BACKGROUND INFORMATION FOR FRIGILIANA AND NERJA
Frigiliana
Frigiliana is a small village of no more than 40km2 and over 2000 inhabitants; it is located among the mountainous range of "Tejeda-Almijara" in the Axarquía region at only 50km from Malaga and 6km from Nerja and the sea. Its name is derived from the Roman word "frexinius" which means villa. Frigiliana is a place with a rich history and beautiful scenery.
The old part of Frigiliana is a well kept vivid testimony of what once was an important Moorish settlement. The arrival of the Muslims to these lands goes back to the 711a.c.
The Arab architecture widely present in Frigiliana is considered as one of the most important in the region. Among the monuments in the village there is what it was the palace of the earls of Frigiliana in the 15th century and later converted into a sugar cane mill.
Frigiliana is not only known for its Moorish type houses but also for its sugar cane honey which is unique in Europe; the local produced wine which is sweet and with high alcohol content is also popular among the tourists and the local residents.
Fiestas or local celebrations take place nearly every month of the year, all with different commemorations but with the same spirit of tradition and having a good time. Some of the most important ones are:
With its white-washed houses, narrow pebbled streets and a tranquil atmosphere, Frigiliana gives the visitor an unforgettable and relaxed experience. Typical bars and restaurants that overlook the sea and the mountains compliment the ‘must do’ visit to this village.
Nerja
Nerja is probably one of the most visited towns on the coast of Andalusia after well known resorts like Costa del Sol and Malaga. This former fishing village has more than 9kms of beaches and is without a doubt a preferred spot for many visitors.
Despite of being a busy resort and also a working town, Nerja still has the traditional village character with its white washed houses and narrow cobbled streets.
Balcon de Europa in Nerja
Nerja is the inseparable neighbour to Frigiliana as they are only 6kms away and benefit from each other in many ways. Almost all visitors to Nerja spare some time of their holiday to enjoy the fascinating white village of Frigliana and viceversa. Nerja has the beaches, bars and restaurants that holiday makers staying in villas in the ‘campo’ of Frigiliana wish to enjoy at some point.
Among Nerja’s main attractions the Balcón the Europa is without doubts the most visited because of its beauty and location as it overlooks the sea from the cliff where it is situated. Nerja Caves are another popular spot where paintings dating back twenty thousands years can be found since its discovery in 1959.
Among the various celebrations that take place in Nerja the Romeria de San Isidro (15th May) is in my opinion the most spectacular as it consists of a long procession from Nerja to the Caves where locals and even foreign residents participate dressed in typical Andalusian costumes. A very unusual celebration happens at night at the beach that lasts all night long drinking beer and roasting sardines; this takes place on 23rd June.
Nerja is only 45mins from Malaga airport and is close to Granada and Sierra Nevada, the most southern ski resort of Europe, so it fulfils all the conditions to deserve your visit if you choose to come to Andalusia.