Just sit and gaze
Sit beside El Balcon's lovely big pool or on the shady upper terrace and just gaze... at the stunning view, at the large variety of birds flying by, at the pretty white villages in the distance. This is true relaxation therapy.
El Balcón
El Gastor, Andalucia
- 5-6
- 3
- 3
FROM
£ 898
PER WEEK
Accommodation
At a glance
- Sleeps 5-6
- 1 Double Bedroom
- 1 Single Bedroom
- 1 Twin Bedroom
- 3 Bathrooms
- Air Conditioning
- WiFi
- Games Room & Gym
- Enclosed Pool
- Ground Floor: Spacious gym and games room (table tennis). Shower room.
- First Floor: Entrance hall. Sitting/ dining room (fireplace, TV, DVD, CD) with door to covered terrace. Kitchen (oven, microwave, dishwasher, washing machine). Double bedroom with en suite shower room. Twin bedroom. Small double bedroom. Bathroom. WiFi. Heating and air conditioning throughout the house.
- Outside: Open and covered terraces. Barbecue*. Poolside shower. Private parking.
- Private swimming pool (9.5m x 5.5m) with Roman steps.
If it is impressive views across a picture postcard panorama of quintessential Andalucían countryside that you seek, then this is the house for you! With its accommodation spreading across the first floor level, this well presented home will inspire admiration as guests take in the breathtaking rural vista that is captured so perfectly by the wide picture windows that line two sides of its striking living room.
Whether relaxing in one of the stylish leather sofas that occupy the bright and airy sitting room, dining al fresco on its adjacent terrace or swimming in the pool down below, it is this scenic landscape that will be your outlook. Rolling hills spread out ahead, punctuated every now and again by the dazzling white outline of a typical ‘pueblo blanco’.
It is charming villages such as these that you will no doubt wish to visit on your travels throughout this unquestionably pretty area, Olvera, Algodonales and Zahara de la Sierra being just a short drive from the house. Closer to hand, the local village of El Gastor is just 3km away and offers all amenities and some good local restaurants whilst historic Ronda is just 35 minutes away by car.
Equally enticing are the extensive facilities that have been so thoughtfully incorporated into El Balcón. Air conditioning and heating ensure comfort at all times of the year and the ground floor has been equipped with a gym and games room. Outside, families with young children will appreciate the security provided by the enclosed pool and gated first floor terrace.
- We respectfully request that you do not allow children to use the gym facilities without appropriate adult supervision.
- *As this is a protected area of natural beauty, barbecue bans will be enforced from early June and an electric 'plancha' will be provided for outdoor catering.
- Internet provision is via a satellite connection.
- Property Licence No: VR/CA/00367
Pricing & Availability
All Prices are per property, not per person.
Location of El Balcón
Locality
Great Things to Do Near El Balcón
Try some tapas
The picturesque nearby village of El Gastor has some great tapas bars where you can try local specialities. At the local swimming pool on the far side of the village you can enjoy a great meal at The Gastrobar La Piscina, offering modern and traditional tapas at meals in a great setting.
Head for the beach
El Balcon is just over an hour's easy drive from some of Europe's most stunning beaches, on the Costa de la Luz. This is the Atlantic coast, and here you will find gorgeous small bays and spectacular long stretches of white sand, fringed with palm trees. A perfect day out.
Don't miss Ronda
The beautiful, historic town of Ronda, with its impressive gorge, is only 30 minutes away. Take refreshment at a café table in one of the lovely squares, marvel at the views, stroll through the cobbled streets of the oldest part of town, or sit back and enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride round the many places of interest. Ronda has some great restaurants and shops, too!
Explore elegant cities
This part of Andalucía is famous for its elegant and historic cities such as Sevilla, Cádiz, Granada and Jerez, all of which are within an easy drive of El Balcon. They're all different, so you'll find it hard to choose just one to visit.
Sherry in Jerez
The lovely city of Jerez is less than an hour from the house. Plenty to do here - visit a 'bodega', where the sherry, wines and brandy are made, see the 'How The Andalucían Horses Dance' show on a Tuesday or Thursday, visit the cathedral, relax outside a café and listen to the gypsies sing flamenco, eat in the many excellent restaurants, or shop until you drop in Calle Larga, the main pedestrian street.
Orchid Spotting
There are over 30 different species of wild orchid to be found in this area. Springtime is best, when wild flowers display their colours in the surrounding fields and olive groves beside El Balcon.
Cycle along the Green Way
The Via Verde or Green Way runs for 36 kilometers along the old railway line. This is an ecotourism route that can be done on foot, bicycle, horseback, and even donkey! This permits hikers to contemplate exuberant nature, valuable plant and animal species and the most beautiful landscape.
Discover a local walk.
El Dolmen del Gigante (The Giant’s Dolmen) is a megalithic passage tomb chamber on the hill of Algarin. It is the largest dolmen in the province of Cádiz, with large vertical megaliths and covered with stone slabs. From here you can enjoy impressive views too.
La Pileta Cave
This impressive cave, with its even more impressive wall paintings, is just beyond the village of Benaoján. The cave is open every day of the week and is best to book in advance. The telephone number is 0034 687 13 33 38, calls only. www.cuevadelapileta.org Two guides take candlelit tours of up to 25 people in each group.
Make an evening special
Why not make an evening special and treat yourselves to a meal in a michelin-starred restaurant. Benito Gomez and his team at Resturant Bardal in Ronda have 2 Michelin stars! The restaurant is in the centre of town close to the bullring. Booking certainly recommended! http://restaurantebardal.com/home/ If you prefer something less formal, Benito also has a popular Tapas Bar Tragata also in the town centre.
Explore the Pueblos Blancos
El Balcon is close to the Natural Park Sierra de Grazalema. Dotted around this magnificient landscape there are many small white washed villages to explore. Grazalema for example is a picturesque drive and is a charming place to explore the narrow streets with balconies and windows filled with colourful pots of geraniums. It's a great place for walkers and bird-watchers alike too
Mix with the locals in El Gastor
The nearest village of El Gastor is a five minute drive away. The friendly people of the village make everyone welcome here. Enjoy a coffee in the square and watch the world go by. Shop in the local bakers for some freshly baked bread or try some local pastries!
Say Cheese!
The Poyoyo cheese, an artisan cheese of the region, is one of world’s finest cheeses. It is award winning worldwide, made with the milk of the Poyoyo goats, native to the area. Sold in many shops locally, it’s easy to find. Grazalema village is a great place to explore the enticing array of small gift shops and delicatessens selling cheese, wine, olives and hams from the region.
Take a day trip to Cadiz
Featured recently on many travel and cuisine TV programmes, Cadiz is just a 90-minute drive away. This small city known locally as "la Isla", the island, it is completely surrounded by the sea. Its majestic Cathedral sits along the shores of the Atlantic coast. Narrow streets full of charm and old-world character can easily be explored on foot. Visit the lively fish market and be amazed at the fresh tuna caught locally. Then spend the afternoon on the beach relaxing!
Nearby
Towns/Villages
| El Gastor | 5 mins | |
| Zahara de la Sierra | 30 mins | |
| Grazalema | 30 mins | |
| Ronda | 35 mins | |
| Arcos de la Frontera | 45 mins | |
| Granada | 2 Hrs 25 mins |
Beaches
| Cadiz | 1 Hr 25 mins | |
| Conil | 1 Hr 30 mins | |
| Puerto Banus | 1 Hr 35 mins |
Airports
| Sevilla | 1 Hr 30 mins | |
| Jerez | 1 Hr 30 mins | |
| Malaga | 2 Hrs | |
| Gibraltar | 2 Hrs 15 mins |
