Painting holiday

Spain • Andalucia • Subbética Natural Park

Paints, pastels and peppers
The painter is spoilt for choice in the village of Zuheros with its Moorish castle, square and bell tower and the jigsaw of whitewashed houses cascading down the hillside, all set beneath the towering craggy backdrop.

Some of our days

Arrival day

Leaving Málaga we arrive in Zuheros in time for an explore before dinner with local wine – reminding us that we really have arrived in Spain.

Village vistas

At the top of the village, with its houses and castle laid out before you, there is the choice of the expansive landscape or the detail of whitewashed cottages that point down towards the maze of streets or the ancient water fountain.

Across the gorge

A gentle walk through the village takes us below tall cliffs towering above the colourful Bailón gorge, from whose depths the calls of aerobatic choughs echo. Goats and their chiming bells pass us by in the olive groves and vultures keep vigil overhead. From here the more agile painter can ascend to the lip of the gorge and one of the most striking views of the village, an ancient threshing floor.

La casita blanca

A day in the shade of the olive groves below the village. Our subject is a little white cottage. A peaceful location that is occasionally interrupted by the song of the nightingale.

Free day to explore

Paint in and around the village or visit Córdoba with its spectacular mosque.

Round the hills to Zagrilla

Painting and picnicking beside a deserted farm surrounded by olives we are transported back in time. In the early evening with tutorials outside Francisco's fountain-side restaurant we have a refreshing drink before returning to Zuheros.

Back home in Zuheros

Painting and picnicking beside a deserted farm surrounded by olives we are transported back in time. In the early evening with tutorials outside Francisco's fountain-side restaurant we have a refreshing drink before returning to Zuheros.

Our village home in Zuheros

A last chance to paint your favourite locations in and around the village. In the evening, we review and show off our achievements at a relaxed and informal exhibition in the hotel.

Departure day

We leave Zuheros in time to get to Málaga for 10am.