boutique bed & breakfast

a taste of Morocco in Andalucía

Languages/Idiomas
EnglishEspañol

SetenilRonda New Bridge
Ronda Bullring
Ronda Arabic Baths
Wine Tasting
Equestrian Art
Timepiece Museum
Cádiz
Cádiz Beach
Cádiz Square
Tomb of Cristobal Colon
Real Alcazar
Rel Alcazar
Plaza de España
The Rock
Main Street
Ape

Days Out

Activities | Days Out | In Olvera | Further Afield

Because Olvera is located in the heart of Andalucía, you are within easy reach of some of the best sightseeing in Spain. Take a look at what there is on offer.

Ronda

Ronda is one of the most spectacular places in the area to visit. Famous for it's past residents (Ernest Hemingway and Orson Welles spent many summers in Ronda as part-time residents of Ronda's old town quarter) when you visit you will see why they found this town so much of an inspiration.

  • See the Three Bridges Three bridges, Puente Romano ("Roman Bridge", also known as the Puente San Miguel), Puente Viejo ("Old Bridge", also known as the Puente Arabe or "Arab Bridge") and Puente Nuevo ("New Bridge"), span the canyon. The term "nuevo" is a bit of a misnomer, as the building of this bridge commenced in 1751 and took until 1793 to complete. The Puente Nuevo is the tallest of the bridges, towering 120 metres (390 ft) above the canyon floor, and all three serve as some of the city's most impressive features.
  • Visit the Bullring Another important site in Ronda is the Plaza de toros de Ronda, the oldest bullfighting ring in Spain that is still used, albeit infrequently. It was built in 1784 in the Neoclassical style by the architect José Martin de Aldehuela, who also designed the Puente Nuevo.
  • Visit the arabic baths The partially intact baños árabes ("Arab baths") are found below the city and date back to the 13th and 14th centuries.

Jerez de la Frontera

Jerez is located just an hour by car from Olvera. You can combine a short visit to here with a trip to the Provincial Capital, Cádiz.

  • Visit a bodega Jerez de la Frontera is the only place in the world where sherry is produced (the name sherry comes from the name of the town, pronounced hereth in Spanish). Many of the bodegas provide guided tours in English, including a sherry tasting session and traditional tapas. But be careful if you're driving!
  • Visit the Royal School of Equestrian Art (Real Escuela Andaluza del Arte Ecuestra)
    This institution is devoted to conserving the ancestral abilities of the Andalusian horse, maintaining the classical traditions of Spanish baroque horsemanship, preparing horses and riders for international dressage competitions, and providing education in all aspects of horsemanship, coachdriving, blacksmithing, the care and breeding of horses, saddlery, and the manufacture and care of harness. On most days it is possible to see the stables, a wonderful collection of carriages and training sessions. On Thursdays a fascinating and perfected performance is given of an equestrian ballet. This fabulous spectacle is set to Spanish music and performed in 17th century costumes.
  • Visit the Museo de Relojes. This Museum of Timepieces is one of Europe's most varied and interesting collections of working clocks and watches, a total of 300 in all, dating from the 17th to the 19th centuries.

Cádiz

Cádiz is the capital of the province in which Olvera is located, and is the oldest city in western Europe with records suggesting that the city was occupied more than 3,000 years ago. Located on a spit of land projecting into the Atlantic Ocean, you get the feeling that you're on an island. Cádiz is steeped in history, one of the most famous events beeing Sir Francis Drake and 'The Singeing of the King of Spain's Beard', and the Cape of Trafalgar (of the eponymous battle) is located nearby.

  • Get the bird's-eye view! The Torre Tavira was built in the 18th century and, in a city known for its imposing watchtowers, was designated the Cádiz's official watchtower. Along with providing spectacular views over the city and its bay
  • Soak up the sun Grab your towel, some suncreen and a book and head to any of Cádiz's many beaches to soak up the rays, take a dip in the ocean or partake in fun watersports and activities.
  • Go for a walk Cádiz is a port city with grand avenues, squares and gardens so just strolling around is a good way to soak up the atmosphere and get a feel of the place.

Sevilla (Seville)

Located just over an hour from Olvera, Sevilla is a provincial capital and also the capital city of Andalucía.

  • Visit the Cathedral and La Giralda The cathedral is the second largest in the world (second only to St Peter's in the Vatican) and it's opulence reflects the many centuries that Sevilla was a leading city in Europe. Here you will find the tomb of Christopher Columbus (recently proved by DNA testing) and the highest high altar retable in the world.
    Beside the church is the Giralda, the bell tower that is the symbol of Seville. It used to be the minaret of the old mosque, and the Christians topped this with a five-story bell tower in 1568. On top of the bell tower is a weathervane in the form of a statue of Faith, called the giraldillo (something that turns, hence La Giralda). One can go up the tower and get a bird's eye view of the city from a height of 70 meters.
  • Relax in the The Real Alcazar The Real Alcazar of Seville is the oldest European royal residence and is not one building, but a group of buildings from different time periods and each building has a different architectural style.
    The Alcazar is one of the most beautiful palaces in Spain. Actually it has a Mudejar Palace and a Gothic Palace by its side. The Mudejar Palace has the most beautiful patio, the Patio del Yeso with its reflecting pool and sunken gardens. It is surrounded by columns supporting Moorish arches.
    We could go on and on about this most tranquil and beautiful of places, but we'll leave it to you to find out for yourselves!
  • Take a horse drawn carriage The Horse ride through Seville attractions are a really must do kind of thing. The several Coches (carriages) pulled by horses are waiting for the visitors just at the Giralda's Tower plaza, where tourists can hop on and visit the several interesting places of Seville on a galloping one hour journey. The ride normally goes through Torre del Oro, Paseo de Colón, Jardines Maria Luisa, Plaza de España - rides vary with the price made, depending on if you are a bargain kind of tourist or not. 

Gibraltar

This tiny British enclave is located around 2 1/2 hours from Olvera on the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula, and is very popular with tourists (but don't discuss it too much with the Spanish locals!). You can queue a long time waiting to cross the border in your car, so many leave their car on the Spanish side, cross the border, and take a bus into the town.

  • Take a trip to the Top of the Rock The whole region is dominated by the Rock of Gibraltar, a towering monolith 426 metres (1,396 ft) high. From here you can look across the straights to Africa, just a few kilometres away. No good if you suffer from vertigo! The rock is populated by barbary apes (actually macaque monkeys) who will steal almost anything, so hold on tight to your camera and bags!
    You can drive up the winding road to the top or (much more interesting) take the cable car.
  • Stock up on Duty Free Gibraltar is a tax haven, so many people visit to buy cheap tobacco and alcohol. Electrical goods are also tax free, but do not present as good a bargain. Remember that you are only allowed your Duty Free allowance, and there is a good chance you will be stopped at the border and searched, so keep within your allowance.
  • See the Trafalgar Cemetary A little morbid, I know, but it is truly fascinating. After the Battle of Trafalgar, many of the British ships stopped at Gibraltar with many of the dead and dying. Their final resting place is worth a visit if you're into history.