Your very own piece of mountain magic
The setting is sensational, perched on high in the Grazalema Natural Park with breathtaking views over the craggy hillsides and beautiful dales all around ...
"We had a truly relaxing and enjoyable holiday at ZC32! It was a blissful paradise. The owners were great and made it all the more fabulous."
"We had a superb time at the house in Grazalema - incredible region (we didn't realise beforehand that such an area existed), beautiful property and lovely hosts (the owner guided walk on our last evening will be remembered). In fact, we all very much wish we were still there..."
"I’d been intending to e-mail you to say how much we had enjoyed our stay. The house really provided exactly what we were looking for in terms of serenity and views ; and was immaculately kept, cleverly designed and well appointed. In addition to the pleasure in being in such a place , it was very comfortable to live in, and we miss the peace and pleasure already ! The owners were lovely hosts – very helpful and kind. Thanks also to you for all your help and organisation. It was a grand holiday. "
Bedrooms
Five (three doubles, one twin bedded and one children's single).
Pool
Private swimming pool
6 m x 4 m, 1.05 - 1.35 m deep
Location
In open countryside, 4 km from from Grazalema in Los Pueblos Blancos region (Province of Cádiz).
Price
Sleeping 2 from 980 € to 1,210 € per week.
Sleeping 4 from 1,100 € to 1,375 € per week.
Sleeping 6 from 1,250 € to 1,650 € per week.
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Villa Description
Stunning
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.
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.
Why take the car?
In the skies griffon vultures and eagles soar. The forests are the habitat of mountain goats and red deer. This is walking paradise.
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!
A good standard
The farmhouse has been renovated and refurbished throughout. It now offers comfortable, 21st Century accommodation in an authentic setting.
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.
Smart and modern
Modern amenities are offset by eye-catching little details from rural Spain's traditional past in this brand new re-build.
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.
Glorious nature
The rocky, rugged terrain all around is both spectacular and beautiful. Here you are properly part of life deep in the Andalusian countryside.
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!
The sound of silence
Just the glorious sound of silence to enjoy, interrupted only by the sing-song of birds, the occasional bray of a donkey or tinkle of goat bells.
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
The Villa in Detail
All the facts and features about this villa
Distribution
Ground floor
- Entrance hall
- Open-plan living / dining room / kitchen
- 2 bedrooms (both doubles; one has a queen-sized bed)
- Bathroom (walk-in shower only, no bath tub)
- Front patio (furnished)
- Pool area and grounds
First floor
- Master double bedroom with queen sized bed
- Single bedroom (for a child) under a sloping roof
- Twin bedroom under a sloping roof
- Bathroom (walk-in shower only, no bath tub); the washing machine is housed here
Facilities
Entertainment
- Satellite TV (some channels in English; also German, French etc)
- DVD
- Children's games, books etc (some in English, some in Spanish)
- WiFi Internet (bring your own laptop)
Amenities
- Glass fronted woodburner in the living room
- Electric radiators in all bedrooms
- 2 portable Fans
- Washing Machine, Iron & board
- All linen is provided (including pool towels)
- Hairdryer
- Cot & Highchair available (on request)
Kitchen
- Electric Oven
- Ceramic hob (3 rings)
- Microwave
- Fridge / freezer
- Dishwasher
- Toaster, Juicer, Kettle, Coffee pot
- Cooking utensils, Cutlery, Crockery
Outdoors
- Filtered swimming pool (6 m x 4 m, 1.05 - 1.35 m deep).
- Pool terrace
- Pool shower
- Sun beds, sun shade
- Night lighting
- Outdoor dining and garden furniture
- Grounds with 2 pergolas
- Parking
- Electric entrance gate
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)
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
Prices and Seasons
ZC 32
| 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 € |
ZC 32
| 2021 Season Dates | Sleeping 2 per week |
Sleeping 3/4 per week |
Sleeping 5/6 per week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prices Pending | --- | --- |
Notes
Prices include a 3 to 4 hour guided walk in the beautiful Grazalema Natural Park.
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 32
Availability 2020
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, 4 km from Grazalema (most facilities) in Los Pueblos Blancos region (Province of Cádiz)
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.
Nearest Airports
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.
Around and About
This is an excellent base from which to explore this delightful and very beautiful part of Andalucía.
Excursions
- Most people would consider Grazalema to be the showcase ‘white village' of Spain. Given its spectacular location and immaculately kept whitewashed houses with windows covered by wrought-iron rejas and plant pots spilling over with flowers, it really is delightful. Most visitors to the area head for Grazalema, so it's busy and colourful too. Plenty of little bars and restaurants.
- 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 in the heart 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.
- 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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Grazalema
A showcase ‘white village', Grazalema has a spectacular situation and some of Spain's most traditional architecture. As pretty as can be …
Read more
