5 top white villages to visit in southern Spain

Arcos de la Frontera is dramatically placed on top of a rocky limestone ridge in Cadiz province. The stone castle walls and the whitewashed homes stand on a sheer cliff face above the River Guadalete below and spread down the hillside. Due to its dramatic location and beautiful architecture, the pueblo blanco was in 1962 declared a National Historic-Artistic Monument. A visit to the winding, cobblestoned streets of its Old Town and the Castillo de los Arcos is a must.

For those looking for tradition, along with some great natural hikes, Grazalema is the perfect spot. The sparkling, whitewashed houses line the rocky slopes of a mountain range, with hiking trails heading in all directions into the Parque Natural Sierra de Grazalema. The town itself has been producing honey, cheese, blankets and tasty meat stews for generations and has its own special charm.

Vejer de la Frontera is located around 70 km from Arcos de la Frontera and is among the most beautiful pueblos blancos. Designated a Historic-Artistic Site the ancient fortified town shows is Moorish occupation in the winding alleyways, whitewashed houses and an 11th-century castle as well as the Arch of Segur. The village stands up in the hills above the River Barbates and as the village is only a short drive from the sea, many areas offer beautiful panoramic views of the coastline.

Setenil de las Bodegas was named for its once flourishing wineries (bodegas), but these days it is known for its almonds and olives. The village is unique, in that it grew from a network of caves, set in the cliffs above the River Trejo. The homes and restaurants are still a glowing white, but often appear to be emerging directly from the rocks and their interiors are dug out of the cliff itself. Some are even known to have olive groves growing on their roofs.

Zahara de la Sierra is perched on a mountain overlooking a man-made lake and a valley. The town was originally a Moorish outpost, and as it is set between Ronda and Seville, it was the ideal site for the Castle of Zahara de la Sierra to be built, the remains of which still exist. The Zahara-El Gastor Reservoir offers recreation in the form of fishing and picnicking and has an artificial beach.