Barcelona and Madrid are typically what come to mind when one thinks of Spain. Flip through any number of "visiting Spain" guides, and you'll soon find Seville and Granada, with their rich history, architecture, culture, and cuisine. Keep digging a little deeper, and you'll finally discover some of Spain's most hidden treasures - the Pueblos Blancos, or White Villages, of Andalusia.
The Pueblos Blancos are small, hilltop towns and villages scattered around the Andalusian region. Their architecture traces back to the Moorish times and is characterized by whitewashed walls, red terra-cotta roofs, and narrow, cobblestoned alleys that form a labyrinth of hilly passages. Two of the towns we had visited prior to arriving in Frigiliana were actually White Villages - Setenil de las Bodegas and Ronda. The two nights in Gibraltar were followed by an afternoon in Frigiliana before continuing to Granada. Here's the route.
Setenil de las Bodegas -> Ronda -> Gibraltar -> Frigiliana -> Granada
As you can tell by now, our visits to the White Villages were essentially limited to afternoon and evening stops, en route to other points. This is not unusual - you'll even see several day trip options offered by tour operators. While they won't make for an immersive experience, brief visits like this can give you a taste of the place and leave you with reasons to return. Here are some of the views that greeted us as we entered Frigiliana.
Entering Frigiliana
Entering Frigiliana
As much as I enjoyed driving through the streets of Setenil de las Bodegas, I did not mind parking the wheels in Frigiliana and just wandering by foot. This is a quaint and quiet town. Leave the adrenaline behind; you won't need it here. The town center has a few restaurants and tapas bars where you can stop for a quick bite or a glass of wine. You'll then be all set to lose yourself in this charming little town. Chances are, you'll find yourself starting at this popular and frequently photographed spot.
A good spot to being your stroll through Frigiliana's alleys
The path will eventually take you through gentle inclines, paved by cobblestone steps.
Frigiliana
It's not always a single path - you will run into junctions where you'll have to make decisions. No matter what direction you choose, you won't go wrong. Especially when you didn't know which one was right anyway.
Frigiliana
The picturesque streets and cozy balconies make you want to just find a bottle of vino tinto and let the afternoon drift away. Sort of like a wine and house equivalent of beach and beer.
Frigiliana
Those gentle inclines from earlier will eventually turn into gentle declines.
Frigiliana
And surprisingly enough, you'll somehow find yourself back where you started.
Frigiliana
I simply cannot describe how fascinated I was with this place. It was almost like a perfect miniature model of a town come to life. It's a place I'd really like to return to someday, to not just pass through, but stay a while.
If you're interested in visiting Frigiliana, here are a couple of more links you might find useful -
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