Welcome to the beautiful white village of Frigiliana, a typical andalusian pueblo blanco nestling in the hills of the Sierra Almijara and Tejeda mountain range in the beautiful Costa del Sol, only 6 kms inland from the resort town of Nerja (with its wonderful beaches and its world famous Caves.) and the Mediterranean Sea. The village has spectacular panoramic views.
Voted the 'prettiest village in Andalucía' by the Spanish tourism authority, Frigiliana is also important from an historical viewpoint. El Fuerte, the hill that climbs above the village, was the scene of the final bloody defeat of the Moors of La Axarquía in their 1569 rebellion. The hill is topped by scanty remains of a ruined fort from which some of the Moors reputedly threw themselves rather than be killed or captured by the Spanish. It is said that bones and rusted weapons dating from this encounter still lie among the scrub on El Fuerte.
The Axarquia region East of Malagaa has a rugged beauty that many tourists to Spain have not yet experienced. The area is renowned for its outstanding walks and fauna and flora and is a haven for nature lovers who will be enthralled by the spectacular landscape.
Traveling from Frigiliana the starting point of the Route of Wine it's possible to take in the scenic villages of Torrox, Competa, Archez, Salares, Canillas and Velez Malaga stopping on route to sample local fare - migas in Torrox, raisins in Competa, molasses in Frigiliana.Frigiliana is 300 meters above sea level and boasts on average 320 days sunshine per year due to its unique subtropical microclimate, resulting in hot summers and mild winters.The old historic quarter with its narrow winding streets and dazzling whitewashed houses is steeped in history and has been said to have the most pure architectural structure of Arab origin, 12 ceramic plaques dot the village to recount its Moorish past.The village is a tangle of narrow cobbled streets lined by whitewashed houses, their wrought-iron balconies filled with planters of brilliant red geraniums. Small plazas provide shady seating while the village bars are popular with visitors who come here to taste the locally produced wine. There are also several excellent shops selling pottery and ceramics, including decorative plates with their distinctive Arab design. Frigiliana is best explored by foot. There are several buses a day that run from Nerja or, alternatively, leave your car at the car park at the bottom of the hill.
Wandering around the pretty cobbled streets there are a number of artisan shops where you can buy local crafts and sample the local potent wine.
The area also has a number of excellent bars and restaurants serving tapas, tasty local dishes or typical andalucian specialties including Gazpacho, Paella, Choto, kid cooked in almond sauce and Migas a dish of fried breadcrumbs and black pudding.
The beauty of the area and the hospitality of the local people have attracted a number of artists, musicians and craftspeople from other European countries to invest and move here permanently and make this village their home. The mix of cultures only adding to the charm of this wonderful place.
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