Wandering “off the beaten track” and taking calculated risks usually pays off huge dividends when it comes to travel in exotic destinations! While most travelers to SPAIN head out to the time tested tourist destinations in the big cities of MADRID, TOLEDO, SEGOVIA, BARCELONA, SEVILLE, and CORDOBA, going to MALAGA on the SPANISH RIVIERA in the South of Spain (COSTA DEL SOL) was indeed a memorable experience for us!
Not only was MALAGA an amazing, happening city with history, architecture, culture and cuisine to celebrate, in close proximity were the famous “BLANCO PUEBLOS” (white villages) that is attracting not only the rich and the famous, but also hordes of “Snow Birds” from across Europe including the UK, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and the Netherlands, who are tired of the cold and seek warmer environs in their twilight years, not unlike the ‘Snow Birds’ from Canada and the North-East who escape to Florida, Cancun, and Costa Rica to escape from the cold! Matter of fact, we were amused to see a sign at a real estate agency that read, “Do you have a property to sell? We have frozen Scandanavians who will be glad to buy!”
We were indeed fortunate to be able to explore 3 of the best known and upcoming BLANCO PUEBLOS in close proximity to MALAGA – NERJE, FRIGILIANA, and MIJAS COSTA, which would evoke memories of the Isles in the GREEK CYCLADES – MYKONOS, SANTORINI, ARGOS, as well as the colorful and inimitable villages of CINQUE TERRE in ITALY!
NERJE (pronounced “Nerhah”) is a coastal resort town some 50 Kms east of MALAGA, and marks the eastern limit of the COSTA DEL SOL (the Sunny Coast of Spain). Once a sleepy fishing village, the town now has a resident population of over 25,000.
Flanked by a dramatic mountain range, Sierra Almijara, to the east, the town has, fortunately, managed to avoid being blighted by the concrete high-rise scenario which has been the inevitable result of the tourist boom in some of the coastal resorts.
However, the heart of NERJA is its spectacular ‘BALCON DE EUROPA’ (the “Balcony of Europe”), a magnificent promenade along the edge of a towering cliff, once the site of the great Moorish castle, with sweeping panoramic views of the Mediterranean and the small coves and beaches below, against an awesome backdrop of hazy blue mountains (photos below).
The village of FRIGILIANA is situated 6 Kms north of Nerja and just over fifty kilometres from Málaga. Villages on the Costa del Sol don’t come much more picturesque than FRIGILIANA. This exceptionally beautiful white-washed village is novel and one of a kind.
A maze of cobbled streets, with meticulously maintained whitewashed houses, that provide a stunning contrast against the blue skies and red slate roofs. The colourful plant pots brimming with bougainvillea, lavender and jasmine all add an extra dash of colour to this enchanting scene.
As you wander up the hillside through the cobbled streets, past the white houses with doors painted an array of pastel colors, and viewpoints that offer glimpses of the surrounding countryside and the coast below, you can fully understand why FRIGILIANA has consistently being voted as the ‘prettiest village in Andalusia’ and ‘one of the most beautiful villages in Spain’ by the Spanish tourism authority.
MIJAS COSTA (where we stayed in a luxury resort, and pronounced “Mihas Costa”) is a 12 Km coastal stretch of 4 & 5 star resorts, within the municipal district of Mijas. MIJAS COSTA is located between Fuengirola and the world famous beaches of MARBELLA. We were extremely fortunate to have lived in MIJAS COSTA while in MALAGA, and savored the unspeakably beautiful vistas of the beaches and the coast from our balcony.
Panoramic perspective captured from the heart of NERJA is its spectacular BALCON DE EUROPA (the “Balcony of Europe”), a magnificent promenade along the edge of a towering cliff, once the site of the great Moorish castle, with sweeping panoramic views of the Mediterranean and the small coves and beaches below, against an awesome backdrop of hazy blue mountains
NERJE (pronounced “Nerhah”) is a coastal resort town some 50 kilometres east of MALAGA, and marks the eastern limit of the COSTA DEL SOL (the Sunny Coast of Spain). Once a sleepy fishing village, the town now has a resident population of over 25,000.
Panoramic perspective from the ‘BALCON OF EUROPE’ in NERJE – Bollywood filmmakers need to discover this as a locale for their next romantic blockbuster!
Flanked by a dramatic mountain range, Sierra Almijara, to the east, the town has, fortunately, managed to avoid being blighted by the concrete high-rise scenario which has been the inevitable result of the tourist boom in some of the coastal resorts. The old quarter of the town is still virtually unchanged with narrow, winding streets, whitewashed houses with wrought iron terraces overflowing with geraniums, on which a canary can sometimes be heard singing.
Panoramic perspective captured from the heart of NERJA is its spectacular BALCON DE EUROPA (the “Balcony of Europe”), a magnificent promenade along the edge of a towering cliff, once the site of the great Moorish castle, with sweeping panoramic views of the Mediterranean and the small coves and beaches below, against an awesome backdrop of hazy blue mountains
Panoramic perspective from the ‘BALCON OF EUROPE’ in NERJE – Bollywood filmmakers need to discover this as a locale for their next romantic
blockbuster!
Natural beaches, grottos and caverns architected by Mother Nature in NERJE, which makes this a ‘BLANCO PUEBLO’ of choice for many Europeans seeking to escape the intense cold of their native countries, in their twilight years!
Panoramic perspective from the ‘BALCON OF EUROPE’ in NERJE – Bollywood filmmakers need to discover this as a locale for their next romantic blockbuster!
Panoramic perspective captured from the heart of NERJA is its spectacular BALCON DE EUROPA (the “Balcony of Europe”), a magnificent promenade along the edge of a towering cliff, once the site of the great Moorish castle, with sweeping panoramic views of the Mediterranean and the small coves and beaches below, against an awesome backdrop of hazy blue mountains
Panoramic perspective from the ‘BALCON OF EUROPE’ in NERJE – Bollywood filmmakers need to discover this as a locale for their next romantic blockbuster!
NERJE is also well known for its caverns and grottos which attract intrepid explorers and tourists from across the World!
The beautiful alabaster houses in NERJA are the reason this is called a ‘BLANCO PUEBLO’ and much sought after by the ‘Snowbirds’ from across Europe, including the UK, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Germany!
The village of FRIGILIANA is situated six-kilometres north of Nerja and just over fifty kilometres from Málaga. Villages on the Costa del Sol don’t come much more picturesque than Frigiliana. This exceptionally beautiful white-washed village is truly one of a kind.
The epi-center of FRIGILIANA with this monument espousing Peace and Harmony amongst the 3 Abrahamic religions, with the sign of the cross, the Star of David and the Cresent Moon on each of the three faces of this fountain!
MIGUEL, our friendly Tuk Tuk driver and Tour Guide, who showed us around the ‘Blanco Pueblo’ of FRIGILIANA in his high-tech ‘Guidemobile’! Once he confirmed that we needed the guided tour in English, he triggered the audio in English at the flick of a button, which even delivered a couple of commercials in between the audios, which was freakin’ hilarious!👍🙂
Well appointed Hacienda in FRIGILIANA that reminds one of similar houses in the GREEK CYCLADES, in Argos, Helios, Mykonos and Santorini!
Wandering the streets is a joy. You feel as if you are taken back in time, back to a land of Moorish Kingdoms and the Reconquista, to a place that feels remarkably like one of the villages in the neighbouring Riff mountains of Morocco. The whole feel and atmosphere of Frigiliana is remarkable!
A maze of cobbled streets, with meticulously maintained whitewashed houses, that provide a stunning contrast against the blue skies and red slate roofs. The colorful plant pots brimming with bougainvillea, lavender and jasmine all add an extra dash of color to this enchanting scene.
As you wander up the hillside through the cobbled streets, past the white houses with doors painted an array of pastel colors, past tiny nooks and crannies and viewpoints that offer glimpses of the surrounding countryside and the coast below, you can fully understand why FRIGILIANA is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful villages in Andalusia. FRIGILIANA has consistently been voted as the ‘prettiest village in Andalusia’ and ‘one of the most beautiful villages in Spain’ by the Spanish tourism authority.
It is unbelievable what this peaceful ambiance does to one’s stress levels, and provides a harmonious ambiance for meditation, and spiritual self-introspection that is highly recommended!
A labyrinth of narrow and winding streets, each one hiding something that is just waiting to be explored.
Situated at three hundred metres above sea level, the views from FRIGILIANA are spectacular. On a clear winter’s day, the North African coastline is often visible and the views of NERJE and the surrounding countryside don’t come much better than those on offer from FRIGILIANA.
This Panoramic Picturescape adroitly captures the essence of the ‘BLANCO PUEBLO’ that is FRIGILIANA – wandering the streets is a joy. You feel as if you are taken back in time, back to a land of Moorish Kingdoms and the Reconquista, to a place that feels remarkably like one of the villages in the neighbouring Riff mountains of Morocco. The whole feel and atmosphere of FRIGILIANA is remarkable, and must be experienced for one’s self!
MIJAS COSTA (where we stayed in an opulent resort and pronounced “Mihas Costa”) is a 12 Km coastal stretch of 4 & 5 star resorts, including the popular La Cala de Mijas (Mijas cove) and Sitio de Calahonda (a large residential estate) within the municipal district of Mijas.
We were extremely fortunate to have stayed in our luxury resort in MIJAS COSTA and truly enjoyed the unspeakably beautiful vistas of the beaches and the coast from our Suite!
We were extremely fortunate to have stayed in our luxury resort in MIJAS COSTA and truly enjoyed the unspeakably beautiful vistas of the beaches and the coast from our Suite!
Although just a twenty minute drive from little village of MIJAS which is still steeped in the old Andalucian traditions and customs, the residential and beach life of MIJAS COSTA is very much 21st century. Holiday rentals available range from small studio apartments for holiday rentals to major villa developments with a sea and mountain view from the private pool. The beach life offers water sports ranging from jet skis, waterskiing, wakeboarding, windsurfing, and more!
MIJAS COSTA is located between Fuengirola and the world famous beaches of MARBELLA, will evoke memories of the Greek Islands of Mykonos, and Santorini which many of us cannot get enough of!