Sedella is an attractive inland white village in Malaga to visit, located less than an hour away from the coast. Its white houses lining the narrow Arab-style streets help to preserve some of its historic past and add to its charm. The village forms part of the Mudejar Route which allows people to visit various inland villages that were present during the Al-Andalus period. Although there aren’t a lot of things to do in Sedella, it’s a nice place to retreat to for a couple of days.
There are many unique white villages near Malaga to drive to, and each one comes with its own personality. Sedella is a popular base for people who enjoy hiking and other outdoor activities since it’s located in Axarquia, with easy access to several hiking trails in the mountains. One of the most famous of these hikes is El Saltillo which takes you over the third longest hanging bridge in Spain.
Spending 2 days in Sedella is a good amount of time to explore the white village itself and find some hidden gems in the surrounding area. Here are my top tips for the best things to do in Sedella as well as where to stay in Sedella for a relaxing getaway in the mountains.
Things to do in Sedella
Iglesia de San Andres Apostol
One of the main things to do in Sedella is to visit Iglesia de San Andres Apostol. This historic church dates back to the 16th century and it was most likely built on the site of an older Arab mosque. You’ll find it positioned at the highest point of the village so you’ll have to walk uphill to reach it. The church’s bell tower was built where the Arab minaret would have stood when the mosque was still present. If the church doors are open during your trip to Sedella, you’re more than welcome to take a look inside.
Casa Torreon
Sitting opposite the main church is Casa Torreon. It’s considered to be the most unique building in Sedella and was once the home of an important former mayor. What’s interesting about this building is that it still preserves its square tower in the Mudejar style. This style is mixed with Renaissance columns and other Moorish decorations. Although you can’t go inside the building, it’s still one of the top things to do in Sedella.
Take in the views of the white village
Due to its location within the mountains, there are a lot of nice viewpoints to take advantage of around Sedella. If you want a good view of this white village in Malaga, one of the best viewpoints is located near the Arab entrance arch which gives you access to the centre of the village. Finding the different viewpoints around the village is one of the best things to do in Sedella year round.
Admire the Arab arches
Sedella has a rich Arab history, and that’s still very noticeable as you walk around its narrow streets. On top of maintaining its traditional Arab layout, Sedella also has a number of beautiful Arab arches adorning its streets. Once you pass through the entrance to the village you’ll find a smaller Arab arch along the same street that’s been very well maintained. Just next to the arch are some benches to rest on and you’ll find a few places to eat along this street as well.
Explore the narrow streets
There aren’t too many things to do in Sedella in terms of attractions, so it’s a good idea to take some time and explore its unique narrow streets. Most of these streets are residential, but a lot of them have been beautifully decorated with flowers, or they offer unique places to take photos at. Since Sedella is situated in the mountains, you should expect a lot of these streets to be quite steep, even if they have steps.
Ermita de la Virgen de la Esperanza
One of the best things to do in Sedella outside of the centre of the village is to visit Ermita de la Virgen de la Esperanza. This hermitage is located on the outskirts of the village and can be dated back to the 17th century. It forms part of the remains of a castle that once stood in Sedella during the Arab period. It’s a beautiful hermitage to look at and you’ll find plenty of free parking spaces along the road leading up to it.
Hike to the Roman Bridge
If you don’t feel up to hiking the famous El Saltillo route, then perhaps a short walk to the Roman Bridge might be more up your street. It’s considered to be one of the most popular hiking routes in Malaga so it should definitely be on your list of things to do in Sedella. The route combines nature, gastronomy, and history in a way that other trails in the area don’t.
For those of you not interested in doing the entire hike, you can park in nearby Competa and walk around 15 minutes to access the bridge.
Where to stay in Sedella
B&B Lagabella
If you’re looking for a rural retreat in the Province of Malaga, B&B Lagabella is the perfect option. This small-scale B&B is situated on the outskirts of Sedella, with stunning views of the mountainous landscape and the sea in the distance. As you approach the B&B you’ll be greeted by a handwritten sign welcoming you and your guest.
This rural accommodation in Malaga is ideally located in the heart of Axarquia so visitors have plenty of options when it comes to both driving routes and hiking trails. We visited a number of nearby pueblos blancos during our stay as well.
B&B Lagabella has three rooms to choose from, and each one has undergone modern updates to ensure guests are as comfortable as possible. No two rooms are designed the same either, so you’re sure to have a unique experience.
We stayed in the Oliva room which can sleep up to three people if needed. The decor of the room is inspired by the ancient olive trees that surround the B&B. It features a very comfortable king size bed, an ensuite bathroom with a walk-in shower, a television that you can stream your devices to, free WiFi, a kettle with different teas, and its own private terrace where you can relax in the sun.
Before you start to explore Sedella and the surrounding area, make sure you walk around Lagabella too, because this small-scale B&B has a lot to see. One of the biggest highlights of the B&B is the large pool area where you’ll find numerous sun loungers. Below the pool area are two separate seating spaces where guests can enjoy relaxing in the shade or chilling out on the large hammock in the sunshine.
The owners regularly have a paella night as well, at an additional cost, which is a nice way to get to know the other guests at the B&B while tucking into some authentic Spanish food.
For me, one of the best things to do in Sedella is to hop in the jacuzzi at B&B Lagabella. For a small fee guests can rent out the jacuzzi for a couple of hours. I would recommend doing this near sunset so you can enjoy the view and the colours that appear at this time of the day. The jacuzzi rental also includes a glass of wine for each guest so it really is a great experience to have during your rural retreat in Malaga.
In the morning you’ll be treated to a beautiful continental breakfast with a few Dutch twists. All of the food is freshly prepared and each morning you’ll find a different side dish, such as a slice of omelette, paired with the rest of the breakfast. And if this wasn’t enough, you get to start the day off by enjoying your food with one of the most breathtaking views in the area.
Staying at B&B Lagabella really is the best way to enjoy all that Sedella and the surrounding area has to offer. Since there are only three rooms available, demand for them can be quite high, so make sure you book in advance to secure the room you like the most.
>> See what rooms are available at B&B Lagabella <<
Is Sedella worth visiting?
So, is Sedella worth visiting? Overall, we had a fantastic time exploring Sedella and the other nearby villages. There aren’t too many things to do in Sedella itself, but having a tranquil place to base yourself from really makes the drive through the Malaga mountains worth it. Sedella is the perfect village to visit if you want a quiet retreat, away from the craziness of the Costa del Sol. It’s also starting to grow its rural tourism so it won’t stay a hidden gem for much longer.
If you have any questions about things to do in Sedella or other white villages near Malaga to visit, please feel free to reach out. You can also follow my travels on Instagram where I regularly feature other unique places in southern Spain to visit.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission from the discount codes used or when a link/ad is clicked. All purchases made will come at no extra cost to you, and I only include products and services that I would personally recommend.
Pin this blog post for later!
