Breathtaking views over azure-blue waters
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 ...
"What a wonderful house and privileged location. We have really enjoyed our time here. Thank you! "
"You should be very proud of the villa you have built here! We had a fantastic stay. Planned to relax but ended up walking. PS – The views – wow! Thank you."
Bedrooms
Three (two doubles, one twin bedded).
Pool
Private swimming pool
10.5 m x 5.5 m, 1.20 - 2.0 m deep.
Location
In open countryside, 15 minutes from El Gastor in Los Pueblos Blancos region (Province of Cádiz).
Price
From 850 € to 1,300 € per week.
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Villa Description
Spectacularly situated
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.
Neat and attractive
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).
Dreamy harmony
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.
A pool with a view!
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.
Unspoilt, rural Andalucia
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".
Natural wonder
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.
Villa Details
The Villa in Detail
All the facts and features about this villa
Distribution
All on one floor
- Living / dining room / kitchen
- Kitchen with breakfast bar
- 3 bedrooms :
- 1 double bedded with en-suite shower room /WC
- 1 double
- 1 twin bedded (also with supplementary bed)
- Bathroom (shower over bath tub)
- Partly shaded terrace (furnished)
- Grounds
Facilities
Entertainment
- Satellite TV (some channels in English; also German, French etc)
- DVD
- CD / Radio
- WiFi Internet (bring your own laptop)
Amenities
- Glass fronted fireplace in the living room
- Electric Radiators in the bedrooms
- Portable Fans
- Washing Machine, Iron & board
- All linen is provided (including pool towels)
- Hairdryer
- Cot & Highchair available (on request)
Kitchen
- Electric Oven
- Ceramic hob (4 rings)
- Microwave
- Fridge / freezer
- Dishwasher
- Toaster, Juicer, Kettle, Coffee machine
- Cooking utensils, Cutlery, Crockery
Outdoors
- Filtered swimming pool (10.5 m x 5.5 m, 1.20 - 2.0 m deep) with night lighting
- Pool terrace
- Sun beds, sun shade
- Outdoor dining and garden furniture
- Children's play area with hut and swing
- Estate grounds
- Parking
Notes
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)
Rentals for this property normally run from Saturday to Saturday although start and finish dates can be more flexible out of high season
Barbecues are not permitted at this location owing to forestry regulations
Villa Prices
Prices and Seasons
ZC 19
| 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 € |
ZC 19
| 2024 Season Dates | Week | Fortnight |
|---|---|---|
| Prices Pending | --- | --- |
Security Deposit
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.
Villa Availability
ZC 19
Availability 2023
Please contact us for latest availability and to reserve the villa.
Your browser does not support this calendar (Javascript is not enabled). For availability you can contact us directly via our contact form, email or by phone.
Villa Location
Location Map
In open countryside, 6 km from El Gastor (most facilities) in Los Pueblos Blancos region (Province of Cádiz)
Location
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).
Algodonales (basic facilities) 20 mins; Ronda (all facilities) 25 mins; Zahara de la Sierra (one excellent restaurant) 25 mins; Grazalema (most facilities) 30 mins; Arcos de la Frontera (all facilities) 55 mins.
Jerez 1¼ hrs; Sevilla 1½ hrs; Marbella 1½ hrs; Cádiz 1¾ hrs; Málaga 1¾ hrs; Gibraltar 2¼ hrs; Tarifa 2½ hrs.
Costa del Sol 1½ hrs; Costa de la Luz 2 hrs.
Nearest Airports
Jerez 1¼ hrs; Sevilla 1½ hrs; Málaga 1¾ hrs; Gibraltar 2¼ hrs
See our Links Page for web sites of airlines traveling to Andalucia from the UK.
Around and About
This is an excellent base from which to explore this delightful and very beautiful part of Andalucía.
Excursions
- For trips out, you are spoilt for choice. Hemingway's favourite town in all Spain, Ronda, with its extraordinary gorge dividing the old and new quarters, is less than 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.
- Here you are on the doorstep of the Grazalema National Park, 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".
- Houses are meticulously whitewashed to a state of pristine splendour, a dazzling contrast to the brightly coloured flowers which fill the streets and the ochres of their rocky mountain perches. Beautiful villages which demand you to slow down a pace or two.
- Take the dramatic little mountain road from Zahara which climbs high into the mountains and on to Grazalema. From here you can head west, crossing right over the magnificent sierras, thickly forested with cork oak and Spanish fir, to Arcos de la Frontera on the other side.
- A visit to La Cueva de la Pileta cave to see its 25,000 year old troglodyte paintings is another must.
- On the wide, blue waters of the Embalse de Zahara (it's a reservoir but you would never know), you can swim or just enjoy the beautiful views all around from one of the little bars which open up in summer on the lake shore.
- For something completely different, Sevilla takes 1½ hours. It is impossible not to be captivated by its exuberant atmosphere: stylish, confident, ancient and proud, yet also convivial, intimate and fun-loving. If you don't know what alegría means, Sevilla is the place to learn!
- Spain's unique sherry wine region (Jerez and Sanlúcar), is well worth a visit, enhanced no doubt by stopping at one or two of the famous bodegas along the way! Jerez de la Frontera is 1¼ hours.
- Cádiz (1¾ hours) continues to evoke the romance, intrigue and mystery of centuries of trade (some legal, some not so) between Europe, Africa and the Americas.
- Beyond lie mile upon mile of magnificent white beaches on Spain's Atlantic coast, La Costa de la Luz.
- Córdoba and Granada are both 2½ hours drive from here.
Activities
- There are few better places in Europe than the Sierra de Grazalema to enjoy walking and hiking. We recommend "Walking in Andalucía" by Guy Hunter-Watts which includes six fabulous walks in the nearby countryside. The wonderful mountain terrain is equally facinating for twitchers, especially for spotting the big raptors.
- The adventurous may want to try their hand at hang gliding or paragliding from Sierra de Lijar, just up the road at Algodonales. The village recently staged the World Paragliding Championships and is home to a number of paragliding schools with courses for beginners as well as tandem flights.
- Horse trekking into the high sierra can be arranged at local stables.
- Bicycle hire is easily arranged in Ronda. There are excellent cycle ways in the area including the Via Verde which runs along an abandoned railway line as well as far more challenging tracks for mountain biking.
- Different water sports are on offer on the Zahara lake. Swimming is also possible at a number of secluded coves along the lakeside.
- There is no more thrilling way of viewing the Ronda mountains than from a balloon. End your once-in-a-lifetime flight with a champagne breakfast overlooking Ronda’s old town.
The Area
Los Pueblos Blancos
Known in Spain as Los Pueblos Blancos, these classic white villages set in dramatic landscapes are some of Andalucía's most beautiful …
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El Gastor
Sitting on a steep hillside 590 metres up from the nearby lake, El Gastor (pop: 1,900) is as neat as a pin, known locally as the “Balcony of the White Villages”
