Oriva Editorial
@oriva_life_mapped
Hidden Gem: A village beneath the rock
Sep 27, 2026
Setenil de las Bodegas is unlike almost anywhere else in Andalusia. Rather than simply building around the landscape, the village has grown into the rock itself, with homes, shops and cafés tucked beneath enormous natural overhangs. The unusual layout comes from the gorge carved by the Guadalporcún River, and the lower part of the town is particularly known for these semi-cave dwellings. Walking through the streets, the rock isn’t just something to look at — it becomes part of the architecture, providing shade, shelter and a completely different sense of place.
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Worth knowing
The rock-covered streets are one of Setenil’s defining features, so make time to explore the lower part of the village rather than just viewing it from above.