top of page
White Village, Tour, Frigiliana, Andalusia, Holiday Rental

The White Villages

 

Everyone knows about the white villages of the Alpujarras, the southern flank of the Sierra Nevada. But the Axarquia has them as well - and they are just as beautiful as (and probably less touristic than) those further to the east.

 

The best known village probably is Frigiliana, located pretty close to the coast and easily accessible even by tour buses. This may be an advantage for local businesses but it also is to the detriment of atmosphere. Frigiliana will be pretty crowded in high season, especially around the central plaza, where memorabilia shops, cafés, and restaurants offer anything a tourist may wish for.

 

Competa, further up in the hills, is much quieter. When going there on A-7207 from Torrox (which we suggest to get used to mountain driving) take the second entry into the village. The first one is a dead end, accessing only the eastern part of the village, which is separated by a steep ravine from the village's center. You'll have to park at the entrance of the village itself, where a new garage has been build recently to accomodate the increasing number of visitors and villagers alike.

 

The church and the surrounding plaza is the focal point of village life. Some bars serving tapas and cold beer are located here. In addition there's a small but interesting museum focused on life in the Campo. Competa is also well known for its very special wine, made from moscatell grapes.

 

​From Competa there are three roads leading back to Casa Estrellita. All run via Canillas de Albaida, another tranquil, whitewashed village, which is an excellent starting point for hikes into the Sierras, and Archez, a tiny hamlet, still featuring some moorish architecture.

 

From Archez take MA-5104 and A-7206 via Sayalonga and Algarrobo down to the coast. While this is the easiest drive, it runs down a valley and does not provide the spectacular sights over the hills and the Mediterranean you may wish for.

 

A bit more challenging is the route via Corumbela and Arenas to Velez Malaga (MA-116/MA-119/MA-7111). Arenas again is one of those historic villages where you may think time just stopped a couple of centuries ago.

 

If you feel even more adventurous, try the Canillas de Aceituno track (MA-4108/MA126). Yes, track, as you may hit some dirt roads on this route. But this route takes you via Salares (with a magnificent former minaret built in the 13th century, which now is part of the local church) and Sedella (where a visitor's center for the Parque Natural de Sierras Tejeda, Almijara y Alhama is located) along the slopes of the Sierra, with spectacular views, and a real feel of the hinterland. Google maps will tell you it takes about 35 minutes from Canillas de Albaida to Canillas de Aceituno. We suggest to just double that time, if you wish to take a picture or two.

bottom of page