Between Sierra and Sea: The Picturesque White Village of Frigiliana

With its narrow, cobbled alleyways and immaculate white-washed houses, Frigiliana is frequently voted one of the prettiest villages in Spain. Founded by the Muslims around a thousand years ago, it was long a centre of agriculture and sugar production. These days it is home to artists and craftspeople, drawn by its picturesque setting and benign climate.

You’ll start the tour by admiring the view of the old part of the village, set against the rugged backdrop of the Sierra Almijara mountains. From there, you’ll head to the Ingenio Nuestra Señora del Carmen, where you’ll learn how the only surviving sugar cane molasses factory in Western Europe has managed to ride out the ups and downs of the local sugar industry.

In the upper part of the village, known locally as Barribarto, you’ll meander along quaint geranium and cactus-lined alleyways that open out onto views of the Mediterranean. Along the way, you’ll hear about the history of Frigiliana, including the bloody events of 1569, when the village played a pivotal role in the Rebellion of the Alpujarras. You’ll return along Calle Real, passing the Sculpture of the Three Cultures and the old fountain (Fuente Vieja), before finishing the tour in the Santa Fiora Botanical Garden.

On this one-hour tour you’ll have the chance to:

• Hear how millstones can be used as a terrifying offensive weapon
• Discover why “cane honey” can no longer be called honey (except when it’s served with aubergines…)
• Admire the mix of Renaissance, Baroque and Rococo styles at the Church of St Anthony of Padua (Iglesia de San Antonio)
• Learn about the emblematic trees and crops which have driven the local economy over the centuries
• Linger at art studios, craft shops, bars and restaurants as we explore the oldest part of the village

Most tourists only make a lightning visit to Frigiliana, but this tour lets you explore at a more leisurely pace, while you delve into its long history and rich cultural heritage.