Property Details

Casa de la Puerta Grande (house of the big door) is a beautifully restored 2 bedroom house in a 'white' village untouched by time - with roof terrace views of the spectacular Rio Santo gorge and Lecrin Valley. Here, while donkeys still wend their way past the windows of the house each day, many of the contrasting and varied delights of Spain lie within easy reach. One can ski at Sierra Nevada in the morning, enjoy free tapas at lunchtime in fascinating and historic Granada (this is the only region of Spain where tapas are often still free!), and laze by waters of the mediterranean in the afternoon.

NB: Casa de la Puerta Grande can also be rented in conjunction with our other house, just around the corner, Casa de la Lagartija (House of the Gecko). See separate listing.
The house has retained its chestnut beams and original tiles. The main bedroom has a beamed and vaulted ceiling. Heaters are supplied in winter and fans in summer. The living room also has a lovely open fireplace. Outside there is a sunny split-level roof terrace which overlooks the spectacular Rio Santo gorge to the east, south and west. The terrace incorporates a shaded area for the hottest months and is furnished with table and chairs and comfortable wooden recliners.

Local Area Details

The lower barrio of Albuñuelas has a bar/restaurant of some character and the local bread van and fish hawkers visit each morning to sell their wares in the street just below the church. The upper barrio, a short walk away, has several shops, a bank, bars and restaurants and a weekly market on Thursday mornings. There are several nice swimming pool/restaurants in nearby villages. Guided walks are available from local English-speaking residents which start from the village and can take in items of historical interest (Moorish, Roman, Iberian) as well as the flora and fauna of the valley. Ideal for relaxation and perfect for walkers or bird watchers. The epic GR7 walk from Algeciras to Istanbul passes the door and one of the GR7 markers can be seen upon the wall. The lush valley just beyond the house is rich with oranges, almonds, grapes, figs, pomegranates, persimmons, and prickly pears. In the spring the air is perfumed with orange and almond blossom. The higher slopes of the gorge abound with olives and the scent of wild herbs. In the evenings one can sit upon the roof terrace and watch the eagles soaring as the sun sets over the gorge. The Moors christened this place the Valley of Joy.

The historic city of Granada (with its vibrant Moroccan quarter and the attractions of the Alhambra and the Generalife) are a 30 minute drive. The Lecrin Valley is adjacent to the Alpujarras. The spa town of Lanjarron is a short drive and higher Alpujarran villages such as Pampaneira,Capileira and Bubion are accessible within an hour. There are also three golf courses within easy reach.

The dramatically situated coastal town of Salobreña, clinging to a rock with its castle perched on top, is a 35 minute drive away. The larger town of Almuñecar a few minutes further on has an interesting market on Friday mornings. Marina del Este has a few exclusive shops and a couple of nice waterfront restaurants overlooking the Marina. More secluded beaches can be found around La Herradura. A little further on still lies the more cosmopolitan coastal town of Nerja with its famous caves.

Skiing is available at the Sierra Nevada ski resort - one of the most exciting places to ski (the venue for the 1996 world ski championship). At over 9000 ft (skiing from 3500 metres down to 2000 metres) it is one of the highest resorts in Europe and can be reached within a drive of about 45 mins - 1hr 15 mins, depending on conditions. Ski hire and ski passes are available either in the resort itself or in the centre of Granada, next to the bus stop for the Granada-Sierra Nevada bus (which runs regularly). An international ski school is available on site. There are 70km of ski runs, 45 pistes (with more than enough variety to suit all levels), 300 snow machines and views of Africa from the top. Night skiing by floodlight!

Property Features

* Close to a golf course
* Close to a Beach
* Pets are allowed
* Children are allowed

Contact Information

Name:	denise guest
Telephone:	+44-1929 -481229
Alt Telephone:	+44-7941-782522
Fax:	--
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