Frigiliana & Nerja

After breakfast (around 8:30am), we will drive approximately one hour from Granada to our first stop in the country town of Frigiliana, fittingly known as “The White City.”

En route through the hilly, green countryside, we will pass traditional ranches with groves of olive trees and meticulously maintained vineyards and orchards of lush avocado trees. If we’re lucky, the trees will be covered in greenish-yellow blooms that fill the air with a sweet, citrusy aroma.

The first stop is Frigiliana. Impeccably clean, white-washed homes adorned with pots of bright-red geraniums stand in stunning contrast to the blue skies. Red slate roofs, colorful cafe umbrellas, and vibrant shades of bougainvillea, lavender, and jasmine add an extra dash of color and scent to this enchanting scene. As you explore, ponder the stories held within the walls of Frigiliana’s medieval Moorish fortress and get lost wandering the mazes of cobblestone streets and staircases. Take in the magnificent vistas over Costa del Sol. It is all of this, and so much more, that makes Frigiliana especially captivating.

On the next leg of our journey, we’ll take a short drive to the south and stop in Nerja. The epitome of a quintessential Andalusian town, Nerja is nestled in a stunning natural setting surrounded by sandy beaches, the crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea, and the breathtaking mountains of the Sierra de Almijara. As a cozy costal town which is not packed by tourists, Nerja embodies the Spanish concept of “tranquilo” or “relaxed.”

Our time here begins in the heart of Nerja at Balcón de Europa or “The Balcony of Europe,” an attraction beloved by locals and visitors alike for its palm tree-lined promenade and cliff-top viewpoint that juts out like a natural pier over the cobalt-blue Mediterranean Sea. Here, you’ll fantastic panoramic views of Costa del Sol’s many honey-colored coves and sandy beaches. The two ancient cannons serve as reminder that a mighty fortress once stood atop the cliffs.

You can spend the next few hours in Nerja at your leisure. Be sure to pack your swimsuit for a refreshing dip in Mediterranean waters or catch some rays on nearby La Caletilla Beach, which is a relatively small beach that is surrounded by cliffs and accessible only by foot. It just so happens that La Caletilla Beach is also near Balcón de Europa and just a stone’s throw away from restaurants and shops. If you’d like to do a bit of shopping, you can find a number of local boutiques selling everything from shoes to clothing to souvenirs and art.

There will be plenty of time to enjoy lunch at a café along one the village streets or why not dine beachside?

We’ll board the busses in the early afternoon to return to Granada.