There's something magical about La Fructuosa, a 19th-century inn hugging the slopes of a tiny mountain village. The views really take your breath away. After falling under Gaucin's spell during a visit to the Art Gaucin festival, owners Catherine and Daniel (she is a sculptor and ceramicist, he ran a B&B) moved from Brussels to start a new life here. You can expect a warm multilingual welcome, cheery paintings and sculptures on the walls, a convivial atmosphere, and great food in the old wine cellar.
Upstairs, six cheerful and unique bedrooms make a restorative base for overnight guests, and up again, a roof terrace gazes over the mountains towards the distant coast. By day, this area is ideal for relaxing, walking in the mountains and exploring Andalucia's iconic pueblos blancos (white hilltop towns).
Highs
- Its location: perched in a pretty mountain village with views out to Gibraltar and beyond
- A window into traditional village life: the restaurant is a firm favourite with locals as well as weary travellers
- The shared roof terrace with fabulous views to the coast, where you can happily while away the hours with a bottle of red
- Original chestnut beams and wine press add an authentic sense of history
- It's brilliant value for money
Lows
- The restaurant has changed hands since we last visited and is now run independently, but the new chef is Michelin starred so standards are unlikely to slip!
- Staff are only on site for part of the day, so it’s best suited to more independent travellers
- There's no swimming pool or garden, but there is a large shared roof terrace
- Driving in Gaucin is pretty hairy, with steep and narrow one-way streets. You'll need to park a few hundred metres from the hotel and walk down
Best time to go
Come in spring and autumn for walking, April/May for wild flowers and migratory birds. July and August can be very hot and there is no swimming pool, although being high up in the mountains always ensures it is a few degrees cooler than on the coast. Artistic types should come in May for the Art Gaucin Open Studios event.
Our top tips
Although Gaucin's chaotic maze of tiny cobbled streets and whitewashed houses can seem daunting at first, after 24 hours in the village you will be navigating them like a pro. Don’t miss a sunset walk up to the castillo (castle).
Location
La Fructuosa is in Gaucin, a small village about 40 minutes' drive south of Ronda, Andalucia.
By Air
Fly into Gibraltar (60km), Malaga (125km) or Seville (163km).
From the Airport
You can travel by train to Gaucin and take a taxi, but to make the most of your trip, we strongly recommend that you hire a car. Remember to take caution and follow the speed limit (regardless of what the locals are doing). The streets of Gaucin are very narrow and parking is limited.
Detailed directions will be provided when you book through i-escape.
More on getting to Andalucia and getting around
Airports:
- Gibraltar - North Front 60.0 km GIL
- Malaga - Costa del Sol 120.0 km AGP
Other:
- Beach 35.0 km
- Shops 0.1 km
- Restaurant 0.1 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 3 independent reviews from i-escape guests
La Fructuosa was just a delight. Each room has it's own name and it's own flavour. We stayed in Las Aves, inspiring views out to the Rock of Gibraltar and beyond, to Africa and Moroccan shores. Very comfortable bed, shower, sitting area. Food in the restaurant was just great and the staff were helpful above and beyond the call of duty, we were helped out with parking our rental car at the tail end of a busy lunchtime and the presence and good nature of the staff just continued. Highly recommended. Gaucin is unpretentious, quiet and quite beautiful, La Fructuosa is the same with friendliness and ease.
I recently had the pleasure of spending 62 nights at La Fructuosa in the picturesque town of Gaucín, Spain. And it exceeded all my expectations. From the moment I arrived, I was captivated by the warmth of the town and its people, who welcomed me openly. The accommodation at La Fructuosa was very clean and very tidy. My room, spacious and meticulously cleaned daily, provided a cozy sanctuary after a day of exploring. The view of the street, especially during the running of the bulls, added an exciting touch to my stay. One of the highlights of my time at La Fructuosa was the accessibility to nature. With hiking trails nearby, I was able to immerse myself in the breathtakingly beauty of the surroundings. And let's not forget the stunning views from the top terrace, which offered a perfect spot for relaxation and reflection. Convenience was another perk of staying at La Fructuosa. With the restaurant just downstairs, I enjoyed indulging in delicious meals without having to venture far. The culinary delights served at La Fructuosa Restaurant were a true delight to the senses, and I found myself returning regularly to savour the flavours. Overall, my experience at La Fructuosa was nothing short of memorable. The combination of exceptional accommodations, warm hospitality, and stunning surroundings made it a retreat I won't soon forget. I'm already looking forward to my next visit to Gaucín and La Fructuosa, eager to create more cherished memories in this idyllic setting.
A great find. Simple but cost effective. It would have been good to have had somewhere to sit outside to chat and as the restaurant was closed we really only had our bedrooms. The view is amazing, really amazing and the owners really friendly. Close by (2 minute walk) is La Esquinita a real find. Tapas to die for and a great selection. Really friendly staff and oh so inexpensive. Almost makes one want to move to Gaucin. Would I return to La Fructosa? Yes and very much hope to in the future.
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape