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Travel bucket list idea:

Last updated: 16 July, 2023
Expert travel writer: Dana Facaros

Just outside of the beautiful town of Ronda, in the gorgeous Andalusian countryside of the Sierra de Grazalema region, you’ll find a series of so-called White Villages (Pueblos Blancos) scattered across the landscape, sprawling over and down large hills.

These 20 hill towns are named after their glowing, universally white walls. The buildings are all white-washed with slaked lime – known locally as ‘cal‘ – that bleaches in the sun to a sparkling white, a practice introduced by the Arabic-speaking Moors. Not only does the white colour keep homes cool during the searing Andalusian summers, but it came to symbolise hygiene. When a series of epidemics from plague to cholera and yellow fever swept through the region between the 16th and 19th centuries, houses were painted with cal in the wake of infection. (It may have actually helped: studies have shown that slaked lime does kill bacteria that cause cholera).

Each village possesses its own unique character, but they share a timeless allure characterised by narrow cobblestone streets, flower-filled balconies, and breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. It’s Andalusia’s rich and enchanting cultural heritage at its idyllic best.

Arcos de la Frontera

Arcos de la Frontera, Andalusia, Spain

The white village cascades down the side of the hill

Traditional, picturesque gateway to the White Villages from Cadiz, curling around a sheer cliff on the Guadalete river, with a Moorish fortress, steep narrow cobbled lanes, lavishly ornate churches, and cubist white houses.

Best for ages 18+

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Grazalema

Grazalema, Andalusia, Spain

A pretty central square in a white village

Surrounded by craggy mountains, in the heart of the eponymous Natural Park (a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve), this flower-filled White Village is dominated by the dramatic limestone outcrop of the Penon Grande.

Best for ages 18+

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Medina Sidonia

Medina Sidonia, Andalusia, Spain

View through a bell tower across rooftops and out to countryside

Just south of Arcos, a White Village founded by Phoenicians and believed by some to be the oldest city in Europe, before become a famous dukedom, with Roman sewers and waterworks to visit and a ruined castle.

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Vejer de la Frontera

Vejer de la Frontera, Andalusia, Spain

A pretty central square in the white village of Vejer de la Frontera, with intricate and colourful central fountain

Very Moorish, very pretty hilltop village, with a 10th-century castle, Jewish quarter, and colourful tiled fountain in the Plaza de Espana; views extend towards the sea and its beach, El Palmar, 10km away.

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Zahara de la Sierra

Zahara de la Sierra, Andalusia, Spain

View of the white village going up the hill

North of Grazelma, a village so perfect it looks like a film set, piled over a hillside under a precipice topped by a ruined castle overlooking an azure artificial lake where you can swim; it’s also a good base for walks.

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Price: Free
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 18+
When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

There are a number of organised tours to the popular white villages, that will arrange all of the logistics for you. See our recommendations below.

If you want to self-drive, you can take in three of the most picturesque White Villages by heading 17km north to Setenil de las Bodegas with its famous cliff houses, then head west 33km to Zahara de la Sierra. From here drive south 16km on the breathtaking CA-9104 to Grazalema; from here it’s 33km back to Ronda. For a multi-day cycling (or e-bike) tour of the White Villages, try Cycling Country.

When to do it

The White Villages are achingly beautiful year-round, but maybe less so in July and August when it can be very hot and crowded. Spring and Autumn are the best times to visit for clement weather.

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Mudejar Route and White Villages Small-Group Tour with Lunch

Malaga

Mudejar Route and White Villages Small-Group Tour with Lunch
Explore our spectacular Andalusian moorish past with this day trip. First stop will be the little village Archez with its very well conserved mudejar minaret. Second stop is Canillas de Albaida and its narrow streets, which will take you to the old muslim past of Andalusia. Third stop is Salares, one of the most beautiful and smallest villages in Andalusia, discover its mudejar minaret and tower and its Roman bridge. Fourth stop is Sedella another white village full of white houses. Finally we will drive to Sayalonga to enjoy a lunch of tasty local food. Afterwards you will have the opportunity to see the narrowest street in Andalusia, located in this lovely village. This day trip includes round-trip hotel transport from the coast between Nerja and Torre del Mar.

Price: €75

Min age: 12

Rating 5 / 5 [57 ratings]

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White Villages and Ronda Day Tour from Seville

Seville

White Villages and Ronda Day Tour from Seville
(mandatory, please READ DEPARTURE & RETURN SECTION to choose your pick up.) Take the day to discover the famous “White Villages” of Andalusia. These stunning white washed towns will amaze you with there uniformity and cliffside construction. These ancient dwellings have survived war and power changes.Their existence today is a true miracle and telling about the advanced construction practices of the ancient Moorish settlers. Leave the logistics up to us, and enjoy the day touring these UNESCO World Heritage sites. Visit the village of Ronda, one of the most famed “White Villages” it will leave you in awe. This village is situated on a plateau that will allow you to enjoy expansive views of the valleys below and marvel in the cliff sides. Ronda is separated in two parts by a 120 meter chasm. This has been crossed by a 18th century stone bridge that will surely make you feel like your in a wonderland.

Price: €79

Min age: 0

Rating 4.52 / 5 [1037 ratings]

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1 Day Excursion to White Villages and Ronda

Seville

1 Day Excursion to White Villages and Ronda
Nobody should leave Andalusia without experiencing the beauty of the landscape of the “Pueblos Blancos”. During our visit, discover incredible corners when strolling through the winding streets of Andalusia and amazing ways of integrating the houses with their natural environment. A trip to two white towns; Zahara de la Sierra, with the old Arab cities in the center surrounded by the walls of the Medina. An essential stop in Ronda, one of the most touristic cities in Spain, with such significant elements as the Plaza de Toros and the Puente Nuevo.

Price: €79

Min age: 1

Rating 4.2 / 5 [30 ratings]

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White Villages and Ronda Day Trip from Seville

Seville

White Villages and Ronda Day Trip from Seville
Discover White Villages and Ronda from Seville with our local guide. We will visit, among others, the most emblematic places of the city, the New Bridge, also, we will pass through Zahara de la Sierra and the natural park of Sierra de Grazalema, you will enjoy the nature and the fresh air of the mountain. We will also visit an olive oil mill where we will do a small tasting of Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

Price: €79

Min age: 0

Rating 4.11 / 5 [123 ratings]

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White Villages and Ronda Guided Day Tour from Seville

Seville

White Villages and Ronda Guided Day Tour from Seville
Take a unique trip to the most significant traditional White Villages of Andalusia. A perfect itinerary for those who want to know the roots, folklore and Andalusian Nature, visiting some beautiful places with extensive history and tradition. These stunning white washed towns will amaze you with their uniformity and cliffside construction. The ancient dwellings have survived war and power struggles throughout centuries. Their existence today is a true miracle and is telling about the advance construction practices of the ancient Moorish settlers. Leave the logistics up to us, and enjoy the day touring these UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Price: €79

Min age: 0

Rating 4.46 / 5 [202 ratings]

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White Villages and Ronda Day Trip from Seville

Seville

White Villages and Ronda Day Trip from Seville
We start from Seville, to the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park in the province of Cádiz, where one of the most rainy places in the entire Iberian Peninsula is concentrated. Our first destination will be Zahara de la Sierra; In this beautiful white town we will have a short space of time to walk through its streets, and admire the nearby towns of the Sierra We continue towards Setenil de las Bodegas, where we will admire its houses carved into the rock, enjoy its wines and appreciate its rich gastronomy . Our last destination is the majestic Ronda, of Celtic origin and also considered one of the oldest cities in the West. We will walk on foot the most emblematic places; the Alameda del Tajo, the Plaza de Toros, and the Puente Nuevo. We will also have enough time to continue seeing its monuments, its commercial area, and choose the most suitable place to enjoy a pleasant lunch in the many bars and restaurants it offers us.

Price: €85

Min age: 0

Rating 4.77 / 5 [57 ratings]

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White Villages and Ronda Two Days Tour from Seville

Seville

White Villages and Ronda Two Days Tour from Seville
Leave the logistics up to us on this two-day excursion through the amazing “White Villages” and Ronda. These stunning white washed towns will amaze you with their uniformity and cliffside construction. These ancient dwellings have survived war and power changes.Their existence today is a true miracle and telling about the advanced construction practices of the ancient Moorish settlers. Also, visit the village of Ronda. One of the most famed “White Villages” it will leave you in awe. This village is situated on a plateau that will allow you to enjoy expansive views of the valleys below and marvel in the cliff sides. Ronda is separated in two parts by a 120 meter chasm. This has been crossed by a 18th century stone bridge that will surely make you feel like your in a wonderland.

Price: €189

Min age: 0

Rating 4.52 / 5 [19 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Ronda and White Towns from Seville - Private Tour

Seville

Ronda and White Towns from Seville - Private Tour
A quiet, familiar and relaxed tour to get to know Ronda and the region of the white villages with an Andalusian guide who knows the region and the local culture well. Very personalized, with tickets included to two monuments in Ronda with the possibility of choosing between Plaza de Toros, Casa del Rey Moro and the Arab baths or others requested by the client. Free time for lunch in the city of Ronda and with a stop back in Seville in another white town, Zahara de la Sierra or Setenil de las Bodegas, where you can breathe a more rural and less touristy atmosphere than in the beautiful and attractive city of Ronda, offering a broader image of the region of the white peoples, their culture and traditions.

Price: €199

Min age: 0

Rating 4.33 / 5 [21 ratings]

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Ronda and White Villages Tour from Seville

Seville

Ronda and White Villages Tour from Seville
Discover the countryside of Andalusia as you explore its stunning villages with their characteristic whitewashed facades. Learn about the rich culture and architecture in each site, marveling at the rolling hills and lush forests, interacting with the local artisans, and tasting some delicious traditional tapas along the way. Upgrade your experience and visit Ronda and/ or enjoy an olive oil tasting at an oil mill.

Price: €265

Min age: 0

Rating 4.97 / 5 [37 ratings]

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Private Guided Day Trip to the White Villages and Ronda from Seville

Seville

Private Guided Day Trip to the White Villages and Ronda from Seville
Enjoy the authentic and renowned tour of the White Villages, our tour endorsed by the excellent reviews of our expert guides Alexis, Ana or Enrique allow us to offer a unique and different day tour. We will enjoy the beauty of Zahara de la Sierra, the impressive orography of Setenil de las Bodegas and the carteristic and majestic city of Ronda. We will finish enjoying the local bakery of the village of Olvera. All this in a semi private tour (maximun 6 peoples) without hurry, enjoying the beauty and the landscapes that we will visit. Obliged to take photo camera or smartphone !!! Being a private tour, we are flexible for the villages that you wish to visit, you only have to indicate it in the reservation or comment on the same day of the tour to our mate. We are flexible (within a logic on logistics).

Price: €294

Min age: 8

Rating 4.91 / 5 [111 ratings]

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Ronda and White Villages Guided Day Tour from Seville

Seville

Ronda and White Villages Guided Day Tour from Seville
Embark on a unique guided day tour and explore the countryside and mountains of the province of Cadiz and Malaga. Witness all of what this area is most famous for: it's olive trees, leather, great food and amazing views. Receive insights from your knowledgeable tour guide and visit the famous cities of Ronda and Grazalema.

Price: €328

Min age: 0

Rating 4.90 / 5 [11 ratings]

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Private White Villages & Ronda Day Tour from Seville

Seville

Private White Villages & Ronda Day Tour from Seville
Discover the 'White Villages' of Andalusia, visiting Zahara de la Sierra, Grazalema and Ronda. Join this Private Guided Day Tour from Seville where you will enjoy these beautiful towns and stunning landscapes around one of the greatest natural parks in southern Spain. Remember that you can customize the tour depending on your preferences by adding and removing white villages or attractions. Setenil de las Bodegas, Acinipo, Pileta´s Cave, Olvera or visiting a local winery are some examples that you could add to your itinerary.

Price: €540

Min age: 0

Rating 4.86 / 5 [88 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

Andalusia

Andalusia, Spain

Andalusia

A big dazzling region, packed with fascinating cities, beautiful landscapes and beaches, colourful fiestas and oodles of sunshine.

Malaga

Andalusia, Spain

Close up of the beautiful cathedral from the side

A big, vibrant city with a fascinating old centre, lively contemporary art, sandy beaches, great restaurants and buzzy nightlife.