4th August 2023 
Leave a commentJoin us for the 10 most beautiful villages in Malaga to visit in any season of the year!
Although Malaga is mainly known for its sun and beach related tourism during the summer months, however, our beautiful province has much more to offer.
You will be surprised by the different rhythm of life, the traditions of these ancient villages and the wonderful nature that surrounds them, so different from the international hustle and bustle of the Costa del Sol, which has little to do with the real Andalusia.
The 10 most beautiful villages in Malaga
Here we have chosen 1o beautiful villages of Malaga (and one city), although there could be many more, spread throughout all the regions of Malaga.
We will present them region by region.
To see some of the most beautiful villages in Malaga, you don’t even have to go far from the coast or travel many kilometres.
For others, however, you should plan a whole day and enjoy slow travel. Nestled in the inland mountains, the journey to these white villages of Arabic origin is a pleasant one in itself, along winding country roads and beautiful landscapes.
Most beautiful villages of La Axarquía – Eastern Costa del Sol
The Axarquía region of Málaga stands out for its majestic mountain ranges, with the highest peak in the province, La Maroma with more than 1000 metres height.
Along its green slopes we find nestled white little gems which haven´t changed much over the centuries: While villages with their typical traditions and their economy based on agriculture, mainly wine, raisins, olives y a great variety of fruit.
Sayalonga
This village of just over 1,600 inhabitants has existed since Roman times.
Throughout the centuries, different cultures and religions have left their mark and there are several places that can be seen, such as the Church of Santa Catalina or the Hermitage of San Cayetano.
In addition, we can enjoy its viewpoint, discover the Fuente del Cid or the Alcuza alley with only 55 cm in its narrowest part.
Sayalonga’s most peculiar curiosity is undoubtedly its round cemetery, the only one of its kind in Spain, which is thought to be of Masonic origin. The cemetery has an interpretation centre and a viewpoint.
On the first Sunday in May, the Día del Níspero (Loquat), one of the most typical products of the village, is celebrated with free tastings.
Wine lovers should not miss a visit to the Bodega Bentomiz.
Comares
About 40 kilometres from Malaga stands this beautiful white village at 700 metres above sea level, which is why it is also known as “the balcony of theAxarquia”.
This village of Moorish origin currently has a little more than 1.300 inhabitants, of which one third are foreigners.
We can visit several monuments and archaeological remains of Arab origin.
For lovers of active tourism, Comares has an impressive 436-metre zip-line, several via ferratas, climbing and six hiking routes.
Frigiliana
Only 8 km from the coast and Nerja lies one of the most beautiful white villages of Malaga. Not only because of its charm but also because of its proximity to the tourist centre of Nerja, this village is very popular with visitors all year round. It is one of the most beautiful villages in Malaga.
In addition to its charming old town and its heritage, we can visit the Archaeological Museum or the Botanical Garden.
The village celebrates every year the last weekend of the Festival of the 3 Cultures, a tribute to the Arab, Jewish and Christian cultures that coexisted peacefully there hundreds of years ago.
Discover Frigiliana on this 360º tour.
There are many more lovely villages to discover, and many of them not less beautiful, but obviously, we can´t squeeze them all into one article.
If you want to discover more white villages of the Axarquia region, here is the complete list:
Alcaucín, Alfarnate, Alfarnatejo, Algarrobo, Almáchar, Árchez, Arenas, Benamargosa, Benamocarra, El Borge, Canillas de Aceituno, Canillas deAlbaida, Colmenar, Comares, Competa, Cútar, Frigiliana, Iznate, Macharaviaya, Moclinejo, Nerja, Periana, Rincón de la Victoria, Riogordo, Salares, Sayalonga, Sedella, Torrox, Totalán, Vélez-Málaga and Viñuela.
Most beautiful villages western Costa del Sol
Just a few kilometres inland from the bustling Costa del Sol you can discover some real jewels of typical Andalusian villages.
As they are situated on rolling mountain slopes, you can also enjoy stunning views of the coast.
Mijas
Probably the most know white village of the western Costa del Sol and one of the most beautiful villages in Malaga. This is also partly due to the fact that it is situated only 7 km from Fuengirola, one of the main tourism hubs on the costa.
Situated on 428 metres above sea level, you have lovely views of the coast from almost every point of the charming village which is brimming with tourists all year round.
In the village we can find cultural heritage since roman and Arab times, several churches and hermitages, watch towers, a bullring and beautiful gardens.
There are also a few museums of which is particularly interesting the Miniature Museum.
Ojén
An open secret is the white village of Ojén, situated 300 metres above sea level, a green oasis just 10 km from Marbella.
The village is the entrance to the Biosphere and National Park Sierra de las Nieves (whose name comes from the fact that its high peaks are covered with snow in winter).
In the village you can visit the Museo del Molino, the Iglesia de la Encarnación and above all the caves.
But Ojén stands out above all for being a green paradise of water. In the surroundings there are several pools of crystal-clear water which are very popular in summer.
It is ideal for nature lovers and hikers.
Casares
Another spectacular vantage point over the coast and the Rock of Gibraltar is this beautiful white village on the westernmost Costa del Sol. Situated 435 metres above sea level and only 16 km from Estepona, the popular high-end tourist enclave.
The origin of Casares dates back to Phoenician times, and therefore the village has a very rich heritage of various cultures and eras, all crowned by its beautiful 13th century Moorish castle.
In addition, you can enjoy an 80-metre zip line through the village. Nature lovers will love the great biodiversity of Sierra Bermeja, with its pine forests and a dozen hiking trails.
Most beautiful Inland villages – Serrania de Ronda
It is certainly worth the drive up through endless winding curves, into the majestic chestnut forests of the Serranía de Ronda mountain ranges.
Ronda
The jewel in the crown of this sierra is undoubtedly Ronda, a monumental city, with its impressive Tajo, situated 740 metres above sea level. We include it in this guide, even though it is not a “village”, as you cannot miss a visit to this beautiful city.
Due to the great wealth of monuments dating back to Roman and Arab times, it museums, its magnificent wine cellars and beautiful nature, you might want to spend a night in Ronda to extensively savour all that this city has to offer.
It is also interesting to know that the Genal Valley, located south of Ronda, also belongs to Serranía de Ronda.
If you like slow travel on winding secondary roads through centuries-old forests, it is worth discovering some of these hidden white villages, which altogether only have around 7,000 inhabitants.
Complete list of villages in Serranía de Ronda:
Arriate, Benaoján, Cortes de la Frontera, Jimera de Líbar, Montejaque and Ronda.
The Genal Valley includes the villages of:
Igualeja, Pujerra, Parauta, Cartajima, Júzcar, Faraján, Alpandeire, Atajate, Benadalid, Benalauría, Algatocín, Benarrabá, Gaucín, Jubrique and Genalguacil.
As we love the whole area, we’ll leave you with a glimpse of some of the most outstanding villages
Igualeja
As well as being surrounded by chestnut forests and therefore one of the main producers of chestnuts (a must-see in autumn), this village, located 700 metres above sea level, is famous for the source of the river Genal.
Active tourism enthusiasts will find there a beautiful via ferrata.
Genalguacil
Situated only 32 km from Estepona, nevertheless you will take quite a while to get to this hidden gem deep in the Genal Valley. When driving there from Estepona, you will enjoy spectacular views from the mountain pass of Sierra Bermeja over the Strait of Gibraltar and even Africa from more than 1000 metres above sea level, before entering the river valley.
Genalguacil is very special for one reason: It’s an open-air museum. Every second year, the villagers open their doors to international artists who in return leave their art everywhere in the plazas and streets of this really small and charming village.
Most beautiful Inland villages – Sierra de las Nieves
A unique spot in the province of Malaga, a Unesco Biosphere Reserve and recently named a National Park.
Yunquera
Situated at 680 metres above sea level, the village of Yunquera is the entrance to the Sierra de las Nieves National Park and therefore an essential stop for nature lovers.
Around the village there are several routes leading to the magnificent and unique Spanish firs of the Biosphere.
Casarabonela
Casarabonela also belongs to the UNESCO Biosphere. This small village of less than 3,000 inhabitants has been inhabited since prehistoric times.
Casarabonela stands out for its great abundance of water and for its different fountains and springs. One of the best known of these is the spring of Fuente Quebrada.
Complete list of villages in Sierra de las Nieves:
Alozaina, Casarabonela, El Burgo, Guaro, Istán, Monda, Ojén (que mencionamos más arriba), Tolox and Yunquera.
