A day trip from Nerja: The beautiful white village of Frigiliana
One of my favourite places to visit in Spain, and definitely my favourite Pueblo Blanco, is Frigiliana in the Malaga region, close to Nerja.
I’ve visited a few times now, first in the late 90s, again in 2008, and most recently in June of this year and the place really hasn’t changed that much. It still has that traditional small Spanish village feel even though it’s a big tourist destination.
Frigiliana is a great place for a day trip from Nerja, Malaga or Granada, and is undoubtedly one of the prettiest villages you’ll find in Spain.
If you’re planning an itinerary for a Costa del Sol trip, or just looking for some days out in the Malaga region, read on to find out everything you need to know about the beautiful white village of Frigiliana.
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About Frigiliana
Frigiliana is a pretty white village located in the province of Malaga, on the Costa del Sol. It’s known for its Moorish heritage, narrow and steep cobblestone streets, colourful displays of flowers, and some of the best views of the Mediterranean Sea and surrounding mountains.
Where is Frigiliana?
Frigiliana is situated in the Axarquía region, nestled in the foothills of the Almijara Mountains, just a few kilometers inland from the popular coastal town of Nerja.
It’s approximately 94km from Granada and 58km from Malaga.
How to get to Frigiliana
By Air: The nearest airport to Frigiliana is Malaga Airport, which is around a one hour drive away. You can find good deals on flights to Malaga at Expedia.
By Car: Frigiliana is easy to get to by car via the A-7 motorway. From Nerja, you can reach Frigiliana in about 15 minutes and there’s plenty of parking available. If you need to hire a car we recommend Rentalcars.com.
By Public Transport: Buses run from Malaga to Nerja, and then from Nerja you can take a local bus or taxi to up to Frigiliana where you’ can’ll be dropped right in the centre. For buses from Malaga to Nerja, take a look at BusBud.
Is Frigiliana worth visiting?
Yes! Frigiliana is definitely worth visiting, especially if you’re looking for a traditional Spanish village with stunning views. A great day trip away from the beaches, it can be much less crowded here, depending on the time of year you visit of course. It’s a really pretty village and there’s plenty to do for a day out.
When is the best time to visit?
The best time to visit Frigiliana is during the spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November) when the weather is still warm but not too hot to wander around and climb the steps. Avoid the peak summer months if you prefer milder temperatures and fewer crowds as Frigiliana can get very busy during the holiday period.
If you want to visit Frigiliana during a fiesta, the town comes alive with music, dancing, food, fireworks and more on 13th June every year for the Feria de San Antonio.
Our visit to Frigiliana
We visited Frigiliana at the end of June this year, during our week’s holiday in Nerja. Though we had a car, we chose to get the bus from Nerja up to Frigiliana, just to make life easier.
The bus station is a 15 minute walk from the centre of Nerja and it only takes about 15 minutes to get to Frigiliana where you’ll be dropped in the centre. The bus tickets were €1.30 per person each way and you buy them from the driver as you get on the bus.
We arrived in Frigiliana at around 11am, and at this time of year the village wasn’t too crowded. First we decided to explore – we climbed the steps to the top of the village, admired the amazing views, and had a drink looking out over Frigiliana and Nerja and out to sea.
There are so many viewpoints around the village where you’ll find some breathtaking views. If you like photography you definitely won’t be disappointed! (Imagine playing football with this backdrop!)
There are lots of lovely little shops to stop at and buy some souvenirs, perfect for kids to spend some of their holiday money. Our teen found some pretty bracelets and keyrings to take home, and I bought some pictures that I still need to get framed!
At the end of our morning wandering the narrow streets of Frigiliana we discovered that there’s actually a little train that you can use to see the sights. We’d already seen them all so didn’t get on board, but this is a great option if you have small children or it’s too hot to walk around.
We stopped for some tapas and a drink at lunchtime, and sat taking in the views. There are lots of great restaurants to be found throughout the village, with most centered around the main square. Prices were pretty reasonable considering they are aimed at tourists.
After lunch we hopped on the bus back to Nerja, before spending the rest of our day on the beach!
Things to do in Frigiliana
Whilst you’re not going to find lots of activities to do in Frigiliana, there’s still a lot to see and to let you experience life in a Spanish village.
- Explore the winding streets of the old town.
- Visit the Church of San Antonio and the Palace of the Counts of Frigiliana.
- Learn about the region’s history at the Archaeological Museum.
- Hike in the nearby Sierra de Tejeda Natural Park for amazing views.
- Taste local delicacies like migas and sweet wine at traditional taverns.
- Jump on the land train for a guided tour of Frigiliana.
Where to stay in Frigiliana
Frigiliana offers a range of accommodation options including charming boutique hotels, guesthouses, and holiday rental villas. Wherever you choose to stay in Frigiliana, you can be sure of some great views!
Some popular places to stay in Frigiliana include Hotel La Posada Morisca, Hotel Rural Almazara, and Hotel Villa Frigiliana.
You can search for places in stay in Frigiliana and the surrounding areas here:
Are you looking for Nerja properties or places to stay? Visit www.nerjalovers.com.
If you love a traditional Spanish white-washed village, we recommend adding Frigiliana to your travel bucket list!
