June 12th to 19th 2027: Open for booking

October 16th to 23rd 2027: Open for booking

November 7th to 14th 2026: Fully booked - join the waiting list 

Finca el Cerrillo is a small, charming hotel in the peaceful Andalusian countryside. The hotel is close to the traditional white villages of Canillas de Albaida and Competa in the foothills of the Sierra Almijara, Southern Spain. From its terraces there are sweeping views of the valley below and the nearby national park.

It's an idyllic location with plenty of inspiration for sketching and painting, there's an air conditioned studio on site, a swimming pool, pretty gardens and plenty of places to work outside or nearby. The 200 year old farmhouse is steeped in charming character, providing a wealth of subjects for those looking for inspiration. Outside, the terraced gardens with carob and palm trees surround both sunny and shaded patios. The swimming pool and deck areas have stunning views providing a pleasant place to swim or somewhere to relax on a comfortable lounger with a glass of wine or cold beer from the Honesty bar. The three nearby villages of Canillas de Albaida, Competa and Archez are all Moorish style 'Pueblos Blancos' (white villages) with colourful, flower-decked balconies and narrow winding streets. 

There are 14 individually styled rooms which combine traditional Andalucian style with contemporary simplicity. The rooms have air conditioning, tea & coffee making facilities and en-suite bathrooms with toiletries.

Beginners are most welcome and non painting partners can come along too. 

The hotel features in Alastair Sawday's special places to stay and is rated 5 stars on Trip Advisor. It is a truly magical and inspiring place!

"Pam is not only an excellent professional artist but also an inspirational tutor, a rare combination. We have spent several very enjoyable painting holidays with her at Finca el Cerrillo. This is an excellent venue where every view, near or far, is a painting in waiting. The hospitality is first class, comfortable bedrooms with superb views, excellent tasty home cooked lunches and evening meals. In summer these are served outside on the terrace. 

“ A painting holiday in Spain was always on my bucket list (I live in New Zealand) so in September 2025 I went on a painting holiday with Pam. I loved the vibrant detail and delicate touch of her watercolours and the Finca El Cerillo looked very inviting.

Pam is a very talented artist and experienced teacher and I learnt many techniques and tips for better painting. In the studio we did something different everyday -  sketching from plants and objects around the villa, sketching outside in the local villages and then painting back in the studio. We had the privilege of watching her in action with a painting of the famous ‘blue door’ and had time to create our own masterpieces. The other artists were all lovely people and we had a lot of fun in the studio and on the day trips out.

The holiday was so well organised from the suggested hotel in Malaga (Hotel Malaga Picasso) the transport to the finca, the day trips and dinners out and the return to the airport. I had never been to Spain so all this would be rather overwhelming on my own.

Finca el Cerillo was as gorgeous as it looked online and I had a beautiful spacious room with a balcony over looking the Spanish valley. The bed was very comfortable and the bathroom lovely with the blue tiles. I’m a book lover so the cute little library was my happy place.

Meals were delicious - buffet breakfast every morning and a sit down dinner on the terrace at night. Pam was also a lovely hostess making sure everybody was okay.

I highly recommend Pam and the Finca staff for all they put into the painting holidays. For me it was a magical 5 star holiday experience! “        Annabel Bailey 5/2026

Cost of the holiday 2027: June & October

Single Occupancy in a double room with en suite: £300 deposit paid to Pam Smart plus €1425 euros (approx £1245) paid directly to the hotel. TOTAL COST £1545*

2 painters sharing a double room with en suite: £300 deposit per person paid to Pam Smart plus €1150 euros (approx £1005) paid directly to the hotel. TOTAL COST £1305pp*

1 painter and a non painting partner sharing a double/twin room with en suite: painter pays deposit of £300 & non painting partner pays deposit of £100, plus €1150 euros pp paid directly to the hotel. TOTAL COST painter £1305*, non painter £1105*

*the conversion from euros to pounds is based on the exchange rate at the time of writing and may vary.

What is included

5 days of tuition with Pam Smart

7 nights accommodation in an air-conditioned en-suite room

7 breakfasts

6 buffet lunches

Unlimited tea & coffee in your room and studio

7 dinners - a 3 course dinner every evening - some in local village restaurants

1 sketching trip to a local town

Room serviced regularly

Pool towels

Airport transfers from Malaga airport (as long as your flight arrives to meet the arranged transfer) 

Use of air-conditioned Studio, easels, stools & boards.

What is not included

Flights

Insurance

Drinks (there is an honesty bar)

trips that might be taken on the free day

1 lunch on the day out

You will need to arrange your own flights to and from Malaga airport. 

I have put together some suggested flights below

Food and Drink

Dinner

Dinner is served at the hotel five evenings a week. The menu has been designed around fresh, locally sourced ingredients and presented with a new approach reflecting contemporary influences. A good choice of reasonably priced wines, spirits, liqueurs & soft drinks are available in the honesty bar (drinks are not included in the cost of the holiday)

On two of the seven evenings, guests will be taken by taxi to a local restaurant in Canillas de Albaida or Competa. This is included in the cost of your holiday. 

Breakfast

Continental breakfast comprises:

Fresh brewed coffee and tea

Freshly squeezed juices

Locally made bread and conserves

Local cheeses and cured meats

Fresh fruit, yoghurt & muesli

Lunch

A buffet lunch of fresh salads, paella, sandwiches, cold meats and cheeses etc 

"The holiday was near perfection. I absolutely loved the venue: La Finca is quite magical and like nowhere else I’ve been before. Lovely swimming pool with sun loungers around the edge. My accommodation was super: a very large room with sitting area, 2 chairs and a coffee table, a brand new looking wet room and a separate wash area and W. C. Tiling in a tasteful shade of blue, very designer. I had a large comfortable king size bed with beautiful white bedspread. The food could not have been bettered. It was varied, imaginatively presented and fresh local ingredients were used. We were able to eat every meal Al fresco. Staff were very attentive , friendly and helpful.

We had plenty of quality tutor time, which was very useful.  The tutor was outstanding, and gave generously, imparting skills I’d never dreamed of using!  

Sally B