Would like some apartment suggestions in Arcos de la Frontera. Looked at homeaway.com. Many were located near a golf course. Prefer a more local experience. Can be in town or in the general area. Open to suggestions on other villages nearby. We are planning a 2 week trip in October 2016 and will use the apartment as a base to explore Andalusia, Costa del Sol, Seville, Granada etc.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
At a 3+ hours drive from Arcos to Granada I hope you are not considering this for a day trip.
This looks lovely ... https://www.vrbo.com/8071430ha
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15788 posts
The historic center of ARcos is perched on a steep hill. It is difficult to drive up even if you have a parking place. Most guides recommend parking below and taking the town's minibus up and down. In other words, staying in the historic center would be beautiful for the views, charming for the town, but very impractical for day trips.
Jerez may be a better base, no hills, more restaurant options for dinner. You can "dine" on tapas (available most places most hours) but dinner in Spain is generally not served before 9 p.m.
Andalucia is not easy to see from a single base. Check the driving times using viamichelin.com. Bear in mind that these are optimal driving times, no allowances for city traffic, slow-moving vehicles, wrong turns . . . Driving in the historic centers of cities like Seville, Cordoba, Granada, is difficult and parking is expensive.
Posted by
Ann Arbor, Mi
3696 posts
I have stayed there before and we just walked up and down to the parking area. You can send your luggage up on the minibus but it was not that long of a walk. To me it is worth it to stay up there. Had some beautiful evenings out on the veranda with a nice glass of wine and amazing views.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
With 2 weeks, I'd at least look at splitting your time 3 ways, adding Sevilla and Granada to the location you are considering.
Posted by
Thailand
27 posts
Can anyone explain why it would be "but very impractical for day trips" as Chani said? Long wait for shuttle? Cost of shuttle? If you've made the walk, any rough guesses about long is it in distance or elevation gain, and time each way without luggage?
Posted by
Ann Arbor, Mi
3696 posts
If you are talking about the walk up to the top of the city center, as I recall it was only about 10 minutes, and it was a hill, it was not mountain climbing:)
I think the reason it is not suggested as a base for all of Andalusia as it is quite a distance from all of the towns you list. So, you will spend lots of time in the car round trip. When I do a road trip (and I drive a lot in Europe) part of the benefit is that I do not have to make all the round trips that are necessary with a train unless you want to drag your luggage. I just throw mine in the car and take off. I would probably look at distances and locations and choose 2 different places to stay to cover the whole area without being in the car all day.
Posted by
Thailand
27 posts
Terry kathryn, Thanks. It was't clear to me if Chani's 'impractical' referred to getting up to the town or using the town as a base.