Located in an authentic white village
For 4 people, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Surroundings ideal for walkers
Just an hour from Málaga, I discovered a hidden gem in Andalusia: a lovingly restored townhouse in a white mountain village. Here, craftsmanship, authenticity and comfort come together, and life naturally slows down. A place with a soul, where you don’t just stay, but truly become part of the village. A true Local Hideaway.
Just an hour’s drive from Málaga, you’ll find a hidden corner of Andalusia… with stunning nature and whitewashed villages. Here, you step back in time, life slows down, and you can still experience a sense of true Spanish authenticity. In this area lies my own Local Hideaway. Through this, I also came into contact with Cristina, a creative all-rounder who lives in a nearby village and – besides making beautiful ceramics – together with her partner breathes new life into old houses. They put traditional building techniques and materials on a pedestal and give them a modern touch at the same time.
They had already renovated a house on the campo, the countryside, to rent out. Their latest project was a townhouse in the small white neighbouring village of Canillas de Aceituno. “This is a real Local Hideaway,” Cristina assured me after an intense renovation project. “You really have to experience it!”
So I moved for two nights from my own Casa to this potential Hideaway, to test stay and experience the house exactly as Cristina had described it. And she hadn’t said a word too much. What a beautiful and carefully renovated home. Gorgeous terracotta tiled floors, furniture that suits the atmosphere yet is also comfortable. Wooden stair railings made by the local craftsman, who also hand-carves walking sticks. Homemade ceramic lamps… so much attention to detail and craftsmanship. I love it – because places like this are where heritage should be preserved, not replaced by modern, mass-produced uniformity.
This doesn’t mean the house is uncomfortable… quite the opposite. Cristina and Javier have done everything they could to give their guests a luxurious “home away from home” feeling.
Attention to detail
There is space for four people in two spacious bedrooms, each with its own bathroom (beautiful and roomy!). There is a small living/workspace downstairs, a fully equipped kitchen, and a lounge area with first-class views of the starry sky and the church tower. There is also a cosy rooftop terrace.
The house tells a story of times gone by, perfectly fitting the setting of the Spanish white village. This truly is a place with a soul, and Cristina and Javier have restored it with so much love and care, adding their own personal touch.
It’s comforting to see that in today’s world there are still places where time slows down and you, too, are invited to take a step back. Slow living!
And the surroundings are fantastic, with endless opportunities for walking: in the mountains and across the spectacular El Saltillo suspension bridge. The coast is just half an hour away by car, and Málaga is about an hour’s drive. The village is charming, with lovely restaurants, small shops and the best bakery in the wide surroundings!
One last piece of advice… Don’t spread the word!
Canillas de Aceituno, Axarquia, Andalusia, Spain
