Finca Rocabella is situated in the heart of one of the most beautiful spots in the interior of Malaga only 3 km from the village of "El Chorro". It is on the very borders of the Natural Park known as "Desfiladero de los Gaitanes" providing possibilities for a wide range of outdoor activities such a hiking, mountain biking, fishing, horse-riding, photography, etc.

Every year the area also attracts geologists and artists. The area is perhaps best known for the opportunities it provides for rock climbing (over 500 routes ranging from 4c-8c+) and for paragliding: the mountains of Valle de Abdalajis are internationally known amongst the paragliding fraternity as one of the best areas in Europe for this sport during the winter season. The season traditionally starts here from the beginning of October.

It is also only 15 minutes drive from the 3 lakes belonging to Ardales National Park which offer possibilites for unmotorized water sports. If you require more detailed information on any of these activites we will be more than happy to help you.

Visitors to the area have often been surprised and delighted at the wide variety of birds the have found here. (One avid birdwatcher gentleman spotted over 40 varieties during his stay here.) Around the Rocabella houses you will find a variety of finches and tits whilst nearer the rock faces one of the most spectacular sights is provided by the large vultures which you will see circling overhead.

There are two main types of vultures found in the area, the Giffon Vulture and the Black Vulture and among other birds you might spot are the Peregrine Falcon, Hoopoes, Choughs and brightly coloured bee-eaters. The area is also a haven for butterflies and a not uncommon sight is the Spanish mountain goat.

Visitors arriving in spring and early summer might like to take a trip over to "Fuente de Piedra" (about 45 mins by car) a lagoon covering 500 hectares. It is most famous as a breeding ground for the Greater Flamingo but is also important for a wide variety of marshland plant and birdlife.

 

El Chorro is famous for "El Caminito Del Rey Alfonso XIII" a suspended concrete walkway that winds through its impressive limestone gorge and plans are finally underway for its restoration. The ruins of Bobastro with it´s church dating back to the 9th century AD are attracting the interest of more and more archeologists whilst nearby in Ardales you can find the cave of "Trinidad Grund" known for the quality of its cave paintings some believed to date back as far as 25.000 years. (The cave can be visited by appointment only due to preservation reasons).

The three reservoirs belonging to Ardales Natural Park provide a variety of beauty spots. Under half an hour´s drive away you will find the delightful town of Alora with its Arab fortress and a little further away Antequera, relatively undiscoved despite its rich historical heritage and wide selection of good restaurants. From Antequera the major cities of Andalucia, Malaga, Cordoba, Seville and Granada can all be reached in between 1 and 2 hours.

Andalusian cuisine is a rich and varied as its history. Our arabic heritage is preserved in our use of spices and herbs such as mint, thyme and rosemary used to flavour our cooking and the use of almonds and honey in our pastries, cakes and marzipans.

The marinades we use with meat and fish also have the same origins. Our Christian heritage is reflected in the tradition of roast meats and in the products derived from tradicional butchering where various types of sausage, drippings and cured hams are obtained. Throughout Andalucia a wide variety of locally produced products are available.

In our restaurant you can sample the local dishes of this area such as "perota" soup, "porra" a thick cold soup, "migas" a dish made with meat and breadcrumbs, "guiso de chivo" goat meat casserole, "ajo blanco" a cold garlic soup and a variety of home-made deserts.