El Cancho

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Tarifa, Andalucia, Spain


Two wonderfully secluded beach houses (each sleeps 2-6) on a hillside in a Natural Park, with views across the straits to Morocco

Reviewed by Vanessa Barneby

El Cancho, Spain: Andalucia, Overview
 

EL CANCHO - REVIEW

Just 3km north of Tarifa, and a short stroll from the windswept beaches of the Atlantic, lies El Cancho – 2 contemporary pre-fab beach houses, staggered down a grassy hillside and surrounded by rocky outcrops and pine forest. The larger was originally designed for Milan’s Salon del Mobile (1998) by Swedish architect Thomas Sandell and Wallpaper*, and is a feat in compact living, although it sleeps 4-6 people. The smaller house – a wooden box-like build with glass front and wide decked terrace – sleeps 2-4. The simple, open-plan settings suit young couples looking for a romantic hideaway, or groups of kitesurfing friends, thanks to the strong winds the area is famous for.

While the houses may be new builds, this is a real back-to-nature experience: you occasionally get woken by the snuffling of naughty pigs beneath the floorboards of the raised house, or by the enchanting jingle of goat’s bells as the herd passes by on their daily grazing circuit. Fresh drinking water comes straight from the springs and the setting is beautifully isolated.
     
HIGHS

  • The location – a comfortable distance from the hubbub of the main road and Tarifa town, but not completely cut off from civilisation
  • A feeling of being at one with nature – sharing the hillside with cows, goats, pigs, owls and swooping red kites
  • BBQs on the terrace as the sun goes down, along with the melody of goat bells in the distance
  • Beaches – kite and windsurfing beaches aplenty, and a short drive to some of the most beautiful secluded bays in Europe
  • Privacy – the houses are not far apart but their positioning affords total solitude for sunbathing on the terraces
  LOWS

  • On very still nights (rare) the traffic can be heard from the main road
  • The open-plan sleeping arrangements might be off-putting for some, but adds to the ‘glorified camping’ charm of the place
  • The strong winds can be exhausting, but this is what many people travel to Tarifa for
  • Access is via a slightly treacherous single-track road – and a car is essential
  • There's no air con but the wind is a natural fan
  • Bear in mind the minimum stay of 7 nights in June, July, August and September
     
Print Whole Report 
Name El Cancho Location near Tarifa, Costa de la Luz
Type 2 Self-Catering Beach Houses Country Spain: Andalucia
Price Guide House for 2-4: €120-140/night
House for 4-6: €145-190/night
Open Open all year

DISTANCES Airport: 50km Nearest Shops: 3km Nearest restaurant: 0.5km Beach: 0.5km



 
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