Frigiliana is situated inland just five kilometers away from the popular coastal resort of Nerja in Andalucía on the Costa del Sol in Spain.
With over 320 days of solid sunshine a year, you could almost say it has a sub-tropical climate.
Situated in the foothills of the Almijara mountain range, Frigiliana has spectacular views of the Higuerron River in the Chillar Valley and has a permanent residency of 2,000 inhabitants which care for the village meticulously to a very high standard.
Any new developments are made to fit in with the old world. Many retired British ex-pats have found a new home in Frigiliana because it is such a pretty old village representing the ‘traditional Spain’ so many Brits look for when moving to Spain.
Not everyone settles in Spain so we recommend living in Spain for 6 months to try it first, you can rent an apartment for this length of time so it is perfect to get the feel of what life would be like here outside of the usual holiday experience.
Are you an expat in Frigiliana? What do you like/dislike about it? Let us know in the comments box at the bottom of the page.
What To See and Do
What makes Frigiliana architecturally interesting is the mosaic created by Pilar Garcia Milan in the old quarter.
This mosaic depicts the history of the village. The Romans also built a fort here but unfortunately it no longer exists.
Frigiliana is made up of steep and narrow streets with a church at the top with a square opposite.
Restaurants are tucked way along the narrow winding lanes and waiting to be discovered. From the top there are many views to be admired of the Higuerron River.
There are many little shops and boutiques where you can buy locally made crafts to take home as souvenirs including basket ware, ceramics and lace.
Frigiliana is as authentic a Spanish village as they come where large supermarkets and chain stores have no place.
Real Estate Agents
Whether you’re looking for a place to rent or to stay at permanently, you can take advantage of the services from the real estate agents in Frigiliana who are more than willing to help you in finding your ideal residence.
You can contact Edwards Estates (www.edwardsestates.es) at Tel. +34 952 533 642. Their office is at Calle Real, 51, Frigiliana 29788, Malaga, Spain.
Tourist Information Office
Frigiliana Tourist Office
Address: Casa del Apero, Calle Cuesta del Apero 8, 29788 Frigiliana (Malaga)
Telephone Number: +34 952 534 261
Email Address: oficinaturismo@frigiliana.es
Website: www.frigiliana.es
Excursions
Frigiliana is an ideal day trip for those wanting a change from Nerja, Malaga and Torrox.
The caves of Nerja are waiting to be explored just a short drive away from the popular and busy beach resort of Nerja.
Moving to Frigiliana
If you are thinking of moving to Frigiliana, then you must read our expat interview with Mandy of Edwards Estates below:
Mandy, what would you say would be the advantages to living in Frigiliana compared to other Costa del Sol towns?
An advantage of living in Frigiliana is that you ‘get the best of both worlds’. It is a very pretty village with stunning views and has a real feel of calm and relaxation about it and most importantly, businesses are open all year round but it is located just 8 minutes away by car or bus to the bustling town of Nerja and its beaches.
Would the area not suit certain types of people, i.e. are there any possible downsides?
Frigiliana attracts a vast variety of people of all different Nationalities. The winter months see an influx of artists, painters, artists and hikers who all want to experience and become motivated by the beauty of the area. The spring and summer months sees families arrive, all looking to enjoy the laid back lifestyle that the village offers. It should be remembered that Frigiliana is built into the mountainside and therefore areas of the village can be quite steep but for those who make the journey to the very top of the village are never disappointed with the results.
What proportion of the local population are Spanish?
One of the lovely things about Frigiliana is the mix of Nationalities that live here but with the largest percentage still being Spanish. This means that the Village still retains a lot of its history and its traditions.
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What are your favourite things to do in the area?
There are wonderful things to do in the area. The nearest beaches are just 7km away and here you will find scuba diving, pedalos, kayaking & boat trips. In the immediate area, there are wonderful countryside walks to be had, quad biking adventures, horse riding and great tapas routes.
Can you give us some insider tips to the best bars or restaurants?
Considering that Frigiliana is just a small village, we have an abundance of cafes, bars & restaurants to choose from (over 60 in fact)! There is a vast array of food on offer from traditional Spanish cuisine to International menus, Tapas to Fine Dining restaurants.
The Garden Restaurant
This is a fine dining restaurant offering a menu that includes Mediterranean, European & Spanish cuisine. Located in the old quarter, don’t let the steep climb up to this restaurant put you off, It is certainly worth the climb! The views are incredible and it is a great place for dining or a sundown cocktail (thegardenfrigiliana.com, Tel. +34 952 533 185).
Restaurante Al Fuente
A Dutch run restaurant by Linda & Jan, located at Calle Real 32 (the main street through the old quarter) offering simple but delicious food and a large variety of Tapas, including vegetarian options – all served with a smile (Tel. +34 660 777 744).
Sal y Pimienta
This is a delightful Polish restaurant and bar with a strong international undertone. Situated on the ‘Plaza de las 3 Culturas’ it has a large terrace offering fantastic views of the mountains and down to the coastal town of Nerja. With both Interior and terrace dining available they cater for all weather conditions and are open throughout the year. The restaurant itself offers fresh produce cooked the way it should be and offered at a price that represents good value for money (Tel. +34 666 618 206).
Nueva Tahona
Also situated on the ‘Plaza de las 3 Culturas’ you will find Nueva Tahona. They specialise in freshly made Pizza and Pasta dishes, salads and tapas. A very popular restaurant that may require a reservation during the busy summer months (Tel. +34 651 358 624).
La Taberna del Sacristán
Located in ‘Plaza de la Iglesia’ the church square and very close to Poca Cosita, this restaurant offers a very high standard of food. With a large meat and fish menu and a very good wine cellar, it comes highly recommended and reservations are advised (Tel. +34 952 533 009).
Oshun Gastronomy Lounge
This is a fine dining restaurant located in the upper part of the old quarter on Calle Amargura with wonderful views and lovely terraces. You can order individual meals off of the menu or can try the Gastronomy Menu at approx 40 Euros (Tel. +34 952 533 679).
Are there many facilities such as doctors and dentists, shops etc?
The village offers a full range of amenities and facilities for residents including cafes, bars, restaurants, various convenience stores, greengrocers, banks, a large pharmacy, doctors, sports centre, public car park and a public open air swimming pool (for the hot summer months).
Are there smaller villages nearby that you might also recommend?
Torrox Pueblo, Competa, Canillas de Aceituno and Periana are inland villages in the same region and are well worth a visit.
What are the nearest international schools and how good are they?
The closest International schools are located in Almuñecar to the East and Malaga to the West. The local schools have a mix of both Spanish and international students.
Is crime an issue for expats?
There is no serious crime in this area but of course, we are a tourist area and recommend that normal care is taken with bags, phones and cameras etc (from possible pick pockets).
Coming onto buying property, what is the market like now in terms of prices going up, or down or staying the same?
We have seen no drop in the number of clients that we help move to Spain for at least the last 2 years. It is a very stable market and as a result, prices which have also been stable are now actually starting to rise a little.
We have a significant number of UK residents who are now “more committed than ever” to take the plunge and enjoy a new life in the sun. The area also attracts many other international buyers.
Is this a good time to buy and are there any repossessions or very cheap properties still available to buy?
With the cost of living in Spain substantially less than in the UK, and house prices considerably lower, it could have been argued that there has rarely been a more attractive time to purchase that escape plan in the sun, or up sticks and move altogether.
Due to the popularity of the area, there are very few ‘cheap’ /bargain properties here and we are not a location that normally has repossessions available.
How much are the typical property prices in Frigiliana for apartments, villas etc?
The price of the property here varies (as with most areas) and can be dependent upon items such as: location (ie: is the property located in the Historic quarter or the new part of the village), views offered (sea/countryside) and the private terrace space available.
For a 2-bed property with a view and some terrace space, prices will realistically start around 140,000 Euros. A 2-bed property with lovely views and a large amount of terrace space will start around 180,000 Euros. A 2-bed property that has no terrace (or just a very small one with no view) will be advertised at around 110/120,000 Euros.
Villas located just outside of the village (which are fully legal and with all paperwork in place) are not often found for under 350,000 Euros and are more likely to have a 400,000 Euros and upwards price tag.
Any tips and advice to people looking to buy in Frigiliana or surrounding area?
Edwards Estates has a dedicated team of local people and we are happy to speak with clients to gain a full understanding of their individual requirements, and to be able to assist them with all of their questions and all of the different aspects of buying a property here.
If somebody has not visited the area before, we would recommend a short 3 or 4 day visit so that they can enjoy the beautiful scenery and to be able to embrace the wonderful village atmosphere that we have here. They would also be able to see the different areas (old and new) and make an informed decision on whether or not this is the right area for them to consider buying in.
Mandy, thank you so much for taking the time to help our readers with your experiences in Spain. If you want to contact Edwards Estates, you can find their details below.
Calle Real, 51
29788 Frigiliana (Malaga), Spain
Tel. +34 952 533 642
Mobile: +34 680 699 704
Email: info@edwardsestates.es
Website: edwardsestates.es
Have a look at the video tour of Frigiliana below:
Contact us to be featured – we want more expat interviews for our newsletter and website. You don’t need to be an estate agent, we want to hear from anyone who lives in Spain whether you are working or retired.
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