Holiday homes and villas in Cazorla

If you are looking at houses in Cazorla, the first thing you should know is that the offer is divided between the town centre and the villages or country houses in the surrounding area. Within the town, the most practical option is to stay near the plaza de Santa María or calle Muñoz Cerezo, because everything can be done on foot: bars, supermarkets, the tourist office and the access points to the urban trails. On the other hand, if what you are looking for is peace and views of the valley, the houses in the Sierra area, such as those towards the río Cerezuelo or on the carretera de la Sierra de Cazorla, give you more outdoor space and parking, but you need a car to go down for dinner or to shop. The main difference between them is not so much the size as the setting: those in the centre tend to be old renovated houses, with stone walls and wooden ceilings, while those outside are more modern buildings or restored country houses with a plot of land.

As for prices, the current listing shows 76 accommodations, with a minimum price of 57 euros per night and an average of 129. That average drops considerably if you travel midweek and outside public holidays. The months from November to February, except Christmas, are the cheapest; also April and October, if they do not coincide with Easter. In summer, especially August, and on the May and December public holidays, prices rise and the best-rated houses are booked weeks in advance. If your dates are flexible, it is worth comparing between a holiday home and an apartment: in Cazorla there are 85 apartments and 75 holiday homes, and sometimes the price difference is small but the house gives you more independence. The average rating of these accommodations is 3.7 stars, so do not expect luxury, but you can expect a decent stay.

To get there, the usual way is to drive along the A-32 to Úbeda or Baeza and then take the A-319, which winds its way to Cazorla. There is no direct train or bus from Madrid; the bus from Úbeda takes about 45 minutes, but then to get around the natural park you need your own vehicle. Within the town, parking can be difficult in the old quarter, so ask whether the accommodation has a parking space or a nearby loading and unloading area. Before booking, check three things: whether the house has heating (in winter it gets really cold), whether the hot water is enough for all guests and whether cleaning and towels are included or there is a supplement. It is also worth reading recent reviews about noise, because some houses in the centre are above bars. Real examples you can find in the listing are El Callejón de Chimé, Alojamiento Rural Con los pies en la sierra, Casa del Agua or VTAR San Isicio; each one has its own character, so look at the photos of the rooms and not just the façade.