El Gastor: A Rural Tourism Haven
Fondly known as the ‘balcony of the white villages’, because of the two mountain peaks in its area, El Gastor, Spain is a village that sits on the rim of the stunning Sierra de la Grazalema Natural Park. It is centrally located in the province of Cadiz that serves as an accessible base for exploring other nearby towns. It is a small but lively community with friendly folks.
Best Time to Visit
Ideal weather awaits visitors in April, May and October who are in town to explore El Gator’s great outdoors. May to July is the peak season for tourism in the area so expect hotels not only to be fully occupied but to be pricier as well. It is also within this period that El Gastor celebrates Corpus Christi in June. This big event includes the Gaita Gastoreña contest that involves a wind instrument made from the horn of an ox or cow. Expect the streets and the hotels in the area to be jam-packed on this special day.
What to Do & Area Attractions
Among the places to visit while in El Gastor are Lake Grazalema where you can fish, kayak and canoe. Then head to Giant's Dolmen, an excellent example of megalithic art, and hit the unspoilt beaches of the Costa de la Luz, an hour’s drive away. Outside town less than 30 minutes away are hotels that are near many places of interests. Tugasa Hotel Arco de la Villa is an 11-minute walk from hiking paths. Hostal Marqués de Zahara is housed in a historic building while 4-star Puerta de la Villa offers mountain views along the A372 highway.