High in the Mountains of Sedella, Spain

The little town Sedella, with just over 600 inhabitants in the Andalusia region of Spain, sits in the foothills of the Sierra Tejedra mountains, about an hour and a half drive from Malaga. Megan and I got to spend 3 weeks here enjoying everything this special place has to offer.

For the first 2 weeks we stayed just outside of town in the farmland where Finca Mariposa resides. During our final week we stayed in the “big house on the hill” right in the heart of town. Driving into town, it was impossible to miss our accommodation as it stood out as the centerpiece of Sedella.

Getting There

If you are planning a visit, the direct and easiest route would be to fly directly into Malaga. From there you can rent a car. The cars are inexpensive to rent – roughly 10-15 euros per day. Be sure you get a
vehicle with enough power to get up the mountain roads. The roads are steep and not always in the best condition. Simply taking the trash out from Finca Mariposa to the corner was an off-roading experience.

Dining

Dining options are limited when it comes to eating out in Sedella but there are still a few good choices for when the hunger pangs call and you don’t feel like cleaning any dishes.

There is a nice sit down restaurant called Restaurante Lorena. We had the opportunity to dine here on two occasions. The first time we sat down for a full dinner. A few days later, we wandered in just for the clam starter and homemade limoncello. Each of these were so good we just couldn’t leave town without having them one more time. I highly recommend both of these items. The clams are bursting with flavor and the limoncello left us both puzzled at how they were able to make it so delicious. The limoncello we turn out at home hasn’t been half the quality!

For lunch and a more casual experience to grab some tapas and a beer, there is a place just down the road called Chiringuito. We were able to snag a few tapas and beers for less than 10 euros. There are two more bars in town to have a beer or wine at that will round out your
dining and beverage experiences.

If cooking at home is more your speed, it would be wise to do your shopping in Malaga before heading up the mountain. Once in town your shopping choices are limited, including beer and wine. The two small markets are only about 150 square meters each and keep only a few varied items on hand.

Vineyard

I could not believe how long I had to wait to get to a vineyard in Spain. As Megan I were driving from Barcelona to Malaga I was thinking to myself, where the hell are all the vineyards? Apparently not directly off the highways. Well, it was worth the wait.

We ventured out to Sedella Vineyard one day which is high in the mountains with the vines built on very steep slopes. It is a very small vineyard of just 2.5 hectares producing three different varieties. With such a small crop you could really taste the high quality and passion in the wine. The tour and tastings are made by reservation only and last about 1.5 hours. After the owner himself takes you around the property we headed inside to the tasting room which boasts an amazing view for some tapas and wine.

The cost of tour and tasting is 20 euros but well worth the fee as there are plenty of tapas and wine to be had.

Adventure

Sedella itself is a very small, remote town, but nearby there is no shortage of hiking. This town is a gateway to many great trails with the views to match. There is also plenty of nearby areas to bike. FastMonkey Bike Rental is a convenient service that will deliver biking equipment right to your doorstep. A group of guests staying in our accommodations made use of this service. We, however, did not do this because if I had a heart attack while biking, the hospital is all the way back to Malaga. Hopefully after a few more labor intensive Workaway experiences, we will find ourselves in better shape!

Maybe like us, your choice of speed comes with a motor. If so, there is no shortage of adrenaline rushes to be had. Driving here is like driving/riding “The Tail of the Dragon” only with more blind one-lane turns and death defying drops. I do not recommend this option if you’re not experienced.

If you find yourself in southern Spain, don’t skip over this small charming little mountain town. You will not be disappointed. The wine doesn’t stop flowing and the tapas are tasty. If you are looking for great hospitality and comfy beds, be sure to stay at Finca Mariposa.

Having a plethora of options of 2-3 euro wine to pair with 1 euro tapas is something that we will surely miss!

What is your favorite remote, relaxing destination? Let us know in the comments.

Cheers friends,

Matt & Megan