Cortijo Alba Rosa is a warm and inviting traditional-style farmhouse with a spectacular vantage over the Lecrín Valley and unforgettable mountain and valley views. Set in four acres of private land, but close to village’s amenities, the farmhouse has four bedrooms (sleeping 8) and 3 bathrooms, a family-sized pool, and several outdoor areas for dining and lounging. Thanks to the valley’s unique microclimate and the farmhouse’s full central heating, this hilltop retreat is an ideal spot for summer vacations, while equally suited to winter breaks and springtime walking holidays. And, as the name suggests, exquisite sunrises and sunsets are as good as guaranteed.

A region to explore … or stay closer to home

From its vantage point a couple of kilometres above the three rural villages that form El Valle below, Cortijo Alba Rosa provides the perfect base from which to explore. The sandy beaches of the pre-Roman fortress towns of Almuñécar and Salobreña on the Costa Tropical, and the World Heritage Site of the Alhambra in Granada are reached in under 30 minutes. The magnificent countryside, spas and mountain treks of Las Alpujarras are on your doorstep, and the acclaimed coves of Nerja and ski slopes of the Sierra Nevada are easily reached within an hour. However, if this all sounds too taxing, you can always enjoy a long lunch under the farmhouse’s wisteria-covered pergola, lounge by the 10m x 5m pool, or explore the extensive grounds, where you can pick seasonal fruit from the farm’s olive, lemon, orange, fig and pomegranate trees. With an award-winning vineyard and restaurant at the top of your street, sometimes staying nearby is the better option!

Cortijo Alba Rosa – a magical paradise

As you walk to the front of the property, you’ll spot the summer house set among the farmhouse’s tranquil arid and tropical gardens. With its own kitchenette and incredible views of the valley, it’s perfect for a special dinner, or just to unwind with a book or cheeky sundowner. Continue on to enter the house through its impressive north-facing Moorish door, set in its own courtyard, into the living room. Set all on one level, the farmhouse is ideal for families with young children and people with restricted mobility. However, you’ll still get all the privacy and peace you’ll need for a good night’s sleep, as the bedrooms are separated from the living and dining areas.

The farmhouse’s east wing houses a well-equipped kitchen with marble worktops, a dining room with family-sized table and fireplace. The utility room is tucked behind the kitchen and offers side access to the property, where you can find fresh herbs alongside a wood store.

Upon entering the living room, your eyes will immediately be drawn to the 4m tall full-length windows for year-round enjoyment of the views across the surrounding countryside from two facing sofas. The vaulted, double height ceiling is traditionally made with local wooden beams. This old Andalusian trick helps keep the farmhouse cool in the summer, while the full central heating ensures it doesn’t get cold in winter.

The west wing is where you’ll find the north and south-facing double bedrooms and their respective ensuite bathrooms. Two further bedrooms (one double, one twin) are accessed through double doors into a cleverly hidden connecting corridor, and they share the third bathroom. These rooms offer a more private space, making them ideal for people with young children or those who desire greater privacy or peace.

The farmhouse is secluded and private in a privileged position on the hillside. After turning from the road you travel under couple of kilometres (a mile) down what was once the road between Granada and the Costa Tropical. Today it is a well maintained lane used by the local olive farmers. This is authentic, unspoiled Andalusian living at its best.

The farmhouse’s water supply comes from its own natural spring, and with a powerful solar energy system, you can experience true off-grid living.