At the head of a valley with sweeping views of the hillsides all around, this restored farmhouse retains all its tradition and character ...
Set at the head of a valley with views across olive and almond covered hillsides, this old farmhouse is as peaceful as can be. Far away from any hustle or bustle.
Recently restored, this traditional Spanish farmhouse is within easy reach of Colmenar, a pueblo with much to recommend it, a little market town which still retains its time-honoured Andaluz character and charm.
Set at the head of a valley with views across the olive and almond covered hillsides which surround it, this old farmhouse is a peaceful, idyllic place to be. Far away from any hustle or bustle.
Delightfully rustic inside, the best of its traditional features have been retained, adding character to the excellent restoration work that has been done by its current owners.
You will still find the old bread oven in the kitchen (albeit unused these days) a reminder of the self-sufficient lifestyle of days not-so-long gone by. The stone cobbled path which leads into the house is another original feature.
Earthen floor tiles, timber beamed ceilings and substantial walls are just some of the farmhouse delights of old here.
On two floors, downstairs you will find the living room, the kitchen / diner and one twin bedroom (with en-suite shower room). Both the kitchen and the living room have outside access.
Separate stairways lead up to the master double bedroom (also with an en-suite shower room) and the second twin bedroom. The latter doesn’t have it’s own bathroom but there is a third shower room downstairs, leading off from the sitting room.
Please bear in mind that the stairs are quite steep, perhaps not ideal for anyone with wobbly legs.
All of the rooms are attractive and appropriately rustic, with earthen floor tiles and beamed ceilings. Being an old property, the walls are substantial, properly constructed to provide good insulation, keeping out the chills of winter and maintaining a cool interior in mid-summer.
The pool area is lovely, with views which extend down the valley to the peaks of Málaga's distant mountains. This is a place easy to fall in love with.
The kitchen / dining room is decently equipped and the living room has a nice, cosy feel to it. Facilities include a washing machine, dishwasher, satellite television, DVD and a CD/radio.
Outside all is gorgeous nature, the south facing terraces leading down to a jade-green, infinity swimming pool. Colourful plants on the terrace areas add vibrancy to an already beautiful scene, the surrounding hillsides bedecked with olive and almond trees.
The pool area is lovely, with views which extend down the valley to the peaks of Málaga’s distant mountains. Carefully integrated into the nature which surrounds it, this is a place easy to fall in love with.
South facing, its terrace surround is equipped with sun loungers, just the place to take in a little of La Axarquía’s famous sunshine (more hours per year than anywhere in Europe, they claim).
The higher terrace which runs along the front of the house provides plenty of options for more relaxation and for meals al fresco.
Although there are farmhouses in the far distance, privacy is, to all intents and purposes, total.
Part covered, part shaded by a vine and part open to the elements, all you have to do is choose your spot.
Although just 45 minutes from Málaga and the hustle and bustle of the coast, here life goes on in its time honoured, relaxed and easy way.
The local village of Colmenar is only 6 km from the farmhouse. With a population of just over 3,000 it is largely untouched by the commercial tourism of the coast and continues a traditional rural way of life where the olive, almond and grape harvests are an important part of the social calendar.
That said, Colmenar can be a lively place at times and there is a good range of bars, shops and restaurants all of which are very welcoming.
Every year Colmenar hosts a number of fiestas including the spring festival in honour of the Virgin de la Candelaria, Semana Santa (Easter), the mid-summer feria and the autumn festival to celebrate the grape harvest.
The nearby villages and towns of Riogordo, Comares, Casabermeja and Alfarnate all have their own fiestas making this an ideal base from which to enjoy typical rural Andalusian life.
The farmhouse is well situated to enjoy both Andalucía's amazing Moorish heritage and its magnificent natural beauty.
There is excellent information at the house with suggestions of where to go and how to get there, good places to eat, the best beaches to go to for the day, sight seeing and ideas for visits further afield. Plus guides to the nature reserves of Andalucía and details of nearby footpath trails.
It is well situated to enjoy both the amazing culture and the wonderful natural beauty that Andalucía has to offer.
The Alhambra with its moorish palace dominating the magical city of Granada is a must-see for many while on holiday. Also worth visiting is the Albaicín, the old Moorish part of town with its lovely flower-filled alleyways and squares.
In the city below the Renaissance Cathedral contains the remains of Los Reyes Católicos, Ferdinand and Isabel.
"The most tranquil place ... wonderful views, pool ... owners fantastic, nothing too much trouble. GO THERE!"
Closer to home, Málaga has transformed itself over recent years into a vibrant and dynamic city well worth a visit. The new Picasso Museum housed in a 16th Century palace sits in the heart of the old centre close to the magnificent cathedral.
The streets of Málaga are thronged with newly opened trendy bars, restaurants and Arabic tea houses, as well as traditional ‘bodegas’ and tapas bars. Easter processions and the August Feria are not to be missed.
The nearest beaches are at Torre del Mar, about a 45 minute drive away, where traditional ‘chirringitos’ (beach bars) serve charcoal-grilled sardines and other great seafood.
Nerja is a little further east along the coast. Much more “international” with a strong British presence (you can have a curry here … ) it boasts 16 kilometres of beaches with powdery sand and sparkling clear water. And don’t forget its amazing caves, a series of huge caverns stretching for almost five kilometres and home to the world’s largest stalagmite – and some of the best classical and flamenco performances.
For nature lovers you are ideally placed too. The magnificent 1,100 hectare El Torcal National Park is also just 45 minutes drive from here (to the south of Antequera). A massive, Mars-like mountain of eroded rock formations, the imagination plays tricks as giants, monsters and castles seem to appear before your eyes.
Immediately beyond Colmenar, take the wonderful road through Las Montes de Málaga which winds through the forested hillsides down to the coast. Remote and peaceful, it’s a gentle, hilly area criss-crossed by streams which have carved small valleys, extensively planted with pine trees and ancient Mediterranean species too, holm oak, corks and carib trees. The lovely scenery, and some great views of the city and the Mediterranean Sea below, can also be enjoyed on any one of numerous walking routes through the Park.
But we are sure there will be days when you prefer to stay right here at the farmhouse: simple and traditional, above all very Spanish, still a private little piece of Andalucía and its rural history.
All the facts and features about this villa
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)
Please bear in mind that the stairs are quite steep, perhaps not ideal for anyone with wobbly legs
Rentals for this property normally run from Saturday to Saturday
Check in is between 5 and 8 pm
Check out is 10 am
RB/CR/MA03291
| 2024 Season Dates | Week | Fortnight |
|---|---|---|
| 16th March to 20th April | 850 € | 1,700 € |
| 20th April to 22nd June | 1.090 € | 2,180 € |
| 22nd June to 31st August | 1,400 € | 2,800 € |
| 31st August to 28th September | 1,090 € | 2,180 € |
| 28th September to 2nd November | 850 € | 1,700 € |
| 2025 Season Dates | Week | Fortnight |
|---|---|---|
| Prices Pending | — | — |
Accessed by a 2 km track (unsurfaced but in good condition), near the hamlet of Solano (no facilities); Colmenar 6 km (Thursday market, bars, restaurants, small supermarkets, banks, taxi service) in La Axarquía region (Province of Málaga)
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