Hotel La Mejorana
Grazalema
Once in a while you feel that you want to escape all the hustle and bustle and stay hidden for a few days. Well, you can do that here!!
Hotel La Mejorana is owned by an enthusiastic couple, Ana and Andres, 2 lovely Spanish people who have cordiality on top of their priority list. They run this simple rural hotel with much commitment and the ambience of it all really appeals to us. The hotel is located in the centre of the picturesque village Grazalema. Still, the hotel has a big patio and a spacious swimming pool. From the terrace, you have an extraordinary view of the gorgeous valley that Grazalema lies in.
The rooms are standard, not that spacious but definitely clean and fresh. There is, however, a roomy salon that you can enjoy and another advantage is that you can make use of the kitchen. Don’t worry if you don’t feel like cooking, though: there’s a lot on offer in the village as well.
Also an excellent starting point for short or long trips within the nearby surroundings.
Cons:
• Rather small rooms
• Parking in the street
Pros:
• Friendly couple manage the hotel
• Large, splendidly located terrace and swimming pool
• Right in the middle of the picturesque village of Grazalema
Hotel La Mejorana
surrounding area
Grazalema
Grazalema lies in the heart of the pueblos blancos area (white villages) and also in the heart of the nature reserve Parque Natural de la Sierra de Grazalema. The park has rich vegetation, also thanks to the fact that the village receives the most precipitation in Spain!
The white villages route that runs along Grazalema is one of the most beautiful, but also the busiest and most touristic route.
Also, around the 17th of July the "Lunes de Toro" is celebrated. For one week the bulls walk around freely in Grazalema!
Active
Because Grazalema is in the middle of a nature reserve it is a perfect starting point for hikes, horseback riding and mountain biking.
In addition, there are also possibilities for somewhat rougher activities such as bungee jumping, mountain climbing, cave exploration, crag climbing and abseiling.
Cultural
Grazalema is a white village and is located along the pueblos blancos (white villages) route. Other white villages along the route are Zahara de la Sierra, a village that lies at the foot of the ruins of a castle and has been declared a national monument, and Ubrique. In these white villages you will be able to get a taste of Spanish country life as it has been for centuries.
Nature
Tours by car past the Pueblos Blancos (white villages), on routes that take you through stunning scenery: mountains up to 1600m high, plateaus, valleys and gorges, rivers, waterfalls and reservoirs, forests and orchards.
The following villages/towns in the area are definitely worth a visit:
Ronda (32km; 35min):
Ronda has one of the most spectacular settings in all of Southern Spain. Due to this town’s unassailable location, it was one of the last standing Moorish bastions, which only fell in 1485, when it was conquered by the Christians. The town is split in two by a spectacular gorge, with the southern part being the classic Moorish pueblo blanco with cobblestone streets, small fences in front of the windows and whitewashed walls all around. The new town on the other side of the gorge contains the Plaza de Toros (bull ring), the cradle of bullfighting; it was built in 1785 and is one of Spain’s oldest. The bridge that connects the two parts of Ronda, the Puente Nuevo, spans the 100-metre-deep gorge and has become Ronda’s most famous feature, drawing in millions of visitors every year.
Apart from the Plaza de Toros, the Palacio Mondragón is another important sight; this is a palace decorated with original Moorish mosaics and plastering.
About 15 km outside Ronda you will find caves, the Cueva de la Pileta (near Benaoján), with prehistoric paintings.
And you can, of course, head for one of these world famous cities for a day trip:
Seville (125km; 1h45min):
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.
Córdoba (185km; 2h45min):
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 (217km; 2h55min):
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!