Just 20 minutes from the coastal town of Salobrena, this is Moorish Spain at its best. With the old Muslim irrigation system and terraces still in use to this day, Los Guajares lies between the Sierra del Chaparral and Sierra de Los Guajares mountain ranges.
This area has spectacular scenery, an abundance of wildlife and is one of the most unspoilt settings in Granada. Running south is the Sierra Nevada, which stretches to the Costa Tropical, a 100-kilometre stretch of relatively undiscovered coastline that is dotted with hidden coves and resorts like Salobreña, Motril and Almuñécar. For those looking for low prices and a rural retreat, Los Guajares is ideal.
Why buy there?
This stunning valley offers a temperate climate that is warm during the winter months but slightly cooler than inland areas due to its proximity to the coast. There are many species of deer, birds and mountain goats, along with a number of hiking and hiking trails.
In the valleys fields of orange, custard apple, almond and olive trees abound, while the narrow streets and houses are covered with geraniums. The area is also easily accessible, just 20 minutes from the coast and Motril, and just an hour from Granada, which now receives direct flights from the UK.
This is an old part of Andalusia where the towns are whitewashed and the streets are narrow and winding. There is culture and history at every turn, with the Alhambra Palace in Granada, the Alpujarras, the strip of coastal towns and the ruined Moorish castle at Los Guajares. Add in authentic tapas and fresh seafood, and you’ve got an untouched slice of traditional Andalusian life.
Where to buy
In Los Guajares itself, you have the three towns of Guajar Faraguit, Guajar Fondón and Guajar Alto. This former rural community offers a handful of bars and restaurants, and spectacular scenery. A two-bedroom house can be had for as little as €67,000, while €72,000 can secure you a completely renovated traditional townhouse.
Further to the southeast is the whitewashed town of Salobrena, situated on top of a hill. Surrounded by sugar cane fields, Salobrena is a picturesque coastal town, with many shops and restaurants. Its maze of cobbled streets is dominated by the ruins of a Moorish castle. Spend €145,000 and you can buy a four-bedroom apartment in the center of Salobreña, while €155,000 will buy you a traditional house in the old town.
Molvizar is another traditional town. Situated on the edge of the Sierra del Chaparral, it is in the stunning Lecrín Valley, which is covered in almond and olive trees, and enjoys stunning views.
Molvizar is becoming popular with people looking for a quiet village location but with access to the lively coastal town of Salobrena. There are many pretty, typically Spanish town houses for sale. A two-bedroom cortijo here costs €284,000, while a three-bedroom townhouse costs €106,000.
Located near Motril, the town of Vélez de Benaudalla is located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada and is a typical mountain town, with sugar cube houses, mountain views and a traditional church. A new feature of Vélez is the newly built dam, which promises water sports, picnic areas, and more. In the not too distant future it will also be a paradise for bird watchers and walkers, contributing many aspects to rural tourism.
Property here starts at €116,000 for a one-bedroom townhouse, while a two-bedroom townhouse that requires some work can be purchased for €99,000.
the real estate market
Granada is relatively unknown compared to much of Andalusia. Currently, more than 48 percent of the properties here sell between 50,000 and 150,000 euros, and a quarter of all houses sold are town houses. On average, the property sells for 85,000 euros less than the national average price of 245,000 euros.
The market in Los Guajares is very different from a few years ago, when people bought everything from renovation projects to off-plan investments and luxury villas. During the last five years, prices have risen dramatically, at a rate of 15 to 20 percent per year. A property such as a cortijo, or town house, has risen in price from 30,000 euros to more than 100,000 euros. However, there are still bargains to be found, especially in towns like Jete and Otivar.
There has also been an increase in the number of people buying and investing in the area. The market is very international, although more properties have been sold to Spanish clients in recent months than in previous years, more urban Spaniards are looking for second homes on the Costa Tropical and inland Los Guajares, especially those in Madrid and Barcelona.
This has helped sustain the market’s success in 2005 in what appears to be a slow year, particularly in terms of the number of UK buyers. 2005 is seeing a mix of buyers looking for rental properties as well as permanent relocation properties. Although bargains still remain, this could all change when the highways are finished and Los Guajares becomes more accessible.
The rental market
Because the winter season is longer than in the coastal areas, the short term rental season in Los Guajares is shorter than in much of Andalusia. The region is more suitable for those looking for a holiday on foot, rather than a holiday on the beach. However, some owners rent out their property during the summer, and most do so privately via the Internet. This shows the calmer nature of the rental market.
The income generated is less than would be expected along the Costa del Sol, although prices are rising along with rising interest rates. There has also been a significant change in the number of clients looking to secure a long-term rental in the Los Guajares area before buying. This trend started in 2004 and has grown significantly in the last eight months.
In terms of rental yield, a traditional one-bedroom property in Guajar Alto can generate €210 per week in low season and €320 in high season. A two-bedroom semi-detached house in Vélez de Benaudalla can cost between 205 euros and 365 euros. In the more popular coastal area of Salobrena, a three-bedroom villa can fetch between €500 and €850 a week, depending on the season.
Living in Los Guajares
There is much to recommend in this area, especially the tradition, the culture and the impressive landscape. However, there are also negative aspects. The region has limited infrastructure and the remote location of many villages means limited resources such as schools and hospitals.
The streets are often steep and narrow, which can make access by car difficult, and the climate can also be harsher during the winter months than on the coast. If you are looking to buy here, you should be prepared to learn Spanish and respect the locals and their traditional way of life.
There is a strong local presence here, with a growth of Spanish second home buyers investing in the area. Foreign buyers tend to be semi-retired couples and middle-aged families looking to escape the crowded seaside resorts. There are still relatively few Brits here, and the foreigners who have bought property are a cosmopolitan mix of Canadians, Scandinavians and Americans. There is also a driven arts community eager to take advantage of the area’s natural beauty.
Salobreña and the surrounding tourist centers are more touristy and urbanized than the inland towns, but the level of development is still acceptable. There is more of an expat community here, and certainly more attractions, but again, it barely reaches the levels seen further west on the Costa del Sol.
Grenada in figures
Unemployment: 19%
Total EU population: 8,032 (35% of whom are British)
Language: Castilian Spanish
Average property price: €160,000
Total area of Grenada: 12,635km2
Population of the Province of Granada: 818,959
Population density: 64.82km2
Highest peak, Mulhacén: 3,481m
Coast length: 100km