Casa Mosaica's Guidebook for Gaucín

Emma
Casa Mosaica's Guidebook for Gaucín

Restaurants in Gaucin

We are lucky enough to have lots of great restaurants in Gaucin, here is a little about them. Check their websites for opening days and times as they change throughout the season. There is a new one for Summer 2020 beside the fountain, I have no details yet.
Azulete has new ownership for 2021. It's lovely restaurant with a great terrace. Delicious modern food. Highly recommended. Probably need to book.
6 preporuka/e lokalaca
Azulete Restaurante
13 Calle Toledillo
6 preporuka/e lokalaca
Azulete has new ownership for 2021. It's lovely restaurant with a great terrace. Delicious modern food. Highly recommended. Probably need to book.
La Fructuosa has been mentioned in The Times, and it is one of the locals favourite too, for it's amazing view from the pretty terrace; Under great new management for 2023. Some might remember Antonio and Virginia from Rincon El Cani in El Colmenar, the food is great. There are regular music nights , visit their website for more details and book early for their music nights, always a sell out.
Restaurant La Fructuosa
67 C. Convento
La Fructuosa has been mentioned in The Times, and it is one of the locals favourite too, for it's amazing view from the pretty terrace; Under great new management for 2023. Some might remember Antonio and Virginia from Rincon El Cani in El Colmenar, the food is great. There are regular music nights , visit their website for more details and book early for their music nights, always a sell out.
El Atico has a great terrace and spectacular view, the food is International and includes vegetarian options and great steaks
9 preporuka/e lokalaca
El Atíco
s/n C. Bo. Alto
9 preporuka/e lokalaca
El Atico has a great terrace and spectacular view, the food is International and includes vegetarian options and great steaks
Another new restaurant, I've yet to try, but I hear is good. It's in a little sheltered square at the end of our Road, but no views.
6 preporuka/e lokalaca
Restaurante La Raiz
6 Calle los Bancos
6 preporuka/e lokalaca
Another new restaurant, I've yet to try, but I hear is good. It's in a little sheltered square at the end of our Road, but no views.
A Dutch couple who ran the popular Platero & Co in Jubrique, before moving to Gaucin in 2017. A small restaurant with nice terrace looking West to Cortes de la Frontera. maximum 20, booking recommended. Excellent local and seasonal products.
Platero & Co
A Dutch couple who ran the popular Platero & Co in Jubrique, before moving to Gaucin in 2017. A small restaurant with nice terrace looking West to Cortes de la Frontera. maximum 20, booking recommended. Excellent local and seasonal products.

Tapas Bars in Gaucin

These coffee and Tapas bars also serve medio y raciones (half or full helpings) but I've listed them as Tapas bars rather then restaurants.
Delightful family run Tapas bar and restaurant in the square.
8 preporuka/e lokalaca
Casa Antonia
10 Calle Santo Niño
8 preporuka/e lokalaca
Delightful family run Tapas bar and restaurant in the square.
Great coffee, home-made cakes and tapas with a fantastic view from their terrace. How to walk to Bar El Hacho from Casita Mosaica: You can walk in 15 – 20 mins through the village and see the spectacular views of the coast and Morocco on the way. (take the road to the right of the flower shop opposite unicaja bank, up the hill and keep going straight on till you come to the petrol station). It has good views from the terrace and get’s quite busy.
Café-Bar 'EL HACHO'
A-369
Great coffee, home-made cakes and tapas with a fantastic view from their terrace. How to walk to Bar El Hacho from Casita Mosaica: You can walk in 15 – 20 mins through the village and see the spectacular views of the coast and Morocco on the way. (take the road to the right of the flower shop opposite unicaja bank, up the hill and keep going straight on till you come to the petrol station). It has good views from the terrace and get’s quite busy.
Good coffee, late Spanish breakfast or drink after shopping in Gaucin's largest supermarket. Not sure if they are doing much food for 2020. Opposite Casa Mosaica, I often get a take away and drink it in the garden.
Bar El Portesuelo
Calle los Bancos
Good coffee, late Spanish breakfast or drink after shopping in Gaucin's largest supermarket. Not sure if they are doing much food for 2020. Opposite Casa Mosaica, I often get a take away and drink it in the garden.
Lovely outside eating and drinking in the Plaza, good service, nice and friendly.
LA TABERNA DEL ZORRO
n/8 Pl. de Guzman el Bueno
Lovely outside eating and drinking in the Plaza, good service, nice and friendly.
Sit and watch the world go by while you are having a cup of coffee at La Esquinita.
La Esquinita Gaucin
30 Calle Santo Niño
Sit and watch the world go by while you are having a cup of coffee at La Esquinita.
This Bar and restaurant has re-opened under good new management in 2021. Traditional Spanish, good food, nice people. We love it.
Pajuelo Bar
62 Calle Toledillo
This Bar and restaurant has re-opened under good new management in 2021. Traditional Spanish, good food, nice people. We love it.
New owners for 2020, lovely location at the top of the village with great views.
Bodeguita Chaparro
New owners for 2020, lovely location at the top of the village with great views.
Good coffee and tapas, delicious quails, tables on the road side top of village.
Bar-Cafetería " La CRUZ "
352 A-377
Good coffee and tapas, delicious quails, tables on the road side top of village.

Sightseeing in Gaucin.

Places not to be missed while visiting Gaucin.
History The Eagle Castle was built by the Romans. In 914, during the campaign against Belda (Gaucín), the residents of this Villa witnessed the burning of the ships of Umar ben Hafsum, in Algeciras. Abd al Yabbar, son of Al-Mutamid, conquered the castle of Gauyan (Gaucín) in the 11th century. In one of his sieges, in 1309, Guzmán el Bueno was immortalized and found his death. This fort was conquered by Christian troops in 1485. The first Warden residing in the castle was Pedro Castillo. Other Wardens were Juan de Torres, his brother Rodrigo (1496), Juan Maraver (1513), Juan de Campo Vaca de Mendoza (1559), etc. With the French invasion the castle became a focus of resistance, and was taken in 1810 despite the fact that Don Antonio de Molina y Navarro, with 20 men, defied the invaders. General José Serrano Valdenebro promoted the repair of the castle in 1839, given the state of abandonment in which it was, closing a break of more than 3 meters 5 wide in the pantallón of the crenellated wall, the compound was cleaned, the three reservoirs, the oven, etc., all with a budget of 28,220 reales de vellón. This reform was intended to house 80 soldiers and officers. Later, in 1842, the castle housed 40 soldiers, six cannons and 2 howitzers. In 1843 the powder keg exploded causing serious damage.
Castillo del Aguila
History The Eagle Castle was built by the Romans. In 914, during the campaign against Belda (Gaucín), the residents of this Villa witnessed the burning of the ships of Umar ben Hafsum, in Algeciras. Abd al Yabbar, son of Al-Mutamid, conquered the castle of Gauyan (Gaucín) in the 11th century. In one of his sieges, in 1309, Guzmán el Bueno was immortalized and found his death. This fort was conquered by Christian troops in 1485. The first Warden residing in the castle was Pedro Castillo. Other Wardens were Juan de Torres, his brother Rodrigo (1496), Juan Maraver (1513), Juan de Campo Vaca de Mendoza (1559), etc. With the French invasion the castle became a focus of resistance, and was taken in 1810 despite the fact that Don Antonio de Molina y Navarro, with 20 men, defied the invaders. General José Serrano Valdenebro promoted the repair of the castle in 1839, given the state of abandonment in which it was, closing a break of more than 3 meters 5 wide in the pantallón of the crenellated wall, the compound was cleaned, the three reservoirs, the oven, etc., all with a budget of 28,220 reales de vellón. This reform was intended to house 80 soldiers and officers. Later, in 1842, the castle housed 40 soldiers, six cannons and 2 howitzers. In 1843 the powder keg exploded causing serious damage.

A day trip to Tangier, Morocco

You can take a day trip to Tangier, Morocco from Casa Mosaica, where I have been running my mosaic studio for 15 years, here I describe how to get the most out of a short visit.
Going to TANGIER for the day or over night I often travel to Tangier for work. This is what I do from Gaucin: For 2020 check border is open before planning your trip. If you are going for the day you really must go from Tarifa to Tangier Town. There is another route (Algerciras to Tangier New Port but there is then a 40 min. taxi or bus ride in Morocco into Tangier Town). However it is worth noting that if the wind is very strong, boats cannot leave from Tarifa and only the Algerciras boats make the trip. If this happens to you and your car is in the wrong place, there is a bus or local taxis. So, check the weather in Tarifa as it can be very different from Gaucin, http://www.tiempo.com if in doubt I would ring FRS to check the boats are leaving Tarifa they speak English. There are 2 ferry companies www.frs.es and Intershipping (956 684 79). Check the times of the boats from Tarifa to Tangier Town and the time difference between Spain and Morocco (Morocco usually GMT), they normally run alternate hours. If it all looks ok I would book your tickets to be sure the boat is not full. (This has only every happened to me once at Easter).I always wear something long’ish, just to be respectful to the Moroccans. Young girls in short shorts will get annoying attention. I drive to Tarifa and park the car, I leave an hour and a half, but better to leave 2 in the summer time, parking is not that easy. I recommend turning left at the first corner of the old city walls, cobbled road down hill, before the cross roads, in Tarifa centre, this road will talk you all around the old walls of the castle, hopefully you will find a parking space beside the sea with the port in front of you. If not you can head along the seafront and try there. Every year the port changes, there may be a possibility of pay parking just outside and inside the port, but it is small and often already full. If there is no space you just have to drive around town to find one. On the boat everyone MUST have their passport stamped by the Moroccan police. You will see a desk and a queue forming on board, you will be given a white and a yellow form when you buy your boat ticket. I recommend that one person saves a place in the queue whilst the others fill out the forms. They often change things and it’s also possible on a busy day that just for the day they stamp your ticket, but someone will tell you. On your return you must also stamp your exit visa, make sure you have a stamp before heading for the boat as they will not let you on if it is not stamped. Allow enough time for this as there is sometimes a big queue in the summer. You can change cash in the port when you arrive , you might want to buy Moroccan food or small items and drinks etc. or use the ATM’s and if you buy something expensive you can use a credit card. They will also take € but check the exchange rate. Only enter into a negotiation when you want to buy and I suggest offering about ¾ less then the price they ask to begin with and negotiate up to an agreed price. Some things are priced fairly and they will not budge. I have a guide book in the apartment which you may borrow and return, and you may need to get acquainted with a map from the book to find the following: The things I like to do and take my visitors to are: Walk from the Kasbah, through the Medina to the food market off Place du Grand Socco. Coffee in Le Café de Paris top of Rue Liberte or in Le Petit Socco at Café Tingis. Visit the weavers market upstairs in Fondaq Wallili. Shop in Bazaar Tindouf (where I bought all my Moroccan things; tell Mohamed Tamli you are clients of mine, you might get a better price, and he does not negotiate much). If you need a cocktail/beer or to escape the bustle, Hotel Minza is nice and you can sit by the pool. The toilets are the best in town. Hotel Continental has nice lunch and so does the “Women’s Refuge” , behind Cinema Riff , Grand Socco, although there is no menu. I love all the markets and there is a special Babouche market (slippers) and near by one stall that just sells baskets and hand woven things. St. Andrew’s , English church is pretty and near the Babouche market (not 100% sure you can always get in). The small blue taxi’s are cheep and have a meter. The large cream Mercedes taxi’s are more expensive and better to fix a price first. They always try and charge a lot to foreigners in the port, if you are staying in a hotel you could always ask the hotel to organize a taxi to meet you. To Le Tangarina (Kasbah) expect to pay up to 50 MAD, try to negotiate 30 MAD. You could walk to Le Tangarina, up hill, but nice. Walk out of the port turn left at the round a bout and see Continental Hotel up on your right, you want to head up to that level, there is a road and arch way keeping on the right, when you get to the Continental find a boy/man (plenty around always willing) to take you to La Tangaria, pay about €2 or 15 – 20 MAD. http://tomatours.com/tangier-morocco-tour-sights-scents/ If you would prefer to go with a guide I recommend my friend Manni, from Toma tours who does a really nice day out in Tangier. If you are going with Cherif, will probably have his own plan but you can always ask to go anywhere. Charifalami@hotmail.com 00 212 661 559 730. I was recommended Aziz Benami as a private tour leader by American guests in 2013, but have not met him myself. info@tangierprivateguide.com 00 212 6 18 50 40 30. If you need a reliable taxi driver call Said (Grand taxi 96) 00 212 666 27 9991 Mohamed96said@hotmail.com he can take you out of Tangier to Assila, Fez or Chefchouen. (mention Emma/mosaics/ Gaucin. He is a good friend, negociate price before.) I have a good guide book in the house. But you might like to print a map of the centre of Tangier from the internet. Buy delicious chicken and fish triangles or pastillas, chicken with cinnamon at the patisserie almost next to Cafe de Paris, olives and flat bread from the food market for your journey home on the boat with a glass of beer. Evening restaurants: Le Nabab , 4 Rue Al Kadiria, Medina. Moroccan food Serves wine. 00 212 06 61 44 44 20 /06 61 28 47 34 Newish restaurant almost opposite the gates of the Continental Hotel, fresh food, good value. Does not serve alcohol. Name?? The Restaurant in Hotel Continental serves good food, especially the cheese soufflé, Mohamed the waiter is very nice and speaks English. You can take a bottle of wine there, but cannot buy it. Minza hotel for cocktails and lunch beside the pool. The Morocco Club in the Kasbah for delicious, not inexpensive food and drinks.
87 preporuka/e lokalaca
Tangier
87 preporuka/e lokalaca
Going to TANGIER for the day or over night I often travel to Tangier for work. This is what I do from Gaucin: For 2020 check border is open before planning your trip. If you are going for the day you really must go from Tarifa to Tangier Town. There is another route (Algerciras to Tangier New Port but there is then a 40 min. taxi or bus ride in Morocco into Tangier Town). However it is worth noting that if the wind is very strong, boats cannot leave from Tarifa and only the Algerciras boats make the trip. If this happens to you and your car is in the wrong place, there is a bus or local taxis. So, check the weather in Tarifa as it can be very different from Gaucin, http://www.tiempo.com if in doubt I would ring FRS to check the boats are leaving Tarifa they speak English. There are 2 ferry companies www.frs.es and Intershipping (956 684 79). Check the times of the boats from Tarifa to Tangier Town and the time difference between Spain and Morocco (Morocco usually GMT), they normally run alternate hours. If it all looks ok I would book your tickets to be sure the boat is not full. (This has only every happened to me once at Easter).I always wear something long’ish, just to be respectful to the Moroccans. Young girls in short shorts will get annoying attention. I drive to Tarifa and park the car, I leave an hour and a half, but better to leave 2 in the summer time, parking is not that easy. I recommend turning left at the first corner of the old city walls, cobbled road down hill, before the cross roads, in Tarifa centre, this road will talk you all around the old walls of the castle, hopefully you will find a parking space beside the sea with the port in front of you. If not you can head along the seafront and try there. Every year the port changes, there may be a possibility of pay parking just outside and inside the port, but it is small and often already full. If there is no space you just have to drive around town to find one. On the boat everyone MUST have their passport stamped by the Moroccan police. You will see a desk and a queue forming on board, you will be given a white and a yellow form when you buy your boat ticket. I recommend that one person saves a place in the queue whilst the others fill out the forms. They often change things and it’s also possible on a busy day that just for the day they stamp your ticket, but someone will tell you. On your return you must also stamp your exit visa, make sure you have a stamp before heading for the boat as they will not let you on if it is not stamped. Allow enough time for this as there is sometimes a big queue in the summer. You can change cash in the port when you arrive , you might want to buy Moroccan food or small items and drinks etc. or use the ATM’s and if you buy something expensive you can use a credit card. They will also take € but check the exchange rate. Only enter into a negotiation when you want to buy and I suggest offering about ¾ less then the price they ask to begin with and negotiate up to an agreed price. Some things are priced fairly and they will not budge. I have a guide book in the apartment which you may borrow and return, and you may need to get acquainted with a map from the book to find the following: The things I like to do and take my visitors to are: Walk from the Kasbah, through the Medina to the food market off Place du Grand Socco. Coffee in Le Café de Paris top of Rue Liberte or in Le Petit Socco at Café Tingis. Visit the weavers market upstairs in Fondaq Wallili. Shop in Bazaar Tindouf (where I bought all my Moroccan things; tell Mohamed Tamli you are clients of mine, you might get a better price, and he does not negotiate much). If you need a cocktail/beer or to escape the bustle, Hotel Minza is nice and you can sit by the pool. The toilets are the best in town. Hotel Continental has nice lunch and so does the “Women’s Refuge” , behind Cinema Riff , Grand Socco, although there is no menu. I love all the markets and there is a special Babouche market (slippers) and near by one stall that just sells baskets and hand woven things. St. Andrew’s , English church is pretty and near the Babouche market (not 100% sure you can always get in). The small blue taxi’s are cheep and have a meter. The large cream Mercedes taxi’s are more expensive and better to fix a price first. They always try and charge a lot to foreigners in the port, if you are staying in a hotel you could always ask the hotel to organize a taxi to meet you. To Le Tangarina (Kasbah) expect to pay up to 50 MAD, try to negotiate 30 MAD. You could walk to Le Tangarina, up hill, but nice. Walk out of the port turn left at the round a bout and see Continental Hotel up on your right, you want to head up to that level, there is a road and arch way keeping on the right, when you get to the Continental find a boy/man (plenty around always willing) to take you to La Tangaria, pay about €2 or 15 – 20 MAD. http://tomatours.com/tangier-morocco-tour-sights-scents/ If you would prefer to go with a guide I recommend my friend Manni, from Toma tours who does a really nice day out in Tangier. If you are going with Cherif, will probably have his own plan but you can always ask to go anywhere. Charifalami@hotmail.com 00 212 661 559 730. I was recommended Aziz Benami as a private tour leader by American guests in 2013, but have not met him myself. info@tangierprivateguide.com 00 212 6 18 50 40 30. If you need a reliable taxi driver call Said (Grand taxi 96) 00 212 666 27 9991 Mohamed96said@hotmail.com he can take you out of Tangier to Assila, Fez or Chefchouen. (mention Emma/mosaics/ Gaucin. He is a good friend, negociate price before.) I have a good guide book in the house. But you might like to print a map of the centre of Tangier from the internet. Buy delicious chicken and fish triangles or pastillas, chicken with cinnamon at the patisserie almost next to Cafe de Paris, olives and flat bread from the food market for your journey home on the boat with a glass of beer. Evening restaurants: Le Nabab , 4 Rue Al Kadiria, Medina. Moroccan food Serves wine. 00 212 06 61 44 44 20 /06 61 28 47 34 Newish restaurant almost opposite the gates of the Continental Hotel, fresh food, good value. Does not serve alcohol. Name?? The Restaurant in Hotel Continental serves good food, especially the cheese soufflé, Mohamed the waiter is very nice and speaks English. You can take a bottle of wine there, but cannot buy it. Minza hotel for cocktails and lunch beside the pool. The Morocco Club in the Kasbah for delicious, not inexpensive food and drinks.

Sightseeing near Gaucin

Places to visit when you are staying in Gaucin.
Ronda is a beautiful town well worth a visit and lots to see and do. Check out internet before you go as there is too much to list here. Shops close from 14.00 – 17.00 and Sundays. Take the A369 towards Ronda and the first turning on the left signed Ronda (40mins drive from Gaucin). Follow signs to the center, keeping left and going up the hill at the Almocaba wall and roundabout the best place to park is Parking El Castillo, Plaza Duquesa de Parcent 3, 29400, Malaga, Spain. Or find other parking places here: https://www.rondatoday.com/where-to-park-in-ronda-spain/ The Information/Tourist office is beside the bull ring. C/Espiritu Santo, 37, Ronda, + 34 952 87 07 39 The restaurants are very touristy watch out, but I recommend “Carmen La de Ronda” next to the Cathedral, Santa Maria La Mayor, has tables and umbrellas in the pretty square and the food is very good (very near the parking I have recommended) “Al Mocobar”, in the Barrio San Francisco , puts tables in the square in the summer on a nice day, or the tiny bar is fun. The restaurant itself is dark. There is also a very large good cake/coffee shop “Danver” in the more modern part of town which is opposite the bull ring in Calle Los Remedios 6. A nice small tapas bar on Calle Jerez, “Casa Mateos” in the winter and with barrels outside in summer….Wonderful Spanish riding shop opposite this bar. There is a new Micheline star restaurant in Ronda 2017. Bardal http://restaurantebardal.com/home/ De locos tapas is also interesting and fun, but essential to book, which I think you can do online see http://de-locos-tapas.com/
1007 preporuka/e lokalaca
Ronda
1007 preporuka/e lokalaca
Ronda is a beautiful town well worth a visit and lots to see and do. Check out internet before you go as there is too much to list here. Shops close from 14.00 – 17.00 and Sundays. Take the A369 towards Ronda and the first turning on the left signed Ronda (40mins drive from Gaucin). Follow signs to the center, keeping left and going up the hill at the Almocaba wall and roundabout the best place to park is Parking El Castillo, Plaza Duquesa de Parcent 3, 29400, Malaga, Spain. Or find other parking places here: https://www.rondatoday.com/where-to-park-in-ronda-spain/ The Information/Tourist office is beside the bull ring. C/Espiritu Santo, 37, Ronda, + 34 952 87 07 39 The restaurants are very touristy watch out, but I recommend “Carmen La de Ronda” next to the Cathedral, Santa Maria La Mayor, has tables and umbrellas in the pretty square and the food is very good (very near the parking I have recommended) “Al Mocobar”, in the Barrio San Francisco , puts tables in the square in the summer on a nice day, or the tiny bar is fun. The restaurant itself is dark. There is also a very large good cake/coffee shop “Danver” in the more modern part of town which is opposite the bull ring in Calle Los Remedios 6. A nice small tapas bar on Calle Jerez, “Casa Mateos” in the winter and with barrels outside in summer….Wonderful Spanish riding shop opposite this bar. There is a new Micheline star restaurant in Ronda 2017. Bardal http://restaurantebardal.com/home/ De locos tapas is also interesting and fun, but essential to book, which I think you can do online see http://de-locos-tapas.com/
There is excellent dolphin and whale watching from Marina Bay in Gibraltar. www.dolphin.gi I do not recommend trying to take your car into Gibraltar as there has been a lot of disturbances on the border with Spain. Drive to the border and park in one of two under ground car parks in La Linea, which you might need to pay cash for. Then walk over the border, you need your passports or identity cards; There are then taxis, (they take GBP or Euros) a bus, or walk across the run way into town. Check guide book or internet for other things to do there.
439 preporuka/e lokalaca
Gibraltar
439 preporuka/e lokalaca
There is excellent dolphin and whale watching from Marina Bay in Gibraltar. www.dolphin.gi I do not recommend trying to take your car into Gibraltar as there has been a lot of disturbances on the border with Spain. Drive to the border and park in one of two under ground car parks in La Linea, which you might need to pay cash for. Then walk over the border, you need your passports or identity cards; There are then taxis, (they take GBP or Euros) a bus, or walk across the run way into town. Check guide book or internet for other things to do there.

Food Scene Outside Gaucin

Lists of various restaurants we like in the area and have discovered over the years.
Train trips to restaurants from Gaucin (El Comenar, Gaucin Station, is in the valley, 25 mins drive from Gaucin) is on a stunning train line that runs through the “El Barranco de Las Buitreras” , the Gorge of the Vultures on it’s way up to Ronda. There are several good restaurants in various villages near stations: http://www.renfe.com/EN/viajeros/horarios.html for time tables. Molino del Santo, Benaojan has a very good restaurant (they are trying for a Michelin star) right beside a beautiful stream and is a 5 min walk from the station www.molinodelsanto.com Quercus at Jimera de Libar 952 1800 41 has delicious local food, very Spanish. Said to be very good, I have not been for a few years. **La Estacion, San Pablo de Buceite, Cadiz (towards Algeciras) 956 642 244, is very charming and the outdoor dining is on the platform. You might also like to try the site www.diningsecretsofandalucia.com
El Colmenar
Train trips to restaurants from Gaucin (El Comenar, Gaucin Station, is in the valley, 25 mins drive from Gaucin) is on a stunning train line that runs through the “El Barranco de Las Buitreras” , the Gorge of the Vultures on it’s way up to Ronda. There are several good restaurants in various villages near stations: http://www.renfe.com/EN/viajeros/horarios.html for time tables. Molino del Santo, Benaojan has a very good restaurant (they are trying for a Michelin star) right beside a beautiful stream and is a 5 min walk from the station www.molinodelsanto.com Quercus at Jimera de Libar 952 1800 41 has delicious local food, very Spanish. Said to be very good, I have not been for a few years. **La Estacion, San Pablo de Buceite, Cadiz (towards Algeciras) 956 642 244, is very charming and the outdoor dining is on the platform. You might also like to try the site www.diningsecretsofandalucia.com
Various RESTAURANTS WE LIKE OUTSIDE GAUCIN El Colmena (Estacion de Gaucin) Next village and Gaucin train station. Rincon del Cani is a very good restaurant in Estacion de Gaucin, El Colmenar. (check internet). They have a patio for out door eating, but no views, the food is really surprisingly good and a little more interesting then the average restaurant here. Park with the station on your right and walk between the 2 cafes and you will find it on the road behind. Meson Las Flores, (check internet) Closed Thursdays, is good, sit out side and in season he has wild mushrooms. The aubergine chips with cane honey are delicious. Venta Valdivia, Algatocin, (check Internet for opening times and directions, see facebook Restaurante Valdivia for photos). 952 117 067. Very nice Spanish restaurant with shady terrace and large dining room. Excellent steaks and generally good food. Head towards Ronda on the A369 and turn left onto A373 towards Cortes, It’s on the right about 15 mins drive. Bar- Restaurant El Ventorrillero 956 640 997 Pza de la Constitucion, 2, Jimena de la Frontera (Cadiz) Louis specializes in wild mushrooms in season, and very good local steak tell him you are my guest, this is my favorite winter restaurant. This is not smart and there is no outdoor terrace, so not so great for summer. ***La Molienda, Not sure if this is still open, check on internet…but it was a charming meson rural in Benalauria. old oil mil in pretty white village with shady terrace and good local food, might need to book at weekends, closed Monday. 952 152 548 – 626 471 839 – 606 963 604 Venta Victoria MA 8300Km8 Casares 952894199. On the corner, a nice place to stop for coffee or lunch on the way down to the coast, check it’s open for 2020 ***Chiringuito La Sal, Nacional 340, KM 146,5, Playa De Casares, 952 8907 89 olelasal@yahoo.es. Useful place to stop at the bottom of the Casares Road. An excellent and very popular chiringuito on the beach with carpark, better to book. Delicious fresh food with wonderful views and beach. Tarifa – I have not checked this for a couple of years, hope it is still good. Restaurante – Bar “El Ancla” 956 680 913, get there early 1.15/1.30 or book in high season, very good seafood, especially sea urchin croqettas. Loud, very Spanish lots of family’s at the weekends.
El Lago
Various RESTAURANTS WE LIKE OUTSIDE GAUCIN El Colmena (Estacion de Gaucin) Next village and Gaucin train station. Rincon del Cani is a very good restaurant in Estacion de Gaucin, El Colmenar. (check internet). They have a patio for out door eating, but no views, the food is really surprisingly good and a little more interesting then the average restaurant here. Park with the station on your right and walk between the 2 cafes and you will find it on the road behind. Meson Las Flores, (check internet) Closed Thursdays, is good, sit out side and in season he has wild mushrooms. The aubergine chips with cane honey are delicious. Venta Valdivia, Algatocin, (check Internet for opening times and directions, see facebook Restaurante Valdivia for photos). 952 117 067. Very nice Spanish restaurant with shady terrace and large dining room. Excellent steaks and generally good food. Head towards Ronda on the A369 and turn left onto A373 towards Cortes, It’s on the right about 15 mins drive. Bar- Restaurant El Ventorrillero 956 640 997 Pza de la Constitucion, 2, Jimena de la Frontera (Cadiz) Louis specializes in wild mushrooms in season, and very good local steak tell him you are my guest, this is my favorite winter restaurant. This is not smart and there is no outdoor terrace, so not so great for summer. ***La Molienda, Not sure if this is still open, check on internet…but it was a charming meson rural in Benalauria. old oil mil in pretty white village with shady terrace and good local food, might need to book at weekends, closed Monday. 952 152 548 – 626 471 839 – 606 963 604 Venta Victoria MA 8300Km8 Casares 952894199. On the corner, a nice place to stop for coffee or lunch on the way down to the coast, check it’s open for 2020 ***Chiringuito La Sal, Nacional 340, KM 146,5, Playa De Casares, 952 8907 89 olelasal@yahoo.es. Useful place to stop at the bottom of the Casares Road. An excellent and very popular chiringuito on the beach with carpark, better to book. Delicious fresh food with wonderful views and beach. Tarifa – I have not checked this for a couple of years, hope it is still good. Restaurante – Bar “El Ancla” 956 680 913, get there early 1.15/1.30 or book in high season, very good seafood, especially sea urchin croqettas. Loud, very Spanish lots of family’s at the weekends.
Sierra de Grazalema Gaucin is on the edge of 2 national Parks: Parque Natural Los Alcornocales (the cork forest) and Parque Natural Sierra de Grazalema. There are several other pretty white villages in this area and a particularly nice one to visit is Zahara de la Sierra as it overlooks a pretty reservoir and there is a castle and a good restaurant. I recommend “Al Largo”, delicious food and a pretty terrace or inside the restaurant, 25 mins from Ronda at the bottom of the hill before entering the village of Zahara. + 34 662 052 553 info@al-lago.es www.al-lago.es
Restaurante Bar Josefi
s/n Plaza V Centenario
Sierra de Grazalema Gaucin is on the edge of 2 national Parks: Parque Natural Los Alcornocales (the cork forest) and Parque Natural Sierra de Grazalema. There are several other pretty white villages in this area and a particularly nice one to visit is Zahara de la Sierra as it overlooks a pretty reservoir and there is a castle and a good restaurant. I recommend “Al Largo”, delicious food and a pretty terrace or inside the restaurant, 25 mins from Ronda at the bottom of the hill before entering the village of Zahara. + 34 662 052 553 info@al-lago.es www.al-lago.es
This is a really good family run restaurant near Gaucin with a lovely terrace. Food is delicious, highly recommended.
Venta Valdivia, Algatocin
This is a really good family run restaurant near Gaucin with a lovely terrace. Food is delicious, highly recommended.

Various Beaches

Here I describe how to find our favourite beaches near Gaucin and give directions.
BEACHES There are many beaches to suit all tastes all along the coast and most have a small summer restaurant called a “Chiringuito” that serve meals and drinks and usually provide sun-loungers and umbrellas. Here are directions to one or two of the nearest beaches. Of course the best sand beaches are on the Atlantic coast and if you are prepared to make the drive which is at least an hour and a half on a good day and can be very busy and take much longer in August, you will be rewarded with beautiful white sandy beaches and clean clear seas. Head towards Algeciras and continue on the N340 past Tarifa, beaches all along on the left. Best to check the wind situation before heading off (www.gaucin.com Put in Tarifa/Cadiz). The Hurricane Hotel has a great beach bar/restaurant with lots of good salads. My recommendations here below are all close to each other so follow the directions here down to the coast…… Take the A377 out of the village…. From this house turn left from the front door and left at the end of the road onto the main road. At the roundabout before the petrol station, turn left, be careful you must drive around the roundabout and take the first right at the café on the corner. Follow the road all the way down to the Motorway but DO NOT TAKE IT. Keep going down the A377 to Manilva, at the next roundabout follow signs to A7 Sabanillas and the same at the next roundabout. Meet the main coast road turning right at the petrol station A7 to Algeciras. Straight on through the next 2 roundabouts, at 3rd roundabout see large sign in front of you on the hill side “Punta Paloma”………..** Punta Chullera Very pretty small pebbly cove, excellent for children as there are rock pools with good Chiringito. Arrive early to avoid crowds, might be very busy weekends and August. ……keep going looking out for a blue pedestrian bridge over the road. When you have seen it go on to the next roundabout and turn back on your selves (driving East towards Malaga) to be on the right side of the road near the sea. Just BEFORE the bridge, is a very steep small road on the right signed to public beach. Drive as far as you can, park and walk to a really delightful small bay with pretty rocks, nice beach for young children and a delicious Chiringuito, “Sal y Sol” Tel 630 757 959. They have sun loungers at €4 each (have not checked price recently) ask for discount if you are a large group, and shady umbrellas or sit on the beach). The restaurant is good, serving well cooked fresh fish, salad, tortilla etc.. **………….…..keep going on to the next roundabout and take the exit signed to Puerto de Sotogrande. Turn IMMEDIATELY left after the roundabout onto a sandy track to beach below, Playas Cala Sardina. Playa Cala Sardina; Torreguadiaro, Ctra Cadiz- Malaga N340, 11312. Medium bay, with usually un-crowded beach, and excellent view of Gibraltar and Moroccan coast; Check our their websites and facebookpages for more info and photos. You can take your own umbrella and seats and visit restaurant if you prefer, there are 2 Chiringitos this year. Chiringito il Soño: 34 619 837 306 info@ilsono.es Ring to reserve sun beds (2 + umbrella €10 all day) and dining tables open till about 9pm. Mix of good Italian and Spanish food. Chiringito Cai: 34 956 23 66 12. Ring to find out if it’s windy, reserve sun beds (2 + umbrella €10 all day) and dining tables. Open till about 9pm. Relaxed café style. **………….….. follows signs to Puerto de Sotogrande to find : TorreGuardiaro beach: This is probably the easiest beach to get to and nearest nice one and since the parking is usually easy and there are 2 chiringuitos to choose from. Take the A377 from Gaucin to the motorway and take motorway in the direction of Algercerias. Turn off at the first exit signed to Torreguardiaro and follow signs around 3 roundabouts. See sign on the right to Puerto de SotoGrande, take this slip road and at the junction cross over and enter the carpark in front of you. The Chiringuito on the right is the smart one and the one on the left is more relaxed and easy going, both have toilets, sunbeds and shade. The sea is usually nicer on the far right side of the beach. Aldea Beach…. Huge and uncrowded un-spoilt sandy beach, **…….at the “Punta Paloma” roundabout go all the way round and back on yourself heading East towards Malaga (the way you have just come but on the beach side). Don’t take the fist slip road, but go on to the second one where there are a group of houses. Go down towards the beach and turn left, right and drive onto beach. There are one or two untested “Chiringuitos” there (please report back, someone!) or continue on the sandy, bumpy track along the beach till you find a spot you like, it’s ok for hire cars if you go carefully; and walk to beach taking supplies. If you want a really spectacular beach resort for the day try Finca Cortesin (www.fincacortesin.com) between €55/€78 per adult and €10? per child for the day including sun beds, water and fruit. There is a restaurant for lunch and dinner. Take the A377 out of Gaucin all the way to the coast and turn left at the bottom, look out for signs.
8 preporuka/e lokalaca
Chiringuito Il Soño
8 preporuka/e lokalaca
BEACHES There are many beaches to suit all tastes all along the coast and most have a small summer restaurant called a “Chiringuito” that serve meals and drinks and usually provide sun-loungers and umbrellas. Here are directions to one or two of the nearest beaches. Of course the best sand beaches are on the Atlantic coast and if you are prepared to make the drive which is at least an hour and a half on a good day and can be very busy and take much longer in August, you will be rewarded with beautiful white sandy beaches and clean clear seas. Head towards Algeciras and continue on the N340 past Tarifa, beaches all along on the left. Best to check the wind situation before heading off (www.gaucin.com Put in Tarifa/Cadiz). The Hurricane Hotel has a great beach bar/restaurant with lots of good salads. My recommendations here below are all close to each other so follow the directions here down to the coast…… Take the A377 out of the village…. From this house turn left from the front door and left at the end of the road onto the main road. At the roundabout before the petrol station, turn left, be careful you must drive around the roundabout and take the first right at the café on the corner. Follow the road all the way down to the Motorway but DO NOT TAKE IT. Keep going down the A377 to Manilva, at the next roundabout follow signs to A7 Sabanillas and the same at the next roundabout. Meet the main coast road turning right at the petrol station A7 to Algeciras. Straight on through the next 2 roundabouts, at 3rd roundabout see large sign in front of you on the hill side “Punta Paloma”………..** Punta Chullera Very pretty small pebbly cove, excellent for children as there are rock pools with good Chiringito. Arrive early to avoid crowds, might be very busy weekends and August. ……keep going looking out for a blue pedestrian bridge over the road. When you have seen it go on to the next roundabout and turn back on your selves (driving East towards Malaga) to be on the right side of the road near the sea. Just BEFORE the bridge, is a very steep small road on the right signed to public beach. Drive as far as you can, park and walk to a really delightful small bay with pretty rocks, nice beach for young children and a delicious Chiringuito, “Sal y Sol” Tel 630 757 959. They have sun loungers at €4 each (have not checked price recently) ask for discount if you are a large group, and shady umbrellas or sit on the beach). The restaurant is good, serving well cooked fresh fish, salad, tortilla etc.. **………….…..keep going on to the next roundabout and take the exit signed to Puerto de Sotogrande. Turn IMMEDIATELY left after the roundabout onto a sandy track to beach below, Playas Cala Sardina. Playa Cala Sardina; Torreguadiaro, Ctra Cadiz- Malaga N340, 11312. Medium bay, with usually un-crowded beach, and excellent view of Gibraltar and Moroccan coast; Check our their websites and facebookpages for more info and photos. You can take your own umbrella and seats and visit restaurant if you prefer, there are 2 Chiringitos this year. Chiringito il Soño: 34 619 837 306 info@ilsono.es Ring to reserve sun beds (2 + umbrella €10 all day) and dining tables open till about 9pm. Mix of good Italian and Spanish food. Chiringito Cai: 34 956 23 66 12. Ring to find out if it’s windy, reserve sun beds (2 + umbrella €10 all day) and dining tables. Open till about 9pm. Relaxed café style. **………….….. follows signs to Puerto de Sotogrande to find : TorreGuardiaro beach: This is probably the easiest beach to get to and nearest nice one and since the parking is usually easy and there are 2 chiringuitos to choose from. Take the A377 from Gaucin to the motorway and take motorway in the direction of Algercerias. Turn off at the first exit signed to Torreguardiaro and follow signs around 3 roundabouts. See sign on the right to Puerto de SotoGrande, take this slip road and at the junction cross over and enter the carpark in front of you. The Chiringuito on the right is the smart one and the one on the left is more relaxed and easy going, both have toilets, sunbeds and shade. The sea is usually nicer on the far right side of the beach. Aldea Beach…. Huge and uncrowded un-spoilt sandy beach, **…….at the “Punta Paloma” roundabout go all the way round and back on yourself heading East towards Malaga (the way you have just come but on the beach side). Don’t take the fist slip road, but go on to the second one where there are a group of houses. Go down towards the beach and turn left, right and drive onto beach. There are one or two untested “Chiringuitos” there (please report back, someone!) or continue on the sandy, bumpy track along the beach till you find a spot you like, it’s ok for hire cars if you go carefully; and walk to beach taking supplies. If you want a really spectacular beach resort for the day try Finca Cortesin (www.fincacortesin.com) between €55/€78 per adult and €10? per child for the day including sun beds, water and fruit. There is a restaurant for lunch and dinner. Take the A377 out of Gaucin all the way to the coast and turn left at the bottom, look out for signs.