The Best Things to Do in Frigiliana on a Day Trip

I like it when a place exceeds my expectations. When without even trying, I’ve formed some preconceived idea of it and I think it won’t be that great, then it surprises me.

When my best friend and I went to Vietnam, we pre-booked a backpackers tour of Halong Bay on our second day.

On arrival in Hanoi, we crossed paths with some friends returning from the same tour who weren’t exactly raving about it. Their stories had us both secretly worried that we should cancel, although neither of us admitted it until after the tour.

That Halong Bay tour turned out to be one of the best tours I’ve ever done, and I’ve recommended it to everyone since! I always wonder if I would have loved it as much if I had different expectations.

Frigiliana is another one of those places lots have people have given me their opinion on, to the point I wasn’t sure whether it was worth going. Well, I’m so glad I did!

Where is Frigiliana?

When I was travelling around southern Spain on a long weekend break from teaching English I heard about this place called Frigiliana, a small white Andalusian village at the base of the mountains.

Frigiliana is only 15 minutes from Nerja on the Costa del Sol a Spain, an area known to be a mecca for British expats.

You can easily take a day trip to Nerja and Frigiliana from Malaga.

I thought Frigiliana would be overrun and overdone, and after visiting some of the beautiful whitewashed Andalusian villages in the Alpujarras, the Sierra Nevada mountains, my expectations were really not high.

How to get to Frigiliana

The €1 bus to Frigiliana from the Nerja bus station didn’t exactly begin to convince me I was going to have an amazing time.

I felt like I was on one of the 60s up bus tours my Grandma used to take because I think I was the only person on the bus under 50!

Not that there was anything wrong with going where older people like to go, but I figured it might be a sign the town catered more to tourists than anything else, and it would be overpriced and crowded.

I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Maybe visiting at the end of February and taking the early bus gave me the advantage, but I ended up having much of Frigiliana to myself. At least, that’s what it felt like.

Frigiliana is a traditional Andalusian white village in the hills. I figured it would be a lesser version of Pampaneira and Búbion in the Alpujarras, but it had a charm all of its own.

What to do in Frigiliana

There isn’t a great deal to do in Frigiliana other than enjoy it. 

I wandered into the upper parts of the town, barely seeing another soul, spending my time marvelling at the beautiful narrow streets with their colourful doors and pot plants everywhere.

There are art and craft shops you could spend time exploring and numerous restaurants where you can enjoy Spanish food. I was surprised the prices were reasonable!

The Museo Arqueologico de Frigiliana is worth a short visit if you have the time, although it’s closed between 2-4pm so it depends on when you’re there.

I didn’t have the time, but you can climb up to the Castle of Lizar, not for the castle, which is long gone but mainly for the views back down over Frigiliana to Nerja and the ocean.

Apparently, there are donkeys to watch out for, though!

Here’s a more comprehensive list to help you plan:

Explore the Old Town

Frigiliana’s Old Town is full of narrow, winding streets, whitewashed houses, and colourful flowers. Take a stroll through the streets and enjoy the traditional Andalusian architecture.

Visit the Church of San Antonio

This 17th-century church is located in the heart of the Old Town and is a must-see for visitors. Admire the intricate baroque altar and the beautiful artwork inside.

Go hiking

Frigiliana is surrounded by natural beauty, making it a great place for hiking. One popular trail is the Rio Higuerón, which leads to a waterfall.

Taste the local cuisine

Frigiliana is known for its delicious food, including its famous honey and sweet wine. Don’t miss the chance to try some traditional dishes like gazpacho, paella, and churros.

Visit the Archaeological Museum

Learn about the history of the area at the Archaeological Museum, which displays artefacts from the Roman and Moorish eras.

Attend a festival

Frigiliana hosts several festivals throughout the year, including the Festival of Three Cultures, which celebrates the town’s Christian, Jewish, and Muslim heritage.

Visit the Palace of the Counts of Frigiliana

This 16th-century palace is now a cultural centre and museum, where you can learn about the town’s history and culture.

Enjoy the views

Frigiliana is surrounded by stunning scenery, so be sure to take in the views from the Mirador de las Almijaras or the Plaza de las Tres Culturas.

I ended my few blissful hours Frigiliana sipping coffee under a lemon tree, looking across the lower part of the town and down the green-hilled valleys all the way to the sea.

Frigiliana is now firmly on my list of exceeded expectations.

Maybe it was the time of year – February isn’t so busy after all – but I fell in love with this little village just a day trip from Malaga and Nerja all the same.

Have you thought about skipping somewhere only to visit and have it exceed your expectations?

Sonja x I

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