El Cancho

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

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 with real eco-friendly ideals: solar panels provide electricity for lighting and power, whilst gas heats water directly from the mountain spring. The local farmer still herds his goats around the hillside, so you may have the enchanting soundtrack of jingling goats' bells while you siesta. And you won't see a car - the houses are a short walk (across a stream, then downhill) from the parking spot.

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

• Wholly dependent on natural energies, so without sunshine you may find yourself without power (but they promise "a limitless supply of tea lights and twinkling stars")
• On rare still nights, 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, with the last 30-100m on foot; 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 May - September