If you’re planning on spending some time exploring the Province of Malaga in southern Spain, and you enjoy stopping at pueblos blancos, then you’re going to want to add the charming town of Gaucin to your list. This white village is steeped in history, pre-dating the Romans, but it was the Romans who officially formed the settlement known as Gaucin, and later the Arabs who improved it. Despite it’s small size, there are many unique things to do in Gaucin.
Gaucin has played an important role in the development of the area for centuries thanks to its strategic position in the mountains near Ronda. As you walk through the village, make sure you take the chance to enjoy the views as much as possible.
The village itself is located only a short drive from the equally impressive white village of Casares, and it’s just under 2 hours from the centre of Malaga. It might be a bit tricky to get to using public transportation, so I would recommend driving to it directly or doing a road trip in the Province of Malaga with a rental car.
Gaucin is a great option for a half-day trip from Malaga, as there aren’t as many things to do in Gaucin as there are in other popular tourist areas. Here’s a look at my top picks for the best things to do in Gaucin.
Things to do in Gaucin
Castillo del Aguila
One of the most popular attractions in Gaucin sits at the very top of the village, so bring your walking shoes and lots of water! Castillo del Aguila, also known as the Eagle’s Castle, is of Arab origin and dates back to the 10th century. Although it’s now a ruin, quite a lot of the castle still remains at least partly intact.
The Torre Homenaje is accessible to visitors and if you climb to the top you’ll have the best views over the village and the surrounding countryside. Castillo del Aguila is completely free to enter, but it does have set opening times that are different in the summer and winter months. Make sure you double check them before visiting.
Ermita del Santo Niño
As you make your way up to the Eagle’s Castle, you’ll pass by the unimposing Ermita del Santo Niño which is worth stopping at briefly. It was built in the 17th century and at one point was used as both a military headquarters and a storehouse for weapons. In the 16th century this is said to be the spot where San Juan de Dios was met by the baby Jesus. It’s an interesting historical attraction to visit and won’t take much time out of your schedule.
Eat tapas at La Esquinita
This may come as a surprise to you, but for such a small white Andalusian village, there are a lot of fantastic places to eat in Gaucin. There’s even a Michelin starred restaurant tucked away down one of the narrow streets. However, if you’d rather not spend all of your budget on food, and you enjoy eating where the locals go, I would recommend ordering tapas from La Esquinita.
It’s located only a short walk from the Gaucin tourist information building so it’s easy to locate. We ordered several dishes from their tapas menu, including homemade croquettes, and the bill was less than €10 per person. For me, it’s one of the best restaurants in Gaucin.
Iglesia de San Sebastian
While you walk around Gaucin, don’t forget to stop at Iglesia de San Sebastian. It’s a beautiful church dating back to the 16th century. The church has undergone some restoration work, so it gives off a later Renaissance feel though. It’s based along a road, so it’s a bit difficult to see the full extent of it. I would recommend viewing it from above at Mirador del Castillo del Aguila for the best photo opportunity.
Cementerio Municipal de Gaucin
While a cemetery may not be what you’d expect to put on your list of things to do in Gaucin, the Cementerio Municipal de Gaucin is very unique and a big attraction for visitors. It sits at the base of the hill where the castle is located, and was built with the tombs stacked four units high in white painted stone. There are fresh flowers placed on all of the tombs regularly which really makes it feel special.
Mirador del Castillo del Aguila
One of the best things to do in Gaucin is to admire the views from Mirador del Castillo del Aguila. This area has recently undergone a bit of a facelift and has been transformed into a beautiful garden space with several seating areas. It seemed to be very popular with both locals and tourists when we visited. This is a good alternative to making the steep walk up to the castle, as it offers almost identical views of the landscape with the sea in the distance.
Plaza de la Fuente
The main square in Gaucin is Plaza de la Fuente. This open plaza is a popular stop for locals to catch up on the daily gossip, and is home to the family-run Casa Antonia where you can sit outside and observe the goings on of village life. There isn’t too much to do in Plaza de la Fuente apart from stopping for something to eat or to take a photo, but it’s definitely a must-visit in Gaucin.
Fuente de los Seis Caños
Fuente de los Seis Caños is one of those attractions you can easily miss if you’re not specifically looking for it. It’s located at the edge of Plaza de la Fuente and was built in 1628. It’s an incredible sandstone fountain featuring six different faces on it, each spouting water from their mouths. You may come across a donkey or two tied up here as their owners stop for something to eat at Casa Antonia.
Plaza de Guzman el Bueno
Less than 5 minutes up the hill from Plaza de la Fuente is another, more intimate plaza known as Plaza de Guzmán el Bueno. This plaza boasts a few restaurant options and is more shaded than the main plaza, making it a nice place to visit to get out of the hot weather in Gaucin. You’ll pass by this plaza as you make your way up the winding streets towards the castle, so you can’t miss it.
Convento de los Carmelitas
An off the beaten path thing to do in Gaucin is to visit the Convento de los Carmelitas as it’s not located near any of the other attractions. It has a rich history, dating back earlier than the 13th century when an official Order was established here. The convent was unfortunately closed when we visited so we couldn’t take a closer look, but I would recommend taking the short walk to it if you enjoy looking at historic buildings.
Explore the streets
One of the best things to do in Gaucin is to take some time and explore its winding whitewashed streets. Gaucin should take no more than a few hours to explore fully, so you’ll definitely have some spare time on your hands to see what other unique places you can come across. . It can get very hot here in the summer months so make sure you’re prepared for the heat if you’re planning on walking around Gaucin or hiking in the area.
Take in the views
Being situated at the top of a hill has its advantages. Historically speaking, Gaucin was the perfect location for a lookout tower and was easily defendable from attacks on all sides. Today though, in a much calmer environment, visitors can enjoy the views from almost every angle in the village. The best view is from the top of the castle, but there are a lot throughout Gaucin to choose from if you’re not able to hike all the way up there.
As you can see, there are plenty of things to do in Gaucin to keep you busy for a day. Gaucin is a stunning white village in Malaga to explore on foot, and is oftentimes missed by tourists who favour staying along the coast and visiting places like Marbella and Estepona. Some of the most unique places in Malaga to visit are located inland though, and chances are you’ll find the villages are a world away from the crowded areas along the Costa del Sol. You won’t be disappointed if you add Gaucin to your southern Spain itinerary.
And if you love exploring Roman ruins, you’ll want to check out Acinipo near Ronda, which is just over an hour away by car from Gaucin.
What’s your favourite white village in Malaga to explore? I’m slowly making my way through them, so any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. For more travel tips and to stay up to date with my travels, you can follow me on Instagram or sign up to my mailing list.
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