What to see in Frigiliana, one of the most charming towns in Malaga
igiliana is one of the most beautiful towns in Malaga . Surrounded by the green landscapes of the Sierra Almijarra and located just 7 km from the Costa del Sol , the natural surroundings of the town are simply unbeatable . However, we are going to show you that there is much more to see in Frigiliana than the beautiful picture of white houses that is obvious at first sight.
The town has been a meeting place for three cultures (Christian, Jewish and Muslim) and the result is a great historical heritage that you can see today. The labyrinthine streets of the Barrio Mudéjar , full of flowers , beautiful whitewashed houses , several picturesque fountains and viewpoints with spectacular panoramic views await you in this town that – deservedly – is part of the network of the Most Beautiful Towns in Spain . We have prepared this complete guide with 20 essential things to see in Frigiliana .
What to see in Frigiliana – 20 must-sees in the town and its surroundings
1. Apero Hill and the Apero House
The best place to start your tour of the best things to see in Frigiliana is the Plaza de las Tres Culturas , where the town’s main parking lot is located (paid). From here you should start climbing the Cuesta del Apero and reach the Casa del Apero . This 18th century building, which was formerly used as a granary, houses the Tourist Office where you can plan your visit.
In this same house is the Archaeological Museum where you can learn about the history of Frigiliana from the Neolithic to the present day through the more than 100 pieces excavated in the various sites discovered in the town. Also don’t miss the excellent viewing point near the Casa del Apero which offers beautiful views of the old town.
2. Mechanical theatre
An interesting stop on the way to the historic centre is the small mechanical theatre (officially “Casita de información y fantasía”). It is a colourful round kiosk where you can see a mechanical puppet theatre telling the history of the town through glass windows . It is a must-see with children, Diego had a lot of fun seeing that the puppets even moved their lips.
3. Palace of the Counts of Frigiliana
The Palace of the Counts of Frigiliana is probably the most surprising place to see in Frigiliana. From the outside you will be impressed by the façade of this beautiful Renaissance building (also known as “El Ingenio”) built by reusing material from the old Arab castle. However, what is really surprising is that the interior of the palace houses the facilities of the Nuestra Señora del Carmen Factory , the only sugarcane honey factory in Europe . The production of sugarcane honey began in Frigiliana in the 17th century and they still continue to make this very nutritious product by hand.
4. Royal Street
The best way to get into the historic centre is to walk down Calle Real , the main shopping street in Frigiliana. The first thing you’ll notice is the street floor decorated with beautiful stone mosaics . Then, you’ll notice the red brick arcades of the Reales Pósitos, which were once used to store grain.
5. Corner of Calle Real with Calle Hernando el Darra
You will soon reach the most photographed spot in Frigiliana, the corner where it meets Calle Hernando el Darra . It is a very photogenic place with white houses and large flower pots filled with colourful flowers . After taking your Instagram photo, you can walk up the steep Calle Hernando el Darra to explore the alleys of the Mudejar quarter.
6. Take a free tour of Frigiliana
If you want to get a first taste of this magical town, we recommend taking this free tour of the must-sees in Frigiliana . It’s the best way to discover the town’s history and monuments.
7. Santa Fiora Botanical Garden
An interesting visit to make the tour more varied is to take a look at the Santa Fiora Botanical Garden , located on a hillside. If you like this type of place, you will love walking through this park and discovering the plants that have been used by locals as medicine, food supplements or for other purposes.
8. Mudejar neighborhood
The Mudejar Quarter of Frigiliana , known as the Barribarto , is without a doubt the biggest attraction in Frigiliana . It is a veritable labyrinth of steep, narrow cobbled streets . As you walk up and down these streets, you will see an endless number of pretty white houses , many with colourful doors , most of them blue , but you will also see red and green ones, too. Some of the streets that you cannot miss are Calle Alta , Calle de la Amargura , Calle Zacatín and Calle de Santa Teresa de Ávila .
9. Tower
After getting lost in the Moorish quarter of Frigiliana, you should return to Calle Real where this itinerary continues. Right in front of the Town Hall is one of the most picturesque corners of the town, the Torreón . This was once the site of a military barracks and a watchtower that later served as a grain store. Today, all that remains of this construction is a small passage that leads to a pretty little square. Inside the Torreón you can see some vases , one of which represents the three cultures (religions) of Frigiliana: Arab, Christian and Sephardic.
10. Commemorative plaques
As you stroll through the old town of Frigiliana , you should look out on the facades of the houses to find the 12 ceramic plaques scattered around the town. These commemorative plaques tell you in detail one of the tragic episodes in the history of Frigiliana : the uprising of the Arabs against the Christian conquest. These drawings accompanied by poems tell you about the various confrontations until the sad end, the expulsion of the Mudejar population at the end of the 16th century.
