The Cadiz province is one of the more undiscovered parts of Spain even Andalucia by the British buyers. If you are looking for the ‘Real Spain' then you have found it!

Whitewashed villages, narrow streets and breathtaking scenery come as standard. We can find you property in most parts whether you wish to be coastal or inland from small village houses to huge mansions. and will be happy to recommend areas to suit your needs. In general this area is what I consider a GROWTH area. The property prices represent such good value for money. One of those few areas left in Europe where you feel like you are getting a bargain – and that is probably because you are. It is however becoming more and more popular as many seek the ‘real' Spain and wonderful country living .

As Olvera is ideally situated for exploring Andalucia, there's always somewhere to visit. As well as a myriad of beautiful villages locally, you are within easy reach of most of the major cities. But before we get onto those, here's some more information about Fiona's favorite, Olvera itself!

Olvera, Cádiz

We just love Olvera! In fact I have never had anyone come here who didn't think it was a lovely place. Clients have told me they have been driving along thinking where is she sending us??!! They then see it high on the hill – the castle, the church, the beautiful white village houses and they are hooked! It is one of the largest of the 14 recognised "White Villages" in Andalucia, a vibrant town of around 10,0000 people and what lovely people they are too. The town dates back to Roman times and although there is great tradition here and it remains typically Andaluz the young people are just as keen on fashion and music as anywhere else in this day and age so teenagers will enjoy life here too. You will walk down the street here and everyone will say hello. I find myself trying to pay before going home and its ‘ pay me next time'. Hospitality like I have never known before. Making friends is easy here. There are few people that speak fluent English – (but I speak good Spanish so don't worry!) Learning a little of the language will only enhance your enjoyment of this lovely town and lessons are cheap here – only 10 euros an hour – less in a group. It has super facilities that make it an excellent choice for both a permanent or holiday home.

Prices here are very reasonable indeed right across the board such as in restaurants where you can have a great three course lunch and drink for 7 euros (£4.50) and three can dine in the evening with wine for just 36 euros -12 euros (£8) each. Petrol is over 1/3 rd cheaper, building work half the price, rates -150 euros per year. I think you'll get the picture. It has great facilities such as it's Medical Centre, Schools, College, three Municipal Swimming Pools with green areas, Shops, Bars, and Restaurants. The Via Verde is a path of 36km - the obsolete railway lines stretching between Olvera and Puerto Serrano where cars and mopeds are not permitted making it a great attraction for those who enjoy walking and cycling with hotels and restaurants to visit en route. You can still find a one bed village house here (through Bespoke at least) ready to move in for 65, 000 euros (£45k) but these are becoming scarrce due to prices rising as Olvera put's itself on the map as a great place to live in the real Spain! Look here first!

Algodonales, Cádiz

Famous for paragliding - but don't worry we'll take the car if you want to view property here! This is a nice town with a lovely feel to it. It is situated just one hour from the coast making Jerez the nearest airport some 45 minutes away. Close by is Zahara and El Gastor so it makes a great location with all the facilities that we have come to expect such as municipal pool, bars, restaurants, & shops, etc. Summer evenings are spent in one of the bars around the square, eating great tapas and making great friends! Prices here are similar to Olvera although country property is higher in price probably due to it's proximity to sought after Zahara. Find a small village house from 70,000 euros (£48k) a two bed country chalet with land for 250,000 euros (£172k).

El Gastor, Cádiz

Situated across the lake from Zahara, El Gastor could prove the perfect location for one wishing to be able to enjoy living in close proximity to the lake. It is a quiet place with a small population only around 2000 inhabitants. There is a great road that takes you to the waters edge which is fantastic to go and dip your toes in the sunshine and read a book. When you have had enough sun further up the track there is a turning for a chiringuito which means beach bar - a great meeting place after a relaxing afternoon. El Gastor the village itself is a quiet place and from my visits here I feel it has a large number of old people living here. It is a very pretty, tidy village and would make the perfect place for someone who is looking for peace and serenity in very good company. Village houses here are not so steep with a ready to move in 3 bed village family home possible for 150,000 Euros (£103k)

Pruna, Sevilla

Pruna actually comes under the province of Seville. It is a short drive - just 5km from Olvera The impression I get of Pruna is that it is a more of a working town than some of the other villages. Being of a population of just around 3000 people it is a quieter more low key place. It does however have adeqaute amenities such as shops, restaurants , school etc. There are lots more properties coming on the market in Pruna and prices are often cheaper in Pruna than the nearby white villages although lately prices are rising and work out only marginally cheaper than Olvera. Country house with a good amount of land are again cheaper round here and the surrounding countryside is very beautiful.

Setenil, Cádiz

Setenil is a beautiful tranquil place – one of those places where you get a suprise round every corner. Situated just 20 minutes up from Ronda and the same from Olvera. It is a very quaint village and you will be amazed by the number of houses that have been built in to the rock face. It has become a popular area for those wishing to tour Andalucia is it really is a picture postcard place. Prices are a bit steeper here as there is never really a great deal for sale so look at at least 120,000 euros £82kto buy a nice small house in the town here.

Grazalema, Cádiz

Located in a high valley over 800m in the Sierra del Endrinal and dominated by the magnificent rocky outcrop known as Peñon Grande, the pretty mountain village of Grazalema is most popular base for visitors to the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park. The park is a vast protected area of rugged limestone mountains, which are famous for being the rainiest place in Spain. These high levels of precipitation account for the verdant vegetation in the surrounding countryside.
The limestone peaks of 1,500m around Grazalema are the first barriers that clouds from the Atlantic meet, causing plentiful rainfall. A unique microclimate has developed where a wide range of flora flourishes, such as the rare Spanish fir (pinsapo) that grows in the Sierra de Pinar close to Grazalema.
Grazalema is a lively village whose population of 2,250 swells hugely with the influx of visitors to the park. Its steep, cobbled streets are immaculately kept and are lined by whitewashed houses with windows covered by wrought-iron rejas and plant pots spilling over with colourful flowers. It was famously described in the 1950s by the British anthroplogist Julian Pitt-Rivers in his study, People of the Sierra.
In the heart of the village is an attractive main square, the Plaza de España, lined with bars and restaurants. On this square is Grazalema´s central sight, the 18th-century church of La Aurora. Also here is the village hall (ayuntamiento) and the parish church, the Iglesia de la Encarnación. Up Calle Mateos Gago from the square is the 17th-century Iglesia de San José, a former Carmelite convent with paintings by a disciple of Murillo. Close to the church is a viewpoint that looks out over the village.

Torre Alhaquime, Cádiz

Torre is a small friendly town situated of just over 1000 inhabitants situated 9km from Setenil and just 3km from Olvera on the road to Jerez .. It does however have some great facilities such as schools, municipal pool, bars, restaurants, market, and small shops. It has lovely Andaluz features and is quite breathtaking when seen from a distance. This may suit someone looking for a smaller town and a quieter life in good reach of the motorway. House prices are very reasonable here and small village houses can still be found for 60,000 euros £42k

Zahara de la Sierra, Cádiz

This place is described as the 'Jewel 'of Andalucia and you will see why. The beautiful lake here really is one of the most breathtaking sights I have seen in Spain . On a sunny day, of which thankfully there are hundreds the lake is pure turquoise, Rumour has it they painted the bottom green but somehow I just think this is one of the natural many beauties of Spain of which the more I travel the more I find. And you can take me to all the best beaches but I think I know where I would rather be! The village itself is very small and has won the heart of many tourists with it's cobbled square and narrow streets – even the police station looks pretty. It is only 15 minutes to Ronda which has lots of shops and restaurants and just 1 hour to the coast. There is little available to purchase here in comparison to the other white villages and much of this is on the outskirts of the village. Prices are much higher through this demand so don't expect to find even a small house for less than £120k (£83k). Property sells fast as it appears there are waiting lists if the wanted ads are anything to go by….

Ronda, Malaga

Ronda is situated in a very mountainous area about 750 m above mean sea level. The Rio Guadalevín runs through the city, dividing it in two and carving out the steep El Tajo canyon upon which the city is perched. Ronda was first settled by the early Celts, but its Roman and then Moorish rulers are reflected most prominently in its architecture. The forces of Catholic Spain took control of the town in 1485.
Three bridges, Puente Romano ("Roman Bridge", also known as the Puente San Miguel), Puente Viejo ("Old Bridge", also known as the Puente Arabe or "Arab Bridge") and Puente Nuevo ("New Bridge"), span the canyon. The term "nuevo" is a bit of a misnomer, since this bridge was completed in 1793. The Puente Nuevo is the tallest of the bridges, towering 120 meters above the canyon floor, and all three serve as some of the city's most impressive features. Another important site in Ronda is the Plaza de Toros, the oldest bullfighting ring in Spain that is still used, albeit infrequently. It was built in 1784 in the Neoclassical style by the architect José Martin de Aldehuela, who also designed Puente Nuevo. The partially intact baños árabes ("arab baths") are found below the city and date back to the 13th and 14th centuries. Both Ernest Hemingway and Orson Welles resided in Ronda for many years, and both wrote about its beauty, contributing to its popularity. Hemingway's For Whom the Bell Tolls describes the murder of fascists early in the Spanish Civil War by being thrown from the cliffs of El Tajo.

Sierra de las Nieves Natural Park, Malaga

The Sierra de las Nieves natural park is located in the hills behind Marbella and to the east of the road to Ronda from the Costa del Sol in Andalucia in Southern Spain. The park centres on the mountain of La Torrecilla (1919 m) which you can walk to the summit of in about 4 hours, return trip. The park covers an area of 202 km². This mountainous area has seen little human influence or activity (cultivation) even historically and has a rich variety of flora and fauna. As the name suggests, it can be snow-covered in the winter. In 1970 the park was declared a National Hunting Reserve and in 1995 a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. There are no tarmac roads within the park but you can use the extensive network of forest tracks in a normal hire car provided that you drive slowly. The easiest way to enter the park is from the Ronda to San Pedro road about 1 km south of the turning to Juzcar.
This park is considered to be one of the most beautiful in Andalusia, from a landscape point of view.

Yunquerra, Malaga

Yunquera is in the heart of the Serranía de las Nieves, and borders with the eastern end of the Serranía de Ronda. The surrounding landscape is very beautiful, with an abundance of the rare Mediterranean pine growing in the mountains. More than half of the municipality is at an average altitude of 800 metres above sea level, with dry summers and cold winters.
The Moors were experts in irrigation technology, and their intelligent use of the water from the Planos and Alfaguara rivers allowed for the existence of the town. The land they irrigated provided sufficient food for Yunquera, and a different type of agriculture was carried out on the rest of the land. The origin of the name goes back to the time of the Romans, the first settlers that we know of in the area. They called it Juncaira, Junca meaning beside (the river) and aira meaning abundant. The absence of Roman roads in the area would suggest that it was not important for the defence of the empire, and no Roman remains have been found in Yunquera. But it was important for the Moors, and they left ample evidence of their stay here. In 1845, the townspeople requested that the town become part of the Ronda administrative area. The economy at that time was based on cattle breeding and wine production, and Yunquera had a population then of more than 4,000 people, a thousand more than in the present day.

El Burgo, Malaga

El Burgo is an ideal place for nature lovers and those who might wish to get away for a quiet holiday. One reaches the town by the Ronda road, less than an hour out of Malaga. It is situated in the heart of the Biospheric Reserve of the Sierra de las Nieves, surrounded by beautiful countryside. Of particular beauty is the area of the river Turón, which flows through the mountains carrying a wealth of clean water from the many streams that feed it, and filled with fish and river animals that are being protected more and more in these environmental-friendly days. Most of the land area of the municipality is covered in the rare pinsapo (a species of Mediterranean pine) and oak trees, with mountain birds in the higher, more sparse areas. Here, with an environmental system of its own, animals like mountain cats and foxes lives side by side with mountain goats and other wildlife, and here too one can still see eagles, vultures and hawks. Even in the town centre, one can see the storks nesting in the bell tower of the Church of the Encarnación, with straight and wide streets opening out into gardened squares. El Burgo was built on a hill 500 metres high, a position taken advantage of by the Celts, the first people to settle in this area. Nobody knows much about the origin of the town’s name. Some say it derives from the Greek word "Purgos", which means tower, while some point to a German origin in the word "Barugs". Others believe the name came from the Arabic El Borch, which also means a tower. Whatever the case, we do know that many different cultures settled here, from the Celts to the Moors and on to our own civilisation.

Arcos de la Frontera, Cádiz

Arcos de la Frontera is situated on the right bank of the river Guadalete, which flows past Santa Maria into the Bay of Cadiz. The town occupies a ridge of sandstone, washed on three sides by the river, and commanding fine views of the lofty peak of San Cristobal, on the east, and the fertile Guadalete Valley, celebrated in ancient Spanish ballads for its horses. At the highest point of the ridge is a Gothic church with a fine gateway, and a modern tower overlooking the town. The fame of its ten bells dates from the wars between Spaniards and Moors in which “Arcos of the Frontier” received its name. After its capture by Alphonso the Wise of Castile (1252-1284), the town was a Christian stronghold on the borders of Moorish territory. Another church contains several Moorish banners, taken in 1483 at the battle of Zahara, a neighboring village. The ruined citadel, the theatre, and the palace of the dukes of Arcos are the only other noteworthy buildings. Roman remains have been found in the vicinity, and the ridge of Arcos is honeycombed with rock-hewn chambers, said to be ancient cave-dwellings. See Galeria de Arcobricenses illustres (Arcos, 1892), and Riqueza y culture de Arcos de la Frontera (Arcos, 1898) ; both by M. Mancheiio y Olivares.

Jerez de la Frontera, Cádiz

Jerez is worldly known for the wine. This wine from Jerez (Sherry) is a unique natural product in the world. Apart from being a nice city with all the attractiveness and peculiarities of Andalusia, it is located at an exceptional situation: At the southwest of occidental Andalusia and at the northwest of the province of Cadiz. It is sited at a countryside formed by the meadows of both "Guadalquivir" and "Guadalete" rivers.
The extraordinary weather in Jerez is caused by the latitude and the closeness to the sea, just 15 km from the nearest beach. Jerez has a population of 200,000 inhabitants. Besides, it has an international airport which constitutes one of the main elements for the tourist growth of the province of Cadiz. These modern installations were recently built and it enables passengers to fly to any town. Several companies currently operate for destinations such as Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Brussels, Paris, Dublin, London, Manchester and the most important Spanish cities.

The railway station was recently renovated and there are a large number of connecting trains with other big cities and county towns. Thanks to the High Speed Train (AVE),you can arrive at Madrid in just a few hours. Other train with an exceptional tourist prestigious is the Al-Andalus which has Jerez as one of the fixed destinations. As far as the road network is concerned, highways easily connect Jerez for a short time with both the nearest towns and those belonging to other regions.
You can arrive at Seville in just fourty minutes through Seville-Cadiz motorway and you can arrive at Madrid through 4th dual carriageway. There is
no other town like Jerez if you want to practice the "tapeo". These meals typically form part of the Spanish gastronomy and it is indeed an essential
custom in this town. Warm climate does invite to this gastronomic art whereas it does not incite to proteinic meals.
Cuisine in Jerez is wide and varied: The commonest meal is the "tapeo",that is, tasting little dishes usually shared by the guests. In fact, most culinary rituals revolve around this tradition. It has even been established an annual "Tapa Fair" so that visitors can taste all the different range of posibilities. In order to know the authentic local gastronomy and savor it, it is indispensable to taste the varied "tapas" many bars and pubs along the old central area of the town offer.

Further Afield

Cadiz

Cadiz is the capital of the province of Cádiz. The city is located on a peninsula protruding into the Bay of Cádiz, the Isle of Leon, separated from the mainland by a narrow and torturous channel, part of much larger Gulf of Cádiz ; very high and thick walls surrounded the city, which from the sea presents a very picturesque appearance.
Cádiz is of typical Andalusian character. The old part of Cádiz, commonly referred to as the Old City (Spanish Casco Antiguo), is shaped by the individuality of the various quarters (Spanish barrios), "El Populo," "La Viña," or "Santa Maria." These areas offer a marked contrast to the newer areas of town. While the townscape of the Old City is largely formed by narrow alleys leading into a number of plazas, newer areas consist of wide avenues and more modern buildings. In addition, the city is dotted by numerous park plants, including old giant trees supposedly brought there by Columbus.

Malaga

Malaga city is a popular tourist destination, due mainly to its proximity to the Costa del Sol. There are very cheap flights to Málaga from countries in Northern Europe, particularly the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Netherlands and Germany.
From Málaga, other cities of Andalucia, like Sevilla, Córdoba, Granada, and Jaén can be reached by train, bus or car.
A popular walk leads up the hill to the Gibralfaro castle (a Parador), offering extensive views over the city. The castle is next to the Alcazaba, which in turn is next to the inner city of Málaga. By taking the Paseo del Parque, a promenade that runs alongside a park with many palm trees and statues, one can walk from the Alcazaba to the harbour. Places to see include:
• Alcazaba (Arabic for fortress)
• Gibralfaro Castle
• The cathedral, in the Græco-Roman style, on the site of an ancient Moorish mosque, was begun in 1528 and completed in 1719
• Harbour, one of the most important in Spain.
• The Picasso Foundation - Native Home Museum of Picasso
• Museo Picasso Málaga
• CAC Málaga (museum of modern art)
• Museo Interactivo de la Música (MIMMA)
• Museo Municipal (city museum).
• Museo de Artes y Tradiciones Populares (Museum of Arts and Popular Traditions)
• Cathedral of the Encarnation (neoclasical).
• Palacio Episcopal (Bishop's Palace)
• Iglesia del Sagrario (church)
• Iglesia Parroquial de Santiago (St James's church)
• Palacio de los Condes de Buenavista
• Plaza de Toros (bullring)

Sevilla

Seville is the artistic, cultural, and financial capital of southern Spain, irrigated by the river Guadalquivir. It is the capital of Andalusia and of the province of Sevilla. The inhabitants of the city are known as Sevillanos (feminine form: Sevillanas).
The city's cathedral was built from 1401–1519 after the Reconquista on the former site of the city's mosque. It is the largest of all medieval and Gothic cathedrals, in terms of both area and volume. The interior, with the longest nave in Spain, is lavishly decorated, with a large quantity of gold evident. The Cathedral reused some columns and elements from the mosque, and most famously the Giralda, originally a minaret, was converted into a bell tower. It is topped with a statue, known locally as La Giraldilla, representing Faith. The Giralda is the city's most famous symbol.
The Alcázar facing the cathedral is the city's old Moorish Palace; construction was begun in 1181. Additional construction continued for over 500 years.
The Torre del Oro was built by the Almohad dynasty as watchtower and defensive barrier on the river. A chain was strung through the water from the base of the tower to prevent boats from traveling into the river port.
The Parque Maria Luisa was built for the 1929 Exposición Ibero-Americana World's Fair, and remains landscaped with attractive monuments and museums.

Seville is known for its hot summer weather, reaching even 50.0°C (122.0°F) on August 4, 1881, the record heat for Europe.
The Sevillana flamenco dance, the one most people think of when they think "flamenco" is not actually of Sevillan origin. But the folksongs called Sevillanas are authentically Sevillan, as is the four-part dance that goes with them.
The Seville oranges that dot the city landscape, too sour for modern tastes, are the best for making marmalade; they are irrigated with "grey" wastewater.
The world-famous picturesque novel Rinconete y Cortadillo by Miguel de Cervantes takes place in the city of Seville. Cervantes started to write and think about his masterpiece Don Quixote while he was incarcerated in a Seville prison.

Did you know? The Roman emperors Trajan and Hadrian were born in Italica, just north of the city of Sevilla.

Granada

Granada is situated at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains, at the confluence of two rivers, Darro and Genil, at an elevation of 738 metres above sea level.
The Alhambra, a famous Moorish citadel and palace, is in Granada. It is the most remarkable item of the Muslim, Jewish, and Christian historical legacy that makes Granada a hot spot among cultural and tourist cities in Spain.
Granada is also well-known within Spain due to its prestigious university and, nowadays, wild night-life (though in the 1920s Federico García Lorca described the granadinos as "the worst bourgeoisie in Spain"). In fact, it is said that it is one of the three best cities for college students (the other two are Salamanca and Santiago de Compostela).
The pomegranate (in Spanish, granada) is the heraldic device of Granada.
The beauty of the sights of Granada is famous. A well known verse says:

Cordoba

Córdoba, also called Cordova, is the capital of the province of Córdoba. Located at on the Guadalquivir river, it was founded in ancient Roman times as Corduba by Claudius Marcellus.
Today a moderately sized modern city, the old town contains many impressive architectural reminders of when Córdoba was the thriving capital of the Caliphate of Cordoba that governed almost all of the Iberian peninsula. It has been estimated that Cordoba, with up to 500,000 inhabitants, was the largest city in the world in the tenth century aside from Byzantium.
Córdoba was the birthplace of four famous philosophers: the Roman stoic Seneca, the Muslim Averroes, and the Jewish Maimonides and possibly Abraham Cohen de Herrera. Córdoba was also the birthplace of the Roman poet, Lucan and (more recently) of several flamenco artists including Paco Peña, Vicente Amigo, and Joaquín Cortés.