Holiday homes and villas in Almáchar

Almáchar is a small village in the Axarquía, nestled between vineyards and mountains about forty minutes from Málaga city. There is no beach or large tourist resorts here, so the houses available for rent are mostly villas with private pools and their own land. Of the eight accommodations available on HotelsCasa, seven are villas, one is an apartment and another is an aparthotel, with an average price of 460 euros per night and the cheapest at 259. The average rating is around four stars, which gives an idea that comfort is sought rather than extreme luxury.

For accommodation, the most practical option is to choose a house on the outskirts of the town centre, especially on the slopes facing the Bajo river valley or the Tejeda mountain range. Villas such as Casa Tobalo Hijo or Casa Balcon de la Axarquia, both managed by Ruralidays, offer clear views and privacy, which is what most people are looking for. Those closer to the centre allow you to walk to the square, but they usually have less land and more noise from bells or tractors. If you want absolute silence, look for an isolated house; if you prefer to be able to have a drink without taking the car, choose one less than ten minutes' walk from the village.

The main difference between them is the size of the plot, the orientation of the pool and whether or not they have air conditioning in the bedrooms. In summer, a south-facing house with an unheated pool is almost essential, because the heat is intense. In winter, many villas do not have central heating, only a fireplace or electric heaters, so check that point if you travel between November and March. Prices drop considerably outside high season: from October to May you can find the same house for 30 or 40 percent less than in August. There are also last-minute deals if you book less than two weeks in advance, but at Easter and bank holidays they fill up quickly.

To get there, the easiest way is to fly to Málaga-Costa del Sol and rent a car. From the airport it is about forty minutes along the A-7 motorway to Vélez-Málaga and then along the regional road MA-3115, which climbs with curves. There is no train or direct bus worth taking, so a car is essential for getting around, especially for shopping or visiting nearby villages such as Cómpeta or Frigiliana. Before booking, always check whether access to the house is via a paved or dirt track, because some villas are on estates with steep slopes and a low car may struggle. Also check whether the hot water is from a tank or instantaneous, because in large houses with many people, the tank runs out if you shower at the same time. And ask about the security deposit and cancellation conditions, which in this type of accommodation are usually stricter than in a hotel.