The views from this holiday home are just stunning. Rippling, silvery olive groves cover the landscape far into the distance. Rising above it all are the magnificent Sierra Nevada mountains - in spring, dazzling white with snow against the blue sky. ...
"The view from the front verandah is stunning with the Sierra Nevada in the distance, olive groves in the foreground".
This rural house, which shares a hillside spot with two or three neighbouring properties, is set in the peaceful heartland of Andalucía’s olive oil country. The pace of life here is slow and the people are warm and friendly. The house that sits beside this one is not a rental property, it is owned by a middle aged couple who only use the house occasionally, their outdoor living space facing the other way.
The property is not far from the sleepy little village of Ermita Nueva (1.4 km) which has a bar, a bakery and a delicious Queseria. The interior is decorated in a nice and elegant mix of traditional and modern style. The cosy, cottage feel is emphasised by the exposed ceiling beams and the open, brick fireplace in the living room.
The doorway from the conservatory opens directly into the living room which has a two-seater sofa, wall-mounted Samsung TV and a rectangular low table. Set in the wall is a tiny little sink decorated with objects of the older and rustic time.
... so if you get stuck behind a slow-moving tractor, well, just change down a gear and admire the view.
The living room leads directly to the kitchen with its whitewashed walls and farmhouse-style brick floor. The sloping ceiling is higher than in the living room and all around the room.The kitchen has four induction with electric oven, fridge freezer and dishwasher. The worktops are smart granite and there is plenty of space to prepare food.
From the living room there are two steps up to a little landing (which takes you up eight stairs to the master bedroom) and then two steps down from this landing is the ground floor bedroom. The house can sleep four guests, two in the double master bedroom upstairs and two in the ground floor double bed 135 room.
Here is the sun-warmed face of agricultural Spain, ripening juicy olives and tasty sweet almonds.
The drive north from Granada towards the province of Jaen brings you to the vast expanses of olive tree estates. This is olive oil country and the experience of authentic, rural Andalusia. Here you’ll see olive mills, sleepy hamlets and village dogs dozing in the sun.
The house is easy to find and easy to get to. Most of the journey from Granada is on the (usually not busy at all) N432 towards the medieval fortress town of Alcalá La Real. The village of Ermita Nueva is clearly marked. To get to the house from the village, a tarmac road takes you a kilometre followed by a decent, easily driveable dirt road for half a kilometre. As you take the last half kilometre up, you’ll see the superb views of fields and olive groves stretching away into the distance.
Every room in the house has windows facing this marvellous vista. But even better is looking at this view from the front of the house, from the swimming pool.
The lovely blue pool has shallow steps for easy access into the water or for just sitting on, cooling down without the full body dip. A useful small iron table and two chairs are close by for putting jugs of cold drinks on or having a snack in the shade. The four sun-beds come with comfy mattresses so all you have to do is lie back and snooze, soaking up the sunshine with a splash in the pool every now and then. Close your eyes and you may hear the faint whirr of a tractor in the distance, the piping of little birds and the buzzing of honeybees – and occasionally a local neighbour going about their daily business.
The front of the house is a marvellous place to just relax, sunbathe and drink in the amazing views.
The front of the house has a furnished conservatory room which looks out directly to the wide, pool terrace. It is south-facing so you are treated to a full day’s sunshine.
The conservatory has a dining table for 6/8, and chairs and bench around the table for eating meals in an indoor but outdoor setting. Then a little “salon” with 2 comfortable armchairs and a little low table to admire the landscape.
Behind the house is a sloping grassy area, with a few small trees (almonds and encinas) providing some shade in the heat of the day. Perhaps take a picnic blanket out there with a book, lie still, look up at the blue sky and listen to the birds.
The conservatory has glass sliding doors on all three sides which can be opened to let a cool breeze blow through in the summer, but keeps out any wind during chillier times of the year.
The flaming sunsets in this part of the province are renowned. The moon's path can be seen from the comfort of your big bed.
Upstairs is the spacious master bedroom which, with its en suite bathroom, takes up the whole of the top floor. The style of this bedroom is very open and airy with a high, sloping ceiling and exposed beams. The beds are 2 twin beds that we may put in one large 180 double bed, and from it you can see the path of the moon, from its rising, moving across the sky throughout the whole night.
The bedroom has four large windows; two are south-facing and look out to the Sierra Nevada mountains and the pool terrace below, two face the back of the house with its sloping, grassy terrace. There are two bedside cabinets,a nice antique desk and a chair, also a chest of drawers to put your clothes. The en suite bathroom has a walk-in shower, basin and wc, as well as a large closet room.
The finest olive oil in the world!
The ground floor bedroom is a double bed 135. One large window looks out to the pool terrace and the mountains beyond, the other large window looks out to the side of the house. It has a large, walk-in closet as well as a chest of drawers. The decor in this room is as for a rural cottage, with a low ceiling, visible beams. It has an en suite bathroom with a walk-in shower, basin and wc. The large mirror in the bathroom is lit by the natural light of a window.
Although this house is for those who want rest and quiet relaxation by the pool, there are some interesting day trips to be had. Today, this spot is a peaceful haven but it was quite a different story 700 years ago. The tussle between Moorish and Christian forces have left places to see which are reminders of those times.
The beautiful village of Moclín with beautiful hicking trails. And a long interesting history : it was the frontier from the Muslim Kingdom of Granada and the Christian Kingdom. We may see from the terrace Moclín castle illuminated at night wich is an amazing view…and dream about old historic times.
The town of Alcalá La Real with its arabic fortress is only 5kms away. Similarly, the pretty town of Montefrío (30 minutes’ drive) had a strategic castle, replaced by a church in the 15th century. Montefrío is also well known for its trout, cooked simply and fresh.Priego de Córdoba is about 40 minutes’ drive away and is well worth a visit, for its flower-filled old quarter, medieval fortress, baroque church and fountain. Year after year, olive oil from Priego de Córdoba wins first prize in international awards. Look for the PDO – protected designation of origin label – a worthwhile souvenir to take home.
These sights aren’t on the usual tourists’ list, they show an authentic and undiscovered side of Spain’s rich past. Of course, there is also the famous city of Granada itself, the grand jewel, it just can’t be missed. Granada is only 45 minutes’ drive away.
All the facts and features about this villa
Rentals for this property normally run from Saturday to Saturday in high season.
Weather permitting, the swimming pool will be open throughout the year (although, because it’s not heated, the normal swimming season is from May to September, inclusive).
Prices are inclusive of firewood.
Prices are inclusive of a basic welcome pack on your arrival.
*There is an additional charge of 60€ per week for winter heating and A/C summer.
There is also a local hairdresser who can come to the property if required.
| 2024 Season Dates | Week up to 2 | Week up to 4 |
|---|---|---|
| 22nd March to 30th June | 1,015 € | 1,225 € |
| 1st July to 1st September | 1,290 € | 1,415 € |
| 2nd September to 27th October | 1,015 € | 1,225 € |
| 2025 Season Dates | Week | Fortnight |
|---|---|---|
| Prices Pending | — | — |
In open countryside, 1.5 km above the hamlet of Ermita Nueva (basic facilities) in El Poniente Granadino region (Province of Jaén)
Leave a reply