The American magazine Travel Leisure highlighted a couple of springs ago in one of its articles which are, in his opinion, the 23 most beautiful small towns in the world. A compilation that highlights “hidden gems” among which is the charming village of Frigiliana in Malaga, possibly the most beautiful of Andalusia and a perfect destination in any of the 4 seasons.
To walk its steep cobbled streets, to taste its gastronomy, to delight in the whitewashed houses that make up the profile of Frigiliana implies yielding to the beauty of this popular destination. “It’s a hidden gem,” Americans say, although in Andalusia no one is surprised by the Malaga town’s panache.
In the article in question, the review goes over some of the goodness of Frigiliana, in addition to placing it among the 23 most beautiful small towns in the world. “Some places simply take your breath away after seeing them for the first time, and Frigiliana lands in that category.”
They further qualify it as a “beautiful hidden gem in the hills of southern Spain“. They also conceive Frigiliana as a destination that “still goes unnoticed and has not been taken over by tourists”. Apart from how crowded its streets tend to be, especially in this spring season, perhaps they are not quite on the right track in this respect.
Its labyrinthine streets exude the scent of orange blossom and other plants that embellish the windows and patios. In addition, Frigiliana has a rich heritage, such as the ruins of its castle or the Palace of the Counts of Frigiliana. And we must not forget its wide gastronomic offer, which Travel Leisure also praises, “taste tapas and drink local wine while watching the sunset in peace”.
The 23 most beautiful small towns in the world
The ranking of the magazine in question is as follows, contemplating other great small towns as the most beautiful in the world. Thus, Frigiliana shares space with Gordes (France), Bacalar (Mexico), Guatapé (Colombia) or Rothenburg ob der Tauber (Germany).
- Gordes, France
- Shirakawa-go, Japan
- Giethoorn, Netherlands
- Stepantsminda, Georgia
- Oia, Greece
- Cherrapunji, India
- Guatapé, Colombia
- Stowe, United States
- Ban Rak Thai, Thailand
- Portofino, Italy
- Frigiliana, Spain
- Grindelwald, Switzerland
- Lake Placid, United States
- Bacalar, Mexico
- Moulay Idriss Zerhoun, Morocco
- Ilulissat, Greenland
- Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany
- Marsaxlokk, Malta
- San Sebastian Bernal, Mexico
- Banff, Canada
- Whitefish, United States
- Byron Bay, Australia
- Stone Town of Zanzibar, Tanzania
Other fairytale villages in Andalusia
In our opinion, however, Andalusia holds in its extension many other amazing bends, comprising natural landscapes, endless beaches and a kindly amount of fairytale villages.
We compile 7 of them, singular jewels that seem to be taken (some of them, literally) from a fairy tale.