De Balsa is located at 1200 meters altitude in a beautiful hiking area at the foot of the Sierra Nevada between almond and olive groves. The Sierra Nevada National Park is an excellent place for hiking, mountain biking (we have four ATB’s) or horseback riding. From our ground floor lounge you have a marvelous view on the Picón de Jeres and from our house you can walk right into the mountains. Two villages are within walking distance (approx. 1 km.). There is a supermarket, bank, vegetable shop and several bars and restaurants. You will find silence and clean air, space and security.
On the ground floor we have a spacious 40 m² apartment, consisting of a bedroom with a double bed, a living room with an open kitchen and (sofa) extra bed for one person and a bathroom with a toilet and shower. For heating there is a wood stove and a butane stove. Since La Balsa is located at an altitude of 1,250 meters, the nights are generally cool and therefore we do not have air conditioning.
On the first floor we have 5 rooms with individual entrance from the terrace. One room with a double bed, one 3 person room with a double bed and a single bed, one with a single bed, one with a bunk bed and two connected rooms with 5 single beds.
The rooms do not have heating, but we have electric heaters for rent. There is a wood stove and a butane stove in the shared kitchen.
The two bathrooms with showers are on the ground floor with access via an external staircase. The common kitchen-dining room is on the ground floor as well.
The terrace (100m2) has a barbecue and overlooks our olive trees and Picón de Jerez (3000 meters).
The common kitchen has a fireplace and a living room. You can cook yourself or with the other guests.
Eye: our rural house is not a luxury house. Our pool is in the village, and you have to share it with the other Alquifeños, but we do have dishwasher, washing machine, refrigerators, oven and microwave.
Some information for our guests
Transportation
From Alquife you can take the ALSA bus to Guadix and to its final destination Granada. From the Granada bus station you have to take the bus to Aldeire and get of in Alquife. You can consult the ALSA timetables at www.alsa.es.
Shopping
In Alquife you will find a supermarket, Coviran, close to the church. It opens at 09:30, closes between 14:00-17:30 and closes again at 20:00. The ATM-machine is around the corner.
The bakery is on the main road and opens at 09:30.
Next to the town hall there is a greengrocer.
Lanteira has a little supermarket named Angel.
There is an open air market on Wednesday in Lanteira and on Saturday in Guadix.
There is a second hand market on Sunday in Baza.
Eating and drinking
Tapas are free in our region. In Alquife you will find a bar on the village main street.
In nearby Lanteira you find Bar La Plaza at the central square (closed on Thursdays) and Bar Felix around the corner, only opens in the weekends.
Lanteira has a restaurant: Altozano ( During the year only open in the weekends in the month of august it is open during the whole week except Monday, and it is closed in July).
The Swimming pool
It is open in July and August, and it has a bar and restaurant. (3 euro entrée)
In case of an emergency
The general phone number in case of emergencies is 112. For the Guardia Civil, call 062. The Centro de Salud Alquife is located at Calle Los Pozos. For emergencies, call 902505061, 7/24.
Guided tours in the castle of la Calahorra.
The castle in La Calahorra you can visit on Wednesday morning, in summer also in the afternoons (entrée 3 euro).
Hiking in the high mountains, Postero Alto and Puerto de la Ragua
If you want to hike high in the mountains, you can drive to Puerto de la Ragua. Or you can drive to Jeres de Marquezado and go walking right after the aquaduct or ride to Postero Alto if you take the road at about 300 mtrs. (km. 13). after the aqua duct at you left to Refugio Postero alto. (open in the weekends).