THE AREA
CASA LA ALEGRIA
The heart of Andalusia
Set in the heart of the Andalusian countryside, surrounded by lush farmlands, olive groves and whitewashed inland villages you will find Casa La Alegria.
Nestled peacefully into this rural landscape, yet located just 45 minutes outside of the hustle and bustle of Malaga city. It’s an area of outstanding natural beauty within the region of Antequera, well known for its UNESCO World Heritage Site status.
Whilst we form part of the province of Malaga, we sit at the crossroads of Granada, Cordoba and Seville making this beautiful part of the world a point of great historical and geographical importance.
Discover the real Andalusia at Casa La Alegria.
EXPLORE THE SURROUNDINGS
Within our local area, you will find the villages of Salinas and Villanueva de Tapia. These quaint inland pueblos are small, but full of charm and history and provide a real insight into the everyday workings of traditional village life. You can take a step back in time exploring the relics of both Roman and Arabic history, as well as breathing in the fresh air, blowing gently in from the breath-taking natural landscape.
Travelling further afield, we benefit from being equidistant to both Granada and Malaga. Both cities are rich in history and culture with an abundance of sites to visit and enjoy.
In Granada, take a day to visit the Alhambra Palace and Gardens. Its one of the most impressive palaces preserved from the Moorish ruling era.
Alternatively, in Malaga you can spend a blissful afternoon exploring the old town, the Gibralfaro Castle, the new marina or simply soaking up the sun on the beach. You can shop ‘til you drop in one of the many markets or along the famous Calle Larios.
Antequera is 45 mins by car and home to the natural reserve of El Torcal. Famous for its rugged limestone landscape, it’s one of the most important karst landscapes in Europe, complete with caves, springs and climbs. It’s a hikers paradise with a range of diverse trails to follow.
The Camino Del Rey (The Kings Road) is just an hour’s drive from Casa La Alegria. This famous, historic path is suspended 100m above a narrow gorge built in the early 20th century. Visits are limited each day, so to guarantee your entry pre-booking is advised. Be warned you must have a head for heights, but will be rewarded with some awe-inspiring views.
Whilst in the area you can also enjoy the nearby Ardales Lakes. The ‘Embalse del Conde de Guadalhorce’ as its known, comprises of three enormous turquoise lakes which offer a relaxing day of swimming in fresh water, hiring a pedelo or kayak or enjoying a waterside picnic, surrounded by the shade of the forest.
Another lake worth a visit is Iznajar in the province of Cordoba, but just 20 mins from Casa La Alegria. Swimming, sailing even sunbathing on its beach can be enoyed in the warmer months away from the crowds of the coast. Pedolas and kayaks are available to hire and there are a couple of restaurants and bars to enjoy a cold drink or a bite to eat for lunch.
Archidona is the largest town local to Casa La Alegria, just 15 mins away at the foothills of the Sierra de Garcia. In the centre of the town is the Plaza Ochavada. An unusual, but fascinating octagonal square built in the 18th Century and home to numerous restaurants and cafes offering traditional Spanish cuisine. The perfect place to sit and watch the world go by.
Restaurants
Depending on your plans during your stay, there are a number of dining options that we will happily recommend in the local area:
La Paloma is just 5mins walk from Casa La Alegria and a favourite of ours. Enjoy stunning views out over the picturesque countryside while enjoying an extensive menu a mix of Italian and Spanish cuisine at very reasonable prices.
La Bobadilla Hotel and Royal hideaway is an exclusive 5 Star Hotel and just a 5 min taxi ride from Casa La Alegria. There are a range of restaurant and bar options to sample offering an extensive menu selection as you would expect of a hotel of this class.
Archidona has a large selection of restaurants and bars and we would be glad to point you in the direction of our favourites.
Salinas and Villanueva de Tapia are much closer to home and have a limited number of bars and restaurants to sample.
Market & Shopping
Villanueva de Tapia has a Thursday morning market and whilst it’s very small it has some excellent fruit and vegetable, olives, cheese and Iberian ham selection. Shop like the locals and enjoy the range of locally produced goods.
Trabuco has a Wednesday morning market which is much larger, selling clothing, leather goods as well as fruit and vegetables. Malaga has a Sunday flea market with over 300 stalls, there is not much you cannot buy at this market and it’s a great way to also spend time exploring this fantastic city.
For a wide range of more commercial shopping malls, you won’t go wrong in Malaga either. From well-known high-street brands to more independent boutiques, you can shop ‘til you drop!
ACTIVITIES
Walking & Hiking
The local area is a walker’s paradise with many nice walks from Casa La Alegria. Villanueva de Tapia is Stage 14 of 35 stages of the Great Malaga Path; the pioneering route in Andalusia which covers 850km across nine regions.
Horseriding
There is a riding stables within 5 mins of Casa La Alegria. the centre offers lessons and hacks in the beautiful countryside by horseback. No better way to take in the local landscape.
Birdwatching
The huge swathes Olive groves in the area support a high diversity of animal and bird species throughout the year. The presence of rabbit, hare and the red legged partridge and against the backdrop of the nearby mountains favour the occurrence of large birds of prey. You may spot the Golden Eagle, Bonellis Eagle and Eagle Owl amongst many others.
Cycling/Mountain Biking
There are 52 trails around the area of Villanueva de Tapia and the area is about to benefit from an investment of €200,000 in the new Bike Territory Project. This initiative aims to promote cycle tourism in Malaga to include 800km of cycle routes, bike rental hire and installation of digital signage in the seven municipalities of the Sierra Norte de Malaga encompassing Villanueva de Tapia.