Nerja > towns

Frigiliana

Around 6km to the north of Nerja is the pretty village of Frigiliana, a place that every new visitor to the area should visit. Despite being only a small place with some 3,400 residents it’s a perfect example of the stereotypical white walled building style synonymous with this region of Spain, so much so in fact that it’s regularly used by the Andalusian and National tourist boards for promotional films and photo shoots.

As you wander the narrow cobbled streets of the Mudéjar style old town you can easily forget the modern world outside of the village. You’ll find little neighbourhood bars in the maze of alleys perfect for taking a breather from the sometimes steep streets. A walk around Frigiliana can also be a surprisingly horticultural event too with many of the residents being enthusiastic gardeners keen to display their colourful plants in window boxes and pots outside their houses, greatly contributing to the charm that Frigiliana has bags of.

At the top of the hill that Frigiliana is built upon are the remains of what was once a fort used by the Moorish inhabitants to defend the village. In fact Frigiliana holds a particular place in the history of the region being the site of the final battle of the Moors of the Axarquia in the rebellion against the reconquering Christians in 1569 in the battle of Peñón de Frigiliana.

You can easily get to Frigiliana from Nerja. Buses run between the two from Monday to Sunday until 9pm at a cost of approximately €1, the journey taking 10-15 minutes. If you choose to go by car just follow the signs as you leave Nerja in the direction of Malaga. There are plenty of free places to park on the outskirts of Frigiliana although bear in mind that in summer and during the three cultures festival parking will be more difficult. Alternatively you can take a taxi which will cost just over €10 each way.