Gaucin is an unspoilt mountain village perched on the crest of the Sierra del Hacho, 630 meters above sea level and looking south across the Mediterranean, Gibraltar and to the Riff mountains of North Africa. On a craggy mountain summit above the village is the famous old castle of the Eagles "Castillo El Alguila". Here a local hero, Guzman El Bueno died taking the fort from the Moors.

Situated 37 kilometres west of Ronda, it is ideally placed for visiting the historic cities of Sevilla, Cordoba and Granada. The village dates from Roman times and is dominated by the ruins of a Romano-Moorish castle. Its steep winding streets, hidden alley-ways and spectacular views are an inspiration for painters and photographers, and visitors delight in the friendliness of the local people.

The countryside around Gaucin is dramatic and beautiful with the Crestallina mountain to the east and El Hacho to the west, both of which can be climbed. A Roman road leads down to the river Genal, which flows through the valley below.In the spring months orchids, lupins, peonies and gladioli grow wild along the roadside, in winter you will find narcissi, iris and scillas, and the blossom of almond, orange and lemon gives the countryside a wonderful fragrance. Smugglers' footpaths crisscross the hillsides and you can walk for hours in the forestry reserve with only bee-eaters and wild pig for company. The village is on the migratory route: eagles circle the castle above and birds of prey wheel below the walls of the mill, kestrels nest in the mediaeval convent.