The Costa de La Luz offers an excellent climate, outstanding food and wine and is home to some outstanding natural reserves. In 1977 the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park was named a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and in 1984 it was declared as the first natural park in Andalucia.

Covering an area of 51,695 hectares, the park’s fauna and flora combined with the rocky limestone landscape of cliffs, gullies and rock formations as well as the flowing rivers and streams provide a stunning setting for family days out or for hikes, walks and bike rides.

Within the park there are several areas to explore, meaning this is the perfect place to come and visit at different times of the year. For those that want to simply relax in the shade, the El Castillejo botanical garden is ideal whilst the Ecomuseo del Agua, a water museum, tells the story of the use of water in the Sierra de Grazalema. It is located in an old watermill and is the starting point of one of the park’s walks. There are over 30 pre-planned walking routes (senderos) within the park, from one that is approximately 2.3km in length to one that is 10km long. Information on what you can see along the way is available at the park’s comprehensive information points.

Fauna and flora
The park is home to bats, birds and mammals. Birds of prey are particularly easy to spot with Griffon vultures found in the Garganta Verde which can be found within the Sierra del Pinar. Booted eagles, Egyptian vultures and Bonelli eagles also inhabit the Sierra’s highest, rockier outcrops. A large bat population is found in the Hunidero Gato caves, particularly in winter when they hibernate. The largest of the caves is a whopping 4km long. Common and less common mammals include badgers, foxes, roe deer, otters and the beautiful Spanish Ibex.
As can be expected in Andalucia, the park’s flora includes cork and olive trees which grow alongside Mediterranean strawberry trees, dwarf fan palms and lentisc. Poplar, willow, alder and elm trees grow alongside the streams and the El Bosque river.

Getting there and information centre
The Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park is easy to reach by car via the A372, A373 and A374 from your holiday home on the Costa de la Luz. It has three information centres in various locations (Cortes de la Frontera, El Bosque and Grazalema) which provide maps, information and walking routes and you can also find information at the tourist office in Cadiz and Malaga.

Please have a look at our holiday homes for sale on the Costa de la Luz, to be able to enjoy this area more often!