{"id":74468,"date":"2022-10-05T14:34:00","date_gmt":"2022-10-05T12:34:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/visitanddo_1790.test\/?p=74468"},"modified":"2026-09-30T22:37:15","modified_gmt":"2026-09-30T20:37:15","slug":"the-route-to-the-5-white-villages-of-malaga","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/the-route-to-the-5-white-villages-of-malaga\/","title":{"rendered":"The 5 white villages of M\u00e1laga"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The white villages of M\u00e1laga<\/strong> do not form a single signposted route, but a collection of villages with whitewashed houses across the inland province. These five \u2014Ronda, Casares, Frigiliana, Mijas Pueblo and J\u00fazcar<\/strong>\u2014 are the most representative.<\/p>\n

For each one, we explain what to see, the actual distance from M\u00e1laga and, above all, how to group them<\/strong>, as they are in different districts and cannot all be fitted into one day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why are they white?<\/h2>\n

Whitewashing dates from the Andalusi period and was not merely decorative: lime reflected the light<\/strong> and kept houses cool in summer; it also acted as a disinfectant<\/strong> for the walls and was inexpensive to obtain locally. Repeated house by house, it created the landscape that defines these villages today.<\/p>\n

In M\u00e1laga, they are spread across the Serran\u00eda de Ronda<\/strong>, the Genal Valley<\/strong>, the Axarquia<\/strong> and the mountains along the western coast. For the wider Andalusian area, see our white villages guide<\/a>; this guide focuses on those within the province.<\/p>\n\n

1. Ronda<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Ronda\u2019s
Ronda, divided in two by the Tajo gorge.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The largest and best known, standing above the Tagus<\/strong>, a gorge more than a hundred metres deep that divides the town. Its landmark is the “Puente Nuevo”<\/strong>, built between 1751 and 1793.<\/p>\n

What to see:<\/strong> the bridge and its viewpoints, the La Real Maestranza Bullring<\/strong> \u2014 dating from 1785, one of Spain\u2019s oldest \u2014 the Arabic baths<\/strong> the best preserved on the peninsula, the Palacio del Rey Moro and the La Ciudad quarter.<\/p>\n

Distance:<\/strong> around 100 km from M\u00e1laga, between an hour and a half and an hour and forty-five minutes via the A-397. It is the only one with a railway station, making it a gateway to the Serran\u00eda.<\/p>\n

How long:<\/strong> at least half a day, though you could spend a full day here. Find details in What to see in Ronda<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

2. Casares<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Casares\u2019
Casares, the \u2018hanging village\u2019, with its castle crowning the hill.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

They call it the \u00abhanging village\u00bb<\/strong> because of the way its houses climb the hillside beneath the Moorish castle<\/strong>. It is one of the province\u2019s most familiar postcard views, all visible at once from the viewpoint on the approach road.<\/p>\n

And here is its most important fact, which few people mention:<\/strong> Casares is the birthplace of Blas Infante<\/strong>, regarded as the father of the Andalusian nation. His birthplace is open to visitors.<\/p>\n

What to see:<\/strong> the castle grounds, the Church of the Incarnation<\/strong>, the San Sebasti\u00e1n Chapel<\/strong> and the cemetery<\/strong>, set high up, with one of the best panoramic views of the village. Nearby are the Ba\u00f1os de la Hedionda<\/strong>, sulphurous baths traditionally associated with Julius Caesar\u2019s troops, and the Roman ruins of Lacipo<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Distance:<\/strong> around 110 km from M\u00e1laga, about an hour and a half via the AP-7 and the climb inland from the coast. It is near Estepona, so pairs well with the western coast.<\/p>\n\n

3. Frigiliana<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Cobbled
Barribarto, Frigiliana\u2019s Moorish old quarter.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The best-preserved white village in the eastern province, in the Axarqu\u00eda, close to Nerja. Its old quarter, the Barribarto<\/strong> or Moorish quarter, is a network of steep cobbled lanes with ceramic panels telling the story of the village.<\/p>\n

What makes it unique:<\/strong> its sugar mill<\/strong> is the only cane syrup factory left in Europe<\/strong>, and it is still operating. It occupies the former palace of the Counts of Frigiliana.<\/p>\n

What to see:<\/strong> the whole of Barribarto, the botanical garden of Santa Fiora<\/strong> and the climb to the remains of L\u00edzar castle<\/strong>, with the sea on one side and the Almijara mountains on the other.<\/p>\n

Distance:<\/strong> around 50 km from M\u00e1laga, between 45 and 50 minutes. It is the most accessible, and naturally combines with Nerja<\/a> and some time on the beach. Read more in Things to see and do in Frigiliana<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

4. Mijas Pueblo<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"White
Mijas Pueblo, perched above the Costa del Sol.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The closest to the coast, on the slopes of the Mijas mountains at around 400 metres above sea level<\/strong>. On clear days, you can see the sea and, with luck, the African coast.<\/p>\n

What to see:<\/strong> the the chapel of the Virgin of La Pe\u00f1a<\/strong>, carved out of the rock; the gardens by the town walls<\/strong> and their viewpoints; Plaza de la Constituci\u00f3n; and the oval bullring<\/strong>, shaped that way because there was not enough room to make it round.<\/p>\n

Distance:<\/strong> around 35 km from M\u00e1laga, about 40 minutes. It is the easiest to fit in if you are staying on the coast. More in what to see in Mijas<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

5. J\u00fazcar, the Blue Village<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Blue
J\u00fazcar, the only village in Spain painted entirely blue.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The exception on the list: a white village in the Genal Valley which, in 2011<\/strong> was painted entirely blue \u2014 including the church \u2014 for the premiere of a Smurfs film. The agreement provided for it to be painted white again afterwards.<\/p>\n

But the residents voted.<\/strong> In that year\u2019s referendum, 141 votes to 33<\/strong> decided to keep it blue. And it still is.<\/p>\n

Take note of the name, because it has changed:<\/strong> the Smurfs brand licence expired and the council could not meet the renewal conditions. In a new vote, residents decided to officially end the association with the brand<\/strong>, remove the character figures and stop promoting it as the \u2018Smurf village\u2019. Today it is promoted as \u2018La Aldea Azul\u2019 (the Blue Village)<\/strong>. The colour remains, however: the council pays for the paint, and residents apply it themselves every few years.<\/p>\n

What to see beyond the blue:<\/strong> the Royal Tinplate Factory<\/strong>, which was the first in Spain; the WATER MILLS<\/strong>; and the mushroom museum<\/strong>, as this is one of Andalusia\u2019s best areas for mushrooms.<\/p>\n

And the surroundings:<\/strong> it is in the Upper Genal Valley<\/strong>, surrounded by chestnut woods<\/strong> which take on extraordinary colours in autumn. It is one of the province\u2019s best November getaways.<\/p>\n

Distance:<\/strong> around 113 km from M\u00e1laga, about an hour and three-quarters. It is 22 km from Ronda<\/strong> along a mountain road, so it makes sense to visit both on the same day.<\/p>\n\n

How to group the route<\/h2>\n

Do not attempt all five in one day.<\/strong> They are in different districts, and travelling between east and west is not straightforward.<\/p>\n\n\n
Village<\/th>Region<\/th>From Malaga<\/th>By car<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n
Mijas Village<\/td>Sierra de Mijas (west)<\/td>~35 km<\/td>~40 min<\/td><\/tr>\n
Frigiliana<\/td>Axarqu\u00eda (east)<\/td>~50 km<\/td>~45-50 min<\/td><\/tr>\n
Ronda<\/td>Serran\u00eda de Ronda<\/td>~100 km<\/td>~1 h 40 min<\/td><\/tr>\n
Casares<\/td>Western coast<\/td>~110 km<\/td>~1 h 30 min<\/td><\/tr>\n
J\u00fazcar<\/td>Genal Valley<\/td>~113 km<\/td>~1 h 45 min<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Three combinations that work:<\/strong><\/p>\n