There are many activities that you may undertake during your stay at Hotel Bandolero. While here, why not enjoy a bit of nature in the Upper Genal Valley or in one of the area's three national parks, Sierra de Grazalema, Sierra de las Nieves or Los Alcornocales?
Below is a list of activities available in the Genal Valley and the Serrania de Ronda area. You can find contact details for some of these activities under our "Contacts" page or you can give us a ring and we will be happy to make advance arrangements on your behalf with a local service provider.
Local Festivals of the Genal Valley
- April - History Seminar on the Serranía de Ronda in Júzcar
- 07 June - Cartajima Romeria
* * June - Andalucian Romeria - Júzcar * *
Enjoy one of Andalucia's enduring traditions, a Romeria, a day in the countryside. Singing, dancing, horses, food, drinks, families, picnics, swimming - come and enjoy a traditional day in the countryside.
- June - Farajan Romeria
- August - Parauta Feria and Cultural Week
- August - Genalguacil, Genal Art Festival
- August - Gaucin Feria
- August - Farajan Feria, San Sebastian
Female volleyball tournament, big foam party, manzanilla degustation, paella, children's festival, live music, dancing and more!
- August - Benalauria Feria,
The Moors and Christians Fiesta
Flamenco festival, dancing, traditional match between singles & marrieds, foam party and children's theatre and more!
- August - Pujerra Culture Week
- August - Jimera de Líbar Feria and Water Fiesta
- August - Alpandeire Feria, San Roque
Children's theatre & games, football match, live music, dancing, plantarium and more!
- August - Summer days of Igualeja
- August - Atajate Feria, San Roque
Domino and swimming tournaments, a children's musical, procession, paella, Water Fiesta, dancing, eating and more!
- ** August - Júzcar Feria, The Virgin of Moclon**
Gastronomic contest, paella, children's games, big foam party, live music, a football match, singing, live music, eating, a procession and more!
- August - Benarrabá Cultural Week
- August - Igualeja August Feria
- October - Pujerra Chestnut Festival
- November - Cartajima Mosto Festival
- November - Juzcar Wild Mushroom Seminar, learn all about wild mushrooms, where they grow, how to find them, what one can eat and what one should not.
- December - Farajan Feria of the Virgin
Lounging poolside here at El Bandolero enjoying a fantastic view of the surrounding mountains and valley.
Relaxing Massage :- After a long walk through the Genal Valley, why not treat yourself to a relaxing & therapeutic massage in the comfort and privacy of your room. Massage provided by Phil or Nicky, 1 hour for 45€. Contact Hotel Bandolero to arrange your appointment, before or during your stay.
Relaxing facial massage:- lifts, tone the face while being highly relaxing and includes massage of the head, neck and shoulders, provided by Judith; 45 minutes / 30€. Contact Hotel Bandolero before or during your stay to arrange an appointment in the privacy of your room.
Reiki: a highly relaxing & natural healing technique, Reiki sessions given by Sandrine - 1 hour/35€. Contact Hotel Bandolero before or during your stay to arrange an appointment in the privacy and comfort of your room.
Extreme Outdoor Adventures:
- Canyoning "The Devil's Abyss" ("La Sima del Diablo") in the Júzcar river. Highly recommended for all who come to Juzcar; the landscape along the river banks in the Genal Valley are not to be missed!!
- Paintball is available in Juzcar, extreme outdoor fun for you and your mates!
- Archery, available in Juzcar, fun for the whole family.
Please see HB's Contacts page for more information on the above activities.
Walking: paths linking the seven villages that comprise the Alto Genal and the rest of the Genal Valley.
In springtime, the valley is covered with hundreds of wild flowers, changing from week to week. **Genal Valley hiking trail guidebooks are available in the hotel bar.**
Mr Henderson's Railway Walk
This short and easy walk in the Guadiaro Valley follows a delightful riverside & cliffside path, which links the sleepy village of Estación de Benaoján with the sleepier-still hamlet of Estación de Jimera de Libar. It begins at the Molino del Santo, a hotel just up from the railway line.
Hiking and trekking through the Genal Valley or one of the local natural parks, Sierra de Grazalema, Los Alcornocales or Sierra de las Nieves. This can be done on your own, exploring the local parks and trails or you can have a guide to take you along, explaining the plants and wildlife in the area as you go. If you would like to organise guided hiking, please contact us at Hotel Bandolero.
Organised painting holidays:
Come and enjoy a week of painting in the Genal Valley and surrounding areas. Any medium of painting is
welcome while the workshops specialize in pastels and oils. Please see HB's "Theme Holidays" page for details of packages, times and instructors.
Ronda la Vieja (Acinipo)
Ruined hilltop Roman town, with partially reconstructed amphitheatre.
Cueva de Pileta, Benaoján
Palaeolithic paintings of horses, goats, fish and a seal dating from 20,000 to 25,000 years ago preserved
in this impressive cave. For details on admission fee and opening hours, please see HB's Contacts page.
Wine Museum, Ronda
New museum which offers the opportunity to learn about the Ronda area wines. There is a wine tradtion in Ronda that goes back for 6,000 years. The museum is housed in an old villa in the historic old town of Ronda. For information on admission and opening hours, please see HB's Contacts page.
Ronda Vineyard Tour
The Ronda area now has ten vineyards ("bodegas") which should be of interest to wine connaseurs.
Take a tour of the Ronda vineyards. Here is a list of the Ronda bodegas:
- Bodega Cortijo de las Monjas. Principe Alfonso
- Bodega Descalzos Viejos
- Bodega Dońa Felisa
- Bodega El Baco
- Bodega El Juncal
- Bodega F. Schatz
- Bodega Los Aguilares
- Bodega Pacegón
- Bodega Ramos Pau
- Bodegas Conrad
Ronda: many sites of historical and cultural interest.
Why not enjoy a morning in historic Ronda and then spend some time relaxing in a few TAPAS bars, having a glass of wine or a beer and try a few tapas?
CLICK HERE to view some recommended tapaerias in Ronda along with some of our favorite tapitas in each location.
Cycling and Mountain Biking
Rental bikes are available in Ronda.
Horse riding in Ronda
Caving and/or rock climbing in Grazalema Natural Park or La Sierra de las Nieves Park
Kayaking and canoeing in smooth water and white water rapids
Swimming in the Rio Genal below Juzcar village in a beautiful spot with plenty of shade, a snack stand and plenty of fresh, cool river water!
Swimming in the Juzcar village pool, only a short 10 minute walk from Hotel Bandolero, admission gratis. There is also a bar / snackstand.
White Villages: take a driving tour of the mountain villages of the Genal Valley.
La Serrania de Ronda: the mountains all around Júzcar
Valle del Genal: Fabrica de Hojalata (Tin Factory Ruin), the oldest in Spain.
See the ruins of the oldest factory in Spain, first opened in 1731 in Juzcar..
Bird watching - English language guided tours for birdwatchers are available with a local resident bird expert. The Serrania de Ronda is home to many species of birds including birds of prey and more being located in an important migratory corridor. Vultures and eagles are among the most common birds soaring above the Genal Valley.
For more information on the birds of the Serrania de Ronda, click on the Birds link:
BIRDS
Autumnal chestnut picking as well as brilliant autumnal foliage.
Ruta de la Sierra de las Nieves
Enjoy beautiful views of La Serrania de Ronda
Marbella: coastal resort town with a charming old town
Beaches: all along the Costa del Sol, only 45 - 60 mintues from Júzcar
