
Andalusia keeps in its extension landscapes, beaches, fairytale towns and unique villages and monuments of extraordinary beauty. Some enjoy the fame they deserve, many retain the surprise factor despite appearing on the podiums of the guides and others remain closely guarded secrets.
The splendor of this land does not take the traveler unawares and synthesizes gastronomy, nature and heritage in each of its destinations. In this case, far from being rural mirages, we compile 7 unique jewels, Andalusian villages that seem to be taken (some literally) from a fairy tale.
1. Soportújar (Granada)
The Alpujarras of Granada enclose more than one charming village perched in the mountains. Beyond Trevélez, Lanjarón or Pampaneira, the mighty Soportújar stands out.
Possibly one of the most unique villages of Andalusia, also known as the village of witches. Its whitewashed houses are huddled on this mountainside that once housed a farmhouse and that in winter bathes everything in snow.
In addition to the legend, people from the north settled in this land and brought with them covens and pagan customs. In fact, after the expulsion of the Moors, the area was repopulated with families mainly from Galicia, whose roots have been preserved to this day.
Thus, Soportújar wears its best clothes all year round and greets the traveler with a witch of enormous dimensions: Baba Yagá. Viewpoints, caves, bends, enchanted bridges and alleys in which to enter with the certainty that the visitor awaits slopes, slopes and, less bad, high doses of mountain beauty.
Cauldrons, dragonflies and a good assortment of sculptures occupy emblematic places of this snowy corner of the province of Granada. A town that will enchant you with its history, its beauty and its particular celebrations around witchcraft. In this case, you should not miss Halloween, the Night of the Witches or the Feria del Embrujo.
2. Zuheros (Córdoba)
It is thought that the first settlers of Zuheros, the Banu Himsi, arrived in these lands towards the end of the 9th century.
This group of Muslims would settle in an area of crags called “Sujayra” (and which give the village its name) and on one of the cliffs they built the imposing castle that presides over Zuheros. From the heights of the castle, the panoramic view of the surroundings is extraordinary.
Zuheros is wrapped in an ocean of olive trees and governs the Subbetica from the huge crag on which it is situated. Its streets are labyrinths of lime that hide small squares, bends and viewpoints of great beauty.
No wonder they have designated its historic center as an Asset of Cultural Interest and Zuheros is considered one of the most beautiful (and unique) villages in Spain.
It is also a lung-proof village, its steep cobbled slopes and a handful of streets make up the Zuheros plan, marked by the aroma of oil, cheese and jasmine.
Lose yourself in its winding streets, discover its church, the charm of the archaeological museum and the museum of customs and popular arts and climb the castle tower. Another of the gifts of Zuheros are its viewpoints, those of the Villa and Escominillas, contemplative sanctuaries where time seems to stand still.
3. Osuna (Seville)
Osuna is not lacking in attractions or popularity. Although this Sevillian municipality has forcefully earned international recognition for its participation in Game of Thrones, its tourist offer goes beyond that.
It is difficult to get rid of the landmarks that mark the fame, but Osuna did not need a blockbuster to beautify this small Sevillian town. The upper part of the municipality has more than 3,000 years of history through which different civilizations have passed.
On the most incipient slope of the municipality are its three most representative monuments: the Convent of the Incarnation, the University of the Immaculate Conception and the spectacular Collegiate Church.
Although they are great heritage jewels, what makes Osuna one of the most unique towns in Andalusia is the Coto de las Canteras. A journey into the past through this quarry, which safeguards gardens, stone sculptures and monumental works sculpted by Francisco Valdivia.
4. Fairytale villages in Andalusia: Júzcar (Malaga).
Recognizing Júzcar is no prodigious task; blue presides over every corner of this municipality that can be guessed among the hills. The iconic Malaga municipality hosted the world premiere of the film “The Smurfs”.
For the occasion it was decided to paint the entire municipality blue, becoming a phenomenon of rural tourism. The well-known Smurf village, located in the Genal Valley, preserves this characteristic tone that is worth coming to admire.
5. Setenil de las Bodegas (Cádiz)
The slopes of the Guadalporcún river have made possible the creation of one of the most genuine villages of the Sierra de Cádiz. In the interior of the province of Cadiz, is Setenil de las Bodegas, a surprising prehistoric enclave that hides more than one wonder.
The peculiarity of this white village is its landscape configuration. The houses are hollow between the rocky ledges and the municipality is arranged in the middle of a maze of stone and lime, an urban stronghold fruit of geology and an imposing architecture.
6. Paraúta and the Enchanted Forest
The Sierra de las Nieves, in the province of Malaga, is home to Paraúta, a white and mountainous oasis two hours from Seville included among the Pueblos Bonitos de España. It retains its Andalusian layout marked by narrow cobbled streets, flowers and orchards.
The Enchanted Forest is one of its greatest charms, which will captivate the little ones who explore it. Its gastronomy is also nourished by this season with endogenous products such as honey or chestnuts.
7. Frigiliana (Malaga)
Another of the fairytale villages that Andalusia reserves is Frigiliana. To walk through its cobblestone streets and whitewashed houses that make up the scenery of this little town means giving in to its beauty.
The scent of plants and orange blossom soaks its labyrinthine streets. Here you can visit the ruins of its castle or the Palace of the Counts of Frigiliana without forgetting its succulent gastronomic offer.