Gaucin Village

Gaucin village and the locality

Gaucin is probably the most spectacular of the areas Pueblos Blancos or White Villages clinging to the southern edge of the Serrania de Ronda mountains and looking over the foothills to the Mediterranean, Gibraltar and the Riff Mountains of Morocco. Towering over the valley to the east lies the imposing outcrop of the Serrania de Cristallina, home to a thriving population of vultures.

The Castle of Eagles, with its spectacular views in all directions, still dominates the village. These ruins, floodlight at night, are well worth a visit.

The village itself has a definite Moorish flavour - twisting, narrow streets between white houses with pantiled roofs and a profusion of colour and scents from the many flower decked doorsteps, windowsills and courtyards.

Gaucin has wide range of local shops including a covered market and two supermarkets. Fresh bread and milk is available daily (except Sunday) with much of the produce grown and/or reared locally. There are a number of hypermarkets etc., a short distance away at the coast and in Ronda. Travellers cheques and foreign currency can be exchanged into Euros at the Unicaja Bank at the village centre. Also in the village centre is a PO., farmicia, Tourist Office and range of small shops and tapas bars. The Medical Centre is open every day with hospitals in Ronda and Marbella. Marbella offers free medical service to European travellers with medical insurance.

Malaga, at 1 hour 45 minutes from Gaucin, has the most flights to and from the UK, Gibraltar although nearer (1 hour) has far fewer flights with significant delays getting into and out of the country. Hire car firms are situated at both airports with discounts being available on many flights. For those visitors not hiring vehicles transport to and from the airport can be arranged.

The weather is hot in the summer and warm in the winter, although winter evenings can be quite cool. The village, lying at 2000ft is occasionally in the clouds during winter months. In the summer, this altitude is responsible for a pleasant, cooling breeze.

The local beaches (30 - 40 minutes) at Duquesa, Sabinillas and Estepona provide safe bathing for all ages and have beach restaurants/chirraquitas for inexpensive meals and drinks. Marbella, a little further away (1hour) also offers a wide range of beaches, shopping and other attractions.

Gaucin Village