Acebuchal, the lost village

Acebuchal, the 'lost' village

Donkey El Acebuchal

This village is one of the local gems in the area. If the clouds come out and you are wondering what to do, then this is a great lunchtime visit.

The background to this very unusual and very, very, quaint village dates back to 1948. Prior to 1948 the inhabitants lived a simple life, miles away from anyway, acting as a staging post for the delivery of such items as fish to Granada.

Shortly after the Spanish Civil war, the authorities were concerned that some isolated rebels were being sheltered in the village and assisted generally in their cause. The authorities basically shut the village down in 1948, and dispersed the occupants. Such was the occupants life style that none returned to the village and it fell into disrepair.

Go forward 50 years to 1998, when an old resident, Antonio, decided to move back and renovate parts of the village. He has done an excellent job.

There is not much in the village. Over the past few years Antonio has sold a couple of properties and people use the properties as holiday homes. There is only one commercial building in the village, the Restaurant. Generally it only opens for lunch trade. If there are only up to 4 of you then they will fit you on one of the outside terraces with not too much difficulty.

The food in the restaurant is some of the best around. I love both the salads and the wild boar stew. They have home-made ice cream and bottles of craft beer.

To get there is no problem, either by foot or car.

Walking to Acebuchal. You can either take the road way described below, or you can walk through the foothills from Frigiliana. This is a great walk, albeit a tadge complicated, so if it were me I would get in touch with John Keo Walking tours. www.hikingwalkingspain.com  John, and his brother, Graham, do it a couple of times a week, such is the interest. I am not commercially involved with John, he just does a good walk.

Driving to Acebuchal. Drive up to Frigiliana and take the 'bypass road' heading for Torrox or Competa. Frigiliana will be to your right. There is only one way out of Frigiliana if driving up from the Nerja direction. Drive for about 5 to 10 minutes, the sea is to your left, albeit in the distance. You will come to a brown sign on the right hand side at a junction, depicting Acebuchal. Turn right here.

Sign for Acebuchal

Go up the hill for about another 5 to 10 minutes. You will come to a cross roads, again there is an Acebuchal sign.

Crossroads near Acebuchal

Turn right. Almost immediately the road gets a bit bumpy here. You may want to park. There is another sign on the left depicting Acebuchal 1.7Kms. There is normally parking here.

Parking close to Acebuchal

You can drive on, there is no problem I have done it in a small hire car before. After a few minutes driving you will turn right. If possible stop the car and look over the top to the right, the village is down there.

Misty day in Acebuchal

Carry on walking or driving.

As you get into the village you will see the restaurant. I advise you to drive about 200 Metres further along and park by the chapel. I would NOT advise you to drive any further unless you are a 4 wheel drive vehicle.

Park up and have a (quick) walk through the village. It is lovely. In the restaurant there are photos of 'before' and 'after' the renovations took place.

El Acebuchal restaurant

Antonio's family run the restaurant, and Antonio himself is often there. He may try to entice you into his little souvenir shop. I say a shop, it is more of a locked room, with no signage at all. Whilst a bit expensive it is worth a visit.

Acebuchal

Acebuchal

For your info there is no communication by mobile in the village due to it's isolated location.

As I said before, this is a lunchtime village, and should not be missed.