If you’re wondering if Frigiliana is worth visiting, the answer is definitely yes, this beautiful small village is an absolute must-see when you visit Spain.

Frigiliana is part of Andalusia’s famous white towns and the perfect vacation spot. Come to Frigiliana for amazing photography opportunities, incredible mountain vistas and a unique culture that you won’t find anywhere else in Spain.

You’ll love the long walks through the mountains of Frigiliana, the authentic food and the artisanal shops. There is always more to do when you visit Frigiliana.

To help you plan your trip, we came up with this complete guide to Frigiliana, which includes all you need to know before you go. Find out where to stay, how to get to Frigiliana and when the best time to visit is. You’ll fall in love with this beautiful village before you know it.

So what are you waiting for? Visit Frigiliana on your next trip to southern Spain.

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Where is Frigiliana in Spain?

Frigiliana is a little mountain town located 6 kilometres north of Nerja. It lies in Andalusia, the southern part of Spain, close to the Costa del Sol. It takes around an hour to drive to Frigiliana from Málaga and 40 minutes from Motril.

Frigiliana lies on the edge of the Sierras de Tejeda, Almijara y Alhama Natural Park which makes it perfect for hiking and various walks.

Why you can trust this complete guide to Frigiliana

Victoria and Niklas spend several months every year in this part of Andalusia, especially the white villages of Frigiliana and Competa. Victoria actually grew up in the area and has been coming to Frigiliana for more than 25 years, while Niklas has been coming along for the past 10 years.

The Costa del Sol, and especially villages like Frigiliana have been heavily shaped by tourists, but truly experiencing the areas as a local provides a completely different perspective than someone who only came here for a few weeks on vacation.

That is why our complete guide to Frigiliana, which is updated regularly, has some of the best travel information, tips and advice on whether this beautiful town will be worth visiting for you.

Is Frigiliana worth visiting?

We might be a bit biased, but in our opinion, Frigiliana is definitely worth visiting. Spain might have many white villages, but Frigiliana stands out by being very easy to access from places like Malaga and Nerja with very good public transport options.

The history of Frigiliana is also very complex and worth learning about, making it a historically significant place that tourists will appreciate.

The scenery is stunningly beautiful and fantastic for taking pictures, making the trip up to Frigiliana more than worth it already.

It’s definitely a touristy place, so don’t expect to find a sleepy Spanish town without souvenir shops and busy streets. However, due to Frigiliana’s popularity, the tourist amenities are also excellent and the selection of hotels, restaurants and tours is great.

Since Frigiliana is located so close to the coast, it’s the perfect day trip destination and much easier to reach than Competa for example, which is less touristy but involves a longer trip into the mountains.

To summarise: Yes, Frigiliana is worth visiting, if you are looking for a fun vacation with some nature, culture and plenty of relaxation all in one place. It’s an even better place for a day trip if you’re staying somewhere nearby in Andalusia.

How to get to Frigiliana

Frigiliana is located in the mountains, so there aren’t a lot of roads that lead here. The town is mostly reachable via two major roads: either from the south from the A7 highway exit in Nerja, or from the north via the MA-5105, a winding mountain road originating from the small town of Torrox.

In reality, both these routes are actually the MA-5105, which circles back in a large loop connecting the Torrox and Nerja highway exits.

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How to get from Malaga to Frigiliana

From Malaga, take the coastal A7 highway east for about 45 minutes until you reach Nerja. Exit the highway and follow the MA-5105 for around 10 minutes until you reach Frigiliana.

The total drive from Malaga to Frigiliana takes around one hour, depending on the traffic.

It’s possible to get from Malaga to Frigiliana via public transport, but it’s not really recommended. Take the ALSA bus from Malaga to Nerja and then change to the €1.20 Frigiliana bus. The entire journey will take at least 2 hours, more likely longer depending on the connections, so it’s not really suitable for a day trip.

How to get from Nerja to Frigiliana

You can reach Frigiliana either by car or by bus from Nerja. It takes just over 10 minutes to drive to Frigiliana from Nerja, while the bus takes slightly longer. If you’re seeing Frigiliana on a day trip definitely consider taking the bus. It only costs 1.20€ and runs approximately every hour, depending on the season and day of the week.

Sundays have a reduced schedule, so definitely double-check departure times before going.

You can also hike to Frigiliana if you’re up for long walks. It’ll take you just over two hours and should be done on a cooler day. You can either take a longer route through the mountains or use the main road to guide you to Frigiliana for the quickest way.

Guided tours to Frigiliana

If you don’t have your own car and still want to do a day trip to Frigiliana without having to worry about buses, a guided tour may be a good option. There are quite a few to choose from, and most also include Nerja, so keep that in mind before booking.

We have a few favourites, including this Frigiliana tour, which also includes the lost village Acebuchal.

Then there is this Nerja and Frigiliana combo tour where you get to see the famous Nerja Caves.

Finally, my favourite by far was this small-group tour that departs in Malaga and includes a three-hour hike as well as wine tastings.

Where to park in Frigiliana?

Parking in Frigiliana can be a bit tricky since the town’s streets are so narrow and many are inaccessible for cars. If you’re arriving by car, make sure to stick to the outskirts of town and avoid driving in as roads tend to narrow very quickly and you won’t find much on-street parking.

There are two main parking lots in Frigiliana, and there are usually spaces available, although weekends may get crowded. The Aparcamiento Cuesta Del Apero is a free parking area close to a little church, but it’s frequently full, so don’t get your hopes up.

The biggest parking garage in Frigiliana is the Aparcamiento Público, which is located right on the main street in the centre of town. It’s easy to get to and costs approximately €1.5 per hour, so it’s very affordable.

The parking garage has a height of 2.2 metres, so it might not be suitable for large campervans. There is on-street parking available along the MA-5105, although spots are limited.

Frigiliana’s shocking history

The town of Frigiliana was settled around 3,000 years before Christ. The Romans came to the area in 206 BC and named the town Frexiniusana, which later became Frigiliana. They fortified the town and built a hilltop castle Castillo de Lizar remains of which you can still visit today.

In 711, the Moors came to Spain, and Frigiliana began to grow.

The town was now known as Fixiana and belonged to the Kingdom of Granada. It produced mostly oil, sugar cane, raisins, figs, and silk which made the local economy prosperous.

The Moors built irrigation systems and terraces to boost farming activities. They even started the production of wine, which was frowned upon in other Islamic settlements but became a popular tradition in the area.

As the Moorish era came to an end the three religions Christianity, Islam and Judaism managed to coexist peacefully. Frigiliana still celebrates this period of unity today with multiple works of art around town as well as the “Festival de Tres Culturas” which takes place in August each year.

The bloody war of Frigiliana

Unfortunately, around 100 years later, the delicate peace began to crack as the Christian rulers put more and more restrictions on the Moorish population. They forbid them to speak or write their language or wear traditional clothing.

In 1569 it came to widespread uprisings and thousands of rebels gathered in the Castillo de Lizar where they managed to withstand the initial attacks of the local authorities.

More troops were sent as the governor of Vélez-Málaga asked for support, and the famous Battle of the Peñon de Frigiliana (rock of Frigiliana) occurred. An estimated six to seven thousand Moors fortified themselves on this strategic rocky outcrop.

However, the Christian soldiers were supported by Italian forces and the Moors were barely armed with slingshots and only a few real weapons. They were eventually defeated and the Battle of the Peñon de Frigiliana became one of the bloodiest in the history of Southern Spain.

Around 2,000 Moorish fighters lost their lives that day, more than half of which were women and children. Some of the survivors managed to escape into the mountains, but the majority were sold as slaves. On the Christian side, more than 500 soldiers were killed.

Frigiliana became a ghost town and was slowly repopulated by Christians as the era of peace between the three religions ended. Today, you can still visit the Barribarto, the old Moorish neighbourhood. It is known as the most beautiful part of town.

When is the best time to visit Frigiliana and southern Spain?

You can enjoy Frigiliana and this part of Spain year-round. As a rough guide always keep in mind that temperatures in Frigiliana will usually be a few degrees cooler than the coast.

June to September are the hottest months, with temperatures of up to 35 degrees, although you will get to enjoy some cooler days. This period is very dry, with little to no rainfall. Accommodation prices are likely to be high during these months as it is the most popular time for tourists to visit.

If you want to escape the heat and the crowds, you should consider visiting during the shoulder season. May or October could be great choices, although you might experience some rain.

During the winter months as well as spring, the weather is often unpredictable in Frigiliana and southern Spain. You might experience long periods of rain, although temperatures will not go below around 10-15 degrees.

Prices will be cheap during this time. If you enjoy walks and are planning to go hiking in the area around Frigiliana, this might be a good time to go. The summer is usually too hot for longer hikes.

How to get around Frigiliana

Frigiliana is not a very large village, so the easiest and best way to get around is on foot. There is little to no public transport available in the town so if you’re not keen on walking, there aren’t too many other options.

While you can drive around some parts of Frigiliana, most of the streets and alleys are so narrow that they are inaccessible by car. The old town, which is the most beautiful and popular part of Frigiliana, is only accessible on foot.

A good compromise might be to take the tourist train, which shows you some of the most important spots around town. A ticket costs only €3, and you’ll get an audio guide in English or Spanish to tell you all about the buildings and attractions around Frigiliana.

If you’re planning to see the area around Frigiliana and other nearby parts of Spain, you absolutely need a car. Look into renting one if you’re interested in doing a few day trips (scroll down to the What to see close to Frigiliana section). Shop the best car rental deals for Frigiliana and the rest of Spain here.

How long should you stay in Frigiliana?

Frigiliana is definitely a great place for a day trip. The town is small, so you’ll get a good overview of the most important attractions if you only have one day to visit.

In fact, going to Frigiliana for a day is very popular among the many tourists that visit Nerja each year, which is a beach town close by. If you’re staying somewhere in the area, this guide definitely recommends adding a day trip to Frigiliana to your to-do list.

There is plenty to see and do in Frigiliana. If you’re not pressed for time why not stay in this pretty little village for a few days or a week?

You’ll get plenty of time to explore the surrounding natural park and visit other white towns nearby. If you love hiking and walks in nature, then Frigiliana is the place to go. Enjoy the beauty of the area without being pressed for time. We’d recommend staying anywhere from three to seven days.

Where to stay in Frigiliana

If you’re planning a trip to Frigiliana, you basically have three options for accommodation. You can either choose to stay in a hotel, rent an apartment in the centre of town or rent an entire house or “finca” somewhere in the surrounding mountains.

What you choose is up to you, most likely the price difference between these options won’t be very large, especially if you’re travelling with a larger group of people.

Keep in mind that you’ll most likely need a car to get around if you’re renting a house in the natural park and that you’ll have trouble finding parking if you’re living in town.

Apartments rarely have a pool so go for a hotel or house if that is important to you. If you’re interested in having a few drinks in the evenings, you might not want to worry about getting home to your Finca late at night. Staying in the centre of Frigiliana could be a more comfortable option to avoid long walks at night.

Best places to stay in Frigiliana

If you need recommendations for hotels in Frigiliana, you’ll love these hotel and apartment options. I’ve personally had some great experiences there and would definitely return.

• Casa Rural Miller’s of Frigiliana: This little hotel has a variety of different rooms and even two-bedroom options. The location is fantastic, and we loved how clean and modern it was.
• Villa en Frigiliana con Piscina y Jacuzzi: This beautiful villa is located just a quick drive from Frigiliana and has everything you need for the perfect summer vacation. It has three bedrooms, a jacuzzi and a pool, so you’ll never want to leave.
• Casa Ilusión: If you want the comforts of a villa but still want to stay in town, this apartment is the perfect choice. You’ll get to use the large shared pool and spend time in your spacious apartment.

Best restaurants in Frigiliana

A visit to Frigiliana is worth it for the restaurant selection alone. If you need some tips on where to have lunch or dinner in Frigiliana, check out these fantastic options below. We’ve been coming to these restaurants for years, and they never disappoint.

Just keep in mind that Frigiliana is a touristy place, which is reflected in the restaurants.

• La Taberna del Sacristán
• Restaurante Gloria Bendita Frigiliana
• El Boquetillo Street Food
• Restaurante Sal y Pimienta
• La Venta de Frigiliana
• Restaurante Las Chinas

What to do and see in Frigiliana, Spain

Frigiliana is known for its beautiful white houses, narrow alleyways and bright flowers. You’ll fall in love with the historic buildings and traditional bars and restaurants. Here are the best things to do in Frigiliana:

1. Explore the Barribarto

Explore Frigiliana’s famous old town with its beautiful alleys, colourful doors and small shops. This is the perfect place to enjoy lunch and have a cold drink with a view.

2. See the best viewpoints in Frigiliana

Frigiliana has a variety of beautiful viewpoints, including the Plaza de Tres Culturas and the Vista Panoramica. Some even have a little bar or restaurant where you can sit and enjoy the views.

3. Visit the archaeology museum

Frigiliana’s archaeology museum may be small, but it has a great selection of historical artefacts, plus it’s free to visit.

4. Go shopping for artisanal products

The little shops in Frigiliana have stunning souvenirs and local artisanal artefacts, which make for a great gift to take home.

5. Go on a day trip to Acebuchal

Acebuchal is the famous lost village located in the mountains close to Frigiliana. It was abandoned for years and now houses a small population of local residents and one of the most famous restaurants in the area.

6. Go on a guided walking tour

Learn more about the history of Frigiliana and join this guided walking tour around town. It’s super affordable and very fun.

Local tips for visiting Frigiliana

Here are some tips you should know before visiting Frigiliana to truly make your trip worth it:

1. Wear sturdy shoes, the streets are very steep, and you’re going to be walking a lot, so make sure you’re comfortable.
2. Don’t go on a Sunday. In this part of Spain, all the shops will be closed on Sundays, so a day trip to Frigiliana may not be worth it.
3. Keep the siesta in mind. Between 3 PM and 6 PM, almost everything shuts down, including shops and restaurants.
4. Consider staying overnight if you want to enjoy the beautiful live music events offered on weekends in Frigiliana.
5. Visit Frigiliana during the Festival de Tres Culturas, which attracts over 40,000 attendees every August.
6. Bring cash, as some of the smaller shops and restaurants may not accept card payments.
7. Book your accommodation very far in advance since this is a place where a lot of people like to spend their summer vacation, making many places sell out up to a year in advance.
8. Make sure to arrive early to catch the bus, as the seats fill up fast.
9. Spend most of your time in the old town, which is the most beautiful. The new town is not as impressive.
10. Double-check where your accommodation is and consider if you can park nearby. If you’re staying in the centre of town, you’re most likely going to have to park relatively far away, and you’ll have to carry your luggage.

What to see close to Frigiliana

Here are some of our favourite places in Spain close to Frigiliana. You can visit all of these amazing locations on a day trip while you visit Frigiliana.

• Málaga – The largest city in the area with plenty of things to see and do. Famous museums, beautiful beaches and incredible historic architecture. Málaga is the perfect place for a day trip from Frigiliana.
• Acebuchal – Also called the “lost village”. Acebuchal is a tiny town in the mountains which lay abandoned for 50 years until it was rebuilt in the early 2000s. Amazing food and great hiking and walks close to Frigiliana, read our complete guide here.
• Cómpeta – Another white village in the mountains of Spain with great nature walks quite similar to Frigiliana but less touristy. Amazing mountain vistas and well worth a visit, just like Frigiliana.
• Nerja – Popular beach town with white-sand beaches and decent nightlife. The perfect place for a beach day or some souvenir shopping.
• Caminito del Rey – An incredible hike inside a canyon not for the faint of heart. You need to book tickets online in advance.
• Viñuela Lake – Beautiful man-made lake in the mountains above Velez Malaga. Great for camping and water activities.
• Motril – Beautiful seaside city with stunning beaches and historic buildings.
• Granada – One of the most famous cities in Spain, just over an hour away from Frigiliana. Incredible history and beautiful photo-locations.
• La Maroma – The highest mountain in the Axarquia. Easy to climb, even for inexperienced hikers.

Is Frigiliana worth visiting, and more FAQs

Before you go…

We’ve told you all about why Frigiliana is worth visiting, now let us introduce you to more beautiful places in Spain.

Don’t forget to read our guides about beautiful San Sebastian or our Madrid guides for staying on a budget, a stunning rooftop pool club, and the famous El Escorial palace.

Did I miss anything?
If you have any questions or feel like something is missing from this post, please leave a comment below or contact me.