapes everything. It gives El Higuerón its sea views, and it also means life here is largely car-based. Streets climb and drop, and while some parts are within walking distance of the beach, this is not the daily seafront stroll you get from a frontline home.
The resort at its heart
At the top of the hill is the Higuerón Hotel Málaga, part of Hilton’s Curio Collection since a full renovation of around €22 million. Much of local life revolves around it:
- Higuerón Sport Club: padel and tennis courts, sand sports and a gym with group classes.
- Nagomi Spa: hydrotherapy circuit, treatments and a solarium.
- Dining: several restaurants, including Sollo, led by chef Diego Gallegos.
- Beach club: the hotel runs a shuttle down to its own beach club.
For residents, the appeal is hotel-level amenities a few minutes from home. Many of them are paid separately or by membership, so ask what each development includes and what costs extra.
Getting around
- By road: quick access to the AP-7 and A-7 motorways, linking you to Málaga, Marbella and the rest of the coast.
- Málaga Airport: around 15 to 20 minutes by car, depending on traffic and where you are in the area.
- By train: Carvajal and Torreblanca stations, at the foot of the hill, are on the C-1 commuter line connecting Fuengirola with the airport and central Málaga.
- Beach: Carvajal beach, with its promenade and beach restaurants, is a few minutes’ drive away.
What to check before you buy
On a hillside, two homes in the same development can be very different. These are the points I always check:
- Elevation. How high a unit sits within its development decides whether the view clears the buildings below or runs into them. Upper-tier units usually have the most open outlook, and are priced accordingly.
- Orientation. South and south-west facing homes get more hours of sun and face the sea. Also check what could be built in front.
- Access. Ramps, garages and stairs matter more on a slope. If you plan to live here year-round, walk and drive the route before deciding.
- Buying off-plan. Much of what is on sale today is still under construction. Check the estimated delivery date, the payment schedule, the bank guarantees on your deposits and the building specification.
- Community fees. Developments with their own infinity pool, spa or gym carry fees to match.
What is on the market
El Higuerón combines new-build apartments with a smaller number of standout homes: penthouses and villas with rooftop solariums, private pools and open views on the highest tiers. That upper segment is where elevation and orientation really drive price, and where it pays to compare unit by unit.
I am marketing one of those homes: a four-bedroom villa on the highest tier of its development, with a rooftop solarium and private pool. If the area interests you, I can show you that villa and explain how it compares with the rest of what is available.
In short
El Higuerón suits buyers who want sea views, resort amenities and a fast link to the airport, and who do not need to walk to the beach every day. Here more than elsewhere, the decision comes down to the individual property.
If you are considering buying in El Higuerón, get in touch and we can go through it properly.
Miguel Zapico
Managing Director · The Boutique Real Estate Group | eXp Luxury
