In our pueblo, it's like this: between 9.00 and 9.15 in the main square, a van with fresh bread honks happily. Whoever misses, doesn't eat, and after a night spent feasting in a bodega, you can miss. Then it remains to drink coffee in a pub by the church and pick a grapefruit or an avocado straight from the tree. And then just go to the seaside, to the mountains or to explore Granada. Where exactly, you decide on a regular basis, because things are not planned here. Here, in our Andalusian house surrounded by almond groves, all life's dilemmas are resolved on the terrace in the morning sun.
A novel about our beginnings in Sorvilán we would title Love in the Time of Cholera. At the start of the lockdown, we came across an offer for the sale of a traditional country house in Andalusia. Hello guapo! It was a fiery and difficult feeling. Because apart from a great dream, we had even bigger doubts and uphill higher than the one on which the house stands. Closed borders and offices, canceled flights and we don't speak Spanish. Our newly met Spanish amigo, Javier, with whom we communicated using a translator, helped. Now we have more amigos: there is Cora from Ireland, our neighbor, where you will go for yoga, or Pablo from Argentina, who will be happy to invite you to tango. Here in Andalusia, at 800 meters above sea level, people, nature, good music and even better food count. Drop your worries, take your camaradas and come. Sorvillan will greet you with the sun and blooming almond trees, and you will return to your Polish pueblo with warmth in your heart.
In an Andalusian house surrounded by almond groves, at an altitude of 800 m above sea level. Sorvilán is a steep hillside town with Islamic roots that lies between la Sierra de la Contraviesa and the Mediterranean Sea. The mild subtropical climate makes the hills almost wrapped in vines.
You can rent the house as a whole, i.e. the La Palmera and La Viña apartments together, and then you have a really big house for 9 people (recommended number of guests to be really comfortable is 8). You can also rent the apartments separately (each has its own entrance).
La Palmera - a larger apartment (110 m2) with a terrace for up to 6 guests, recommended occupancy is 5.
The apartment is two-story and has:
- Two bedrooms (one with a double bed, the other with two double beds).
- Living room with wood burning stove (traditional rincon). The room has a large window overlooking the sea and the Pueblo. There is a sofa bed in the living room.
- The kitchen is well equipped and separate.
- 2 bathrooms, both with shower.
- The second living room, prepared as a seating area, has a cozy little balcony overlooking the sea and the pueblo.
Undoubtedly, a huge advantage of the apartment is a patio under a pine tree (exit to the patio from the living room) and a roof terrace. A cozy patio will provide you with privacy and shade, so needed on hot days. The rooftop terrace is a wonderful place for outdoor breakfasts and evenings under the stars (on the sofa).
La Viña - a smaller studio (50m2) for up to 3 people.
This cozy apartment with a fireplace "under the vine" is ideal for those looking for a place to workation. Has:
- Semi-separated sleeping area in Andalusian Moorish style, separated from the living area by a curtain. There is a double bed.
- Living area with a sofa bed. From here you can go out to a small patio wrapped in old, beautiful vines.
- Fully equipped kitchen with a small table for 3 people.
- A bathroom with a shower.
For those looking for a magical place for workation, we invite you to the desk by the window overlooking the town. For those looking for rest - a relaxing place by the fireplace.
The studio has air conditioning and heating.
You will have to take care of the food yourself. You can buy fresh vegetables and fruits at the Saturday market in Sorvilán, bread is delivered every morning, and for more shopping, it's better to go to the Dia supermarket in Albuñol on your way to the beach. At home, a spacious and well-equipped kitchen awaits you, and meals are best eaten, of course, on the terrace.
A handful of nutritional tips from us:
- Shops in Spain are closed on Sunday and open until around 2pm on Saturday,
- You can buy bread every day around 9.00–9.15 in Plaza Alta Square. A van carrying fresh bread always beeps happily before arriving so that no one gets confused.
- Vegetables and fruit arrive every Saturday from around 9.00. A truck welcomes you at the aforementioned square. At this stall on big wheels you can buy literally everything.
- A doorstep shop opens every Wednesday from 9.00 am to 11.00 am. You can buy all the basic things to eat, household chemicals, but also e.g. batteries. There is only dairy and meat in the shop.
- There is a small local pub by the church in the village. You can meet the inhabitants, drink coffee, beer or wine.
- Every Sunday around 2 p.m. the bar next to the church invites you to absolutely delicious lunches for 10 euros per person.
- We also encourage you to visit the newly opened vegan / vegetarian restaurant - the nearby town of Polopos
- Lovers of wine and traditional Spanish food are encouraged to visit the restaurant and vineyard at the same time - Haza del Lino
Siesta - yes, but no one here has ever heard of boredom. As soon as he lands at the airport in Granada, he loosens up, puts on a mental sombrero and you switch to Amigos de Sorvilán mode. You can do a lot here, you don't have to do anything, and all in order to rest as fully as possible: enjoying the Spanish sun, a charming town and the company of your favorite amigos.
Let's start with the house itself. In it, not getting bored takes many forms: you can indulge in it on the terrace, catching up with books, or simply admiring the views of the sea and hills. You can use the garden, lazily stroll around the town, and in the evenings organize feasts with friends with Spanish cuisine, with conversations over wine that go on until the very night.
For those who are willing and thirsty for complete relaxation, we offer a professional massage at home or literally 100 meters away in the charming El Jazmin created especially for your comfort :-).
We can also offer yoga and meditation classes :-). Just let us know what you want :-)!
We have many amigos in the town, with whom you will probably quickly become friends:
– with Pablo from Argentina you will learn how to dance the tango,
– we recommend visiting our partner restaurant Haza del Lino, where you can also visit the vineyard and buy local wines,
– and our Dutch friends Tysa and Wijnand in Polopos will invite you to a cooking course combined with tasting.
And now the attractions that our area has to offer - something tells us that you will be pleased:
– In 20 minutes drive to the Alboran Sea and relax on one of its beautiful beaches. You can also take advantage of the opportunities offered by diving centers for those who are into underwater adventures.
– Such an advantage of this area that, in addition to the sea, we also have mountains here: the Appujarsk Mountains. You can traverse them on foot, by bike or motorbike, and go skiing in the nearby Sierra Nevada.
- It would be a sin not to visit nearby Granada - but we probably don't have to persuade you to do so. It is said that those who have not seen Granada have not seen anything. This historic city, whose name comes from the pomegranate fruit, was the center of the last Muslim state on the Iberian Peninsula in the late Middle Ages. The influence of Arab culture can be seen here in architecture and art. Be sure to visit the Alhambra, its historic palace complex (note: tickets must be booked months in advance!), its 16th-century cathedral, and the Albaicín district for its Marrakech-like atmosphere.
PS The bus to Granada leaves from the square on Calle Careterra at 9.00 am; return 16.50.
– Sorvilán is only 1.5 hours away from Malaga. And there is no shortage of attractions in Malaga. There you will see Picasso's birthplace, visit the Center Pompidou contemporary art museum, go back in time in the 8th-century citadel and taste delicious Moorish-influenced food. What's more, it's only 140 km from Malaga to Gibraltar, so if you fancy a further trip…
The La Palmera apartment is unique thanks to the possibility of working on the balcony or terrace with a beautiful view of the sea. During the hours of the greatest sun, we recommend hiding in one of the two living rooms or in the bedrooms, where you can comfortably perform your duties at a desk or table. La Viña is a smaller but equally spacious apartment where you will find a double desk by the window overlooking the charming town. Plan a longer stay with a larger group and rent both apartments as one large house. Then the number and variety of jobs increases. Your trip will be full of endless conversations as the sun goes down with chilled wine in your hand.
