Madrid province apartment rental

A light and spacious ground floor apartment in tranquil surroundings.

THE PROPERTY is situated in Mataelpino a small village which nestles at the foot of the La Maliciosa mountain range and the Pedriza Regional Park. Yet it is only 45 minutes by car to the cultural city of Madrid. There is a direct bus at the end of the road. The area offers a wealth of natural beauty and a variety of activities. Swimming, ski-ing (weather permitting), walking, cycling, horse riding, climbing, fishing, painting, wild flower and mushroom collecting. It is an ideal place to enjoy bird watching, with some rare and interesting species, especially Nightingales, Bee Eaters, Golden Oriels, Storks, Azure Winged Magpies, Eagles, Kites, Vultures and other Raptors. Red Squirrels and numerous butterflies visit the garden. Only a ten minute walk away there are a number of mountain trails. This peaceful natural environment offers spectacular scenery. Take a picnic and enjoy the incredible views. In addition, gastronomical tourism and the week long local fiestas offer a unique opportunity for you to enjoy the flavour of Spain.

The apartment is set in a beautiful typically English garden where you can enjoy the scent of roses whilst swimming, or relaxing by the pool and taking in the views of the mountains. There is also a barbeque and spacious covered verandah for outdoor dining.

The English owner has lived in Mataelpino for many years and has a wealth of knowledge about the area and its surroundings. She also speaks Spanish, should you need any assistance.

HILL WALKING, MOUNTAIN CLIMBING AND CYCLING: There are a large number of trails from Mataelpino which lead to many points of interest along the mountain ridge, there are some maps and routes available in the apartment. The apartment has two mountain bikes.

SKIING: Weather permitting, winter skiing at Valdeski (16 km) or Puerto de Navacerrada (22 km). These slopes are ideal for beginners.

CULTURAL TOURISM: Local Fiestas in Mataelpino and the surrounding villages are held from July to September. The three towns of Mataelpino, Cerceda and El Boalo celebrate their fiestas on three consecutive weeks in August. The fiestas begin with the crowning of two teenagers who become a Prince and Princess for the week. The fiestas are colourful events with music, singing and dancing in the village square every evening. In addition there is a fun fair, and market stalls selling handicrafts line the streets. Each fiesta culminates in an outdoor feast which is held in the town square followed by a spectacular display of fireworks at midnight.

Each village also has a fiesta to celebrate its own saint and these are occasions for both solemnity and merriment. The fiesta of Saint Isidro is held on the 15th May. His effigy is carried in procession through the town of El Boalo, through the surrounding fields and up into the mountain to the small local church where a mass is celebrated. Meanwhile, outside the church in the area at the foot of the mountains, a giant party takes place. Awnings are erected, BBQ’s are lit, and the local inhabitants enjoy a communal picnic. Musicians play, whilst horse riders in local costume canter through the crowds, and children play on the bouncy castle.

GASTRONOMICAL TOURISM: Mataelpino and its environs boast a number of superb restaurants serving excellent Spanish cuisine, such as The Azaya Restaurant which is within walking distance, El Cenador Salvador (Michelin 2 stars) in Moralzarzal (4 km), Don Astuto in Mataelpino and The Taberna in Becerril de la Sierra (4 km) famous for its lobster rice. Every year in March each of the villages organises a Tapas Festival where the owners of the local bars compete for the prize of 'best tapas in the village'.

The local towns also host a weekly food market where you can sample some of the best of our produce. You can also buy wonderful home-made bread, cheeses and home cured cold meats and hams at the Artisanal Mediveal Markets.

ENGLISH CONVERSATION AND CLASSES FOR SPANISH SPEAKERS: Take this opportunity to spend time with a fully qualified native English teacher. Practice your English conversation skills, or get help with some of those aspects of grammar that nobody has ever been able to explain properly to you. After many years of teaching English to Spanish people she can provide English which is tailored to your specific requirements. Conversation with morning coffee, or a traditional afternoon tea with dainty sandwiches, scones with cream and jam, cakes and biscuits and other typical English fancies.

PLACES NEARBY: The following areas of interest are within a short distance:

* The Spa at El Bosque - treat yourself to a spa or a massage (5 minutes walk)
* The Castle at Manzanares el Real - enjoy some history and then a beer or an ice cream in the plaza (10 km)
* The Monastery at San Lorenzo, El Escorial (28 km)
* The Monastery of El Paular (38 km)
* The ancient city of Segovia - with many restaurants for delicious roasted suckling pig (45 km)
* Navacerrada with a flea market (rastro) every Sunday morning - incredibly cheap bargains from the arts and crafts era, as well as all the usual car boot fair curiosities (7 km)
* Puerto de Navacerrada - skiing (16 km)
* Laguna de Peñalara (25 km)
* Puerto de Cotos - the highest point in the area (22 km)

MADRID: The magical city of Madrid has many streets and plazas to explore where you can enjoy a cool beer or a glass of delicious Spanish wine with tapas. In addition, it offers numerous galleries, museums and heritage sites, including the Prado, the Thyssen, the Royal Opera House, the Royal Palace, the Retiro Park (with its book market and boating lake) and the Botanical Gardens. There are also 15,000 bars and restaurants, including El Botin, founded in 1725, which according to the Guinness Book of Records, is the oldest restaurant in the world!

For anyone who enjoys quality of life this is the perfect place for a long or short stay, and somewhere you can come back to time and time again, and still discover new things.

This is the general location

Outside this Self catering apartment in Mataelpino, Spain

The apartment is in a very quiet area. It has a private south facing swimming pool, a south facing garden, a south facing patio area, panoramic views, a barbeque.