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The Area
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GaucinA classic Andalucian “Pueblo Blanco”; Gaucin perches on a mountain overlooking the Genal Valley with spectacular views down to the Mediterranean, the rock of Gibraltar, and across to the Rif Mountains of North Africa. Surrounded by olive and almond groves, and with eagles and kestrels circling overhead, Gaucin is a beautiful village set in unspoilt countryside.
The pretty winding streets here are lined with white washed houses, their traditional wrought iron balconies filled with brightly coloured flowers. The whole village is overlooked by the magnificent remains of a 13th century castle – the Castillo d’Aguilla. The name Gaucin comes from the Arab word “guazan” meaning “strong rock” and due to its key strategic position the village was once a major Roman settlement. This area is of particular interest to walkers and birdwatchers – Gaucin is on the migratory route of birds from Europe to Africa and several rare species can be seen from here including eagles, falcons, buzzards, vultures, golden orioles, finches, and bee-eaters. Guided walks are available for those who prefer to explore on foot and there are also a couple of riding stables near the village. Gaucin has long had a sizeable international artistic community, and art courses are run locally. In recent years the village has become popular with northern Europeans, several of whom have bought holiday homes here – attracted by the fact that Gaucin is the perfect place to enjoy the relaxed lifestyle and unspoilt beauty of rural Andalucia, and yet is only 30 minutes drive away from the lively beaches of the Costa del Sol. The village has several excellent restaurants serving international cuisine as well as local dishes and “tapas”. The Hotel Casablanca also has a first class restaurant that is open to the public. In the evenings there is a choice of lively bars and bodegas to visit including two late night music bars and a Flamenco bar. |
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