Villa and Alora

Villa Sierra Aguas

A ‘Tardis’ in the countryside describes this property, what seems at first a compact country villa, just expands and expands revealing a range of living areas and numerous terraces, patios footpaths and garden corners.

The main house has two double bedrooms (the master has air conditioning), a family sized shower room, a well fitted kitchen and large living area with wood burner in a Spanish fire place and doors to a full width terrace fitted with retractable glass curtains which allow it to be used all year round for sheltered dining and entertaining. To the side of the house there is another very large covered terrace with steps up to a further raised terrace ( with amazing 360 deg views across the valleys / mountains) and covered seating area with sun blind. The covered terrace has views across the valley and to the El Chorro and El Torcal mountains beyond and provides ample seating, entertaining area and makes the most of the splendid views.

From here or from the gardens you can reach the pool area, with an outdoor kitchen/bar/BBQ with pretty covered sheltered seating area and a guest suite of air conditioned double bedroom, shower room and separate toilet with hand basin. It also has a private shaded patio through the bedroom patio doors. The rectangular pool is unusually large, 11m x 5m and has solar heating to extend the useable season to provide near all year round potential use.

To the side of the main house is a self contained apartment, ideal as granny flat or guest apartment. The apartment has a fitted kitchen, double bedroom with ensuite shower room and toilet, lounge and private elevated shaded terrace. Further ancillary accommodation may be found adjacent in the grounds with a high quality wooden chalet arranged as studio style accommodation.

This property is suitable as a comfortable home or for use as rural accommodation, B&B and is especially suited for craft activity holidays owing to the flexibility of the accommodation.

The grounds extend to just over 1.23 acres (4981 sq/m) and are beautifully landscaped with numerous established species to provide several different areas for relaxation, including a raised pagoda with a hot tub. There is also a productive olive grove and other fruit trees including figs, lemons, oranges, almonds, tangerines, nisperos, persimmons and apricots.

A very large double workshop (currently used for woodworking) could easily be converted into further accommodation or would be particularly suitable for use as a craft workshop having both power, water and divisible work space.

A carport and three further large lockable storage areas complete the complex. The total build area is approx 260sqm.

The combined accommodation can provide 3 living areas, 5 bedrooms, 3 shower rooms and 3 kitchens. Situated just 5 mins drive from the town the house has mains electricity, mains water, telephone, Internet and Satellite TV in two of the lounges and several of the principal rooms have ceiling fans and air conditioning.

Access is excellent down a good surfaced graveled lane 200 meters from the asphalt road.

Living in Alora

The small town of Alora is situated 45 kms north of Málaga by the road to Antequera and just 12 km south of El Chorro. From a distance, it is a typical pueblo blanco; a whitewashed village nestled between three rocky spurs topped by the ruins of a magnificent castle which has an interesting history. Alora's castle was first built by the Phoenicians and subsequently expanded under Roman rule. In the 5th century the castle was virtually destroyed by the Visigoths, only to be rebuilt under the Moors; remnants of this era still remain, namely the decorative steel door and the traditional Arab mirador.

When ever you go to Alora day or night weekday or weekend you will find it bustling with friendly people many will greet you or be happy to return your greeting, Hola or Buenos dias.

Shop keepers are extremely friendly and helpful and they will do their utmost to help you if they can. Some speak a little English but they are very forgiving, understanding and helpful with whatever you try in Spanish or sign.

Wherever you are in Alora you will only be a short distance from a bar or café, there are dozens of them. Most will have tables and chairs outside for you to enjoy the fresh air and sun if you wish.

There are churches, museums, quaint old buildings, narrow side streets, a Moorish Castle and many points where you can view the surroundings. Alora is a mixture of old and new. The village center was modernized a couple of years ago and is in complete contrast to the traditional buildings in this area and behind the main thoroughfare. Roads in the village are narrow and evolved to suit the use of mules and horses although most can be driven along. Many of the older folk still ride their mules into town laden with their produce to sell to the local shops. We have many bakers shops and vegetable shops all selling very fresh local produce. If you prefer convenience shopping there are several supermarkets, the largest is one of the Mercadona chain. In the village there are three modern chemists, one directly opposite the new medical center. Some of the doctors speak a little English as does the chemist opposite. Medical care we think is superior to the UK. If you don’t qualify for state medical care there are numerous very reasonable private health schemes. In Pizarra the next village there is a private doctor who speaks near perfect English and many other languages. He also is very reasonable. Consultation for example is only 30€. We visit our dentist in Fuengirola again multilingual. Free consultation then UK national health prices but in euro’s. Filling 45€ crown 199€. Nowadays life is simple for the non Spanish.

Having traveled and visited many other small villages in the province of Malaga we are convinced Alora is by far the best to live in and we are sure you will agree.

Living in Andalucia

The weather here is most agreeable. Virtually never below zero and then only at night. Spring time is the best, day time low twenties, ideal for doing those energetic tasks. We have often eaten Christmas day lunch outside on the terrace. The sun usually shines for more than 300 days a year. In summer at the end of July early August it is the hottest time, mid to high thirties, the pool provides pleasant cooling. The climate is most agreeable.

There are three national parks on our doorstep. El Chorro, Sierra de las Nieves and El Torcal. To the side of El Choro are the Ardales lakes. Restaurant’s that look over the lakes, camping, boating, fishing, cycling. walking, climbing, canyoning, quad biking, paragliding and horse riding. The list is endless. Further afield the other side of Malaga, a 2 hour drive away are the Sierra Nevada mountains where the longest season of skiing is available anywhere in Europe. They can even operate without natural snow they have so many snow cannons. You can be in Granada in 25 degs and 30 minutes later minus 3 degs on the slopes.

If you are into golf there are 36 golf courses along the coast within a maximum of 2 hours drive away.

We live within the Costa Del Sol area which means we can be on the beach within 45 mins at Torremolinos and Fuengirola. Marbella is 55 mins across the mountains.

Malaga Airport is just 45km, 40 mins away, an acceptable distance to pick up friends, relatives or guests.

Malaga itself is just 35 mins away by a super new train at a return fare of less than 5 euro’s. Here you will find an unending variety of large stores, famous name shops and back street shops. Restaurants and bars abound both in the main shopping centers and in the side streets and squares. There are churches, parks, squares museums and every thing you would expect of a large city. On the hill behind Malaga stands the castle and the Alcazaba. Below is the port which receives a growing number of cruise ships as well as all the commercial ships and ferries. The city is surrounded by many commercial parks containing the large DIY outlets large electrical chains, furniture example IKEA, sports shops, Decathalon etc and large super-supermarkets, Carrefour, Lidl, Aldi, Dia etc.