Alhaurín El Grande – A Taste Of Real Spain

The beautiful whitewashed town of Alhaurín el Grande is located at the foot of the Sierra de Mijas mountain range in the Málaga region of Spain. It offers wonderful views over the stunning Guadalhorce valley, which is made fertile by the rivers Pasadas, Fahala, Jurique and Torres that flow through it. In fact, the region produces an abundance of fruit, vegetables and cereals, and boasts numerous olive groves.

During Roman times, the settlement was thought to have been blessed by the gods due to its fertility, favourable climate and proximity to precious mineral deposits. This led the Moors to later name the town Alhaurín, literally meaning the “Garden of Allah” (or “God’s Garden”).

The town has undergone many tribulation, including an earthquake in 1680, various plagues, and numerous invasions and occupations by the French, Romans, Moors and others. Today it is a prosperous town with a population of 27,000 of which roughly 2,000 are foreigners.

Why Buy Here

With only a short drive from Málaga’s famous beaches and close to the Sierra Nevada ski resorts, Alhaurín el Grande is perfectly situated for those seeking a traditional area untouched by tourism, yet close to all the attractions and amenities of the Costa del Sol. It is close to Málaga’s major cities, being just south of Coín and north of Mijas, and it is only 15 kilometres from Málaga airport. It lies in an area of outstanding natural beauty, with a number of lakes and waterfalls in Barranco Blanco, while to the southeast there are extensive forests, dotted with Neolithic remains.

Alhaurín el Grande enjoys an average annual temperature of 17 degrees Celsius and is a pretty town with whitewashed houses and colourful window shutters. There are a number of attractions including the 12th century Moorish Archway, the old Arabic fort and the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, with its Roman columns and town church. The Churches of La Ermita de San Sebastián and El Convento y las Agonias are also well worth visiting.

The town is famed for its many traditional celebrations, including the “Feria de Mayo” and the “Día de la Cruz” in May, “Día de Jesús” in June, and the “Día de la Virgen” in August. In addition to these the Easter week celebrations attract tourists from across Europe. Improvements are currently being made to the area’s infrastructure. However, there are already two golf courses nearby, while the surrounding countryside offers plenty of hiking, cycling and climbing opportunities.

Where To Buy

There are many nationalities purchasing property in Alhaurín, and demand from foreign buyers is high, especially within urbanisations such as the Alhaurín Golf & Country Club development. With strict building regulations in place, fincas to renovate and traditional whitewashed townhouses are extremely popular and this has caused prices to increase significantly in recent years. Nevertheless, property in this area remains significantly cheaper than on the coast.

Typical Properties

There is a healthy mix of the old and new in Alhaurín. Property in the area includes newly built apartments in the centre of town, while there are a number of villas available in the urbanisations on Alhaurín’s outskirts. Look outside of Alhaurín’s boundaries and you will see a plethora of cortijos and fincas to be found in the surrounding countryside.

Most buyers are looking to purchase a traditional country home, complete with two acres of land and some fruit trees. Wherever you buy, given the geographical situation of Alhaurín, property is virtually guaranteed stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valley.

If you live in the Guadalhorce valley, you’ll find that you’re never more than 25 minutes from the coast, which makes this area hugely popular among tourists. Consequently, it can be very profitable in terms of rental income As well as offering a healthy short term market, there is also a strong long term rentals market, as many potential buyers arrive in Alhaurín with the intention of renting for between six months to a year before they buy.

Living Here

An area of outstanding natural beauty, life is lived in a traditional Spanish vein in the Alhaurín area, with centuries of culture and tradition being evident. In fact, values reflect those seen 30 years ago in the UK. Even though the town of Alhaurín has become very cosmopolitan and there are a large number of foreign residents living here, life maintains a Spanish feel. This is enriched by the local cuisine, such as “Migas” (breadcrumbs fried with garlic) and “Gachas Cachorrenas” (porridge with spices).

The local population refer to Alhaurín as ‘inland Marbella’ due to its thriving economy and beauty, plus the local government is currently undertaking a project to develop the town, with plans for many new facilities. It already boasts a great selection of bars, clubs and restaurants, which makes the area great as a family holiday or rental destination.

We heard from clients who have decided to leave their homes for warmer climes and a more relaxed way of life. Both had stressful jobs in the UK but neither of them felt ready for early retirement they just wanted to work fewer hours and spend more time together, and with their family. They settled on Spain, but from there it was important to ensure the area they chose was accessible, as they had a daughter with young children who needed to be able to reach them easily. The couple had visited the Costa del Sol many times but didn’t want to live in the busy coastal area, instead seeking a location that offered a more Spanish lifestyle.

“A friend recommended that we look inland from Málaga Airport, and suggested towns such as Alhaurín el Grande, Coín and Monda. What we found was the Guadalhorce Valley, an area largely untouched by tourism with stunning villages and countryside,”. They knew it was exactly what they were looking for and had soon purchased a brand new, four bedroom house in the countryside surrounding Alhaurín el Grande. It came complete with an acre of land, fruit trees and a working well. They enthuses: “We’ve spent many hours working on the landscaping and have now created a beautiful home where many of our family friends have spent happy holidays with us.”

Fans of outdoor activities will find that there are many leisure activities to pursue, while the beach is only 15 kilometres away. There are local and international schools in the region and both private and state healthcare are available. Despite there being a cosmopolitan mix of nationalities, it is still important to learn the language and make a real effort to integrate yourself into the local community. That way, you can make the most of living in a traditional and welcoming environment.

So why not visit Alhaurín El Grande for yourself and treat yourself to the taste of real Spanish living.