It's as though one is on a tropical island!
With views over a beautiful Mediterranean bay, this rambling, eccentric - but amazing - house on the cliffs is just above a small resort and fishing village. Three minutes walk to the beach ...
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Bedrooms
Four (two doubles, one twin bedded, one single)
Pool
Private swimming pool
10 m x 4.5 m, 1.6 m - 1.75 m deep.
Location
Immeadiately above La Herradura in La Costa Tropical region (Province of Granada).
Price
1,990 € per week.
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Villa Description
Intricate beauty
A collectors dream, it's a house full of history, much of it recuperated from centuries-old Moorish palaces and mansions.
When you reach this property on the hillside above La Herradura, you just know you have arrived somewhere special.
It's a house full of history, much of it recuperated from centuries-old Moorish palaces and mansions which were being demolished at the time this house was being built, more than 30 years ago now. Even the huge entrance gate was once an Arab mill door, a mere 800 years old!
It's a truly remarkable property and all the more so because of its quite exceptional location.
La Herradura means "horseshoe" and gets its name from the contours of the beautiful bay which it graces.
All around, rugged hillsides descend to the shore and it is here, in the days when La Herradura was no more than a quaint little fishing village, that the English owner built the house of her dreams.
A house of dreams
High above the village and completely hidden from it by huge trees and a jungle of beautiful nature, best of all is its unforgettable view across the bay.
The owner and her family live here for most of the year (they go away in August and part of September so that's when it's available for rental) so it's very much a real, lived in house.
Maybe there will be the odd bit of chipped paint here, a dusty corner there and it's certainly cluttered with countless possessions. Water pressure can be low.
So, not an ideal rental for everyone but, if anything, its few imperfections and idiosyncrasies just add to its character. As one of her friends remarked, "it's one of my favourite places on Earth. It's funky!"
And what a position it enjoys. High above the village and completely hidden from it by huge trees and a jungle of beautiful nature, perhaps best of all is its unforgettable view across the bay.
Just three minutes walk to the beach, it's a wonderful situation.
Wild and wonderful
The mature, semi-wild gardens which surround the house (many of the trees are more than 30 metres high), make it completely unseen and totally private.
In this day and age there are, of course, other villas around and about, but because of the superbly mature, semi-wild gardens which surround it (many of the trees are more than 30 metres high), it is completely unseen and totally private.
Once you enter its high walled grounds there is nothing - and nobody - else around. The beautiful silence is disturbed only by the gentle breeze rustling through the trees.
There is private parking (with plenty of space for two cars) on the side of the little road which winds up the hillside to the property, immediately opposite the gates.
Once inside the gates, steps lead down into the gardens which envelop the stone courtyard in front of the house.
And envelop they certainly do! It's a riot of huge trees, vast shrubs and tropical flowers - dates, cherimoya, oranges, lemons, figs, quince, mangos, avocados, plums, cypresses, and bougainvillea.
Magical
No matter where you are, you will love the sensational views through the trees and across the sparkling sea.
The owner obviously doesn't believe in pruning … everything grows wild and wonderful in unrestrained natural beauty. It's magical.
A pathway winds through the leafy greenery, passing a 500 year old olive tree, the odd giant stone pot or two strewn casually along the way, to the swimming pool.
It's a good sized pool (10 m x 4.5 m) more or less surrounded by verdant and glorious nature. One corner of the pool area backs onto a neighbouring house but you would never know that anyone lives there.
A small cane awning provides shade and there are deck chairs and sunbeds on the pool perimeter terrace. It's a lovely spot but it's not a pristine and immaculately groomed space - everything here is very casual with a lived-in feel. Outdoor furniture has seen better days.
The wild and wonderful gardens continue around and below the house - the pathway leading down into the undergrowth is an intrepid explorer's dream!
The less adventurous will take the higher path which runs along the front of the house to the dining terrace which is partly shaded by vines and a wooden awning.
There is both bench and more conventional seating around the tables. No matter which seating you prefer, you will love the sensational views through the trees and across the bay.
A wooden pergola at the side leads on to a lawned area, yet another beautiful, romantic place to be, yet another which enjoys fantastic glimpses of the sea through the pine trees. Wow!
Time stands still
Rare books, classical original paintings, fine porcelain, artwork from China, a beautiful, antique writing desk ... a grandfather clock ...
Returning to the courtyard, in front of you stands the house, as traditional as you will ever find under its gorgeously weathered roof tiles. Huge, 800 year old Moorish doors welcome you inside.
The outer entrance hall, cool and serene, with its intricately cobbled floor and an antique daybed under a Moroccan lamp, is a mere foretaste of what's to come.
This leads through to the main hallway which is dominated on one side by a huge (2 metre high) ornate, antique mirror. Other spaces are crowded with rare books, an ancient globe and classical original paintings. It's as if time has stood still here.
A small laundry room and a guest cloakroom lead off.
As does the gorgeous, L shaped living / dining room. This is a thoroughly relaxing and tranquil space, completely at peace with itself.
A gorgeous room
Decorative pieces and furnishings are the sort that one just dreams about, chosen over a lifetime for their superb and intricate beauty.
Books, paintings, porcelain, china collections, artwork from China, a beautiful antique writing desk and bright splashes of colour from Moorish carpets and cushions all compete for the eye's attention but the overriding ambience is calm, cosy and comfortable.
A sofa and two plump armchairs are gathered around the fireplace. There is, of course, a grandfather clock! But there are concessions to modernism too - a big, flat screen TV (free-to-view) and DVD player, a HiFi system and lots of CD's and tapes to play.
One step down takes one to a second sitting area in front of the double doors which open to the dining terrace. As everywhere in this wonderful house, decorative pieces and furnishings are the sort that one just dreams about, chosen over a lifetime for their superb and intricate beauty.
Idyllic
Sunsets are incredible here, best seen from the upper terrace which looks out across the bay to the dramatic headland across the sea.
One moves seamlessly through, past the dining area, to a big and attractive country-style kitchen. Under its beamed ceiling there are the usual mod cons - an electric oven, 4-ring gas hob, microwave et al. Doors also lead from here to the terraces outside.
Upstairs all rooms lead off from a central landing which, in itself, is another living space with its rocking chair and sofa in front of an open fireplace. Artworks adorn the walls.
Double doors open to the wonderful upper terrace which has the best views of all across the bay to the dramatic headland across the sea. With a vine clambering over the terrace this really is the place to watch the sun go down - the sunsets are incredible here.
It's idyllic, the sea shimmering gold as the sun disappears from view. It's almost as though one was on a tropical island!
Bags of character
As one of the owners friends remarked, "it's one of my favourite places on Earth. It's funky!"
The master double bedroom is both huge and beautifully furnished with its king-sized antique bed, a chaise-long, writing desk and colourful rugs and fabrics. Balcony windows open to the sea view.
It has a TV too although, as the owner says, they don't watch much telly, real-life high-definition is much better!
The en-suite bathroom is equally gorgeous (shower over bathtub) with its fabulous antique washbasin unit just one of its lovely features. There's a walk-in wardrobe too.
If the other three bedrooms suffer, it's only by comparison, because they are all rooms with bags of character, quality antique furnishings and lots of colour.
A second double bedroom enjoys views over the gardens at the front of the house; a twin room probably has the best views of all, both over the sea and the front gardens. A single bedroom (with a 4 poster single bed) is very sweet and colourful but, being at the back of the house, does miss out on the views.
These three bedrooms share a bathroom (shower over bathtub) between them.
Nothwithstanding a few imperfections here and there, this is a remarkable and delightfully eccentric property in a fabulous position. A house full of history and beauty.
Villa Details
The Villa in Detail
All the facts and features about this villa
Distribution
Ground Floor
- Entrance Hall
- Main Hallway
- Double living / dining room
- Kitchen
- Laundry Room
- Guest Cloakroom
- Covered, furnished dining terrace
- Various other pergolas, patios and shaded sitting areas
- Extensive gardens and grounds
First Floor
- Furnished landing
- Furnished terrace
- 4 bedrooms :
- (1) Master double bedroom (with king-sized bed) with en-suite bathroom (shower over bath tub) and walk-in wardrobe
- (2) Double
- (3) Twin
- (4) Single with 4 poster bed
- Bathroom (shower over bath tub)
Facilities
Entertainment
- Flat screen satellite TV (UK Channel Information)
This property has a Freeview box but due to changes to the UK satellite services currently does not receive UK terrestrial programmes, BBC, ITV etc. We will provide updates if this situation changes. - 2nd TV in the master bedroom
- DVD
- Hi Fi (CD/Radio/Tapes)
- Collection of books, CD's and tapes
- WiFi Internet (bring your own laptop)
Amenities
- Open fireplaces in the living room and on the first floor landing
- Electric radiators
- Portable Fans
- Washing Machine, Iron & board
- All linen is provided (including pool towels)
- Hairdryer
- Cot and Highchair available (on request). Cot linen is not supplied
Kitchen
- Electric Oven
- Gas Hob (4 rings)
- Fridge / freezer
- Dishwasher
- Toaster, Juicer, Kettle, Coffee maker, Wine Rack
- Cooking utensils, Cutlery, Crockery, Cookbooks
Outdoors
- Gated, filtered swimming pool (10 m x 4.5 m, 1.6 m - 1.75 m deep) with night lighting
- Pool terrace
- Sun beds, deck chairs
- Outdoor dining and garden furniture
- Barbecue
- Gardens and grounds
- Parking
Notes
The property is available for rental from late July until the first half of September. The swimming pool is open throughout this period
Please note that when the owner is living here (during the rest of the year) her dogs are also here. They move out (with her) in the summer but we do not recommend this property to anyone who is allergic to dogs.
Extra cleaning can be arranged, if required, payable locally
Rentals for this property normally run from Saturday to Saturday
Villa Prices
Prices and Seasons
ZX 48
| 2018 Season Dates | Week | Fortnight |
|---|---|---|
| 1st January to 20th July | N/A | N/A |
| 21st July to 7th September | 1,990 € | 3,750 € |
| 8th September to 31st December | N/A | N/A |
ZX 48
| 2019 Season Dates | Week | Fortnight |
|---|---|---|
| Prices Pending | --- | --- |
Notes
The villa is only available for holiday rentals from late July to early September
Security Deposit
A 300 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
ZX 48
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
A few minutes walk from La Herradura (a small seaside resort with most facilities) in La Costa Tropical region (Province of Granada)
Location
A few minutes walk from La Herradura (a small seaside resort with most facilities) in La Costa Tropical region (Province of Granada).
Almuñecar 10 mins; Nerja 20 mins; Málaga 50 mins
Nearest Airports
Málaga 50 mins; Granada 1 hr; Sevilla 3 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
- The beautiful bay of La Herradura is the envy of Almuñécar and one of the prettiest bays along the south coast of Spain. Two huge natural promontories, the Punta de la Mona and Cerro Gordo, protect a 2 km long beach fronted by a procession of restaurants, bars, hostals and shops. Unlike almost anywhere else along the coast, development has been restricted in height and you can still enjoy the contours of its natural setting. The village climbs up the gentle slopes leading up from the beach.
- Throughout the length of the bay you'll find plenty of chiringuitos (beach bars), and there are a number of watersports clubs. It's a cheerful, peaceful, laid back place in the best tradition of Spanish seaside towns. A relaxed lunch at one of the beach bars is highly recommended - even in winter if the sun is shining!
- A little further along the coast, Almuñécar is a bigger resort town very popular with Granadinos who pour out of the city every weekend and head off to the sea. It's quite built-up so not particularly pretty (although the old town is nice) but has a popular salt-water aquapark and a fabulous jazz festival each summer (in July).
- In the opposite direction the next resort town along is Nerja. 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.
- The heart of Nerja is its spectacular Balcón de Europa, a magnificent promenade along the edge of a towering cliff, with sweeping panoramic views of the Mediterranean and the small coves and beaches below, against an awesome backdrop of hazy blue mountains.
- However, Nerja's most spectacular attraction is undoubtedly its magnificent caves - a series of huge caverns stretching for almost five kilometres and home to the world’s largest stalagmite, a 32 metre high column measuring 13 metres by 7 metres at its base. Located three kilometres out of town there are archaeological treasures galore including paintings over 20,000 years old and other pre-historic remains.
- One of the enormous natural caverns has been transformed into a concert hall, where many fabulous performances (classical and flamenco) are staged during the summer. The International Festival of Music and Dance takes place in mid July each year.
- Even closer than Nerja, just on the other side of the huge Cerro Gordo promontory to the west of La Herradura lies a splendid but isolated beach, Playa de Cantarriján. It's a favourite spot for many. Part of the sand and shingle beach has been designated a nudist bathing area, although the western end is normally occupied by conventional sunbathers. There are a couple of good beachbars/ restaurants open throughout the season.
- Granada is, of course, a must-see city. Soaring high above is the spectacular back drop of the snow-covered Sierra Nevada mountains. And what a city lies below, a city of classical beauty, the jewel in the Spanish Crown.
- The mesmerising Alhambra Palace and its exquisite gardens, one of the world's greatest wonders; the narrow, cobbled streets and beautiful walled gardens of the ancient Arab quarter, El Albaicín; the magnificent Cathedral, just one of many superb examples of Renaissance architecture; the caves of Sacramonte, nostalgic legacy of the gypsies.
- A city which inspired García Lorca, Andalucía's finest poet, it is, above all, a people's city, full of life and colour, energy and fun.
- For something completely different, turn off the motorway (on the way to Granada) for Las Alpujarras. Between the highest mountains in Spain and the Mediterranean Sea, Las Alpujarras is one of the most enchanting and beautiful regions in the world, a joyous land of sunshine, snowy mountains and some of the most splendid scenery imaginable.
- The Moors took refuge in these hills and resisted here, maintaining their customs and way of life for well over a hundred years after they were expelled from Granada in 1492 by their Christian conquerors. Las Alpujarras was their final battlefield in Spain.
- Their legacy is to be seen everywhere: in the distinctive architecture of the mountain villages and in the intricate system of irrigation waterways which they built and which still keep the landscape green and fertile, fed by the snows melting high in the sierras above.
- If you like walking or horse riding, this is the place to be.
Activities
- In La Herradura the activities on offer include scuba, cavern and technical diving, as well as horse riding and tennis, paragliding, climbing, and abseiling. In summer the water on this coast is very clear, with a visibility of up to 25m (80ft), and teeming with fish. The diving school in La Herradura has a first class reputation.
The Area
La Costa Tropical
The rugged mountains of Sierra Nevada crash into the sea in a series of beautiful coves and wide, sweeping bays on the Costa Tropical …
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La Herradura
La Herradura means "horseshoe" and gets its name from the contours of the beautiful bay which it graces. It's a pretty town with a seaside flavour …
