Estepona is a beautiful coastal town known for its beaches and warm climate. It is a popular tourist destination for those seeking sun and sea. But did you know that there are also white villages near Estepona that are worth visiting?
What are the white villages?
The white villages of Andalusia are a group of villages and towns. They are scattered between the Serranías de Ronda, Sierra de Grazalema and Los Alcornocales, in the provinces of Málaga and Cádiz. These villages have a unique architecture, with white houses and narrow cobblestone streets. Many of them are nestled in the mountains and are surrounded by impressive natural landscapes, such as mountains and green valleys.
Here is a list of the 5 best white villages near Estepona (+1 a little further but worth it):
Casares.
Just a 30 minute drive from Estepona, Casares is a small but charming town with a rich history. Situated on a hill overlooking the sea, Casares is known for its cobblestone streets and white houses with red-tiled roofs.
It is also home to an impressive 15th century castle, Castillo de Casares, which sits atop the hill and offers stunning panoramic views of the area.
Casares is also the birthplace of Blas Infante, considered the father of the Andalusian homeland and an important figure in the struggle for the autonomy of Andalusia.
Mijas.
Just 45 minutes drive from Estepona, Mijas is a picturesque white village perched on a hillside overlooking the Mediterranean. Mijas is known for its winding, steep streets and numerous souvenir stores.
It is also an ideal place to enjoy traditional Andalusian food in its delicious restaurants. Mijas is also famous for its donkey cabs, a unique way to tour the town and enjoy the panoramic views.
3- Gaucín.
Also a 45 minute drive from Estepona, Gaucin is a village with a rich history and rural charm. Known for its breathtaking panoramic views of the Genal River valley and the Mediterranean, Gaucin is the perfect place to enjoy nature and hiking. It is also home to numerous art galleries worth visiting.
4- Ronda.
An hour’s drive from Estepona, Ronda is a historic city known for its impressive bridge over the Guadalevín River and its bullring, the oldest in Spain.
We will write a complete article about the bridge, but as a foretaste, we would like to tell you that The New Bridge of Ronda is one of the highest bridges in Spain, with a height of 117 meters over the Guadalevín River. It was built at the end of the 18th century to connect the old part of the city with the new one after the collapse of the previous bridge. It is considered a masterpiece of civil engineering.
From the New Bridge, visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of the city and the river valley. It is also a popular place to take pictures and enjoy the atmosphere of the city.
In addition to its architectural beauty, the Puente Nuevo de Ronda also has many interesting stories. For example, for many years, it was used as a prison and it is said that some of its cells are still decorated with drawings made by the prisoners.
Ronda is the perfect place for those who want to immerse themselves in the history and culture of Andalusia.
5- Jimena de la Frontera.
It is a municipality and town located in the province of Cadiz, in the autonomous community of Andalusia, Spain. It is located about an hour’s drive from Estepona and is known for its rural charm and rich history.
Jimena de la Frontera is the perfect place for those looking to immerse themselves in nature and enjoy the quiet life of the countryside. It has several natural parks, such as the Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, which offer stunning panoramic views of the area and are ideal for hiking and enjoying nature.
In addition to its natural beauty, Jimena de la Frontera also has a rich history and is known for its Castillo de Jimena and local craft shops.
(+1)- Arcos de la Frontera.
It is a town located in the province of Cadiz, 1 hour and 45 minutes away. It is known for its impressive cliff, which is located in the Sierra de San Cristobal, and for the Bornos reservoir, a dam built on the Guadalete River.
The cliff of Arcos de la Frontera is a spectacular place that offers panoramic views of the Guadalete valley and the white village of Los Arcos. From the top of the cliff, you can admire the surrounding landscape, with its olive groves and vineyards. It is a perfect place for hiking and enjoying nature.
The Bornos reservoir is another tourist attraction in Arcos de la Frontera. It is a dam built on the Guadalete River that has a large water surface. It is ideal for water sports such as water skiing and wakeboarding. In addition, around the reservoir there are several picnic areas and a bathing area with beach bars.
The historic center of the village is very beautiful and it is a pleasure to stroll through its cobblestone streets and squares. In the center of the village is the church of Nuestra Señora de la O, a historic building dating from the eighteenth century and an example of Andalusian baroque.
Another tourist attraction in Arcos de la Frontera are the limestone quarries. These quarries are located in the Sierra de San Cristóbal and have been exploited since Roman times. The limestone extracted from the quarries has been used for the construction of buildings, bridges and monuments throughout Andalusia.
The quarries of Arcos de la Frontera are an interesting place to visit and learn about the history of limestone exploitation in the region. The quarries can be accessed through a path that starts from the village and offers a unique panoramic view of the Guadalete valley and the village. In addition, there are several caves and grottoes in the quarries that can be visited.
In short, Arcos de la Frontera is a perfect place to enjoy nature, do water sports and get to know the culture and heritage of Andalusia. It is an ideal destination for those looking for a weekend getaway or a vacation in the middle of nature.
There are other white villages like Ubrique (yes, Jesulín’s) or Setenil de las Bodegas but with the ones we have shown you here you have a good representation of the best of each area.
