Property Description
Situated among some of the finest scenery to be found anywhere in Spain, amidst cork oak and chestnut forests, these six cottages provide an extremely comfortable retreat in a unique and very beautiful setting.
Winner of the Huelva Province Tourism Award for 2002 and accredited as "Quality Accommodation" by both the Spanish and Andalusian Tourist Boards, the six stone cottages stand on raised ground on the right bank of the river, commanding magnificent views over the valley and surrounding hills.
The Parque Natural Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche is an area of outstanding natural beauty. Criss-crossed with ancient paths, some dating from Roman times, the area is a green oasis even during the hot Andalusian summer. This is an ideal starting point from which to explore this magnificent region.
Just twenty minutes (one kilometre) walk away from the very pretty village of Alajár, the cottages are traditional in design, rustic in style, beautifully furnished, well equipped and all have private terraces.
Enveloped in a wide bowl of densely wooded mountains, birds and crickets singing contentedly and not a car in sight (or in earshot), their secluded location in the midst of all this beauty is difficult to beat.
Shared facilities include a spacious and welcoming, wood-beamed communal room which has a sitting area in front of a large open fireplace, a table football machine and a large barbecue terrace.
The Sala Común also has a wide selection of DVD's and music CD's to choose from, which you can take to your cottage to watch or listen to.
A little below the Sala Común, you will find the splendid 11 x 5.5 metre swimming pool where you can enjoy a dip under the dappled shade of the ancient oak tree or enjoy the sunshine lounging on the grassy bank. There are sunloungers and deck chairs, of course, and the pool is walled and gated so secure for young children.
And there is now an artificial grass tennis court for clients to enjoy, inclusive of night lighting (there is a small charge if you want this switched on). Please bring your own equipment (racquet, shoes etc) if you wish to use this facility.
You can pick your own vegetables (in season) from the well tendered organic vegetable garden and firewood is provided free of charge. Donkeys can be hired on an hourly basis for guided treks through the countryside.
The delightful, very friendly but unobtrusive Dutch owners have a sound knowledge of the area and detailed walking routes and itineraries are available. Each of the walks is circular (beginning and ending here) and can easily be completed in a single day.
Typical regional meals can be ordered from a restaurant in Alajár for delivery to your house or for takeaway.
The six cottages, their thick walls built from local stones painstakingly collected from old houses and ruins, stand on raised ground overlooking the hills and valleys all around. Little pathways lead up from the communal room and the car park through the lawned surrounds. Carefully designed and constructed to look and feel like they have been there for years, they are very pleasing on the eye and the attention to detail is superb.
Inside, the decor is really great and they are super-comfortable. One client described them as "like a film-set". The warm, amber light is enhanced by the dark golden and honey hues of chestnut beams and windows and the reddish tones of hand-made clay tiles.
It is obvious that great care has been taken over the furnishings. All of the cottages have television, DVD and CD player; all have good sized, quality beds. Little touches include a bottle of wine awaiting you on arrival; welcome packs are available on request.
A short walk from your cottage, along little country lanes lined with stone walls, will take you to the village of Alájar, as pretty as a picture postcard, with its white-washed houses and winding, cobbled streets. There are bars and restaurants here which have both cosiness and character. High above the village towers La Peña de Arias Montano, a craggy cliff with the sixteenth century hermitage Nuestra Señora de los Angeles set on its peak.
Alájar's name comes from the Arab word for stone, appropriate as it is this stony peak that dominates the village and presides over the life and doings of its 800 inhabitants. From here, the village below shines whitely, like the cut-out silhouette of a giant lizard, against the green of the surrounding forests and meadows.
Aracena is only a twenty minute drive along scenic roads. It's a pretty market town, relaxed and friendly like so many here, set on top of the Gruta de las Maravillas (Cave Of Wonders), one of Spain's most impressive caves, and dominated by its splendid Moorish castle on the hilltop above the town.
Enjoy the great delicacies of the local pork products, the delicious mushrooms and the goat's cheeses, discover the wonderful countryside, villages and peoples of the Sierra, on foot if you can, or by car. For a complete contrast, there's Sevilla and Portugal too. Both are an easy drive away.
Wherever you go, whatever you do, you are guaranteed comfort and tranquility when you return here. Relax, read, swim, play tennis … to the accompaniment of crickets, birdsong and the water in the river below … It's a fabulous place!
Which is why we have chosen it as the base for our independent walking holidays (you make your own way using the notes and maps provided) through the magnificent countryside of La Sierra de Aracena. For more information, click here.
Contact Us
Would you like to book this property? Any questions? We are here to help
00 34 958 763 381
Property Details
ZH11 Nº1, La Cigüeña
2 bedrooms, sleeps 4 plus 2 children :
Ground Floor :
Open-plan living / dining room / kitchen (with underfloor heating)
Shower room
Outside entrance to double bedroom (with underfloor heating) and an en-suite shower room
Terrace (furnished)
First Floor :
Mezanine galley bedroom partitioned into 2 twins
ZH11 Nº2, El Conejo
2 bedrooms, sleeps 4 plus 2 children :
Ground Floor :
Open-plan living / dining room / kitchen (with underfloor heating)
Shower room
Double bedroom (with underfloor heating) and an en-suite shower room
Terrace (furnished)
First Floor :
Mezanine galley bedroom partitioned into 2 twins
ZH11 Nº3, El Buho
1 studio bedroom, sleeps 2 :
All on one floor :
Open-plan living / sleeping room (double bed) and en-suite bathroom
Kitchen
Terrace (furnished)
ZH11 Nº4, La Tortuga
2 bedrooms, sleeps 5 :
All on one floor :
Open plan living room / kitchen (with underfloor heating)
2 bedrooms :
1double (with underfloor heating) and an en suite shower room
1
with three single beds with an en suite shower room
Terrace (furnished)
ZH11 Nº5, El Águila
2 bedrooms, sleeps 2 plus 2 children :
Ground Floor :
Open-plan living / dining room / kitchen (with underfloor heating)
Double bedroom (with underfloor heating) and an en-suite bathroom (shower over bath tub)
Terrace (furnished)
First Floor :
Mezanine galley bedroom with two single children's beds (accessed by a spiral staircase from the double bedroom below)
ZH11 Nº6, Zoya
2 bedrooms, sleeps 4 :
All on one floor :
Open-plan living / dining room / kitchen (with underfloor heating)
steps down to twin bedroom (with underfloor heating) and an en-suite shower room
Double bedroom (with underfloor heating) and an en-suite shower room
Terrace (furnished)
Facilities
All Cottages :
Spanish TV • CD / DVD Player
Open fireplace in the living room (wood burning stove in Nº 3 El Buho) • Underfloor heating downstairs (except in Nº 3 El Buho and one bedroom in Nº 4 La Tortuga, which have radiators) • 2 Portable Fans
Electric Oven (gas oven in Nº 3 El Buho) • Gas hob • Microwave • Fridge • Toaster • Juicer • Kettle • Coffee machine • Cooking utensils • Cutlery • Crockery
All linen is provided (but not pool towels) • Cot • Iron & board
Outdoor dining and terrace furniture
Shared Facilities :
Communal room which has a sitting area in front of a large open fireplace • Barbecue Terrace
Washing Machine • Tumble Dryer
Highchair available (on request)
Gated and walled filtered swimming pool (11 m x 5.5 m, 1.4 m - 2.0 m deep) with pool furniture
Tennis Court (artificial grass, night lighting, please bring your own racket, shoes etc) • Tennis lessons are available (tuition over an intensive weekend conducted by a former champion of Spain in mens doubles). Must be booked well in advance (a minimum of 3 months notice is required)
Grounds & gardens (including vegetables which can be picked from the organic plot • Car Park
Walking itineraries available • Donkeys available for hire (guided) • Selection of DVD's and music CD's • Table Football
Notes
Weather permitting, the swimming pool will be open from mid May to mid September
Baby sitting is usually available on request
Welcome packs can be provided on request
Firewood & heating costs are inclusive in the prices, below. Extra firewood is available for € 10 per barrow
Start dates for holiday rentals here are usually flexible
Location
Reached by a 400 metre country track (easily negotiable in an ordinary car), 1 km from Alajár (bars & restaurants); 11 km from Aracena (all facilities; restaurants; banks etc)
Sevilla 1½ hrs; Atlantic Coast 1½ hours
See the location map above
Airports
Sevilla 1½ hrs; Jerez 2½ hrs; Faro (on the Algarve Coast in Portugal) 2½ hrs; Málaga 3½ hrs
See our Links Page for web sites of airlines traveling to Andalucia from the UK.
Car Hire
We offer competitive rates for car hire from Sevilla and other airports in Andalucia. Click here for full details
Find Out More
About the La Sierra de Aracena
You may find it useful to view our frequently asked questions
