A holiday home in a really enviable location, magnificent countryside all around, completely secluded and with one of the most inspirational views anywhere in Andalucia ...
With just rolling hills, unspoilt countryside and the tranquillity of nature to keep you company, this is a fabulous spot, a rural idyll.
Perched on the hillside with breathtaking views of Zahara de la Sierra on the opposite shore of its stunning lake, this is one of the most spectacularly situated properties in this wonderful part of Spain.
The view, from the cottage itself, from the terrace which extends along its front, and from the beautiful swimming pool just below, is splendid. Beyond lies the azure-blue lake with the spectacular mountains of the Sierra de Grazalema rising up all around and beyond it.
It’s difficult to think there’s much wrong with the world as one gazes across the calm waters to the Moorish castle, sitting on it’s rocky outcrop above the village of Zahara de la Sierra, proudly guarding the secrets of its past.
Accessed by an easily drivable two kilometre country track, the location is perfect, part of a 30,000 m2 estate with nothing but gorgeous countryside all around.
It’s not luxury, but there are some nice touches as well as a genuinely Spanish country atmosphere.
Sunny, warm and open to the wide blue Andalusian sky, it’s perfect for anyone who want to relax in peaceful, dreamy harmony far away from life’s hustle and bustle, yet still within easy driving distance of interesting towns and villages for a day or an evening out.
All on one floor, the holiday home is of recent construction, pleasantly designed and neatly furnished.
It’s not luxury, but it’s bright and cheerful with some nice touches as well as a genuinely Spanish country atmosphere.
Touches such as dimmer switches in the living room and main bedroom, swimming pool illumination and a wealth of local information (in English) in the housebook. Ample hot water is provided by solar panels (with a mains water-heater as back-up).
Perfect for anyone who want to relax in peaceful, dreamy harmony far away from life's hustle and bustle.
The distribution is quite simple: one enters from the front porch to a large, high-ceilinged living room / diner with the kitchen area at one end.
There’s a large, wrap-around, dark leather sofa, a coffee table in front of the glass-fronted fireplace, a wooden dining table and a decently equipped kitchen area.
The three ample sized bedrooms lead off, each decorated in cheerful Mediterranean colours with windows that have shutters, blinds and curtains. Two are double bedded, one is a twin with an extra, supplementary bed. One of the doubles has an en-suite shower room /WC.
There is also a separate, attractively tiled, blue and white bathroom with a shower over the bathtub and double wash basins.
Neat and attractive inside, it’s outside that’s the place to be! A part-shaded terrace runs along the front of the property with a ceramic-tiled table and six chairs for al-fresco dining.
Steps lead down to the ample pool terrace with sunbeds and, of course, the lovely 10.5 m x 5.5 m pool taking centre stage. The hillsides are perfect for children to run about and explore. It’s real nature! Alongside the house, there’s a plastic playhouse for little ones and children’s swing.
Beyond the lovely swimming pool lies the azure-blue lake with the spectacular mountains of the Sierra de Grazalema rising up all around and beyond it.
Secluded but not isolated, the countryside track ambles through the fields down to the main A376 from where you can quickly get to picturesque pueblos such as Ronda, Zahara de la Sierra, Setenil, Grazalema and Arcos de la Frontera.
Closer to hand, it’s just a fifteen-minute drive to El Gastor, the mountain village known as the “Balcony of the White Villages of Cadiz” (there are wonderful views from its highest point at 1,060 metres).
Here you will find most things that you may need during your stay, shops, supermarkets, banks and an internet cafe, all in a lovely pastoral environment.
Ronda, with its extraordinary gorge dividing the old and new quarters, is an easy half an hour away. With its mansion houses, quaint narrow streets, museums and art galleries and Spain’s oldest bullring, it is well worth visiting.
Picturesque pueblos, magnificent mountains, historic cities ... from here you can visit them all!
There are excellent restaurants close by including the Michelin-starred “Tragabuches” in Ronda and the excellent “Al Lago” restaurant a short drive away in nearby Zahara on the other side of the lake. All of the local villages have friendly tapas bars where you can enjoy the easy going, unpretentious Spanish lifestyle.
Situated on the edge of the Grazalema Nature Park, the area is a bird-watcher’s dream and a botanist’s paradise. Particularly suited to walking, horse-riding and adventure activities (paragliding, climbing, biking etc), this is as good as it gets if you want to discover the secrets of unspoilt, rural Andalucía.
The Grazalema National Park begins, literally, on your doorstep. This is one of the most beautiful tracks of mountain anywhere in Europe. Jagged peaks, gorges, chasms, faults and caves, underground rivers and deep canyons are interspersed, here and there, by some of the prettiest villages in Spain, Grazalema, Zahara, Setenil and the other famous “pueblos blancos”.
Wherever you are here, the marvellous view across the lake will always gladden the heart.
Conveniently located on the border of Málaga and Cádiz Provinces, it’s also one that allows easy access to a diversity of Andalucía’s most enchanting provincial cities.
The city of Jerez, home of sherry, flamenco and Andalusian horses is well worth a visit as is Cádiz, the oldest populated city in Europe, still retaining its seafaring traditions and unique atmosphere developed over centuries of trafficking with Tangiers. It’s still easy to conjure up images of pirates with their booty there.
Sevilla, Córdoba and Granada, with their wealth of historic monuments and Andaluz-style joie de vivre, are within two-hours drive by car – each of them a special highlight for any visitor to the area, each of them guaranteeing a everlasting impression of their splendid Moorish legacies.
The villa works equally well as a rental for couples seeking rural calm and intimacy and also for families who want outdoor areas for their children to enjoy. Note however that you will need to keep an eye on them as the pool (easily observed from the house) isn’t gated.
There are one or two homesteads dotted about in the hills in the distance but here you are are as private as can be. Just rolling hills, unspoilt countryside and the tranquillity of nature to keep you company.
Wherever you are here, the marvellous view across the lake is a natural wonder that will always gladden the heart.
All the facts and features about these villas
Weather permitting, the swimming pool will be open throughout the year (although, because it’s not heated, the normal swimming season is from late April to September, inclusive)
Barbecues are not permitted at this location owing to forestry regulations
A 250 Euro security deposit is required on each booking. This is held against your credit or debit card and will be cancelled one week after your holiday, subject to any reductions for breakages or damage. See Terms and Conditions for full details.
Rentals for this property normally run from Saturday to Saturday although start and finish dates can be more flexible out of high season
RB/VTAR/CA/0098
| 2023 Season Dates | Week | Fortnight |
|---|---|---|
| 5th January to 24th March | 850 € | 1,700 € |
| 25th March to 14th April | 1,110 € | 2,220 € |
| 15th April to 19th May | 980 € | 1,960 € |
| 20th May to 23rd June | 1,110 € | 2,220 € |
| 24th June to 27th August | 1,300 € | 2,600 € |
| 28th August to 8th September | 1,110 € | 2,220 € |
| 9th September to 13rd October | 980 € | 1,960 € |
| 14th October to 8th December | 850 € | 1,700 € |
| 9th December to 3rd January 2024 | 1,110 € | 2,220 € |
| 2024 Season Dates | Week | Fortnight |
|---|---|---|
| 5th January to 15th March | 850 € | 1,700 € |
| 16th March to 5th April | 1,110 € | 2,220 € |
| 6th April to 17th May | 980 € | 1,960 € |
| 18th May to 21st June | 1,110 € | 2,220 € |
| 22nd June to 30h August | 1,430 € | 2,860 € |
| 31st August to 6th September | 1,110 € | 2,220 € |
| 7th September to 11th October | 980 € | 1,960 € |
| 12th October to 6th December | 850 € | 1,700 € |
| 7th December to 3rd January 2025 | 1,110 € | 2,220 € |
Accessed by a 2.5 km countryside track (a little bumpy in places but manageable in a normal car), 6 km from the village of El Gastor (simple shopping, bar / restaurants, banks with ATM, pharmacy etc.) in Los Pueblos Blancos region (Province of Cádiz).
