About this property
Situated in the beautiful Andalucian countryside, this charming villa enjoys exceptional views over the surrounding parkland, offering a secluded setting to enjoy a relaxing break with family and friends.
Surrounded by cork and chestnut trees, Villa Aracena is a typical cortijo, a traditional rural property featuring a large main house and a separate outbuilding, where you can find a self-contained studio space for additional guests.
With white-washed walls and traditional terracotta tiled roofs, the main house has plenty of character, and various plants and flowering climbers add colour to the exterior. Entering through a charming porch-way, the ground floor opens out to bright and spacious rooms with tall sloping ceilings and exposed timber beams. Traditional tiled floors run throughout, and country-style furniture is thoughtfully arranged to create a warm and inviting space.
A large living room sits to the side of the house, with a series of openings that lead out to the upper terrace, and a handful of sofas positioned beside the fireplace offer a comfortable place to sit or enjoy a cosy evening during the cooler months. An arched opening through to the kitchen, which has a typical farmhouse feel, and a dining table in the centre provide ample room for all the guests. To the rear of the house, a beautiful terrace enjoys views over the garden, and a dining table sits beneath the pergola with a lovely wisteria that winds down the pillars to the level below.
On the lower floor, an impressive library invites you to browse the high shelves and relax with a book, whilst to the back of the room, a large pool table and TV are perfect for kids to entertain themselves during the evenings or on rainy days. Sitting to the side of the house, a charming courtyard features a tiled patio full of planted pots, and a pleasant seating area offers the ideal spot for enjoying a coffee in the morning sun. The large grass lawn stretches away from the house, where you can enjoy a game of croquet or practice some morning yoga, and a beautifully planted pathway leads down to the lower terrace, where the saltwater pool invites you to cool off with a swim. A handful of loungers nearby are perfectly positioned for drying off beneath the sun or sitting around the table and enjoying lunch beside the pool.
The main house has four bedrooms for guests to choose from, each with its own character. The master suite sits to the corner of the house with double doors that open out to a private balcony, which you can leave ajar to enjoy a gentle breeze and the sound of the birds in the morning. The room features a large double bed, as well as a settee and traditional writing table. A second double bedroom also enjoys its own ensuite bathroom, whilst two further rooms with double zip link beds each have access to private shower rooms across the corridor.
The fifth bedroom can be found in the outbuilding, where a self-contained studio enjoys its own separate entrance. As well as a double bed and bathroom, the charming studio enjoys a small seating area and a little kitchenette offering independence to guests who want additional privacy.
Located within the beautiful Sierra de Aracena Natural Park, Villa Aracena enjoys a secluded setting whilst being roughly a twenty-minute walk from the local town. Covered in acres of cork and chestnut trees, the surrounding landscape has plenty of trails to enjoy, inviting you to discover the sloping hills and long valleys. Timeless villages dot the hillside, where you can discover the rural settlements with their traditional Moorish heritage, ancient mosques and unassuming baroque churches. Explore the area on foot or enjoy a gentle horseback ride guided by local caballeros. The nearby El Chaparral riding centre offers excursions and courses for all ages and abilities.
Roughly two kilometres from the villa, the charming settlement of Aracena dates back to the Chalcolithic period, originally built as a "castle" village on the hill. The impressive Castillo Fortaleza occupies the highest point and enjoys panoramic views over the town and surrounding countryside. You can learn about its history on a guided tour and explore the remaining ruins of its defensive walls, or visit the historic Nuestra Senora del Mayor Dolor church with its blend of architectural styles. The central Plaza de Marques de Aracena, known as the paseo (main square), is lined with lively bars and restaurants. Stop off at Cafe-Bar Mazano to enjoy some lunch and sample traditional plates of tapas such as the typical jamon serrano, wild asparagus or delicious setas (wild mushrooms), which are prominent during the autumn months. For a sweet treat, head to the long-established Confiteria Rufino to enjoy some exquisite pastries and cakes that have been said to have been praised by kings.
Just a 15-minute drive away, the pretty village of Fuenteheridos is worth visiting, where you can wander along the narrow cobbled streets and discover the traditional houses with their rustic wooden balconies and colourful geranium plants. Visit the spring-water fountain from which the settlement took its name or walk up to the main square, where you can find a handful of restaurants, such as the popular La Posada bar, where you can enjoy a beer on its sunny terrace and observe the daily village activity.
The vibrant city of Seville is just over an hour's drive away, where you can discover the spectacular Islamic architecture and take a tour around the beautiful Royal Alcazar. There are plenty of shops and restaurants to enjoy, as well as a handful of art and sculpture galleries, making it easy to spend the day getting lost in this colourful, romantic city. Why not stops off for some tapas in the beautiful Jewish Quarter before heading to a passionate flamenco show?
Accommodation
The Villa
Villa Aracena is a secluded and calming property in Andalucia, with a separate studio accommodation, for those who are looking for a slice of rural paradise yet still close to local towns.
Main House
- Living room with high ceilings, fireplace, and access to the exterior
- Dining room with large table and access to the exterior
- Games room with pool table and books
- Main bedroom with double bed (150 x 200 cm), en-suite bathroom, and access to the terrace
- Bedroom with double bed (150 x 200 cm) and en-suite shower
- Bedroom with joined single beds (180 x 200 cm) and private shower
- Bedroom with joined single beds (180 x 200 cm) and private shower
Studio
- Bedroom with double bed (150 x 200 cm), private entrance, and en-suite shower
- Open-plan living room and kitchenette
- Laundry room
- Access to a private patio with seating
Exterior
- Various outdoor spaces within a private gate and fencing
- Large garden space with carioua plants, rose garden, and trees
- Staircase leading down to a fenced pool with outdoor shower, poolside cabana, and sun loungers
- Covered terrace with outdoor dining table and barbecue
- Outdoor table tennis and petanque
Additional Facilities
- Wi-Fi connection
- Air conditioning
- Heating
- Washing machine
- Extra children's beds (please see T&Cs)
- Cot, prams, and pushchairs (on request)
- Standing fans
Tourist License Number: vtar/HU/0071