When we were looking for a house in southern Spain, we created a wish list to make the search a little easier. The house had to radiate a Spanish atmosphere, be comfortable to live in during the extremes of the summer and winter and neither of us wanted it to require too much maintenance throughout the year.

Even more important was to find the best location. We do not like mundane environments and high-rise buildings; we were more interested in looking for that typical Spanish feel of white villages, natural surroundings, traditional food, good value locally produced wines and rustic hospitality.

We started our travels in the traditional seaside resort of Nerja which is around an hours drive from Málaga and explored the inland areas of the Axarquia with its mountains white villages and unspoilt countryside. We soon decided our house would be located in this area!

The Axarquia lies in Andalusia between the provinces of Málaga and Granada, just to the east of the city of Málaga. This area has a coastline of 50 km and reaches 35 km inland. Along the coastline you can find vast sandy beaches and coves surrounded by cliffs, beyond there are magnificent mountain ranges and Natural Park,which provide a great climate. The Sierras de Tejeda, Almijara y Alhama are perfect for hiking, mountain biking, climbing etc. What we found so interesting are the Moorish influences and architecture  in many towns and villages which create great  tourism opportunities.

Most villages are located in the mountains and all have their own story to tell. The village of Frigiliana for example has been repeatedly voted most beautiful village in Spain while the Balcon de Europa, and the caves in Nerja have world acclaim. In many villages there are buildings of interest including the church in El Borge and the ancient minarets in Archez and Salares. Worth seeing are also the villages of Comares (highest village in the Axarquia), Alfarnate, Sedella, Riogordo, Canillas de Aceituno and Competa. The main town and capital is Vélez-Málaga.

To be honest, of the 31 white villages in Axarquia, we have only visited around 75% of them and we have been around here for 15 years already, so there is still so much to see ;-)

Sunny greetings from Marita, Team Second Home Andalusia

Just for your comfort, these are all the white villages of the Axarquia area in alfabetical order:

• Alcaucín, Alfarnate, Alfarnatejo, Algarrobo, Almáchar, Archez, Arenas
• Benamargosa, Benamocarra
• Canillas de Aceituno, Canillas de Albaida, Colmenar, Comares, Cómpeta, Cútar
• El Borge
• Frigiliana
• Iznate
• Macharaviaya, Moclinejo
• Nerja
• Periana
• Rincón de la Victoria, Riogordo
• Salares, Sayalonga, Sedella
• Torrox, Totalán
• Vélez-Málaga and Viñuela