Alora Country House

Restored 19th-Century Cortijo with Guest Cottage
Beautifully restored 19th-century cortijo with independent two-bedroom guest cottage, swimming pool, established rural tourism licences and 6.5 hectares of irrigated land in the Guadalhorce Valley, within easy reach of Málaga.
Set in the beautiful Guadalhorce Valley, within easy reach of the traditional white town of Álora, this substantial country estate combines an attractive 19th-century cortijo, a separate two-bedroom guest cottage and more than 6.5 hectares of land. The property enjoys a peaceful rural setting with mature gardens, extensive olive groves and a variety of fruit and nut trees, yet benefits from excellent road access and proximity to Málaga and some of Andalucía’s best-known natural attractions. Over the past 25 years, the present owners have carefully restored and developed the estate, retaining the character of the original farmhouse while introducing modern services, renewable energy systems and facilities for rural tourism. Both the main house and guest cottage have been used for tourist accommodation, and the property offers considerable flexibility for a new owner wishing to continue this activity, establish a family home with independent guest accommodation or pursue a combination of residential, agricultural and leisure interests. The estate comprises two distinct areas of land, together extending to approximately 65,900 m². The residential property occupies around 35,000 m², while the adjoining agricultural land extends to a further 30,910 m². The HouseThe principal residence is a traditional 19th-century stone cortijo, extensively renovated to provide approximately 269 m² of accommodation. The restoration has preserved many of the building’s original architectural features, including exposed wooden beams and traditional materials, while creating a comfortable and practical home. The accommodation is arranged over two floors, with three bedrooms and three bathrooms, together with a series of attractive living spaces. The main entrance leads into a covered garden room, providing a pleasant transitional space between the house and its gardens. Adjoining this room is a spacious double bedroom with an en-suite bathroom. This bedroom also has its own independent entrance from outside, making it particularly suitable for visiting guests or use as a separate bed-and-breakfast suite. From the garden room, the accommodation continues into a spacious kitchen, with an adjoining utility room. The kitchen leads through to a comfortable sitting room, retaining much of the character of the original cortijo, and onwards to a separate dining room. At the front of the house, a covered porch, accessed through French doors, provides an additional outdoor living area, with traditional architectural details and space for sitting and relaxing in the shade. A staircase rises from the sitting room to the upper floor, where the spacious principal bedroom has a high ceiling and exposed wooden beams. Adjoining this bedroom are a walk-in wardrobe and two bathrooms. There is a further bedroom on this floor, which also benefits from independent access by an external staircase. This arrangement offers considerable flexibility, particularly for owners wishing to provide guest accommodation while maintaining their own privacy. The size and configuration of the cortijo offer possibilities for creating additional independent guest suites or bed-and-breakfast accommodation. Guest AccommodationA short distance from the main house stands a detached, single-storey guest cottage, constructed in 2004, with a built area of approximately 111 m². Designed to provide comfortable, independent accommodation, the cottage comprises: Two double bedrooms One bathroom and an additional shower room Fully equipped kitchen Bright sitting and dining room Large covered terrace and outdoor dining area The sitting room opens directly onto the terrace, creating an attractive connection between the interior and the surrounding gardens. The covered outdoor space provides an ideal setting for meals, relaxing or entertaining throughout much of the year. The cottage has its own registered rural tourism licence and has formed an important part of the established holiday accommodation business. Its separation from the principal residence allows guests a considerable degree of independence and privacy, while remaining conveniently close to the main house and shared outdoor facilities. Additional BuildingsThe estate has a useful collection of ancillary buildings and outdoor structures, developed over the years to support both residential and tourism activities. These include an outdoor kitchen with barbecue, a recreation room, a wood store, a pump house, a tool shed and a covered carport. Several pergolas provide additional shaded seating areas around the property, allowing different parts of the gardens to be enjoyed according to the season and time of day. These facilities contribute to the practicality of the estate, particularly for owners intending to accommodate guests or maintain the substantial gardens and agricultural land. OutsideThe grounds surrounding the cortijo and guest cottage have been thoughtfully landscaped, creating a series of attractive outdoor spaces that complement the traditional buildings. Mature trees, established planting, shaded terraces and garden seating areas give the residential part of the estate a settled and private atmosphere. At the centre of the gardens is an 8 m × 4 m swimming pool, surrounded by a sunbathing terrace and provided with an outdoor shower. The pool area is fully enclosed, with lockable access gates. Beyond the immediate gardens, the land includes an established olive grove with approximately 250 trees, including mature Manzanilla olives which is prized for its table olives. There is also a collection of other productive and ornamental trees, including citrus, pecan, almond, fig and pomegranate, together with protected holm oaks. An irrigation system serves the planted areas. Additional Agricultural LandIncluded in the sale is a separate agricultural property extending to approximately 30,910 m². This land comprises three adjoining, predominantly flat plots, each measuring a little over one hectare. Each plot has its own title deed, potentially allowing the plots to be sold separately. The relatively level terrain and availability of irrigation make this land suitable for a variety of agricultural uses. It may also be of interest to buyers wishing to keep horses or establish an equestrian property. UtilitiesThe property is particularly well equipped, with considerable investment having been made in energy efficiency, water storage and modern infrastructure. Electricity: Connected to the mains, with a three-phase supply. Solar electricity: A 4.9 kW photovoltaic installation comprising 11 panels, installed in 2022, with annual production of approximately 7,000 kWh. Hot water: Solar thermal hot water systems serving both the main house and guest cottage. Water: Connected to the municipal supply. Domestic water storage: Three tanks, each holding 3,000 litres, providing a total capacity of 9,000 litres. Irrigation storage: Four additional tanks, each holding 1,000 litres. Irrigation rights: Rights through the local Comunidad de Regantes, together with a registered well on the agricultural land. Wastewater: A three-chamber septic treatment system and a 10,000-litre underground collection tank for grey water and rainwater. Internet: High-speed Starlink satellite connection. Energy efficiency: An A-rated energy performance certificate. The main house has a Licencia de Primera Ocupación (first occupation licence) and a rural tourism registration. The separate guest cottage also has a VTAR registration. LocationThe estate lies in the Guadalhorce Valley, close to Álora, one of the characteristic white towns of inland Málaga. Álora occupies a commanding position above the valley, with its historic castle, traditional streets and attractive views across the surrounding countryside. It is a lively working town rather than simply a tourist destination, with shops, supermarkets, restaurants, cafés, banks, medical facilities and other everyday services. The surrounding landscape is a mixture of olive groves, citrus orchards, agricultural land and dramatic mountain scenery, with the Guadalhorce River forming the principal geographical feature of the valley. One of the property’s attractions is its proximity to El Chorro and the famous Caminito del Rey, the spectacular walkway through the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes gorge. These attractions, together with the reservoirs, mountains and numerous walking routes of the surrounding area, have made this part of Málaga increasingly popular with visitors interested in nature, walking, climbing and outdoor activities. El Chorro and the Caminito del Rey area are less than 15 minutes away by car. The estate is also well placed for exploring the wider province of Málaga, including its historic towns, natural parks and Mediterranean coastline. AccessAccess to the estate is by a tarmac road. ServicesÁlora provides the full range of everyday facilities required for permanent residence, including supermarkets, independent shops, schools, medical services, restaurants, cafés and sports facilities. The town also has a railway station on the Málaga suburban rail network, providing connections towards Málaga city and other stations in the Guadalhorce Valley. More extensive shopping, healthcare, educational and cultural facilities are available in Málaga. CommunicationsThe property benefits from good access to the principal transport connections of the province. Approximate journey times are: Álora - A few minutes El Chorro / Caminito del Rey area - 15 minutes Málaga Airport - 40–50 minutes Málaga city centre - 45–55 minutes Antequera - 40–50 minutes Marbella - 60–70 minutes Málaga–Costa del Sol Airport offers extensive domestic and international flight connections, while Málaga’s María Zambrano railway station provides high-speed rail services to Madrid and other major Spanish cities.