Rustic Cottage in Las Alpujarras | Holidays in Andalucia, Spain

Property Description

Standing alone on an almond orchard, this rustic old house is built against a rocky cliff planted with cacti and other shrubs, just above the tiny mountain hamlet of Atalbeitar.

It has been completely renovated, although the original thick stone walls, traditional beam-and-stone ceilings and all its lovely old nooks and crannies have been carefully retained. Here, one is transported back to the Spain of days long gone by.

Its wonderful old structure is complimented by bright and cheerful decoration, its French artist owner's touch evident throughout. She knows a thing or two about craft and colour.

On the ground floor one enters the cottage from the covered porch, through the ancient chestnut door, seasoned as only time can, into a hall furnished with comfortable armchairs which create a small sitting area of its own.

This is the coolest part of the house on warm summer days.

The clean lines of the arched staircase separates this room from the rock face that forms a natural back wall to the house.

In pleasing contrast to the traditional and very rustic ground floor, upstairs all is modern and completely refurbished. Bright fabrics offers splashes of colour against the white walls; large glass doors fill the space with sunlight - all under its classically beautiful Alpujarran wood beamed ceiling.

The dining and sitting areas are separated by the staircase and by the curvy shape of the fireplace. A traditional Moorish arch leads through to the kitchen.

The dining area opens to a large terrace which overlooks the little swimming pool, situated four steps below.

This is a wonderful place to take in the views, of the mountains beyond, the village roofs below, the dramatic mountain scenery of Las Alpujarras all around.

It's also a perfect spot to relax while keeping an eye on the children splashing about in the pool below.

There is one bedroom on each floor, the lower one a bright and cheerful twin, the top one a soft and romantic double. The decoration is a pleasant mix of rustic and modern. It is a restful place, decently equipped for your holiday.

Parking is on the road just below the nearby the seventeenth-century village church. From there it's just a few steps to the gate and a short stroll through the almond trees to the cottage.

And don't worry, you won't be woken up at all hours by church bells! They only chime for a few minutes each Saturday afternoon for the weekly church service.

Atalbeitar is a tiny village with just a handful of residents, very much off the beaten track and surrounded by magnificent mountain scenery. No shops, bars or traffic here!

The smallest of the seven villages which make up the ancient Moorish district of La Tahá in the high Alpujarras, life goes on in an unhurried and peaceful way here.

Nearby Pitres (three kilometres away) has a few bars and restuarants, a small hotel, a decent supermarket and a good health food shop. There is a bank, a clinic and a pharmacy along with a few other shops.

Friday morning is market day in the plaza where fresh produce, clothes and crafts can be bought.

More touristy villages such as Bubión and Capileira are a short drive away.

All around, there are the spectacular mountains, valleys and gorges of La Alpujarra to explore, as well as its many charming little villages. Right in the centre of the High Alpujarras, many of the most beautiful walks in Europe pass through or near by.

It's superb walking country, whether you want to embark on challenging, high mountain routes or just a stroll through the leafy greenery along the path to the next village.

Beyond the dramatic scenery and beautiful Moorish villages of the high mountains, there's magnificent Granada or Mediterranean beaches to choose from. In 45 minutes you can be visiting the famous Alhambra Palace in Granada or just soaking up the city's wonderful culture. A further 20 minutes up the mountain road from Granada will take you to the Sierra Nevada ski resort.

Heading south, you can soon be enjoying a seafood lunch on the beaches of The Costa Tropical in one of the small resort towns, Salobreña, Almuñecar or La Herradura.

Or just take it easy, relaxing here in your mountain hideaway in the sunshine …