Attractive and welcoming self catering holiday cottage in genuine Andalucia
El Gastor, Ronda mountains, Andalucia Property Ref: RD82-
2 Bedrooms
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Sleeps 2/4
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Pool
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Property Ref: RD82
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Summary
What a sweet holiday cottage! With or without children, a very satisfactory holiday retreat for couples beautifully set near Zahara lake and genuine El Gastor villa in the Ronda Mountains. Decidedly a great self catering holiday choice to suit all budgets in genuine Andalucia. Sleeps 2 plus 2 children.
Facilities
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2 Bedrooms
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1 Bathrooms
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Sleeps 2/4
Enjoyment
Satellite Internet (limited, no streaming); TV & DVD (with USB port); Private swimming pool (8 m x 4 m, 1.5 m - 1.9 m deep with shallow corner for children); Pool shower; 5 Sunloungers; Bali bed; Portable barbecue.
Self-catering
4-ring gas hob; Extra gas hob outdoors; Microwave; Gas oven; Fridge freezer; Cafetiere; Toaster; Electric juicer; Blender.
Practicalities
Washing machine; Open fireplace (firewood not included); Gas heater; Air conditioning; 2 Fans; Hair dryer; Cot and highchair (on request); Baby bath; All bedding and towels provided (including pool towels); Parking in premises.
Notes on Facilities
The air conditioning runs on solar energy, and thus, its use is limited. Set on a timer, it can be used all day except from 11 am to 3 pm.
As the air conditioning is less effective in the attic/mezzanine room (sleeps up to 2 children) during the hottest months, we think the property is best suited for couples only in July and August.
Please remember that this is a solar-powered property, and there will be limitations in using electricity-powered facilities, such as a hairdryer.
The heating facilities are as described in the facilities; there is no central heating.
Extras
Firewood is available on request at an additional cost, payable locally in cash.
Layout
All on ground floor (except mezzanine room)
Open plan living and kitchen area; Bedroom 1: Double bed (1.50 m x 2.00 m); Bathroom (walk-in shower, WC).
Mezzanine
Bedroom 2: twin beds on wooden pallet frames.
Exterior
Furnished porch and terraces; Pool area; Private grounds and caves; Parking space.
Overview
We are delighted to be able to offer this beautiful summery cottage for a couple and two children in a genuine Andalucia location we love for its long late summers, the memorable scenery and the endless opportunities for activities, exploring and outdoor living: these are the Ronda Mountains near Zahara lake, Ronda and Natural Parklands, where life still goes on at a blissfully rural and gentle pace.
Cosy and welcoming, the cottage has been created as an unpretentious but smart holiday home with an enjoyable stay in mind and good attention to detail. While it is comfortable inside, outdoor living has been given some thought too: the terraces all around the property offer countless opportunities to enjoy outdoor living, not to mention the delicious pool with a lovely fountain detail that children will love playing with. Speaking of which, if you come with little ones, the pool features a little shallow space for the toddlers.
Situated in a cul de sac country lane, you may see some locals on their way to a Zahara Lake/Reservoir fishing trip. Further away, a countryside road leading to El Gastor can be seen in the distance, but it is far enough not to be off-putting and otherwise very rural, affording the cottage a good level of privacy.
We found the open plan living and kitchen area comfortable, neat and cheerful: simple but completely satisfactory. The high wooden ceilings give it a nice, homely feel. The bright bedroom has a comfortable bed and enough wardrobe space for two. Cute, the mezzanine upstairs is best suited for children, with the twin beds on wooden pallet frames and low ceilings. A bullseye window that flips all the way lets the fresh breeze into the mezzanine. During the hottest months, the air conditioning is less effective in the upstairs mezzanine room, so perhaps during July and August, the house is best suited for couples only.
Outdoor areas at this cottage are a delight, and fresh aromatic herbs were happily growing among aloe vera and other plants in the patio stone jardinieres when we first visited the house in late summer 2015. The lively and active local family owners live in a nearby village and love bringing seasonal fruit and veggies to guests, but feel welcome to pick your own fruit.
Besides the pool and the terraces for dining and sunbathing, there is even a shaded siesta area with a rustic but irresistible Balinese double day bed where you will inevitably —and sooner rather than later— find yourself sipping some wine, reading or just 'siesting' at leisure. By the pool and shaded by cane roofing is a dining terrace perfect for al fresco meals.
This holiday home runs on a smart solar power system thanks to the endless hours of sun per year. It even allows guests to enjoy air conditioning for a few hours daily, which helps cool off on very hot days. Please bear in mind that in Winter the heating facilities are as described on the facilities and there is no central heating. Environmentally friendly with zero impact from conventional electricity, the cottage features eco-friendly touches, such as the recycled pallets used as bed frames in the Bali bed siesta area and the children's mezzanine.
On the cottage grounds above the actual house you will be able to explore the property's caves and enjoy magnificent views of the much photographed Zahara lake. Don't just look and join in: a refreshing splash in the lake awaits a pleasurable walk away. Top it off by dining at one of the restaurants overlooking the lake, and you'll be in for a special treat.
For day trips out in magnificent Seville or heritage-rich Cordoba, the former is just over 1 hour, and the latter is around 2 2-hour drive: these are undoubtedly two of the most interesting cities in Andalucia.
Location
By Ronda mountain's lake, next to the Grazalema Natural Park. Surrounded by a mix of olive orchards, market gardens and hills.
Just above a country lane that ends 1.3 km further down, at Zahara lake. Easy and direct access from lane by a very short track to the property.
Prices
Rustical Travel charges in Euros, VAT is included, no surcharges apply.
| From | to | Price per week |
|---|---|---|
| 01/01/2026 | 27/03/2026 | €790 |
| 28/03/2026 | 31/05/2026 | €870 |
| 01/06/2026 | 30/09/2026 | €1,050 |
| 01/10/2026 | 31/10/2026 | €870 |
| 01/11/2026 | 31/12/2026 | €790 |
Booking information for RD82
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The swimming pool is open all seasons.
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The usual swimming season in this region is from the beginning of May to the end of September.
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Check-in time: from 16:00h to 22:00h; Check-out time: 11:00h
Changeover day RD82
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The changeover day is Friday during the main summer season and flexible at other times.
Availability
Or, request a hold
YOUR REVIEWS
We spent 2 weeks in this delightful cottage. It is very well looked after and spotlessly clean. Everything was as we expected and hoped for from the photographs and description. The interior is light and airy, spacious and uncluttered and very comfortable if you need or want to spend time indoors. Outside, we appreciated the different shaded areas in which to relax at different times of the day. We have been visiting rural Spain for over 25 years and this really is the nicest house we have rented. Locally El Gastor is an attractive town with all the facilities to meet everyday needs; further afield Montecorto, Zahara and Grazalema are all well worth visiting. We also enjoyed exploring on foot using the network of footpaths around El Gastor.Communication with Rustical was excellent and the local guide and travel directions were well put together.Last, but by no means least, our hosts, Yolanda and her parents, were most welcoming, considerate and responsive at all times and it was a pleasure to meet them. Rob and Judi"
+ Read moreEverything was excellent"
+ Read moreThe villa was a lovely surprise, the owners clearly care a lot about their property and their guests. It was well equipped with everything we needed for an ‘away from it all’ week. We enjoyed relaxing pool-side (made good use of the pool inflatables that we found at the villa!) and also in the shady patio areas. Loved the proximity to Ronda, and also the villages of Grazalema and Zahara, but struggled to find decent restaurants in El Gastor and Algodonales."
+ Read moreThis is the ideal place for a relaxing and chilling break . Everything was provided for a lovely holiday in such a peaceful and beautiful location. Our host was helpful to help us settle in. Please thank you all . Pauline and John"
+ Read moreAwesome villa we had a great week Owners really nice and thought the house very well, we love the solar panels powering it Swimming pool and all the little spots to rest in the sun or under shades was great Washing machine a nice bonus, just an electric kettle to boil water would be appreciated Also wondering why the dogs bark that much, especially at night"
+ Read moreVery nice house and a beuatiful pool. Ideal for a couple in september."
+ Read moreWe loved staying at this cottage. It’s very thoughtfully put together. Especially the outdoor space with so many lovely places to sit and relax. Watching the moon appear from behind the mountains each evening was a particular highlight. I even managed to find a couple of running routes that weren’t too vertical. The location is great for visiting nearby towns, including Ronda. The only thing holding me back from a 5 star review is the proximity to the main road. It’s not too busy or loud though so didn’t bother us too much. And we would definitely go back for another visit. Thank you for helping us find a wonderful place for our holiday."
+ Read moreNice owners, nice pool, but persistent issues with (solar powered) electrics and air con was a very uncomfortable, frustrating and (at times) farcical in 40 degree heat."
+ Read moreGreat place"
+ Read moreA lovely villa in a quiet location. The pool and view were excellent. All facilities you would need for a wonderful stay."
+ Read moreWe had a wonderful time here, and we'd love to come back in the future. It's a beautiful area, and just what needed for our trip. Thank you for hosting us!"
+ Read moreCharming house with beautiful view on the mountains. Nice swimming pool and cute places to sit around the house. All equipement is present and house is clean. Very good value for money!"
+ Read moreWe spend a great holiday, cottage clean and quite, contact on site available. We also appreciated the informations rustica travel sent us (detailled, adapted tou our situation, ...)"
+ Read moreOur booking with Rustical was seamless. Great communication and pre-departure info. An easy, enjoyable and scenic drive from Malaga airport via the beautiful Ronda (stopping at the supermarket - very wise advice). Our property near El Gastor was perfect for the 3 of us. A stunning setting and a lovely, peaceful, clean and well looked after home set amongst olive groves. Even though we were there in a heat wave we were fine and the pool was joyous. We slept under the stars on the hottest nights and saw the biggest shooting star. Yolanda was a great host and nothing was too much trouble. When the water pump played up it was fixed immediately, and the tomatoes and water melon from Dads garden next door were so tasty. We explored the hills, dehesa and white villages, ate and drank well in El Gastor (early morning or late dinner after a long siesta) and drove to Cadiz and Granada for big days out. I hope we get chance to visit again sometime soon or we may try another Rustical property...they look inviting. Jonty and Mel Brunyee."
+ Read moreWe had a lovely stay at this cottage. Yolanda welcomed us, and gave us tips for visits and hikes in the region. We enjoyed Zahara, Ronda and Cordoba. The pool was al little cold so early in april, but our daughters didn't mind. Beautiful 360° view of the surrounding hills from the many seating areas on the property. We loved it!"
+ Read moreHello, we had the most wonderful stay at this beautiful property. I cannot say enough how beautiful it was. The seclusion, the view and the gardens were all awesome. Yolanda was just lovely and was on hand for anything we needed. Gracias Yolanda por todo, y espero que volvamos en el futuro otra vez :)"
+ Read moreThe owners where very friendly and helpfull. The property was very clean, and the pool very inviting especially in the spanish summer heat. Also price quality relation was good. In the region you can visit may interesting locations although when we where there in august they closed the Sierra de Grazalema for walks interest the beautiful Mountain area because of fire hazard in august. But all in all we had such a good time there that we totally forgot the Day that we had to leave! Thanks to the friendly owners and the nice housecleaners this was resolved quickly. Thanks also for rustical travel for the good communication!"
+ Read moreThe cottage was really great.The pool is really great especially after a day touring around.The views in all directions are stunning.A very relaxing holiday for myself and my wife.Directions to cottage from Rustical Travel excellent.Met by Toni and Mercedes to show us around.Excellent."
+ Read moreMy wife and I spent a week at the lovely cottage enjoying the warm September sun. Yolanda who met us at the cottage was very helpful and pleasant giving us a full introduction to the holiday property. The cottage has all you need and is in a great location for exploring the area. There is a quiet country lane by the property but we did not find this an intrusion in any way as it's hardly used, only by a handful of locals travelling down the dead end to the lake. I would recommend walking down to the lake as the views are beautiful and the only noise are the crickets in the background. I would also like to thank Rustical Travel both for the very useful local guide pack and the precise instructions of how to get to the cottage, which cleverly included photos of road signs etc of the journey. We thought this a perfect place for a couple to stay with a lovely pool and various seating areas on the property for reading and relaxing. A thoroughly enjoyable holiday cottage !"
+ Read moreThank you Rustical travel for having this lovely villa on your books. Everything about our stay was wonderful, Yolanda and her family were so welcoming and kind when we arrived and nothing was too much trouble, Yolanda made sure we knew she was contactable if we needed anything at all during our stay, which was reassuring. The villa is a beautiful retreat, perfect for couples or small families, wonderfully cool in the heat of the day, well laid out and everything supplied that you could possibly want or need for a holiday, the pool was a welcome addition too as was the day bed. The villa is close to the excellent roads too so easy to get out and about if you want too. With lovely views all around, wild flowers and birds in abundance, I was so excited to see the vultures and Bonellis Eagle, among many other birds. Not to mention the Andalucian horses happily grazing the hillside opposite the villa, the walk down to the lake was lovely for an early morning stroll and the walk back up got much easier as the week went on! We visited Ronda, El Gastor, Algodanales and Zahara (take a walk up to the tower if you are feeling energetic, views are spectacular) but our favorite place was Montecorto, just so pretty with the water running through, colourful flowers everywhere and some good walks through the forest. We have never visited Spain before and not being very fluent in Spanish I was a little worried that we may have made a mistake coming so far inland, I really needn't have worried, everyone we met was friendly, kind and helpful and made us feel very welcome, this definitely won't be our last trip. Rustical travel have been marvelous too, the map and detailed instructions were very helpful, although we did end up going the wrong way back to the airport (up and over the mountain instead of around) that was more pilot error than lack of instruction! Thank you Rustical travel and Thank you Yolanda and family for welcoming us to your beautiful home."
+ Read moreWonderful cottage and great hospitality. We've liked our stay very much!"
+ Read moreBeautiful location and a cottage that we fell in love with. Yolanda and Antonio were so helpful, particularly when we arrived."
+ Read moreWe were very impressed by the service, communication and attention to detail that Rustical Travel offered during the booking process so we had high expectations for our cottage. We weren't disappointed, our host Yolanda and her father Antonio were delightful and the cottage was all that we expected. The location of the cottage is also superb with so many beautiful villages within easy reach, and if you like hiking as we do, you're in for a real treat. The mountain paths around Grazelema are breathtaking and a dip in the cool (actually very cold!) natural pool at Cuevo el Gato was extremely refreshing. We wouldn't hesitate to recommend this cottage and Rustical Travel to friends."
+ Read moreExcellent property, very nice owners. The property was spotlessly clean and had everything needed for a perfect stay. The owners have put a lot of care and thought into how the property is presented, we could not find anything about it that we did not like. As far as the outside was concerned we loved it, if we were to level any small criticism it would be that we would have liked a bit more privacy from the main road at the top of the lane. It is possible for passengers in passing traffic to look down towards the pool area, however this does not detract from the overall quality of the property and visitors enjoyment. We will visit again hopefully."
+ Read more
Villa in Gastor, Ronda mountains
Enjoy this view a few steps up from the villa
The house is located by a country lane down to a lake
Pool with shallow corner for children
Front patio
Front patio / villa entrance
Open plan dining / kitchen / living area
Open plan space
Double bedded room
Double bedded room
Bathroom
Attic room for children
Furnished outdoor areas
Pool area with views
Shaded chill out area
Intimate furnished areas
Water feature
More chill out space
Relax and enjoy
Terrace with views
Different charming corners
Your villa with pool in lovely Andalucia
A short walk from the villa takes you to a small cave
Walk from the villa takes you to a small cave
The villa on the left and Zahara lake on the right
Villa seen from drone
Your villa in the Ronda mountains
Parking under the solar panels
The grounds in Spring
Walk to Zahara lake
El Gastor village is 4 km away

































































