All about Nerja and Frigiliana

Nerja, on the eastern Costa del Sol, is set on a rugged headland in an area of still unspoiled sandy beaches and sheltered coves, protected by a background of majestic mountains - the Sierra de Almijara. Fresh spring water from these mountains, together with a wonderful climate - an average of 320 days sunshine a year, has made the surrounding countryside a horticultural paradise, with crops ranging from sugar cane to strawberries, tomatoes to avocados, plus a rich harvest of citrus fruit.

A bird's eye view of the Nerja street plan gives the impression of a web-like geometry with, at the centre of the web, the Balcon de Europa (Balcony of Europe), a palm-lined promenade reaching out into the Mediterranean on a natural promontory of land. In Nerja town a host of narrow, winding pedestrianised streets invite exploration - being particularly great for their many little shops and authentic tapas bars. The Balcon de Europa could have been designed by nature with strolling in mind and there can be few things pleasanter than enjoying a drink or snack at one of its little open air cafes.

Frigiliana, Eastern Costa del Sol, Spain

Frigiliana, a few kilometers inland from Nerja, is a pretty, whitewashed village hugging the hillside. The centre of the village is as it was centuries ago, and donkeys are still used to carry goods up and down the steps in the village.

The village of Frigiliana abounds with tiny shops, bars and restaurants, some offering spectacular views over the surrounding countryside. Visitors can easily walk through the whole village, and guided walks explaining the history of the village are conducted weekly.

The hillsides surrounding Frigiliana are dotted with whitewashed "cortijos" - traditional farmers cottages that the owners used to use for weekends and family gatherings, as well as to store their farming gear. Many of these have been beautifully renovated to provide delightful holiday accommodation with some of the most stunning views in Spain.

Access to villas

Please note: Our villas are all within a few kilometres of Nerja town and beach. However, due to the relatively slow rate of growth in these areas, some of the roads and lanes to the villas are single track and are not yet surfaced. The town hall does grade these lanes once a year and in Frigiliana about 1 Km more of each track is paved each year - but pot-holes are not unusual! As in most Spanish villages, street lights and pavements are almost non-existent outside the main town area. Nervous drivers should check with our reservations' staff before booking their car - two small cars are better than a larger people-carrier. Each individual villa description gives our assessment of the access to the property of your choice.