Andalucia has long bewitched those who pass through it, thanks to its green rolling hills, incredibly rich history and enviable culture.
But among its many whitewashed gems, one village in the province of Malaga stands out as a must visit -even being branded the country’s ‘most perfect town’ by The Telegraph in 2020.
The feature by the British broadsheet described Gaucin as the Notting Hill of Andalucia – not for its pastel terraces, but for the artistic and affluent crowd it continues to lure into its sun-drenched streets.
Perched in the Serrania de Ronda, Gaucin boasts a cinematic view of white facades draped in flowers and winding paths carved into the hillside.
And it’s all visible from the hilltop Castle of Aguila (Castillo del Aguila), which surveys everything from Gibraltar to the African coast.
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According to The Telegraph, Gaucin has quietly become a favourite among Brits, particularly for its ‘wild mountain paths’ and a pace of life that manages to feel both remote and cosmopolitan.
Much like the original Notting Hill, the paper notes, ‘professional artists moved there for its authenticity,’ only to be followed by a wealthier set of bohemians – drawn, it seems, to both the charm and the property market.
The village has also earned praise for its ‘exquisite’ boutique hotels and restaurants that are known to be among ‘the best in Malaga.’
Such eateries, of course, are aided by the town’s ‘incredible’ local produce, including wines and cheeses.
Meanwhile, the Genal River, dubbed the cleanest in Europe, slices through the valleys below, offering endless hiking trails and moments of stillness.
At over 600 metres above sea level, Gaucin’s Moorish streets transport you back in time – and it’s no surprise that names like Victor Edelstein (Princess Diana’s favourite designer), Lord Sainsbury and actors Claire Danes and Hugh Dancy have all found themselves enchanted here.
Writers, too, have documented the town’s pull. The likes of Richard Ford, Francis Carter, and Gerald Brenan have all wandered its slopes, notebooks in hand.
