Imagine mornings where you’re enjoying a fresh cup of coffee overlooking sprawling olive groves while the sun casts a vibrant glow over the beautiful Spanish hills. The warm afternoons mean drinking sangria and snacking on fresh grapes pulled from the vines in between dips in the pool. This is the magic of staying on a finca in Spain. It offers a chance to slow down, to embrace nature, and TBC.
When you think of a trip to Spain, staying in luxury villas in Marbella or a dreamy beach resort in Malaga might spring to mind first… but I want to introduce you to a finca.
Staying on a finca, or farm, is such a unique experience. And no, I don’t mean the kind of farm sprawling with pigs and chickens. I mean the kind of farms that grow olives, figs, oranges where you can soak in acres of dreamy rural Mediterranean landscapes every day.
What is a finca?
A finca is a type of property set amongst a large area of rural land, whether that be a small country home or working farm. There are so many options for fincas in Spain, from rustic retreats to luxury countryside escapes and depending on the region, the finca could be situated within a vineyard or amongst rolling olive groves.
In Andalucia, the most striking type of finca you’ll find is the cortijo. I’ve stayed on both a finca and a cortijo and both times I fell in love with the region more and more. (Have I secretly been searching how to buy a finca in Spain and considering uprooting my whole life including my two frenchies to Andalucia? Maybe).
Finca vs. Cortijo: What’s the Difference?
While all cortijos are fincas, not all fincas are cortijos. A cortijo is a particular type of finca found mostly in Andalusia, known for its whitewashed walls, terracotta roofs, and large inner courtyards. Originally built as self-sufficient farming estates, cortijos were once home to entire families of farmers, shepherds, and winemakers. Today, many of these grand estates have been lovingly restored into luxurious rural hotels, private villas, and agritourism retreats.
Where to stay?
I want to showcase two of the places I have rented and loved! There are so many more to choose from by using sites like Airbnb or Vrbo to book across Andalucia. You’ll find areas like Seville, Ronda and Cordoba in abundance of these types of properties.
Our finca in Pizarra
Not very well known, we went out on a limb when booking this Airbnb. But it was less than a 40-minute drive from the centre of Malaga, so we decided to go for it. One of the key things when we were booking is that we wanted a tranquil escape and this delivered that for sure!
We were nervous when we arrived, as the maps took us off the main highway and onto a dirt road but our Airbnb host was there to greet us at the gates once we arrived. Normally, I love checking in without having to speak to people but this was a much-needed warm welcome. He made us feel right at home, explaining how huge the grounds were, everything that was grown on the hectares of land he owned from citrus trees and olive trees. He even gave us some homegrown olive oil to sample and said we were able to help ourselves to any of the fruit growing.
The views at sunset
The cottage itself was quaint but cosy. The kitchen was equipped with everything such as pots and pans, chopping boards, washing up liquid etc. It was a perfect place to set up our cheese and fruit boards to enjoy by the pool. The real showstopper of this home. There was a small living space and even a dining space but we never used it because we always chose to sprawl ourselves by the pool. The cottage had a patio with a large dining table outdoors, where grapevines slithered across the canopy creating a bit of respite from the sun. And around the back of the cottage opened up to a beautiful large pool surrounded by greenery and scenic views. We loved lazing in the sun in the afternoons, sipping on sangria and cooling off by splashing in the pool.
The kitchen/dining area of our finca
Our host had shared plenty of recommendations and let us know we can hike around the finca, which we did one day. It was such a beautiful walk, listening to the sounds of the cicadas chirping away and soaking in the incredible scenery around us. We did a 45-minute lap around the grounds and we didn’t even realise there were more properties, we felt so secluded and in our own little pocket of peace.
It was a great base for us exploring the nearby cities. We drove into Malaga one day, then from there hopped over to Puerto Banus and Nerja. We even did a trip to Granada in around two hours. After a busy day of exploring, it was such a treat to take it easy in the mornings and enjoy the peace and beauty of our little finca.
Our finca in Ronda
I returned to Spain a second time, after loving it so much, I wanted to explore more. This time, I went with my family and stayed in finca just outside of Ronda. Similarly to our Pizarra home, the cottage was up a dirt road, though not far from the town at all, so we had the flexibility to explore with ease. The host wasn’t available to check us in on that day so he’d asked his dad to, who didn’t speak a word of English! He was so lovely and showed us around the home, with my pathetic amount of Spanish and a game of language charades to get us through. He was so sweet and I think that actually made me love the home more!
Stepping inside the home was like stepping into your grandparents home. The kitchen had dark wood cabinets with speckled marble counters; the living room had a large cosy sofa draped in blankets; there were TBC.
It’s no shock that the outside was the star of the show yet again. We had a pool to ourselves with a range of pool loungers and garden chairs to relax on. There was an outdoor kitchen, including a BBQ area, where we loved enjoying breakfast. We visited in April, so the mornings were cool, and we’d enjoy steaming cups of coffee, scrambled eggs and fresh pastries from local bakeries we’d picked up the day before. We just sat here soaking in our serene setting preparing for a day of exploring.
Just a 5-minute drive down the road was a small town. We found a small plaza with a couple of bars serving coffee and alcohol. This was such a lovely spot. Even though we didn’t have a view of anything, we just enjoyed having a few drinks here as the sun set, families and friends enjoying time together, adults talking over drinks whilst the kids played in the square. I love this aspect of European life. You find it in Italy and Portugal as well and just such a nice way to spend a weekend. It was only a 10-minute drive into Ronda too, which was a fantastic day trip.
Should you stay in a finca in Spain?
Yes, yes, yes! For those looking for a unique and tranquil getaway, a finca or cortijo is the perfect alternative to Spain’s bustling cities and crowded beaches. After days of exploring, relaxing by a pool with mountain views and sipping local wine in a sun-drenched courtyard is the best way to recoup. I couldn’t recommend staying in a finca more!
