THINGS TO DO
The most beautiful white villages near Marbella
Behind the coast, Andalusia's white villages cling to hillsides and gorges. They're made for a car — the drives are scenic and the parking is always on the edge. Here are the ones we'd point you to first.
- 1
Mijas Pueblo
The closest and most famous, with donkey taxis and balcony views over the coast.
Read more - 2
Ronda
Less a village than a clifftop town, split by a gorge and crossed by a breathtaking bridge.
Read more - 3
Frigiliana
Often called Andalusia's prettiest village — a maze of white lanes above Nerja.
Read more - 4
Setenil de las Bodegas
Famous for houses built into and under the rock overhangs along its river gorge.
Read more - 5
Casares
A cascade of white houses below a hilltop castle — one of the best views in the province.
- 6
Gaucín
A quiet mountain balcony with views to Gibraltar and Africa on a clear day.
Frequently asked
For the old town and Puerto Banús you can walk. But the best beaches sit between towns, and the white villages and day trips — Ronda, Mijas, Gibraltar — are awkward by bus. A compact automatic handles the coast road and the climbs comfortably and pays for itself over a few outings.
May–June and September are ideal — warm sea, sunshine and far fewer crowds than peak summer. July and August are hot and busy, so book the car early. Winters are mild and quiet, great for driving the white villages without traffic.