NEW: Cortijo Los Elefantes, named after the owner’s love of elephants, is a beautiful and unique property. This modern cortijo enjoys a peaceful location with stunning views over the tropical gardens, down to the sparkling Mediterranean Sea and across to the mountains. There are 3/4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a spacious covered porch, as well as a large heated pool with a covered terraced area where you can enjoy both sun and shade. Thanks to the owner’s former profession and interests, the house is extremely energy efficient, incorporating special features within the house, the garden, and the pool.

The beautiful gardens are a true labor of love. Many of the plants and trees have been grown from seedlings collected during the owner’s travels around the world over the last 20 years. They include several different types of palms, such as fox tail and Washingtonian, as well as citrus, mango, and avocado trees. There are also macadamia, fig, apple, dragon fruit, pistachio, pecan, and many other exotic varieties. The beehives provide delicious honey, and a computerized irrigation system uses water from the private well.

The flamenco scene in Vélez-Málaga is thriving; you can enjoy authentic music, songs, and dancing from famous artists as well as local performers. There are many fiestas and music nights throughout the year such as jazz festivals, carnival, romería, and of course Easter Week, which is a spectacle for the eyes. The town is rich in historical buildings, housing museums, art galleries, churches, a convent, and even a medieval castle.

The microclimate here, due to the surrounding mountains and proximity to the sea, makes it perfect for fruit and vegetable growing. This has created a strong farming community, especially for mango and avocado production.

The traditional market town of Vélez-Málaga, the capital of the Axarquía region, is only a 5-minute drive from the property. Here you will find all the amenities including bars, restaurants, banks, bakeries, supermarkets, as well as a garden center, a covered food market, and a weekly street market. There is also a large shopping center around a 10-minute drive away, while the coast at Torre del Mar is about 15 minutes. The vibrant city of Málaga is just 40 minutes away, and within 1h30 you can be skiing on the slopes of the Sierra Nevada in Granada.

DESCRIPTION outside

The property is accessed via electric gates leading onto a large gravel driveway with a garage (5.60 x 3 m) and a small workshop (2 x 3 m).

At the back of the house there is a shady seating area, as well as some outbuildings, a workshop, greenhouses, and three 10,000-liter water deposit tanks. There is also a carport with an EV charging point.

The tropical gardens can be accessed from the driveway, with easily walkable pathways around the land.

The driveway also leads to the front terrace and covered porch of the house. From here, steps take you down to the large heated saltwater pool (15 x 5 m) and terrace area, with an attractive constructed pergola (4 x 4 m) and a large wooden Bali bed. The pool has an electric solar pool cover and a special diving area where it is 2.5 meters deep. There is also an outdoor solar shower.

In addition to the three water deposits and the solar system, the house is connected to mains water and electricity.

DESCRIPTION inside

Back on the front terrace (approx. 14 x 4.50 m), the front door leads into the open-plan lounge (4.05 x 5.10 m) and dining area (3.75 x 3.82 m), with ceiling fans, a wood burner, and air conditioning. The fully fitted kitchen is located next to the dining area (3 x 2.45 m) and enjoys a pleasant view of the gardens and sea.

The office / 4th bedroom (2.05 x 3.90 m) is located off the lounge. The master bedroom is accessed through the lounge into a small hallway with the walk-in closet on the right (2.60 x 2.15 m), the bedroom with ceiling fan, air conditioning, and built-in wardrobe (3.55 x 6.90m), and the ensuite bathroom with whirlpool bathtub and separate shower cubicle (2 x 6.90 m).

The other rooms are accessed through a sliding door next to the kitchen. Via a hallway (3.05 x 2 m) you find the family bathroom (1.90 x 2.30 m), another hallway (3.05 x 3.55m), the guest double bedroom (3.05 x 3.90 m), and a twin bedroom (2.24 x 3.15 m).

A hallway from here leads to the utility room (2.33 x 3.33 m), housing the washing machine, dryer, and the solar power system. A door from this utility room opens to a handy storage area (2.33 x 3.33 m), which could easily be converted into another room, and from there back out onto the covered porch.

All rooms benefit from underfloor heating and a sophisticated air-conditioning system for both heating and cooling.

In short

Cortijo Los Elefantes has so much to offer, with an abundance of tropical plants and trees—you can even harvest your own honey! The plot is easily accessible and the views from every corner are stunning. The house enjoys a privileged position overlooking the sea, with mountains at the back, and is extremely energy efficient thanks to special features throughout the property. The market town of Vélez-Málaga is only a short drive away, offering all the amenities you could need and more. This well-established property would make a wonderful full-time home, especially for those with a love of gardening and nature.

the area

With around 320 days of sunshine per year Andalusia, and especially the Axarquía region, is one of the best areas to live in Europe. Read here more about the great way of living in Southern Spain.

asking price € 895,000

Council tax/IBI:  aprox. € 450 annually