Casa Feliz Iznajar

Lakeview Living near a Classic "Pueblo Blanco"

This vivid villa with a big pool and wide-open views sits on the crest of a hill in Spain’s sunny Andalusia, about an hour’s drive from Málaga, Córdoba, and Granada alike. Walking distance from Lake Iznájar, the relaxed, three-bedroom, two-bath home was completed in 2020 and is next door to a sister vacation property, Casa Clemente, although each property features independent terraces, swimming pools and elevations.

The easygoing home’s common areas fill the ground level, including a fully-equipped kitchen accessible to both indoor and outdoor dining areas for eight. There's also a side terrace for outdoor cooking on the plancha and picnicking, and an outdoor lounge space with a sofa. The indoor living area is also on this level, with access to the lakeview terrace and pool.

Upstairs, the villa features a primary bedroom and ensuite bathroom with a lakeview balcony featuring walled-in sofas. A double bunk room with security rails (sleeping four) and the third bedroom share a shower room.

The vast heated pool sits slightly elevated above the house, and measures 5x8 meters. It is surrounded by sun beds, umbrellas and butterfly chairs, and comes with an electric cover for warmth and security.

Around

Surrounded by hills neatly lined with rows of olive trees, the villa overlooks Andalusia’s largest lake, Lake Iznájar. Its shores are within walking distance, and the town of Iznájar is an easy 10-15-minute drive away. One of the region’s famed “white villages," or Pueblos Blancos, Iznájar is built against a rugged mountain and surrounded by foothills. The town is home to some 4,500 inhabitants and is known as a hidden gem, a community of bright white heritage structures hung with hundreds of flower pots that has been inhabited for over 1,000 years. The town’s Patio de las Comedias is perhaps the town’s most picturesque courtyard, a geranium covered square that once held the town’s market, or souk. A striking Moorish castle stands guard over the village, and the fortress is today a museum that details the region’s history. Winding alleys within the village reveal 16th- and 17th-century residences and parish churches, and the town accesses the lake at the reservoir level (10-minute drive, 30-minute walk).

The lake’s recreational sandy beach is known as Playa de Valdearenas, a spot for sunbathing and renting equipment such as paddle boats, SUPs and canoes. Spanning some 32 kilometers, the bright blue body of water resembles an inland sea. Note that because of its narrow streets and tightly packed buildings, Iznájar village is most easily accessed in off season, as it wasn’t created for vehicular traffic and tourist crowds.

Location

Nearest airport: Málaga (1 hour); Seville (2 hours)

Best time to visit

April through October, with spring and fall best to avoid summertime crowds