Picturesque Villages in Cádiz
A Look at the Pueblos Blancos in Andalusia
Southern Spain's white villages epitomise Mediterranean life, set on hillsides with views to the coast and across landscapes of olive groves.
Arcos de la Frontera
Arcos is a dizzying sight, high on a hilltop overlooking the river Guadalete. Much photographed, it is regarded as one of the prettiest places in Spain. Arcos is between Jerez and Ronda and a good base for touring the region. Built on the site of a mosque, Santa María de la Asunción is the oldest church in the village, with parts dating back to the 13th century. La Casa Grande (Maldonado 10, +34 956 703 930, www.lacasagrande.net) is a beautiful boutique hotel in an 18th-century house, with just seven rooms.
Vejer de la Frontera
On a hillside, but just a couple of miles from a spectacular beach of golden sand on the Costa de la Luz, Vejer is a maze of narrow, sloping streets which glimmer in the brilliant Andalusian sunshine. The Arab castle, with a number of watchtowers, dates back to the 10th century and has panoramic views across the landscape. There are plenty of tapas bars and restaurants, as well as half a dozen boutique hotels, including the Convento de San Francisco (La Plazuela, +34 956 451 001, www.tugasa.com), a converted 17th-century convent with 25 rooms.
Zahara de la Sierra
Tiny squares, steep lanes, whitewashed houses, hilltop Moorish castle…. Zahara ticks all the boxes when it comes to the stereotypical Andalusian village. Situated alongside a reservoir and surrounded by rolling hills, the focal point is the main square, which is dominated by the baroque church of Santa María de la Mesa and is a fabulous spot for a cool drink.
Grazalema
Set in the Grazalema Nature Park at the foot of the dramatic limestone Pinar mountains, the village is a must for botanists, ornithologists and anyone who likes walking in spectacular countryside – but bring your waterproofs because Grazalema has the highest rainfall in Spain. The village is famous for the wool blankets made there, which are on sale in local shops. Look out for eagles, vultures and falcons in the hills. The Fuerte Grazalema (Baldío de los Alamillos, +34 956 133 000, www.fuertehoteles.com), situated in the nature reserve, is a comfortable hotel with a pool overlooking the village.
Setenil de las Bodegas
Tucked into the overhanging rock, Setenil is a quite extraordinary sight, with streets seeming to tunnel into the hillside. The village was renowned for the wines produced there until the phylloxera epidemic wiped out the vines at the end of the 19th century. Under Arab rule until 1484, there are still vestiges of Moorish architecture. Look out for the cave houses, which surprisingly are warm in winter yet cool in summer.
