Discover the area, the scent of orange blossom, the swish of a flamenco dress, the glimpse of a white village…
Zahara
Zahara is known for its natural beauty, situated plum in the middle of the Grazalema protected parkland, teaming with rare birdlife and awash with wild flowers in spring.
Ronda
The beautiful and historic town of Ronda is one of the oldest towns in Spain and is one of the genuine Andalucian treasures that is accessible to tourists visiting the Costa del Sol. It stands at an altitude of 739 metres and has is one of the most visited towns in Andalucia.
Swimming & Discovery
SUMMER TIP
From Mid June until Mid September Zahara opens its large municipal pool set in landscaped grounds with breathtaking views, plenty of changing rooms and shower areas and a bar/restaurant. At the same time the Playita at Arroyomolinos also opens for the season. Playita means mini beach (in this case without sand) and is a spacious grass park bordering a spring fed mini lake. Fantastic for families and with its shallow waters, ideal for smaller kids. You can take dinghies and lilos & picnics with you. Both recreational areas have lifeguards, sunshades, ample parking, ice- cream and drinks kiosks. They are both open from 11.00am till 7.00 pm and cost between 1.50€-3.50€ entrance per day. The mornings are often the perfect time to visit the pool as hardly anyone stirs before noon in this sleepy village. You can enjoy wonderful surroundings in peace. Check out all water-, air- & earts activities at: www.discovery-8.com
Walking, Hiking, Olive tasting
WINTER TIP
Hiking routes and leisurely walks start at our doorstep; guided walks, and permissions to enter the park, can be booked ahead of time to trek into the Guarganta verde, through the Pinsapar woods or along the edges of the gentle El Majacete river. For those keen on walking without a guide we have an excellent local book, “Walking in Andalucia” by the well known Guy Hunter Watts, available for you to browse and choose an appropriate route. We can also prepare picnics and offer luggage transfers for those of you wanting to walk from village to village.
Close to our hotel you have a serious olive farm you can visit. During a tour they tell you all about the olives of there farm and in the region and the production. Of course you can try different oils and buy the best to bring back home. More info: www.molinoelvinculo.com
White Villages
Zahara forms part of the chain of “frontier” villages which were built by the Moors, and painted white, essentially, for protection from the sun. These villages have retained their charm, impervious to the advances of the Modern age, and remain picture perfect hamlets snuggled in recesses between grand mountain ranges. You can easily spend a day visiting the woollen mills in Grazalema, the leather fabricas in Ubrique or the magestic castle in Olvera, just a short drive away from Zahara. Here in Zahara we have 2 famous olive oil mills as well as our cheese factory.
Wine & Olive tasting
The Ronda region is now being recognised as an important emerging wine producer. The grapes in this area had been wiped out during forest fires earlier this century and have now been revived and blended with other grapes to create unique new wines, many of them organic. We have on our doorstep the cuesta de vino bodega. Check out:
www.f-schatz.com
www.cortijolosaguilares.com
Cycling
For cyclists the Via verde, an old railway route, is a wonderful cycling trip, especially with children as it is largely flat. Bikes can be rented there. For the more adventurous join Ashley from Andalucian cycling experience for a half days road biking. Check out: www.fundacionviaverdedelasierra.com
Bird watching
For bird lovers there is the opportunity for a day out with Peter Jones, renowned local birder. www.spanishnature.com.
Horse riding
Enjoy horse riding in Zahara de la Sierra. Horseback trails ambling along the lake or up into the mountains are available for 2-4 hours daily with Santiago.
Kayaking
In summer months it is possible to kayak in the lake also. Check out Zahara catur for more information: www.zaharacatur.com.
More tips
On this page we provide you an overview of some activities here in the region. You will find a more comprehensive overview at your hotel room and at our reception. You can always ask us for more information. See you in Al-Lago!
Kind regards,
This post is also available in: Spanish