VELEZ RUBIO

In northern Almeria, near the Murcian border, the hill-town of Velez-Rubio overflows with traces of its history. There are the cave paintings, 4km outside of the town, which date back to 4,000BC, the architectural vestiges of medieval times when the population abandoned the town in search of water. Then there are the 18th century baroque churches and, now, Velez-Rubio in its modern incarnation, with bars, restaurants and a Saturday market which has been taking over four main streets in the town for the past 200 years. The town sits among sierras, olive groves and wheat fields – which keep the many local mills busy in an area next to the town known as the Plain of the Mills (Ribera de los Molinos).
Velez-Rubio is an ideal place for those seeking the tranquility and beauty of living in a small agricultural town set among green valleys and the Espuna natural park, a protected mountainous area, yet only a short drive from unspoilt beaches in Almeria and Murcia. You also have the choice of three airports within an hour and a half’s drive.

Foreign buyers are starting to discover its charms, though new development remains very tasteful. Property for sale around here tends to be of the large, detached variety, whether rambling historic farmhouses (cortijos) or brand new luxury villas. Around Velez-Rubio and nearby Velez Blanca and the market town of Chirivel there are some wonderful, several-bedroomed farmhouses for sale with large amounts of land and amazing valley views from as little as 50,000 euros if you’re prepared for a big renovation job to around 250,000 euros for something fully-renovated. Large, luxurious new villas being built near Velez-Rubio cost around 230,000 euros, though there are properties too approaching the million euro mark if you’re looking for something quite extraordinary with land, swimming pools and bedrooms galore.