Villa for two with pool and views near beaches in Frigiliana, Spain

See all: Villas in Axarquia & Antequera  <Villas in Andalucia  <Villas in Spain

Rustical´s review                                                  See prices

Frigiliana (see map) is one of the favourite Axarquia villages, set back from the coast but within easy reach for days out at Nerja’s Mediterranean beaches. Nearby, on the hillside looking out to the sea, is this very successful self-catering holiday villa with plenty of room for two people to enjoy space, good facilities, views and a refreshing swimming pool. Neighbouring houses are well distant elsewhere on the hill, so that privacy is virtually complete.

From Frigiliana village, a road weaves out into the countryside, passing a rural hotel and a restaurant with sea views, and in less than 10 minutes you arrive at the holiday property, with terraces and a pool area ranged below it. There’s also a path below the villa, in a lush area of mango trees which takes 20 minutes to walk to the village.

The villa is entered directly from private parking. The first thing we noticed is how it is kept: the presentation and cleanliness are impeccable, a tribute to the local Spanish culture of pulchritude in the home. It’s also quiet, relaxing and just for two, of course, perfect for a romantic holiday.

A well-equipped kitchen is open plan with a living /dining area that is simply but adequately furnished. There’s also a small desk set apart in a little annexe for reading, or studying maps. The bedroom has a four-poster King size bed and an en-suite tiled bathroom with a large tub and shower. Here, as in the entire house, there is plenty of natural light from south-facing windows. There’s good mobile coverage reception if required.

When you’re in La Axarquia, the sunniest region in Spain, you tend to a good deal more time outside the house than in it, and here the property really comes into its own. First a shaded, furnished terrace is the ideal spot for meals while enjoying the views back to the white village or over the mangos to the Mediterranean. You’re quite high up here so the panorama is truly impressive.

From the furnished terrace, steps (inlaid with local stones that are a feature of the villa) lead down down to the pool area and a maritime green swimming pool. It’s maintained all year round, unless the weather is inclement: as lovers of the Axarquia know, there is every reason to hope for warm winter sunshine here. It’s a semi-tropical climate – as you might have guessed from the mango plantations – and Frigiliana is one only place in Europe with molasses honey production made from local sugarcane. The pool area is semi-planted with a colourful flowerbed and there are sunloungers plus parasols for when the sun is too strong. Water cascades down a rock façade in a very agreeable effect when the filter pump is in operation. An outside WC is a handy extra.

Also on a lower level, on its own large terrace, is a brick-built barbecue and table with a sink and a small exterior fridge: the owners have been running the property as a holiday rental for some time now and have learned what people appreciate. Another short outside path leads to a look-out point that suggests the prow of a ship. The villa may be rural, but it does have a seaside feel, with the pebble mosaics and the Mediterranean so present in sight.

From the rear of the villa, the access track continues out to the delightful hamlet of Acebuchal, ensconced in a fold of the Sierra de Almijara and a lovely place to visit and explore walking (see Acebuchal on an amateur video clip). Nerja caves are always a big attraction (there’s a path leading there, but we wouldn’t recommend the walk at the height of summer as the heat can be strong), beaten only by the Mediterranean beaches. Those at Nerja 20 minutes away attract most visitors, while a further 20-minute drive will bring you to quieter, natural beaches such as Maro and Cantarriján.

The restaurant and rural hotel mentioned earlier are walking distance for meals out and Frigiliana, home to a significant expatriate community, has several good bars and restaurants to choose from, as well as providing all the shopping and other services you might require.

Granada and the Alhambra are only an hour's drive and Malaga Airport a similar distance.

Facilities
Parking by the cottage; washing machine; microwave in addition to cooker; small dishwasher; satellite TV; DVD; CD/radio; woodburning stove (first load included) and electric heaters in winter months; cot; swimming pool with steps down (irregular, 8 m x approx. 4 m, 1 – 1.95 m deep); sunloungers; sun shades; barbecue; outdoor fridge; outdoor WC; all linen provided.

Distribution
On one floor: open-plan living / dining room and kitchen; King size double-bedded room with en suite bathroom (full tub & shower)/WC.
Exterior: down steps to covered, furnished terrace; pool terrace; barbecue terrace.

Notes:
-The swimming pool is maintained and open throughout the year, weather permitting.

Location & Distances
5 mins drive or 20 minutes walk along a track to Frigiliana village (shopping, tapas bars, banks, restaurants)

A short Frigiliana (& Torrox) video

Nearest restaurant	5 mins walk
Frigiliana village	5 mins drive
Nerja (all facilities, beaches)	15 mins
Malaga	45 mins
Malaga Airport	1 hr
Granada	1 hr
Granada Airport	1 hr 15 mins

NOTES ON AVAILABILITY FOR THIS PROPERTY:

This very popular villa can now be booked for 2011 at the same price as 2010.