Welcome to Bienvenido a Acebuchal!
The Axarquia’s most regenerated village
El Acebuchal, like many other Axarquian white villages, has been transformed in the last few years thanks to the growth in tourism. Except that Acebuchal surely has the best claim for the title of Axarquía’s most regenerated village, given that it had literally disappeared off the map after the Spanish Civil War, becoming just a memory, in fact to some, even a ghost village…
On this page you’ll find a little more info on Acebuchal, then there’s an interactive map which will give you directions on how to get here – from wherever you’re starting from! Also worth checking out is our handy guide which links not only to all of our Acebuchal pages, but to all of the fascinating places to visit here. Further on, you’ll find a map guide of the Axarquia with links to all the interesting places to visit both in Acebuchal, and the surrounding villages.
From ghost village to holiday village
Hidden in a beautiful mountain valley on the edge of the protected National Park of the Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama mountain range, El Acebuchal is a world away from the beach resorts of the Costa del Sol, though only a half hour drive from the coast. Surely, the perfect get-away location!
This isolated hamlet, between Frigiliana and Cómpeta, with just over thirty Moorish-style houses, was originally evacuated by order of the Franco regime in 1949, who declared that its inhabitants were collaborating with bandits. Thankfully, fifty years later, it was restored by a couple with family connections to the village, and has gone on to become a popular base for rural tourism.
While being situated in such a remote enclave in the mountains was no doubt a major factor in the village’s temporary demise – and even today only a few people live in Acebuchal all year round – it does mean, on the other hand, that virtually all of the properties are available for rental! And the family that restored the village now run the excellent bar/restaurant, Bar Acebuchal, and are always happy to help new visitors to their village.
But, do bear in mind that while there are some modern conveniences like electricity and water, there is barely any telephone or internet reception, nor are there any shops, banks, etc. Remember also, to take cash to use at the restaurant – it can’t accept credit cards!
Directions to Acebuchal
Acebuchal pages guide
Use the links below to explore what you can see and do in Acebuchal, what festivals take place through the year, and to read about the area’s fascinating history.
