Apartments in Ardales

Ardales is a small town, but its strategic location makes it an excellent base for exploring the surroundings of the Caminito del Rey and the Guadalhorce reservoirs. In the HotelsCasa listing you will find 25 apartments, with an average price of 95 euros per night and the cheapest from 67. Most are apartments and holiday homes, although there is also a villa and an aparthotel. The average category is around 3.5 stars, so don't expect great luxuries, but rather functional and well-located accommodations.

When choosing an area, you have two clear options. The urban centre of Ardales is the most practical if you don't have a car or prefer to have bars, supermarkets and the tourist office right on your doorstep. Here you will find apartments such as the Ardales Loft or the Apartamento Vadim, which tend to be renovated flats in old buildings, with the essentials and little more. The other option is to stay on the outskirts, near the reservoir or in the residential developments that climb towards the sierra. There the accommodations are more spacious, with a terrace or garden, and the silence is total, but you need a vehicle to go down to the town or to the restaurants. If your plan is to do the Caminito del Rey, check whether the apartment is in the area of the train station or the north access, because you will save yourself early starts and transfers.

As for prices, high season (Easter, July and August) sends rates soaring, and they usually don't drop below 100-120 euros. If you want to pay less, aim for May, June or September: the weather is good for hiking and the average price drops to 70-80 euros. Spring weekends are also expensive due to the pull of the Caminito, so if you can, book from Sunday to Thursday. To get there, the most comfortable option is by car: from Málaga capital it is about 50 minutes along the A-357. There is also a commuter train from Málaga to El Chorro station, but then you need a taxi or quite a lot of walking. Within the town, everything is done on foot; for the outer areas, a car is essential.

Before booking, check three things. First, whether the price includes bed linen and towels, because in many apartments they charge you extra for them or you have to bring them. Second, the cancellation policy: some owners require full payment in advance and do not refund anything if you cancel. Third, access to the accommodation: ask whether there are physical keys or a safe box, and whether the building has a lift, because in the old town there are steep slopes and stairs. It is also worth checking whether the apartment has air conditioning, because in summer the stone houses in the centre hold up well, but those on the outskirts can get very hot.