Villa Description
If you are looking for a mountain retreat in the midst of absolutely stunning terrain - with views to match - you will not find a better location than this one. Ten minutes from lovely Grazalema, this recently rebuilt and reformed 200 year old farmhouse has one of the most sensational settings imaginable, high in the rugged hillsides, hidden among the limestone crags of the natural park.
For mile upon mile of wild, wonderful nature to explore, fabulous peace and quiet and incredible mountain views - far, wide and very handsome - this really is an idyllic place.
But not impossible to get around and about from either. A little country road winds through the sensational countryside from Grazalema northwards through the hills to Lake Zahara and then on to connect with the main A376 Ronda road. Just four kilometres out of the village, a track leads up the mountainside to the farm and its 25 acres of mountain land.
It's perfectly manageable in a normal car (800 of the 900 metres is concreted), but it’s certainly steep and you’ll probably need to be in first gear for the last 200 metres.
But what a spot! There's nothing but the dramatic and incredibly beautiful scenery of the Grazalema Natural Park all around and fabulous views in every direction. And when you start exploring it just gets better and better - you have direct access to the hillsides and can walk up to the mountain ridge for stunning panoramic vistas. These extend over the Serrania de Ronda, over the Sierra de las Nieves and even, on a clear day, as far as the Sierra Nevada some 300 km from here!
The flora is enormously diverse, with thick forests of cork oak and Spanish fir (pinsapo) which is only found in the wild here and in the Ronda Mountains. In the skies, griffon vultures and golden, booted and short-toed eagles soar. The forests are the habitat of mountain goats and red deer. It's a paradise for walkers (see notes below) and you will enjoy the track which climbs along and over the ridge and then on to Grazalema. Why take the car!
The re-building and renovation of the farmhouse has been a labour of several years hard work by its enterprising owner, a very likeable young man from the village. It's no easy task to get materials to a site like this one but he has managed it and done a first class job. The house now offers pretty, rural cottage accommodation of a good standard.
L-shaped, a wide front terrace at the front has a wooden dining table and parasol, just one of several lovely spots here for al-fresco meals.
Inside, an entrance hall furnished with pots, old farm implements and period furnishings offers a cheerful welcome.
This leads through to a huge, double-height living / dining room with the kitchen area at one end separated off by a bar top.
It's a serene and remarkably cool space under its vast, high-beamed ceiling. Double glazing helps, of course, but the original thick walls are what really contribute to such good insulation.
There is a big glass-fronted woodburner for chillier evenings, a dining table and sofa, a TV (Spanish programmes only) concealed in cupboard, plenty of attractive artefacts collected from around Spain and a grand picture window view of the mountains.
The kitchen is smart and modern with plenty of space. It's decently equipped with electric oven, 3-ring induction hob, microwave, dishwasher and fridge/freezer and the usual bits and pieces.
There are two bedrooms on the ground floor, accessed by a corridor from the hallway.
They are both double bedded and share a bathroom with a big walk-in shower (there's no bath tub). One has a queen-sized bed and very pretty views, the other is rather more compact.
The other three bedrooms are upstairs. The attractive Master double has a large bed and plenty of space; at one end it looks over the swimming pool; at the other it looks down over the living room below. There is a bathroom alongside (walk-in shower, no bath tub). A corridor leads on to a small single (suitable for a child) and a twin room at the end. Both of these are under the sloping eaves.
With five bedrooms, the farmhouse could, in theory, cater for up to nine guests, but in our opinion, it is best suited to a maximum party of six (plus a child).
On the other side of the house the pretty little pool (6m x 4m) takes centre stage amid glorious nature and countryside tranquillity. The views are fabulous. A sun terrace wraps around and there is a grassy area beyond. There are plenty of rays too - it gets the sun almost all day long, from early morning to evening.
There are sunbeds, a pool shower and little seating areas under the trees. At night it's an even more magical place when the lights around the pool are switched on ...
This really is a quite wonderful spot, just the glorious sound of silence to enjoy, interrupted only by the sing-song of the birds, the occasional bray of a donkey perhaps or tinkle of goat bells. Eagles fly overhead, deer wander across the rocky terrain. A mountain paradise!
Grazalema is a wonderful - and very pretty - village in a truly sensational setting, both under and surrounded by the craggy limestone peaks of the Sierra de Grazalema. One of the show-case 'white villages' of Spain, it's a friendly little place with bars and restaurants, market days and lovely old buildings. All around, the fantastic scenery of the National Park, a part of Andalucia unlike any other.
Nearby Ronda (30 minutes away) is a lovely town, Hemingway's favourite in all Spain. A classic example of a fortified Moorish city - the old defensive wall, the area’s baths, mosques converted to churches by the Christians, and many other sites of archaeological interest - it is brimming with history and interest. A visit to its famous bridge and bullring, reputedly the oldest in the country, is a must.
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.
Other great cities of Andalucía such as Arcos de la Frontera, and Sevilla, are not so far away, all easy day trips from here.
Other great cities of Andalucía such as Arcos de la Frontera, Jerez and Cádiz, even Sevilla, are not so far away, all easy day trips from here.
Mind you, once you have discovered the timeless beauty of this lovely part of rural Spain, you may well be loathe to venture too far.
Villa Details
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)
The owner offers a free guided walking tour (3 to 4 hrs) within the Natural Park of Grazalema
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
A reasonable amount of firewood is included in the price
Villa Prices
2020 Season Dates | Sleeping 2 per week |
Sleeping 3/4 per week |
Sleeping 5/6 per week |
---|---|---|---|
1st January to 19th June | 980 € | 1,100 € | 1,250 € |
20th June to 18th September | 1,210 € | 1,375 € | 1,650 € |
19th September to 31st December | 980 € | 1,100 € | 1,250 € |
2021 Season Dates | Sleeping 2 per week |
Sleeping 3/4 per week |
Sleeping 5/6 per week |
---|---|---|---|
Prices Pending | --- | --- |
Prices include a 3 to 4 hour guided walk in the beautiful Grazalema Natural Park.
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
Villa Location
In open countryside, accessed by a 900 m track (steep in places but easily negotiable in an ordinary car), 4 km from Grazalema (most facilities, restaurants; market) in the Pueblos Blancos region (Province of Cádiz).
Zahara de la Sierra (one excellent restaurant) 25 mins; Ronda (all facilities) 30 mins; Arcos de la Frontera (all facilities) 1 hr.
Jerez 1½ 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.
Jerez 1½ 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.
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