Gaucin is a spectacularly beautiful mountain village
Gaucin is a charming whitewashed mountain village, just half an hour's drive from the Costa del Sol.
Gaucin is a spectacularly beautiful mountain village commanding sweeping views to Gibraltar and North Africa. The village is a gateway to the Serranía de Ronda where, depending on the time of year, you can enjoy an impressionist palette of colour: brilliant brush strokes of red poppies, yellow mimosa, purple wild orchids, tempered by the cool green of olive groves and occasional splash of pale pink almond blossom. Indeed, Gaucin is famous for its international artists' community.
The town has a population of less than 2,000, and its narrow medieval streets and tall, narrow houses are sprawled picturesquely over two hills and the adjoining land between them. Perched high above the deep River Genal valley, Gaucin is overlooked by the imposing the Sierra del Hacho mountain. The village is 626m above sea level.
HISTORY
Gaucin has a fascinating, if not tumultuous, history, due to its key strategic location between mountains and sea. It was once a Roman settlement and its magnificent castle, now called Castillo del Aguila (Eagle's Castle) dates from this era; it was later expanded into a fortress by the Moors. The views from the castle over the surrounding countryside, and down to the sea, are superb. The village's name is derived from the Arab word guazan (strong rock). More>STROLL AROUND TOWN
Walk into the village along Calle Luis de Armiñan, past the Convento de los Carmelitas, which was built in the 18th century and abandoned in 1835 when the church's properties were expropriated by the state. The convent is now owned by the town hall and used as a civic building; it has a small library area. You might chance upon an art exhibition being held there, as well as a flamenco festival or other events and activities. Further on, you will pass Florita's house on the left-hand side (number 92). Turn right into the triangular Plaza Santo Vino, then into Calle Toledilo, and you'll see the 1628 baroque fountain 'Fuente de los 6 Caños' in the main square, where you will also find Casa Antonia bar and Restaurant La Fuente.
More>
BIRD-WATCHING
As you would expect from the name, it is not unusual to see eagles circling the towers here, and kestrels nest in the walls of the convent. Gaucin, like many other birding sites in this part of Andalucia, has plaques around the town showing both native and migrating birds which can be seen in the vicinity.
GETTING TO GAUCIN BY CAR
To visit Gaucin from the Costa del Sol, turn inland at Sabinillas (A7 km145), go up the A377 and drive past Manilva and the AP7 motorway toll exit and the turning for Casares. The road skirts Sierra Crestelina and then drops steeply down to cross the River Genal before the long windy climb up to the village. From El Colmenar, take the MA512, and from Algatocin, the A369 (A373 from Cortes de la Frontera). For information on car hire, see our page.GETTING TO GAUCIN BY BUS
There is a bus service, Monday to Friday only, run by Gomes bus company, on the route from Algeciras to Ronda. Check the timetable here.
GETTING TO GAUCIN BY TRAIN
The train station is called Gaucin or 'Estacion de Gaucin' is actually at El Colmenar, down in the Guadiaro valley which is 20mins drive from the village; it is on the Ronda to Algeciras line. Read the story of Mr Henderson's Railway.
Timetable:
Towards Algeciras: 08.20, 10.06, 17.11, 19.56
Towards Granada (via Ronda): 07.28, 12.41, 16.49, 19.58 (Stops at Ronda)
PARKING
The best place to park is when you enter the village on the A377 Careterra de Casares near 'Café de la Cruz', or by the petrol station on the A369 Careterra de Algeciras. Walk into the village along Calle Luis de Armiñan.HOTELS
Gaucin offers two hotels in the centre of the village - La Fructosa, and El Caballo Andaluz. More >
Search hotels in Gaucin
ART
There are many international artists living in the village, some of whom offer art courses. Exhibitions are held regularly in their private studios and also in the Convent. Each year in May since 2007 a group of local artists hold 'open studio' over one or two weekends. More information can be found on the Art Gaucin website.
HORSERIDING
Riding stables are located outside the village, and guided walks, longer treks, nature trails and bird-watching expeditions are also available.
SWIMMING
The large municipal swimming pool is popular in the summer months, for those who don't want to swim in the bathing pools of the River Genal (by the bridge on the A377 Manilva road), or make the trip down to the coast.
COUNTRYSIDE WALKS
There are a number of walk in the vicinity of the village - some of these are described Guy Hunter Watt's book, Walking in Andalucia.
The Walk of Tiger and Melanie leaves the village by the signed Camino Piedras del Rio near the Castle and cuts across past the Ermita de la Adelfilla, looping round to return up the Roman road known as the 'Camino to Gibraltar'.
Another interesting walk near Gaucin is described in "The Walk of Mr Henderson´s Railway"
CHOZOS (TRADITIONAL HUTS)
In the countryside you can still see some well-preserved examples of chozos, traditional circular-shaped dwellings. They have walls of dry-stone masonry or wood, sometimes covered in compost or mud, and conical thatched or stone rooves.
FESTIVALS
Carnival, Semana Santa, San Juan, Toro de Cuerda, Feria, Romeria de Santo Niño are the festivals of Gaucin. more>
TOURIST OFFICE
The tourist office is located near the petrol station, on the road leading into the village from the A369; it also houses the Museo Etnografia.
NEAREST VILLAGES
In the direction of the coast are Manilva, Sabinillas, Casares. West towards Jimena de la Frontera is San Pablo de Buceite. East towards Ronda are Benarraba, Algatocin, Benadalid, Atejate. North in the Guadiarro valley are El Colmenar, Cortes de la Frontera, Jimera de Libar, Benaojan.
RESTAURANTS
| La Fuente Gaucín | |||
|
Mon -Saturday |
|||
Location
Hover the cursor over Gaucin to see bigger map and click to go to the maps page.
Min: 20C