Hotel Zuhayra
Zuheros
Zuheros is simply spectacular; you will see this pueblo blanco (white village) from afar, nestled against the rock face.
Once you have reached the village, and look back over the surroundings, you will see miles and miles of olive trees in all directions. An impressive sight.
Zuheros is situated in the Parque Natural de la Sierra Subbética, and in the centre of the village there is only 1 hotel, which happens to be great hotel!!
This is a typically Spanish rural hotel, basic and without frills, but well looked after. The hotel’s friendly owner will lead you through the hotel’s wide hallways to one of the 18 rooms, which are all neatly decorated.
This is also a great place for lunch or dinner, the restaurant serves local specialties, and on a nice day you can eat outside on the Andalusian patio. In the large salon, with a fireplace for chilly evenings, you can chew the fat with your companions and go over your adventures in the sierra.
There is plenty of natural beauty to venture into, either on foot, by mountain bike (which you can rent here) or on a trip in a 4x4. You can also explore the area in your own car - this really is a truly amazing region. Don’t forget to pick up a few bottles of delicious local olive oil en route, because this is where the best olive oils in Spain are produced.
Cons:
• Rather basic decoration
Pros:
• Tidy rooms, clean and neat
• Nice and helpful owner and staff
• Enjoying local culinary specialties
Hotel Zuhayra
surrounding area
Zuheros
Zuheros is tucked away well into the countryside, surrounded only by olive trees. Zuheros is known for its caves, the Cuevas de los Murciélagos, and the castle that currently houses a museum.
Active
You can rent a bike at the hotel, on which you can explore the area.
Zuheros can also be a good base for cycle tours through the Parque Natural de la Sierra Subbética, such as the Via Verde route.
Apart from cycling, the Parque Natural also has great walking routes.
And you could also book an excursion in a 4x4 jeep at the hotel.
Culinary
Córdoba province is a major olive oil-producing area in Andalucía. Baena (see below) produces one of the best olive oils. There is also a range of co-ops where you can taste olive oil.
Typical Córdoba dishes are rabo de toro (stewed oxtail in red pepper sauce) and salmorejo (a kind of gazpacho).
And in the bodegas of Montilla you can taste Montilla’s typical white wine.
Nature
Visit the recently discovered caves at 4km from Zuheros: Cuevas de Murciélagos. These caves contain the finest examples of cave art in Andalucía. The most impressive cave is Murciélagos, literally the ‘bat cave’. The tour of the caves (only available in Spanish) takes about an hour. It includes going up 700 steps and seeing beautiful formations of stalactites and stalagmites.
Walking, cycling or tours by car through the Parque Natural de la Sierra Subbética.
Touring the vast olive groves in the area by car, for example, following part of the caliph’s route between Córdoba and Granada, which passes Zuheros, along the old border of the caliphate of the Umayyads. Various Moorish fortresses are reminders of those days. This route, unfortunately, also follows the busy main road between Granada and Córdoba. The most beautiful landscapes can be found along the stretch between Pinos Puente and Alcalá la Real.
The following villages/towns in the area are definitely worth a visit:
Baena (12km; 20min):
Baena olive oil’s fine reputation dates back to Roman times. You can visit an olive museum here. The Iglesia Santa María la Mayor towers above this whitewashed village. On the Plaza de la Constitución, next to the town hall, stands the stately Casa del Monta, an 18th-century townhouse.
Priego de Cordoba (26km; 35min):
This town is famous for its baroque architecture. Priego’s golden age was the 18th century, when the silk industry flourished. This age saw the building of many fine houses, and huge spending on magnificent baroque architecture, especially in churches. Highlights are the medieval quarter Barrio de la Villa, the baroque churches Iglesia de la Asunción and Iglesia de la Aurora, as well as the king’s fountain, Fuente del Rey, consisting of 3 ponds, 139 water sprayers and impressive sculptures.
Lucena (28km; 35min):
Lucena is famous for its fine ceramics. It also has some successful furniture makers and copper workshops.
Sights include the churches Iglesia de Santiago (baroque tower) and Iglesia de San Mateo and the Torre del Moral (the only remaining part of a Moorish castle).
Montilla (39km; 45min):
Montilla is the centre of a rich wine area, which is still being overshadowed by sherry from Jerez de la Frontera.
Montilla’s white wine is made in the same way as sherry, and it even tastes alike, but this wine does not require additional alcohol. The bodegas of Alvear and Pérez Barquero are open to the public.
Other sights include the 18th-century castle and the Convento de Santa Clara from 1512.
And you can, of course, head for one of these world famous cities for a day trip:
Córdoba (75km; 1h15min):
Visit the Mezquita, Córdoba's huge mosque, which has seen various different developments throughout the years to become a fascinating blend of styles and religions. And you can also go for a stroll through the districts of San Lorenzo, Judería and San Basilio, where you will encounter the most beautiful Moorish patios. Other sights include the palace/fortress Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos with magnificent gardens and fountains; various museums, such as the Museo Arqueológico, Museo Taurino, Museo de Bellas Artes; a string of great squares, such as the Plaza de la Corredera, Plaza del Potro.
Granada (100km; 1h45min):
The Alhambra was the part of town where princes, nobility and court staff dwelled, on the hill right in the middle of Granada. The Alhambra is a huge complex, 720m in length and 220m wide. Clever use of space, light, water and decorative features are the Alhambra’s defining features.
On the hill opposite the Alhambra, the Albayzín quarter, is where Granada’s Moorish past is still most tangible. Stroll through its narrow streets, past villas with Moorish decoration and gardens, up to the Mirador de San Nicolás. This is where you will have the best views, of the roofs of Granada, with the Alhambra behind them, which makes for a stunning view, especially at sunset!
Seville (181km; 2h30min):
The capital of Andalucía is a compact city with a rich past. Most of its major sights are in or near the city centre on the Guadalquivir river’s left bank. And they also know how to party and have a good time in this city of flamenco and tapas.
As you wander through the old Jewish quarter, the Barrio Santa Cruz, through a maze of white streets and patios, you should not forget to take in the imposing cathedral, the Moorish bell tower, La Giralda, and the royal palace Real Alcázar.
You can unwind in the María Luisa park, where you can spend the hottest part of the day under orange trees and palm trees.
The museum Museo de Bellas Artes, one of Spain’s best museums of art, is a real must. And then there are its magnificent palaces and other sights, such as the Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza (bull ring); Casa de Pilatos and the Torre del Oro.