Sierra de Grazalema
The Sierra de Grazalema cover the north east interior of the Cádiz province from Arcos de la Frontera in the north to Medina Sidiona in the plains of the south. Away from the coast and from heavily touristed areas and large urban centres, the white villages that nestle in the mountains of the Sierra are delightful, untouched places and the wild coutryside surrounding them boasts a wealth of flora, fauna and natural beauty.

Arcos de la Frontera
The town of Arcos with a population of 28,000 is situated in a spectacular position on a high ridge next to the Guadalete river. Approaching the town from the eastern A372 road, Arcos appears to be suspended above a dramatic cliff face. The steep, cobbled streets of the old town lead up to a 15th century castle and there are magnificent views from the castle and the town, particularly at Plaza de Cabildo, over the surrounding countryside. There are several buildings of note in Arcos including the Santa Maria Church, with its gothic façade and ornately carved choir stalls, the San Pedro Chapel, which sits on the edge of the cliffs, the Palacio de Mayorazgo with its intricate Renaissance façade and the Ayuntamiento with its fine Mudejar ceiling. The tall, white Renaissance houses and crumbling stone façades of the old town can be appreciated from the narrow streets in the heart of the old town. Due to its rich architecture and magnificent setting, Arcos has been declared a National Historic-Artistic monument. Just below Arcos is a reservoir formed by the River Guadalete where various leisure pursuits can be practiced. Arcos is situated on the A382 motorway, the airport at Jerez is 22km from Arcos.

Algar
An attractive village with whitewashed houses and 1700 inhabitants, the name Algar means cave in Arabic and there are many caves in the surrounding area. Algar is close to the enormous reservoir of Guadalcacín. The village was created in the 18th century in an attempt to repopulate the area and, as with other villages in this area, its streets have been built on a uniform, grid pattern with the important buildings located around the central square. Today, Algar is known for its leather goods. Algar is 12km from Arcos on a small country road.

Bornos
Beyond Arcos, on the shores of the reservoir is the village of Bornos, with a population of 8000. An agricultural village of typical white Andalucían houses, there are beautiful, timeless views from Bornos across the lake to the mountains beyond.
Bornos is 9km from Arcos on the A382 main road. A regular bus service connects the village with Jerez.

Espera
North of Arcos, the village of Espera with 4000 inhabitants has some important archaeological sites including the Roman ruins of Carissa Aurelia and the Arabic Castle of Fatetar. The nearby lake of la Zorrilla serves as a reserve for migratory birds. Espera is 14km north of Arcos on the minor A393 road.

Villamartin
The small town of Villamartin has a population of 12,000 and is located north east of Arcos on the other side of the large reservoir. Another typical Andalucían village with large squares, white houses and narrow streets, Villamartin is surrounded by agricultural land. There is a good public swimming pool in Villamartin as well as a sports centre. Villamartin is 10km from Bornos on the main A382 road.
15km northeast of Villamartin, the village of Puerto Serrano with 7000 inhabitants is a tranquil village located on plains amongst agricultural land. With whitewashed houses and streets built on a grid pattern, it lies on the northern border of the Cádiz province.

Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park
The spectacular and wild Sierra de Grazalema spans the east of the Cádiz Province from the coast to the mountains inland and stretches over into the province of Málaga. The turbulent geological history of this area has formed valleys, caves, gorges and gulleys and the mountains ranges have heights between 600 and 1600 metres. Much of the area is wild and uninhabited, supporting a range of flora and fauna. Many prehistoric, world famous paintings have been found in the caves of the area. The villages in this area are remote and little visited and have often preserved the unique characteristics of the Andalucían mountain village.

Prado del Rey
On the north eastern edge of the park, Prado del Rey is a lively village of 6000 people. It was an important Roman settlement and the remains of the Roman city of Iptuci are 4km from the village. The village was established in 1768 by a Royal Order which attempted to re-colonize depopulated areas of Andalucía. As such, its streets have been well planned and run on a grid pattern, with the main administrative and religious buildings at the centre. Prado del Rey manufactures leather products, handmade furniture and delicious, rich honey. The Pajarete wines which are produced in the area are well known and the village is surrounded by vineyards and olive trees. Today, the village is lively and atmospheric, it boasts discos and pubs and 3 public swimming pools. Prado is 16km south east of Villamartin, the nearest service centre.

South of Prado, the smaller village of El Bosque with 2000 inhabitants is also located on the edge of the national park. Surrounded by forests and natural beauty, El Bosque was awarded the Provincial Award of Beautification. El Bosque is known as being an excellent location for hang-gliding and annual championships are held here. El Bosque is located on the crossroads of the A372 and A373 roads, 6km south of Prado. Benamahoma is another mountain village 4km east of El Bosque.

Grazalema
Situated in the mountains in the west of Cádiz, bordering the Málaga Province, Grazalema (population 2000) has a unique microclimate which makes it the wettest area in the whole of Spain. During the winter, snow even falls here. One of the most visited villages in the area, Grazalema's whitewashed houses and cobbled streets lay over the fold of a mountain in an extremely picturesque area. The local manufacture of pure woollen blankets has been a tradition in the village since Arab times and they are still made here today and exported all over the world. The area surrounding the village consists of lovely countryside and forests of Mediterranean fir where the tawny vulture and the golden eagle can be found. The fir trees are a particular species known as "pinsapos" which is not found anywhere else in Europe. Hang-gliding and paragliding are practised at Grazalema, there are numerous caves in the area used for pot-holing and mountain-climbing on peaks up to 1,500 metres is also possible. The public swimming pool in Grazalema an extremely priviledged view of Grazalema and the surrounding area. The nearest service centre to Grazalema is Ronda, across the border in Málaga some 26km away.

Villaluenga del Rosario
A tiny mountain village of 500 people, Villaluenga consists of inclined streets and whitewashed dwellings decorated with flowers hanging from their balconies. Nearby, the caves of La Yedra and La Rajada drip with stalagmites and stalagtites. There is a swimming pool in the village. Villaluenga is 10km south of Grazalema, rather isolated on winding mountain roads.
West of Villaluenga, the unique countryside of La Manga contains prehistoric caves, dolmens. Benaocaz is another small mountain village, 6km west of Villaluenga. It lies at the foot of a huge mountain which dwarves the tiny village of 700 inhabitants. The buildings of Benaocaz are clearly of Moorish influence. There is a little museum of local archaeology and ethnology in the village. Benaocaz is 8km from the little town of Ubrique.

Ubrique
This mountain town is famous for its leather industry which the Moors established here. It is a lovely white town of 17,000 inhabitants built close to the source of the Ubrique river which divides the centre of the town in two. The town consists of picturesque steep and narrow streets and attracts a few tourists. The leather work shops can be visited here and the leather industry continues to thrive. There are sports facilities and a public swimming pool in Ubrique. Ubrique is 8km from Benaocaz and is a minor service centre for the villages in the surrounding area.

Zahara de la Sierra
To the north of the mountains, Zahara is an extremely beautiful village which is built beneath an outcrop of rock. A village of 1500 people, it is located next to a picturesque lake in an area of outstanding natural beauty. The remains of a 13th century Moorish castle can be seen on the wooded hill above the village. Zahara is situated 51km from Arcos de la Frontera and 15km from Grazalema.
On the opposite side of the lake to the east, El Gastor is a charming white mountain village of 2000 inhabitants, nestled under the peak of a mountain. El Gastor is 15km from Zahara by road.

Algodonales
The huge Líjar mountains loom over Algondonales, a village of 5500 residents. The village is of Roman origins, although Neolithic remains have been found in the caves nearby. Algondonales is well known for its manufacture of guitars and it is still possible to see them being made in the village. Situated by the River Guadelete, close to the reservoir formed by the river, it is an attractive place composed of white houses. Algodonales is 6km north of Zahara and is situated just off the main A382 road, about halfway between the service centres of Arcos de la Frontera and Ronda in the Málaga province.

Olvera
Located in the north east of the Cádiz province, this town of 9000 inhabitants is an impressive sight, with its white houses crowning the top of a hill. It used to be infamous as a bandits hideout an old saying in Andalucía was "Mata a tu hombre. Y vete a Olvera" - kill your man and fly to Olvera! The town is indeed reminiscent of bandit country, with jagged rocks surrounding it. The plain looking castle balances on a dramatic rocky outcrop next to the town. The castle is of Moorish origin and provides dizzy views down to the town below. Olvera is surrounded by olive groves and produces pure olive oil and esparto products. Views to the south of the town look over the beautiful Serranía de Ronda. Olvera is situated on the main A382 road, 100km from Jerez. The nearest service centre is the town of Ronda in Málaga, 40km away.
4km south east of Olvera is Torre de Alhaquime, a village of 1000 inhabitants. Its tranquil streets and pure mountain air make this an attractive place. It is a white village in a picturesque setting on top of a small hill, the River Guadalporcún runs next to the village.
Near to Torre is the village of Alcalá del Valle with 5200 people. A white village in a sparsely wooded area, it is one of the well preserved white mountain villages. It is known for its esparto products and "pata negra" cured ham. Alcalá is close to the border with Málaga, 12km from Torre by road.

Setenil de las Bodegas
Setenil is an unusual village of 3000 people. Its houses are built into the side of the mountain and the rooftops of the houses are actually the rock itself, the mountain dramatically overhanging the constructions and the houses nestled underneath. Well known for its wicker and esparto products, Setenil is popular with tourists due to its unique style of dwellings. Sentenil is 4km south of Alcalá.

Central Area

Medina Sidonia
A Moorish city that, from a distance, appears to hang like a white necklace around the hill on which it is built. It is a town of 11,000 people whose narrow and sometimes very steep streets are certainly reminiscent of the Moorish era. Initially, Medina was a Roman colony known as Assido and was later called "Medina" or city, by the Arabs. It is one of the least tainted of the hill villages in Cádiz, with squares and courtyards, a gothic church and cafes with terraces. Vestiges of the Moorish castle still remain and offer good views over the surrounding countryside. Medina is known for a sweet known as alfajor, a honey and almond pastry whose origins date back to Moorish times. Medina is situated in the centre of the Cádiz province, it is connected to Jerez, 40km away, by dual carriageway.

Benalup de Sidiona
The village of Benalup with 6000 inhabitants is another village of Moorish origins with narrow, white streets, which was traditionally involved in agriculture. It is close to some important prehistoric sites, including the cave of Tajo de las Figuras, which can be reached with some difficulty 10km from Benalup. Also nearby is the abandoned monastery of El Cuervo, a beautiful and isolated sight. Benalup is 20km from Medina on small country roads.

Paterna de Rivera
North east of Medina with a population of 5000, Paterna is famous for its asparagus and snails, its indiginous songs known as "peteneras" and also for raising fighting bulls and graceful Andalucían horses. In July, a national Peteneras competition is held here. The springs near the castle are well known for their medicinal qualities. Paterna is 10km from Medina on the small A393 road. Another 20km north is the village of San José del Valle (4000 inhabitants) which lies between Cádiz's mountains in the north and the cattle raising plains in the south, San José is a couple of kilometres from the Guadalcacín reservoir.