Aracena | Activity holidays in Spain with Authentic Adventures

The Sierra de Aracena lies between Seville and Portugal and is the greenest part of Andalucia. The soft rolling hills are woven with cobbled and walled tracks that burrow deep into the forests of oak and cork and then spring out into shimmering villages.

Cool fountains bubble in pretty village squares while storks nest on church towers. In the dappled sunlight of the 1000 year-old forests of chestnuts and oak, black pigs roam freely, rooting for acorns. The region is rich in local produce; dark honey from the cork woods, hams, sweet chestnuts, walnuts, lemons and oranges. All have inspired traditional Aracena cuisine for centuries. Seville, or the more easily accessible regional centre of Aracena, makes a marvellous destination on the free day.

Where we stay

We stay in the small village of Alajar where we use two hotels. The hotels are only 4 minutes apart on foot and are both owned and run by Lucy and Angel, whom we have known for many years. You can be sure that they will go out of their way to make you feel welcome and they serve fantastic food using the best local ingredients. We will be using La Posada de San Marcos for our group base, for the pool and for dinners.

La Posada de Alajar

La Posada de Alájar is a charming 18th Century inn in the very heart of this pretty village. It has chestnut beams, cosy communal areas and fireplaces and 8 comfortable en suite rooms, all of which have been recently refurbished with their individual character.

The rooms are all equipped with heating and air-conditioning systems, solar panels for hot water and deluxe mattresses. Guests may help themselves to hot drinks in the upstairs lounge where a selection of regular, fruit and herb teas and coffee is on offer.

There is a library with reference books about the surrounding area and also plenty of reading books for you to borrow or swap. Free WIFI is available in most parts of the hotel. NOTE: There is no single supplement for guests staying in this hotel.

La Posada de San Marcos

La Posada de San Marcos is also in the heart of this pretty village. It has 6 en suite rooms all with large south facing terraces overlooking the dining terrace, garden and outdoor heated swimming pool. Each room is unique and is tastefully furnished with antique furniture.

The upstairs lounge has a small bar open to guests from where they may help themselves to a selection of regular, fruit and herb teas, and coffee. A bar for cold drinks (with honesty box) is positioned near the pool.

Free WIFI is provided throughout the hotel and for those who do not wish to bring a device on holiday, free of charge internet access is available from one of the hotel PCs.