Designed by a renowned expert on classical Moorish work, this is one of five top quality rental apartments in a magnificent mountain setting. Perfect for a couple ...
"Exceptionally peaceful, surrounded by mountians and far reaching views. Spectacular walks to waterfalls and much more, all on your doorstep. If you like peace and quiet and hiking in the mountains, this is the place to be".
This magnificent farmhouse, four kilometres from the pretty village of Pitres, is situated high in the mountains (1,450 metres above sea level) at the end of a forestry track.
Set in a 17 acre estate, completely on its own with nothing but gorgeous mountain terrain all around, the vast views which opens up in front of you are fantastic, over the southern Sierras to the Mediterranean Sea beyond.
Designed by a renowned expert on classical Moorish work, the cortijo (farmhouse) is built in traditional style entirely from mountain stone. It is surrounded by very attractive gardens which include a 10 metre diameter circular swimming pool (2.6 m deep all round) and bathing terrace.
It’s a delightfully quiet place. Hidden courtyards and patios provide sanctuaries of shade and greenery, others offer privacy in the sun. The gentle murmur of a spring or fountain never seems far away.
"This mountain retreat was all we had hoped for and more. Our accommodation was very well thought out, very comfortable and private. We absolutely loved it and will definitely stay there again"..
There are five apartments, each of them quite separate and private.
They are a little different in design and in facilities offered but all have been decorated and furnished to the same high standard, with handcrafted cupboards, finely detailed woodwork and Arabic tile work. WiFi internet and satellite TV come as standard.
Four have one bedroom (some also have a double sofabed); the fifth has two bedrooms (one double and one twin).
This apartment, “El Atico”, is described in more detail below.
The owner, a master carpenter and who built this magnificent place from scratch over the past 18 years, has an apartment here too. Clients are nothing but fulsome in their praise of his friendly hospitality, advice and local knowledge. As one guest said, “he was always on hand to offer advice on the local area, but was never intrusive – a perfect balance.”
"So peaceful. A perfect spot in the middle of the Sierra Nevada. The owner was so helpful, the apartment was cleaner then my mother's house, hard to do! The property was beautiful, the views just breathtaking".
The gardens are beautiful and so, too, are the views, down to the Sierras de Lújar and Contraviesa with the Mediterranean Sea beyond. On a clear day it’s possible to see Morocco, far away across the sea.
To the north, the peaks of Mulhacen and Veleta, snow-capped for much of the year, dominate the rugged mountain scene.
The pool area is situated on one side of the farmhouse, where it cannot disturb any of the guests. Although shared with the other guests, it’s both intimate and inviting, large enough for all. Note that it’s deep, 2.6m – there’s no shallow end! Sunloungers and sun shades are set around the pool terrace and the southerly views are fabulous.
Although there are solar panels that begin to warm the water from early spring, because of the altitude here swimming in April and May is only for the brave hearted. But from June onwards it’s a real treat, and very refreshing too in the hot, strong summer sun.
Behind the pool, a short track connects to the famed European GR7 footpath which crosses the Alpujarras before continuing all the way to, we are told, Greece … There are, of course, any number of rather shorter walks in the mountains here, all of them truly wonderful.
Here you are in authentic, high mountain Spain, with hundreds of square miles of magnificent, wild and brooding scenery to revel in. It’s incredibly beautiful.
Just birdsong and the distant clinking of goat bells to keep you company, the scents of lavender and rosemary pervading the crystal-clear mountain air.
At night a million stars shine like diamonds from a pollution free, pure sky. It’s a brilliant spectacle, a spectacular show which has to be seen to be believed. Once seen, it’s one you will never forget.
"I cannot recommend it highly enough. The location is beautiful and the views are amazing, the perfect place to unwind. The apartment was decorated in local style with a fantastic terrace offering views across the valley".
1 bedroom; sleeps 2
A lovely 45m² studio apartment, reached up garden steps. It is a perfect – and always popular – lovers retreat, not least because of its huge private terrace.
It has a large, comfortable double bed in a studio / bedroom arrangement. The living space includes a sofa, armchair and desk.
There is a compact little kitchen / dining area alongside. The bathroom (with a full-size bathtub as well as shower) leads off.
This apartment has underfloor central heating to augment the open fireplace.
The terrace is completely private, almost as big as the apartment itself. It overlooks the gardens and offers lovely views of the mountains.
Sunloungers and outdoor furniture make it a perfect spot to relax in the mountain sun.
"There are lovely walks to do in the immediate area, and the villages of Bubion, Capileira and Pampaneira are all within easy reach. We can only say positive things and will definitely return!"
Nearby Pitres (four kilometres away, a 20 minute walk – although 45 minutes back as it’s uphill) has a few bars and restaurants, a small hotel, a decent supermarket and a good health food shop. There is a bank, a clinic and a pharmacy along with a few other shops. Friday morning is market day in the attractive plaza where fresh produce, clothes and crafts can be bought.
Five kilometres away, Capileira is the second highest village in Spain, moulded onto the mountainscape 1,435 metres above sea level. Its old streets – happily too narrow for cars – entwine and criss-cross their way a full hundred metres down the side of the gorge.
It’s an enchanting maze of ancient dwellings, their cats and geraniums, hens and goats, nooks and crannies, fountains and sudden, dramatic views – both down the valley to Capileira’s attractive sisters, Bubión and Pampaneira, and up to the mountain backdrop of Sierra Nevada, where blue skies meet pure white snow cresting the peaks.
And, for something just as rewarding but completely different, you can spend a day out in Granada, one of Spain’s great cities, or even take a jaunt down to the Med.
And what better after a day out exploring the hills and dales than to return here, to quality accommodation which combines originality and style with comfort and convenience.
All the facts and features about this villa
Weather permitting, the swimming pool will be open from mid April until mid October. It’s solar heated but, even so, at this altitude the normal swimming season is from late May to mid September
For details of the other apartments on the estate, click on the links below:
El Estudio (1 bedroom, sleeps 2/4)
El Tinado (1 bedroom, sleeps 2)
El Patio (1 bedroom, sleeps 2/4)
El Taller (2 bedrooms, sleeps 2 or 4)
Rentals for this property run normally from Saturday to Saturday in high season although other start and finish days may be possible
From November to April inclusive, there is an additional charge of 50€ per week for winter heating. This is paid locally to the owner on arrival.
RB/VTAR/GR/00348
| 2024 Season Dates | Week | Fortnight |
|---|---|---|
| 5th January to 24th March | 510 € | 1,020 € |
| 25th March to 14th April | 580 € | 1,160 € |
| 15th April to 23th June | 510 € | 1,020 € |
| 24th June to 08th September | 580 € | 1,160 € |
| 09th September to 08th December | 510 € | 1,020 € |
| 09th December to 7th January 2025 | 580 € | 1,160 € |
| 2025 Season Dates | Week | Fortnight |
|---|---|---|
| 4th January to 10th April | 570 € | 1,140 € |
| 11th April to 18th April | 650 € | 1,300 € |
| 19th April to 27th June | 570 € | 1,140 € |
| 28th June to 12th September | 650 € | 1,300 € |
| 13th September to 12th December | 570 € | 1,140 € |
| 13th December to 9th January 2026 | 650 € | 1,300 € |
In open countryside, accessed by a 2 km forestry track, a little rough in places but managable in an ordinary car (driven slowly), 4 km from Pitres (basic facilities), 40 mins from Órgiva (most facilities) in Las Alpujarras region (Province of Granada).
