One Of Spain's Most Beautiful Towns Is A Hidden White-Washed Paradise With Greek Island Vibes

Scattered across Spain's southern coast are Pueblos Blancos — white villages that exude Greek Mediterranean charm with glittering white houses, narrow cobbled lanes, and stunning views. While initially painted white as protection from the hot summers, the quaint buildings in the Andalusian region are often kept that way for aesthetic reasons today. There are 19 villages in total, and one of the prettiest to visit is Frigiliana. Situated on Spain's Sunshine Coast under an hour away from Malaga, the region's international hub, Frigiliana is a serene, walkable getaway layered with rich history that you can explore in a day.

Frigiliana was once an important trade center, and over the centuries it changed from Arab to Christian rule. In 1569, the decisive Battle of Frigiliana between the Moorish settlers and their Christian rulers damaged much of the town. Much of Southern Spain has a similar history, including Almuñécar, a seaside town known for its rich past and seafood, about a 30-minute drive away.

Start to explore Frigiliana with this little tidbit of history in mind, and you will see signs of its past all over the village. Most notably, keep an eye out for the 12 plaques that describe Frigiliana and the surrounding region's history, along with its architectural roots. While you may have brushed up on important Spanish phrases tourists should know before visiting the country, the language on these plaques is older, so you may need some help translating them. However, you can also head to the nearby Archeological Museum of Frigiliana to dive deeper into its history.

While simply walking around visiting its quaint shops and eateries is enough to charm most visitors, the town is replete with signs of its multicultural past. There's the Moorish Quarter, the Frigiliana church (which was a mosque at one point), and the iconic Plaza de las Tres Culturas, where you will find a fountain decorated with Christian, Islamic, and Jewish motifs. 

Visit in August and you could also experience the town's Three Cultures Festival, which draws thousands of visitors. For most of the rest of the year, Frigiliana remains relatively peaceful, and you can bask in its quiet lanes away from traffic, catching glimpses of the ocean from viewpoints scattered across the hilly terrain. It's an idyllic way to spend a day or two in Audalusia while escaping the tourist crowds in more popular destinations.

The village can easily be covered on foot, but note that there are quite a few slopes to navigate. Once you've seen the sights in the Old Center, you can head up to the now dilapidated Frigiliana castle to enjoy more panoramic views. There is also a tourist train that does a quick 30-minute tour around the village's main sights and is a great option if you're not looking forward to walking up those steep, cobbled pathways.

Frigiliana isn't just easy to explore — it's also a breeze to get to. Malaga, less than 40 miles away, has a busy international airport and is also connected by train. Granada, while not as close, is another tourist hub that's about an hour's drive away from Frigiliana. Since Spain is one of the best countries for a European road trip, consider renting a car at the airport and driving to the coastal town. While you're at it, you can visit the nearby town of Nerja, which also has stunning viewpoints, as well as a network of ancient caves with prehistoric paintings. However, Frigiliana itself isn't very vehicle-accessible, and you'll have to leave your car in one of the nearby parking bays and make your way to the center on foot or by local transport.

Peak summer months between July and August can get too hot for most visitors, so plan your visit just before or after the summer season. While a day is enough to explore Frigiliana, if you want to soak up more of its Greek island vibes, consider spending a night or two in the village. There are lots of quaint local apartments available, starting from as little as $50 a night for a single bedroom unit for two people.