A beautifully restored farmhouse with a stunning pool and gardens, all surrounded by breathtaking scenery, will delight your senses.
Sunlight floods into this smart villa which offers modern comfort in beautiful countryside.
The owner of this delightful house has two loves: gardening and hospitality. Both passions are evident: the house is not only set in a pretty Mediterranean garden, but little hospitable details have been added to make your stay as perfect as possible. It took the owners many years of searching to find this house, the special ‘one’, but the waiting was worth it. Originally a ruined, uninhabited farmhouse, the villa has been lovingly built back up, but this time with all modern facilities included.
Puerto del Barco is a sleepy hamlet set on the side of a gentle, rolling valley. Looking out from the pool and the back of the house are panoramic views across the valley. El Boco is the gigantic limestone mass which rises up from the other side. Time spent here cannot fail to soothe.
Sample the delights of country living, Spanish-style, with a sunny morning and breakfast on the patio.
The house is easy to find, set apart from the hamlet, off the main road through the village. The property is reached by a private, dirt track, about 200m long, easily accessible by ordinary hire car. The track is well made up, but a slow drive is recommended as it is a bit bumpy in places. The last 20 metres nearest the house are concrete.
Once you reach the house, there is a car parking area for five cars with remote control lighting at night.
From the front door patio area, a gravelled walkway, hedged on either side, takes you up gently to the spacious pool terrace. The walkway and garden is maintained beautifully and planted with Mediterranean flora and fruit trees: lavender, palms, olive, pomegranate, nectarine, quince and fig. Lavender around the pool completes the picture.
All around are rolling hills, dramatic limestone outcrops and the blue of the sky.
The pool terrace is a magnificent 80 m square, catching maximum sun and the most amazing panoramic vista. You cannot help but drink in this view!
The pool has steps leading into it and is over 50 m square. It has an electric covering system and has saline filtration so no other chemicals are added. The pool is pristine, it is cleaned weekly and checked by the gardener on Tuesdays. In the height of summer there will be little need for pool heating, but should you be staying in the spring or autumn, the pool can be heated (please see Notes).
There are six sunbeds and three umbrellas for guests to use, as well as four small tables on which to put poolside essentials: snacks, books, cool drinks. Pool towels are also provided.
Please be aware for child safety that the pool is not gated.
If you want to be a little more active, a new, full-size table-tennis table is also available on the terrace. But the most outstanding feature is the quiet … the only sound is the hum of bees, rattle of cicadas and birdsong.
Let’s talk about the garden around the pool and house. The owner of the house is a qualified horticulturalist and garden historian. Her expertise has been recognised in the national press and her London garden has won awards. It comes as no
surprise then, that the planting throughout this property has been carefully designed. Terracotta pots full of flowers soften the flagged patio, and a Mediterranean oak offers shade. A Weber gas barbecue is available for guests to make the most of this inviting al fresco eating area. The garden uses specifically native flora so that the result is totally in keeping with the local landscape. While we’re on the subject of outside dining, there’s a veranda running around the house shading a table comfortably seating eight. It’s a perfect setting for eating outdoors while enjoying the impressive view.
The pool is so tempting, you might not want to stir from the terrace, but hospitality was mentioned earlier and the house in itself is a welcome retreat from the dazzling Andalucian sun.
Step inside, straight into the living area, straight into peace and calm. French windows let sunshine stream in with fabulous views of the valley. This is not a place to hold on to your stress even if you wanted to, the house will work its magic on you from the minute you arrive. The property has been restored using subtle colours and retains a country-house feel. It has been decorated with original paintings, Turkish kilims and fabrics from India. Modern restoration means modern comfort, there is air conditioning in every room. For the cooler months, there is underfloor heating and a wood-burner in the living room will keep you cosy.
Take refuge from the heat of the day and indulge in an afternoon siesta, a quiet read or just 'thinking' time.
The theme of calm and airiness is continued upstairs with neutral shades. The master bedroom has fitted wardrobe space and a king-size bed. Double doors open onto a Juliet balcony. The en suite bathroom has twin sinks, overlooked by a large mirror, a bath and an overbath power shower. A trouser press is also available.
The second bedroom can be a twin or super-king bedroom as requested in advance by guests. As in the master bedroom, there is fitted wardrobe space and a little balcony. The en suite bathroom has a power shower, single sink and heated towel rail.
The third bedroom is a standard double, again with an en suite bathroom with a power shower and fitted wardrobes. The beauty of this bedroom is a large balcony terrace.
There has been no skimping on the standard of the accessories in this house, everything is as a home should be.
You will be cool and comfortable sleeping in the fine Egyptian cotton, used for the bedlinen in all bedrooms. The bedrooms have shutters to keep out the sun if you wish, ensuring an undisturbed sleep and a morning lie-in.
In the smart kitchen-diner, high quality equipment comes as standard: food processor and a food mixer, Le Creuset cookware, fine china and cloth napkins. As you would expect, there is a fridge-freezer, toaster, kettle and microwave. The stone-topped work surface houses a butler sink and range cooker. All in all, it’s not just fully equipped, it’s beautifully equipped, with everything you should need if you feel inclined to cook or even bake.
The location of this villa is ideal for exploring the cities of Andalucia, experiencing the beauty of nature or... just staying put.
We can offer celebration cakes if ordered in advance. If anyone requests this they should contact housekeeper.
If you do want to stock up on basic groceries, go to a bank or eat out, Villanueva de la Concepción is ten minutes’ drive away.
Ten minutes by car from Villanueva de Concepción is the famous El Torcal park, designated as a Natural Park Reserve. This Reserve is one of the most dramatic natural landscapes in Europe. Pillars rise up looking like stacks of plates and huge rocks have been sculpted into weird statue-like figures. A visitor centre has been opened and it is the starting point for colour-coded walking trails. If you are in this area, El Torcal really is a place not to miss.
Another natural wonder nearby is the Fuente de Piedra which is Andalucía’s largest saltwater lagoon. The lagoon is a breeding ground for Europe’s second largest population of flamingos which arrives from Africa in January and spends the spring and summer mating and nesting. You can visit all year round.
The limestone topography of this area supports diverse species of wildflowers such as orchids and lilies as well as a rich variety of birdlife and invertebrates. The crags are home for the Iberian ibex as well as enthusiastic rock-climbers of the more human kind.
For more cosmopolitan pursuits and a chance to experience a real ‘Andalucían’ city, head off to nearby Antequera which is only half an hour’s drive away. Antequera has a rich history; dolmen tombs from the Bronze Age are found on the outskirts and make for an interesting visit.
The Romans and the Moorish kingdom of Al Andalus valued Antequera for its strategic importance; the influence of these civilizations has lasted until today both in the name of the city itself and the many buildings they left behind. The Romans prized this region for its olive oil and the quality of this rich green-gold oil is still as high today. Fine examples of the Baroque style can be seen in the city’s religious architecture.
This area offers the delights of the natural world as well as a variety of city sight-seeing. Antequera lies in the very heart of Andalucía, 46 kilometres inland from Malaga and the Costa del Sol. Malaga, Sevilla, Granada and Córdoba are all very easy to get to as the motorway links Antequera to all three cities. Car hire is recommended, especially for exploring, but an airport pick-up service can also be arranged in advance.
"Words almost fail me! This is without doubt the most well appointed & beautiful rental property we have ever stayed in."
Shopping can be arranged before arrival. Paid locally.
Pool heating, if required, should be requested in advance and is subject to an extra cost (€40 per day or €280 per week), underfloor heating (€250) payable on arrival in cash to the housekeeper.
One thing we do have to mention is that the track to the villa is shared by a weekend house owned by an elderly Spanish neighbour. The neighbour’s house is far from the property, way out of sight. There has never been any intrusion of guests’ privacy.
Cleaning service available provided at the beginning of a stay and half way through a 2 week stay
Due to the layout of this property it is not suitable for people with mobility problems or children under 5 year.
Rentals for this property normally run from Saturday to Saturday in summer months although some flexibility can usually be offered in low season.
A variety of welcome packs can be provided for a supplement, please ask.
Airport pick-up and drop-off can be organised in advance.
Please, no smoking in the house.
RB/CR/MA/00830
| 2024 Season Dates | Week | Fortnight |
|---|---|---|
| 4tht May to 14th June | 3,200 € | 6,400 € |
| 15th June to 6th September | 3,280 € | 6,550 € |
| 2025 Season Dates | Week | Fortnight |
|---|---|---|
| Prices Pending | — | — |
In the tiny hamlet of El Puerto del Barco (no shops); 10 mins drive from Villanueva de la Concepción (most facilities, bars, restaurants, shops, banks) in the Antequera region (Province of Málaga)
