Frigiliana – one of the most beautiful villages in Spain

At first I was skeptical when I heard about the small village in the mountains. But I was wrong and found one of the most beautiful places that I visited in Spain. Not only do I share that opinion. Frigiliana was named the most beautiful village in the province of Malaga by the Association Los pueblos mas bonita de Espana (The most beautiful villages of Spain) in 2016 and is now one of the 57 villages in Spain that was allowed to join the network.

Frigiliana – the most beautiful village of the Costa del Sol

What makes Frigiliana so special? You notice it when you first enter the small streets. These little streets feel like a labyrinth made of white houses. What Frigiliana does well is to boast of his architecture in the smallest space. Every new step opens new paths and lets you discover new angles and corners. The Arab Mudejar architecture of the village takes you back to a forgotten time. The village is secluded in the mountains north of Nerja. Large supermarket chains or fashion boutiques are not available. The white village is a haven for artists and pioneers of modern times.

The small village will delight those who value architectural art and want to immerse themselves in another age. There are no big tourist attractions, hotel complexes and shopping malls here. Instead, visitors enjoy the beauties of the village and the great views of the mountains and the valley. Take a walk through the white labyrinth and enjoy the playful shops, bars, and restaurants. The most beautiful pictures are created by the interplay of the azure blue sky and the white walls of the houses. If you fight your way up the steep path, you will be rewarded with a priceless view of the Mediterranean Sea.

5 things you can do in Frigiliana

Frigiliana is a manageable village with 3,000 inhabitants and is very suitable for a half-day trip. Here I show you 5 things that I really liked during my visit.

Get your camera ready and enjoy the atmosphere

The village is like a picture book and lets you immerse yourself in an impressive world. The ideal place for charming photos. Take your time to let the beauties of the village appeal to you and be inspired by Frigiliana, like so many other artists who have moved into the village.

Admire the sights

Frigiliana is a small village and does not have any big attractions. Still, there are two small places that I can recommend. These can also be easily planned into your own route.

The Fuente Vieja (Old Well) is a very old well. The fountain dates back to the year 1640 and was restored to its original form in 1990. The fountain is located in a dead end. The path leads through a wonderfully decorated residential area.

The second highlight is the church of San Antonio, which was built in the 17th century and is located on a small square with two restaurants. The place is perfect for a small rest and for a few photos.

Visit the local shops

All shops, bars or restaurants are operated by the inhabitants. It was interesting to see that many homeowners have converted the lower part of the living space as a shop or bar. You can see that there is a lot of love and work in the implementation. Sometimes one might think that the neighbors in the street are contesting a beauty contest about who has the most beautiful accommodation. Many local entrepreneurs offer their own arts and crafts. If you love fresh vegetables and fruits, you can buy products from the fields in the area.

Explore the unique mountain landscape

Something different from the beach offers a hike in the mountains of the Sierras de Tejeda Natural Park. There are exciting tours waiting for you, which you can start from Frigiliana. On different trails of the Sierra de Enmedia mountain range, you can discover the Costa del Sol from a completely different side. I never started a hike from Frigiliana by myself. But that is definitely still on my to-do list.

Visit the International Festival of Three Cultures

Since 2006, the biggest event of the year takes place in August in Frigiliana, the festival of three cultures. The background of this festival is the gathering of Christian, Sephardic and Arabic culture in Frigiliana. Over four days, international music artists visit the small village and entertain hundreds of people with their music. In addition to the music stage, you can try the many tapas routes. These offer food and drinks from the three cultures. The market, which spreads throughout the festival, offers local products and souvenirs.

Getting to Frigiliana from Nerja

Frigiliana is only a few kilometers away from Nerja. By car, you’ll be there in a few minutes. Leave Nerja in the direction of the motorway exit A-7 and at the second roundabout take the exit towards Frigiliana. From here you follow the road to Frigiliana.

There are enough parking spaces at the village entrance. Do not try to drive into the city center. Parking is scarce and the roads are steep and difficult to drive.

Also by bus from the bus station in Nerja, you can reach Frigiliana quickly and easily.

* No service on Sundays and Holidays
** No service on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays

Do you have any other tips for a trip to Frigiliana?

Have you already gained experience in Frigiliana? Are there any other helpful tips for Frigiliana? I would be happy to receive an answer from you in the comments.

Do you have any unanswered questions on this subject? Then just write me in the comments and I will answer them in the best possible way for you.

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