Villa Gelua Spain

Perched on the hillside in the residential area of Aigua Gelida, this spacious house offers magnificent views down to the sea and coastline. Arranged over two levels, Villa Gelua makes the most of its privileged position, with a large outdoor area and pool and a generous upper terrace, welcoming you to relax with all the family and enjoy long sunny days in this peaceful spot along the Costa Brava.
Simple and practical, the lower ground floor level features a small, unfussy kitchen that opens out into a bright lower living space. There is a small desk set beside large sliding doors that give access to the front garden and patio, and a couple of armchairs are arranged in front of the TV. Also on this level, there are two bedrooms, a generous double made cosy with a large rug and some furniture and a smaller room with a bunk bed on the opposite side of the staircase. A shared bathroom with a standing shower makes this a great area to offer extra guests a bit of privacy or designate to the kids so that they can wake up and enjoy some space without waking up the rest of the house.
Moving upstairs, the house becomes increasingly charming. A large integrated kitchen-living room unfolds to the upper terrace, with magnificent views framed through floor-to-ceiling glass doors. Flooded with light, the room maintains a minimal aesthetic. An exposed wall gestures to the surrounding mountainous terrain, whilst the terracotta-coloured floor continues to bring warmth to every room. To one side, a homely living area with a large sofa invites you to curl up in front of the fire or spend a rainy afternoon watching a movie with all the family. A dining table is perfectly positioned to look out across the landscape, whilst the sleek, modern kitchen features a centre island that is great to perch over a morning coffee and pastry. Fitted with contemporary appliances, the kitchen boasts a double hob and colourful wide-reaching countertops, providing plenty of space to cook meals throughout the day.
Large sliding doors open out onto the upper terrace, welcoming you to step out and take in the incredible unobstructed view down to the coast. An outdoor dining table makes a great place to enjoy a leisurely lunch al fresco or make the most of the balmy summer nights and spend an entertaining evening sipping wine beneath the stars. A reclining sun lounger to one side welcomes you to soak up the sun or take an afternoon siesta beneath the shade of the umbrella whilst the rest of the guests spend time by the pool.
The other four bedrooms are on this level. A generous double room looks out to the trees, with a low-lying bed and built-in cupboards for storage, whilst a further two bedrooms are minimally furnished with two single beds in each. There is also an additional room with a single trundle bed and a bathroom, with a tub and stand-over shower, to share between the rooms.
From the lower floor, the grass lawn drops down to a large terrace. Accessed via stone steps, the patio benefits from the same stunning views across the surrounding landscape and coastline. The main appeal is the inviting kidney-shaped pool, ideal for taking a refreshing swim before reclining on one of the nearby sun loungers to simply enjoy the sun’s warmth. Whilst enjoying spectacular views from its elevated position, Villa Gelua is just a 5-minute drive from the charming little town and beach of Tamariu. Once a small fishing village, Tamariu takes its name from the numerous tamarisk trees dotted along the seafront, where a crescent-shaped sandy beach frames the clear blue bay. Tucked between rocky outcrops, the calm water is perfect for a refreshing swim and paddling in the shallow water.
The picturesque town has plenty of shops, cafes and mini-marts to buy some local produce for the house, and a selection of larger grocery stores are just a short drive away. Several restaurants sit along the seafront, serving up fish caught by the local fisherman alongside a variety of traditional tapas dishes. Why not wander down for some lunch and sample some fresh seafood whilst watching the sailing boats come and go from the bay?
For a day out, the colourful town of Begur is just a 15-minutes drive. Meander through the narrow streets of Moorish and Spanish architecture and admire the neoclassical mansions built by returning merchants that sit alongside traditional fishermen’s huts. Take a seat on the Es Pedris Llarg, an extremely long stone bench beneath the Church of Sant Pere that offers the perfect place to enjoy an ice cream or coffee and watch the hum of activity in the central square. It is also possible to see the medieval remains of the town’s castle, constructed during the 16th century. If you are here in the evening, there are plenty of restaurants and terraces to enjoy the summer nights, and on Saturdays, there is the traditional Sardana dancing on the Placa de la Vila.
It is actually possible to walk between Begur and Tamariu, as the north-to-south coastal path is part of the GR-92. A challenging 11.5km stretch, the route offers some splendid panoramic views and reveals parts of the untouched coastline!
This Catalonian region is known to be a scuba-diving paradise, with the Medes Island archipelago regarded as the best natural reserve in the Mediterranean. The local Stolli scuba centre in Tamariu offers guides and lessons, or for those looking to stay above the water, several companies operate glass-bottomed boat trips around the islands. Just half an hour in the car takes you to the long golden sand of L’Estartit beach, where the boats depart from. Why not enjoy a day out on the water and admire the fauna and scenic inlets of the stunning islands?
The lovely Port d’Esclanya and neighbouring Aiguablava are also just a 10-minute drive from the villa. Previously a port, the little cove is framed by rocks and vegetation, protecting the crystal-clear water and making it great for snorkelling, or you can rent a kayak to get a different perspective on the coast. Aiguablava is a popular mooring space for sailing boats, and just off its beach are a number of charming restaurants. The local Toc al Mar is dedicated to serving local fish and seafood, grilling the fresh daily catch over their oak grill. Alternatively, for a more elegant experience, look to the Parador de Aiguablava, where you can sample traditional Catalan dishes such as rock fish broth, anchovies and Pals rice whilst looking out across the sea.