Authentic and unique accommodations

Step back in time and into Cueva de Ardales, located near the little whitewashed village of Ardales, some 50km from Malaga city.

 

by Michael Madsen,

– sharing the authentic Andalusia with you

 

 

Grab a warm sweater (it’s damp and chilly down there), some good shoes (there are no proper stairs) and a flashlight (this is a modernity-free zone, so no overhead lights) and enter into the enveloping darkness. This is a proper ‘cavey’ cave, with all the associated feels.

A journey into these depths is a journey back through the mists of time, as this cave was sealed off for 8,000 years before being shaken open by an earthquake, revealing hidden archaeological treasures within.

The two hour expedition is a meditation on geological time, and those deepest, darkest places untouched by human hand, and yet paradoxically it is in this setting that we encounter our ancestors through the cave paintings they left on the walls.

They even painted the negative space around their own hands, leaving us with the ghostly image you see in the photo below.

To come into contact with the oldest humans in this way was truly breath-taking.

Pre-historic spray-painted hand

Pre-historic spray-painted hand

Who were these people, and what were they doing in these caves?

Our guide was an expert storyteller, telling us about the lives of these indigenous people, about the lamps that they brought down into the many rooms and hallways of the caves, and of how they blew paint through straws and onto the walls.

He had a rich supply of anecdotes to keep us engaged – not just about the cave dwellers but about the archaeologists, who as we know are often rather interesting characters themselves.

You may imagine that an explanation of the process by which these archaeologists pieced together an understanding of prehistory would be pretty dry, to say the least, and yet he had us all riveted.

Cueva de Ardales Entrance to the cave

All in all there were only four or five cave paintings on the whole two hour expedition, but as I say, the guide held our attention throughout.

We went with our eight year old son, and the guide took him under his wing and involved him in the whole storytelling experience.

Important note: a visit to these caves is only for those that have a good level of Spanish as there is only a Spanish-speaking guide.

This is not just about being able to understand the descriptions and explanations, it is because it is essential to be able to understand the guide’s instructions.

You must reserve your visit at Ardales museum, and the whole trip takes three hours, including a visit to the museum and travel to the cave.

You will spend about two hours in the cave itself..

 

Here are the 3 top recommendations for accommodation near Ardales:

Hotel La Posada del Conde. You found it on Autentical.com! It can, however, only be booked on

Booking.com:

 

See it Booking.com

La Garganta. You found it on Autentical.com! It can, however, only be booked on Booking.com:

 

 

See it Booking.com

Finca El Arpa. Book it here on

 

 

Autentical

 

 

Selected – and unique – farm stays from Booking.com:

Bancalillo redondo – Dúrcal (Alpujarras)

Set in Dúrcal, 31 km from Granada Science Park and 33 km from San Juan de Dios Museum, Bancalillo redondo...

Tambor Del Llano – Grazalema (Cadiz)

Tambor Del Llano, a property with a bar, is set in Grazalema, 29 km from Iglesia de Santa María la...

Cortijo La Loma – La Isleta del Moro (Almería)

Situated in La Isleta del Moro, 1.1 km from Playa del Penon Blanco, Cortijo La Loma features accommodation with a...



Unique accommodation away from the crowds that might interest you:

Lakeside Andalusian Finca In A Protected Natural Park by The King’s Litte Walkway; The Caminito del Rey
Fantastic Finca for 2-5 Persons With Private Pool, near the village of Sayalonga, east of Malaga
Truly exceptional places to stay away from tourism in Andalusia
Exceptional rural cottage for 4-7 people located in a quiet environment with views of Sierra Nevada
Great Casita For 2-5 People In The Whitewashed Village Of Gaucin, Near Ronda
Fantastic Country House for 3-5 Persons, near Ronda and Setenil de las Bodegas. Paradise On Earth
Charming country house for 3-6 people with amazing views, by the Subbetica nature park, near Cordoba
Rural cottage for 2 persons in the whitewashed village of Cónchar, in the Alpujarras
Traditional Cave Houses for 2-5 persons in the cave house area of Baza, near Granada
Country house for 4-6 people with private pool near the whitewashed village of Comares
Cute Little Finca For 2-4 Persons With Private Pool Near Village Orgiva, In The Alpujarras
Other beautiful places to stay away from tourism in Malaga city
Holiday home with private pool near the beautiful Andalusian village of Comares
Relaxing house for 6 persons with stunning view and private pool
Studio Apartments for 2 Persons In Lakeside Andalusian Finca Near The Caminito del Rey
Beautiful places to stay directly in Gibraltar
Beautiful places to stay in or near Tarifa
Romantic Village House With Great Garden For 2 Persons In The Whitewashed Village Of Otivar, near Granada
Incredibly beautiful country house for up to 8 persons outside the whitewashed village of Olvera
Fantastic village house in the super-beautiful white village of Comares
Love Nest For 2 Persons, Between Seville And Cordoba. A love nest, wide and comfortable, full of charm, details and comforts.
Great And Cosy Finca With Pool For 2-5 Persons Outside Of Frigiliana, Near Nerja
Stone Cottages In A Peaceful Valley Near The Whitewashed Village Of Alajar
Traditional Country House For 4-6 Persons In The Heart Of The Alpujarras
Penthouse Apartment For Up To 7 Persons In The Center Of The Whitewashed Village Of Algodonales
Super Nice Cottages For 4-6 Persons Directly By The Viñuela Lake, East of Malaga
Cortijo Apartments For 2-3 Persons In An Old Restored Farmhouse In The Mountains Behind Malaga
Great Townhouse For 2 Persons With A Wonderful Patio Located In Olvera, Between Cadiz, Seville And Malaga
Other beautiful places to stay away from tourism in Marbella
Fantastic Townhouse For 3-5 Persons In a Tranquil Area Away From The Hectics Of The Coast
Beautiful apartment located in the center of Seville, in Plaza del Museo, everything within 10 minutes walk
Luxury Apartments For 4-6 Persons In A Fantastic And Tranquil Resort Away From The Hectic Of The Coast
Fantastic Apartment For 2-4 Persons, In A Charming, Historic House In Jerez de la Frontera
Villa For Up To 6 Persons With Waterfall In The Private Pool
Fantastic Luxury Villa For 8-12 Persons With Private Pool And Lots Of Beautiful Details
Beautiful Country House For 10-15 Persons With 3 Independent Accommodations And Great Views Over The Valley
Cottage For 2-4 Persons In A Pine Forest Directly By The Lake And The King’s Little Pathway; The Caminito Del Rey
1-, 2- And 3-Bedroom Bungalow Apartments With Sea Views In The Hills Behind The Coast
Great Manor House For 2-6 Persons In the Santa Cruz District Near The Center Of Seville
Stylish And Spacious Apartment For 2-3 Persons In The Trendy Soho District Of Malaga City
Great Duplex For 4-7 Persons With Terrace, Swimming Pool And Wifi, Next To The Mezquita Of Cordoba
Luxury Penthouse For 4-5 Persons In The Heart Of The Old Jewish Quarter Of Cordoba
Nice apartment for 2-4 Persons in a cozy mountain village near Granada
Great Apartment For 6 Persons In A Tranquil Complex Just A Few Minutes From The Atlantic Coast
Perfect House For Families Of Up To 5 Persons – With Private Pool And Complete Privacy
Large House For Up To 14 Persons – With 3 Independent Accommodations Near The Atlantic
Apartment For 2-3 Persons Located In The Old Town And Near The Beach
Cosy Little Cottages For 2-3 Persons In A Fantastic Nature Area By The Caminito Del Rey
Charming urban style apartment for 2-6 persons in the center of Granada city
Tranquil Villa For 2-4 People With Pool On The Seaside By Nerja
More Options Within The Cadiz Province
Other beautiful places to stay in Conil de la Frontera
Other beautiful places to stay away from the crowds in Granada
Other beautiful places to stay away from the crowds in Seville city center
Other beautiful places to stay away from tourism near Nerja and Frigiliana
Finca Apartment for 2 People With Amazing Panoramic Lake Views From Your Own Terrace
Places to Stay in El Chorro – for climbers and other nature lovers
{"slide_post":"3","slide_scroll":"1","dots":"true","arrows":"true","autoplay":"false","autoplay_interval":"2000","speed":"300","loop":"true","template":"template-2"}

Don´t take our word for it! Hear our guests´ opinions:

Lakeside Andalusian Finca In A Protected Natural Park by The King’s Litte Walkway; The Caminito del Rey
Fantastic Finca for 2-5 Persons With Private Pool, near the village of Sayalonga, east of Malaga
Truly exceptional places to stay away from tourism in Andalusia
Exceptional rural cottage for 4-7 people located in a quiet environment with views of Sierra Nevada
Great Casita For 2-5 People In The Whitewashed Village Of Gaucin, Near Ronda
Fantastic Country House for 3-5 Persons, near Ronda and Setenil de las Bodegas. Paradise On Earth
Charming country house for 3-6 people with amazing views, by the Subbetica nature park, near Cordoba
Rural cottage for 2 persons in the whitewashed village of Cónchar, in the Alpujarras
Traditional Cave Houses for 2-5 persons in the cave house area of Baza, near Granada
Country house for 4-6 people with private pool near the whitewashed village of Comares
Cute Little Finca For 2-4 Persons With Private Pool Near Village Orgiva, In The Alpujarras
Other beautiful places to stay away from tourism in Malaga city
Holiday home with private pool near the beautiful Andalusian village of Comares
Relaxing house for 6 persons with stunning view and private pool
Studio Apartments for 2 Persons In Lakeside Andalusian Finca Near The Caminito del Rey
Beautiful places to stay directly in Gibraltar
Beautiful places to stay in or near Tarifa
Romantic Village House With Great Garden For 2 Persons In The Whitewashed Village Of Otivar, near Granada
Incredibly beautiful country house for up to 8 persons outside the whitewashed village of Olvera
Fantastic village house in the super-beautiful white village of Comares
Love Nest For 2 Persons, Between Seville And Cordoba. A love nest, wide and comfortable, full of charm, details and comforts.
Great And Cosy Finca With Pool For 2-5 Persons Outside Of Frigiliana, Near Nerja
Stone Cottages In A Peaceful Valley Near The Whitewashed Village Of Alajar
Traditional Country House For 4-6 Persons In The Heart Of The Alpujarras
Penthouse Apartment For Up To 7 Persons In The Center Of The Whitewashed Village Of Algodonales
Super Nice Cottages For 4-6 Persons Directly By The Viñuela Lake, East of Malaga
Cortijo Apartments For 2-3 Persons In An Old Restored Farmhouse In The Mountains Behind Malaga
Great Townhouse For 2 Persons With A Wonderful Patio Located In Olvera, Between Cadiz, Seville And Malaga
Other beautiful places to stay away from tourism in Marbella
Fantastic Townhouse For 3-5 Persons In a Tranquil Area Away From The Hectics Of The Coast
Beautiful apartment located in the center of Seville, in Plaza del Museo, everything within 10 minutes walk
Luxury Apartments For 4-6 Persons In A Fantastic And Tranquil Resort Away From The Hectic Of The Coast
Fantastic Apartment For 2-4 Persons, In A Charming, Historic House In Jerez de la Frontera
Villa For Up To 6 Persons With Waterfall In The Private Pool
Fantastic Luxury Villa For 8-12 Persons With Private Pool And Lots Of Beautiful Details
Beautiful Country House For 10-15 Persons With 3 Independent Accommodations And Great Views Over The Valley
Cottage For 2-4 Persons In A Pine Forest Directly By The Lake And The King’s Little Pathway; The Caminito Del Rey
1-, 2- And 3-Bedroom Bungalow Apartments With Sea Views In The Hills Behind The Coast
Great Manor House For 2-6 Persons In the Santa Cruz District Near The Center Of Seville
Stylish And Spacious Apartment For 2-3 Persons In The Trendy Soho District Of Malaga City
Great Duplex For 4-7 Persons With Terrace, Swimming Pool And Wifi, Next To The Mezquita Of Cordoba
Luxury Penthouse For 4-5 Persons In The Heart Of The Old Jewish Quarter Of Cordoba
Nice apartment for 2-4 Persons in a cozy mountain village near Granada
Great Apartment For 6 Persons In A Tranquil Complex Just A Few Minutes From The Atlantic Coast
Perfect House For Families Of Up To 5 Persons – With Private Pool And Complete Privacy
Large House For Up To 14 Persons – With 3 Independent Accommodations Near The Atlantic
Apartment For 2-3 Persons Located In The Old Town And Near The Beach
Cosy Little Cottages For 2-3 Persons In A Fantastic Nature Area By The Caminito Del Rey
Charming urban style apartment for 2-6 persons in the center of Granada city
Tranquil Villa For 2-4 People With Pool On The Seaside By Nerja
More Options Within The Cadiz Province
Other beautiful places to stay in Conil de la Frontera
Other beautiful places to stay away from the crowds in Granada
Other beautiful places to stay away from the crowds in Seville city center
Other beautiful places to stay away from tourism near Nerja and Frigiliana
Finca Apartment for 2 People With Amazing Panoramic Lake Views From Your Own Terrace
Places to Stay in El Chorro – for climbers and other nature lovers
{"slide_post":"3","slide_scroll":"1","dots":"true","arrows":"true","autoplay":"false","autoplay_interval":"2000","speed":"300","loop":"true","template":"template-2"}

Don´t take our word for it! Hear our guests´ opinions:

“Our stay and Rikke and Michael’s place was incredible!”
“Our stay at Rikke and Mikes was fine”
“We stayed here as part of our Andalucian bicycle tour”
“El Arpa is a truly exceptional place”
“Rikke & Michael’s place was a perfect base for us to climb, walk and explore the gorgeous surrounding area”
“You rarely go to a place where the photos don’t do it justice, but this was just that.”
“Rikke and Michael’s place was perfect”
“Extremely peaceful”
“Amazing spot by the lake”
“The lake is beautiful and extremely peaceful.”
“Very very nice place”
“This place makes you connect with the nature its so beautiful there”
“Thank you both”
“My husband and I were traveling to Spain for a climbing holiday and stumbled upon El Arpa”
“Michael & Rikke were the most attentive and wonderful hosts you could imagine”
“Beautiful location”
“Great location for climbing”
{"slide_post":"3","slide_scroll":"1","dots":"true","arrows":"true","autoplay":"false","autoplay_interval":"2000","speed":"300","loop":"true","template":"template-2"}