The White Villages of Andalusia

out of the beat rural andalusia

In the provinces of Cadiz and Malaga, you will find some of Andalusia’s prettiest white villages. As you travel in this area you’ll find villages in gorgeous natural settings, where you can take photos of the whitewashed houses hung about with pots of colorful flowers, gaze at the mountain landscapes, discover the traces of the Islamic and Christian past, and really, truly relax.

Taking a driving tour to admire these picturesque little towns that appear among the mountains like a mirage is an enchanting experience.

Costa del Sol, Malaga

Alhambra de Granada Private Tour Muslim friendly travel

If you’re holidaying on the Costa del Sol in Malaga province, as well as exploring the pretty coastal towns and soaking up the sun on the Mediterranean beaches, we recommend setting a few days aside for a visit to the white villages further inland. There are many you can visit, but some of the most famous include:

Frigiliana: worth the trip to walk around its narrow streets and passageways that evoke the Moorish past, and visit the only extant traditional molasses factory in Europe, with the Mediterranean in the background.
Casares: we recommend going up to the Arab castle at the top of the village. This land has been home to Iberians, Phoenicians, Romans… and you can sense the history.

Ronda: one of Spain’s most beautiful villages. Taking in the views from its 98-meter-high bridge is an unforgettable experience. The visitors charmed by this photogenic town include Hemingway, Orson Welles, and Rilke.

These three villages are an easy drive from the city of Malaga, if you’re staying there.

Arab influenced cuisine

Some local recipes originate from Muslim culture. Albóndigas (meatballs), migas (fried breadcrumbs) and arroz con leche (rice pudding) are all dishes that can be enjoyed now just as they were by the caliphs 1000 years ago.

Traditional crafts

Artisanal clay modeling is still practiced in several of the towns along the Route of the Caliphate, a legacy of Arab culture. Many Spanish words, such as oil and escabeche (pickle) were inherited from this civilization.

The Route of the Caliphate can be completed with a hiking excursion. So if taking this route through Andalusia, it’s a good idea to bring sturdy footwear and walk through the Sierras Subbéticas. And as you do so, you will be following in the footsteps of history.