Is Frigiliana Worth Visiting? The Hidden Gem in Spain
Frigiliana is a white-washed village in Southern Spain in which the Spanish Tourism Board has named it the prettiest village in Andalusia. You can clearly see why as you wander the charming labyrinth of white-washed streets.
Pueblos Blancos – The White Towns of Andalusia
There are many white towns (Pueblos Blancos) all around Andalusia and Frigiliana might just be one of the best to see. But if you crave more, you can also head to some other favorites like Ronda, Arcos de la Frontera, Mojácar, and Casares. They are all very picturesque and tiny hidden gems that can be best explored by car as they are within difficult reach. This is what makes it more special in my opinion – the harder it is to reach the more unique and out of tourist’s eyes, it is.
This post will focus on Frigiliana in particular and hopefully, you will fall in love with the town as much as I did by the time you read this post!
Is Frigiliana worth visiting?
Frigiliana in my opinion is well worth a visit because I love hidden gems and this is just that! It is not yet overrun by tourists and you can visit on a day trip from Malaga or Nerja which are both nearby.
When is the best time to visit?
The best time to visit has to be right before peak summer in May. If you visit in July to August, the temperatures can be very hot, reaching up to 33°C (91°F). However, if you wish to experience the Three Cultures Festival, go in August during the 4-day event which is held to celebrate the joining of three cultures: Christian, Jewish, and Muslim. You will be able to enjoy shows, exhibitions, and activities as thousands come together.
How to get to Frigiliana?
The closest airport to Frigiliana is the Malaga Airport. If you’re visiting Malaga, you can explore Frigiliana in a day trip since you only really need a couple of hours to explore the town. Also, Nerja is another great town to visit and Frigiliana is located only 7 km from it so you can definitely visit both.
Directions to get to Frigiliana from Malaga
By Public Transport (cheapest option)
The whole journey to Frigiliana takes under 1.5 hours.
The best way to get to Frigiliana from Malaga is to first take a one-hour bus to Nerja and from there you can take a 10-minute taxi ride or a local bus to Frigiliana.
The bus from Malaga is the ALSA bus and the exact stop in Malaga is Málaga – Estación de Autobuse (Google Map).
From Nerja, you can cross the street when you are dropped off at the main bus stop (Estación de Autobuses de Nerja Avenida Pescia) and take a white bus to Frigiliana. The journey takes only 10-15 minutes and you can buy your ticket with cash inside the bus.
By Tour
Alternatively, there are many tours that will take you to Frigiliana from either Malaga or Granada. This way, you don’t have to worry about the hassle of getting there by public transport. This tour takes you to the Nerja caves and Frigiliana!
By Car
The easiest way to get to Frigiliana is by driving! This is because there isn’t a direct route to get there by public transport as you read above. It will also allow you to have the flexibility of going to other stops along the way. If you drive from Malaga, it will only take 45 minutes – it is approximately 58.5 km / 36 miles away.
You can rent a car via Discover Cars which will help you find the lowest price across multiple car rental companies.
The best things to do in Frigiliana
Frigiliana is split into 2 neighborhoods and the upper quarter known as Barrio Alto (Barribarto) is where I spent most of my time exploring. This is where you will find the winding maze of streets filled with Mudéjar and Moorish architecture. Mudéjar is an architectural style produced by Christians but with heavy Islamic influence. Throughout the village, you will spot 12 ceramic plaques which reveal the history and story behind the Moorish battles that once took place in the area. I loved wandering the area with the white-washed buildings and pretty flowers adorning many of the houses. You could definitely mistake the area for a town in Greece!
You don’t need an agenda full of things to do in this town as it’s quite small and can be explored in a day trip but here I will take you through the noteworthy spots you won’t want to miss.
As you enter the town, follow the footpath to explore the Mudéjar District and you will soon arrive to Los Reales Positos, which marks the center of the town. You will want to walk up from the photo depicted below to come across all the many cute streets including Calle Zacatin. Calle Zacatin is super picturesque and you will find it full of potted plants and a cobblestone pathway. Nearby, you will find the San Antonio Church which was once an old mosque and dates back to the 17th century. As you continue exploring, be sure to pop inside the many nice souvenir shops along the way.
There is also an old fountain worth stopping by called the Fuente Vieja.
For the best viewpoints in Frigiliana, you will want to head to Callejón del Peñón towards the Vista Panoramica. Here you will find stunning panoramic views of the town. Also, the most instagrammed street awaits you here. If you are feeling super ambitious and want to see even more views, you can do a hike up to El Fuerte which will take a good 2 hours to do.
End your day in Frigiliana by trying some of the local specialties and sipping on a cocktail at The Garden Restaurant. Here you can also enjoy a view at ease if strenuous hikes are not your thing!
Where to Stay
You can stay in Frigiliana itself if you wish but it’s also fine to stay in a nearby town like Malaga or Nerja!
Best hotels in Frigiliana
Hotel Villa Frigiliana: If you dream of staying in the pretty white village, this hotel is your best bet because there’s a balcony out your door where you can enjoy the breathtaking view of the town.
Villa Sunshine: For more dreamy views and an incredible host, Villa Sunshine is another great option for a stay in Frigiliana.
Best hotels in Nerja
This hotel has an incredible pool to lounge at and the best location because you will be centered between both Malaga and Frigiliana.
Best hotels in Malaga
Anahita Boutique Hotel: I stayed in Malaga at this hotel when I visited. It was a 15-minute walk to the bus station which takes you to Frigiliana via Nerja. Also, I loved that there was a beautiful clawfoot tub in the room and it was near a very lively central area in Malaga.
I hope you enjoyed learning about Frigiliana, the most adorable white village in Andalusia. A must see hidden gem to add to your bucketlist!
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