MY 3 FAVOURITE PUEBLOS BLANCOS

WHITE TOWNS IN ANDALUCÍA

and why they are a “MUST-SEE”

I often get asked why the Pueblos Blancos or White towns of Andalucía are worthwhile visiting. Not just that – they are a “must-see” in the Genal Valley!

Well, they are not only charming, but these mountain villages also provide a lovely way to spend anything from just one day to a few weeks meandering the narrow village streets or watching spectacular sunrises and sunsets.

My 3 favourite Pueblos Blancos are:

Benalauría – my home town
Genalguacil – art and a cemetery
Gaucín – pretty practical

BENALAURÍA

My home town

I have to mention my home town, Benalauría first.

It captures the essence of a small mountainside village where rural life is in perfect harmony with nature and the elements, hence a total “must-see”!

This plaza is one of my favourite places to watch children playing or the town folk enjoying a breakfast or a glass of tinto de verano.

Just above the plaza there is a mirador, or viewpoint, to enjoy a guaranteed spectacular sunset over the Genal Valley with its cork forests.

Must-sees:

Plaza
Mirador
Moros y Cristianos

Here you will always find a friendly local greeting you and making you feel at home instantly. The steep and narrow streets with their cobble stone images portraying village life somehow all lead to the main square.

And for a very special experience, why not stay a while and be dazzled by the pristine Southern sky passing right over your head?

Another must-see every August is when Benalauría hosts the awe-inspiring Moros y Cristianos Festival where the historic battles between Moors and Christians in the Fifteenth Century are re-enacted by the villagers, big and small alike.

“It does not lack a detail. Authentic refuge in the mountain where you can reconnect with nature.”

GENALGUACIL

Art and a cemetery

Genalguacil has managed to perfectly merge tradition with outdoor avant-garde art.

The town sitting on the mountain’s edge has a permanent outdoor art display that has been fascinating visitors for quite some years now.

Although many people come here on a treasure hunt to discover cats on rooftops, fat ladies or frames of beautiful views, I find that there is one place that is rarely mentioned, but truly worth a visit as well: the cemetery.

This serene place with its white walls decorated with flowers and icons next to the church is perfect to spend a few quiet minutes before going in search of more strange figures or tree trunks that come alive.

Must-sees:

Scenic drive through the Genal Valley
Art, art
And more art
Beautiful views of the Genal Valley

“It has been a wonderful stay, the beautiful house, the host looking after even the smallest detail.”

GAUCÍN

Pretty practical

Find the perfect combination of views, culture and amenities here.

Gaucín with its castle, “El Aguila” is perfect for a view down to
Gibraltar , the Northern-African coast and Morocco.

Here you can have your tapas while watching the sun set over Gibraltar and Africa’s Atlas Mountains.

Gaucín is one of the larger White Villages and has a good infrastructure for locals and visitors alike:

Bank with ATM
Fuel station
Several grocery shops
A holistic food shop
A speciality wine shop
Bars and restaurants
A hardware store
Post office
Local police station

These are just 3 of no less than 15 “must-see” White Towns of Andalucía in the Upper and Lower Genal Valley so I highly recommend you to spend as much time here as possible.

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this post as much I love sharing my local knowledge with you.

More coming soon…

Are you ready to see our rooms? CLICK HERE to choose yours.

Thank you.

BOOK HERE

I hope to welcome you soon!

Elizabeth